Montana State Wins FCS Championship
The Montana State Bobcats triumphed over the Illinois State Redbirds with a nail-biting 35-34 victory in overtime on Monday night, marking their first FCS championship win since 1984.
Last season didn’t go as planned for the Bobcats; they fell in the championship game during a shootout and faced an early exit in the quarterfinals due to a missed extra point. It was a tough pill to swallow for the team.
This year started off on a shaky note, with the Bobcats losing their first two games. But they managed to turn things around and strung together an impressive 14-game winning streak, ultimately claiming the national title.
In the semifinals, the Bobcats took down their in-state rivals again, further solidifying their momentum.
Head coach Brent Vigen is already setting sights on the future, expressing a desire for continued development. He noted, “We cleared that hurdle and this group accomplished something that hadn’t happened in quite some time. We’re looking to build more.” The outlook appears promising, given that only nine seniors were on this championship-winning squad.
During the championship game, the Bobcats established a solid lead, going 21-7 at halftime. They held on to a two-point margin in the third quarter, eventually stretching it to 28-14. However, the Redbirds fought back hard.
With the game tied at 28-28, Illinois State’s kicker, Michael Cosentino, had the chance to put them ahead. But his 38-yard attempt was blocked by Montana State’s Jace McMillan.
In overtime, Illinois State briefly took the lead as quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Dylan Lord, making it 34-28. Unfortunately, the team’s kicking woes continued as Bobcats defensive end Hunter Parsons blocked the extra point attempt.
The tide turned when Montana State’s quarterback Justin Lamson threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to Taco Dowler, leveling the score at 34-34. Kicker Myles Sanstead succeeded with the extra point, sealing the victory for the Bobcats.
Lamson enthusiastically remarked, “The tacos were completely open. I just tried to give him a chance because I got hit, and the rest is history. Miles did what he had to do.”
Vigen, celebrating his third title in five seasons, emphasized the effort it took to get there. He commented, “What a hard-fought battle. I don’t think these things are easy to achieve.”
