Montana State Wins 2025 FCS Championship in Overtime Thriller

The thrilling culmination of the 2025 FCS football season saw Montana State clinch their second-ever national title in an electrifying overtime victory against Illinois State.

This remarkable win marked the Bobcats’ first championship since 1984. It also showcased the competitive spirit and resilience of both teams.

The 2025-26 FCS playoffs were a wild ride, full of dramatic upsets and unforgettable moments. Some of those scenes are going to stick in college football memory for a long time.

The Road to the Championship

The 2025-26 FCS playoffs featured a 24-team bracket. Things kicked off on November 29, 2025, and wrapped up with the national championship game on January 5, 2026.

The top 16 teams were seeded, and the top eight got automatic byes to the second round. That setup meant the competition was fierce right from the start, with 16 teams fighting it out in the first round.

First Round Highlights

The opening round had a few standout performances:

• No. 9 Rhode Island defeated Central Connecticut State 27-19.
• No. 12 Villanova dominated Harvard with a resounding 52-7 victory.
• No. 10 Abilene Christian triumphed over Lamar 38-20.
• No. 11 South Dakota overcame Drake with a 38-17 win.
• North Dakota upset No. 13 Tennessee Tech 31-6.
• No. 14 South Dakota State crushed New Hampshire 41-3.
• Illinois State surprised No. 16 Southeastern Louisiana with a 21-3 win.
• Yale edged out No. 15 Youngstown State in a thrilling 43-42 game.

Second Round Drama

The second round brought the top-seeded teams into the mix. The energy picked up fast:

• No. 12 Villanova narrowly defeated No. 5 Lehigh 14-7.
• No. 11 South Dakota stunned No. 6 Mercer with a 47-0 shutout.
• No. 4 Tarleton State bested North Dakota 31-13.
• Illinois State pulled off a major upset by defeating No. 1 North Dakota State 29-28.
• No. 7 Stephen F. Austin outlasted No. 10 Abilene Christian 41-34.
• No. 2 Montana State overcame Yale 21-13.
• No. 3 Montana overpowered No. 14 South Dakota State 50-29.
• No. 8 UC Davis triumphed over No. 9 Rhode Island 47-26.

Quarterfinals: The Battle Intensifies

The quarterfinals, held from December 12-13, took the competition up another notch:

• No. 2 Montana State continued their dominant run by defeating No. 7 Stephen F. Austin 44-28.
• No. 12 Villanova pulled off another upset, edging out No. 4 Tarleton State 26-21.
• No. 3 Montana showcased their offensive prowess with a 52-22 victory over No. 11 South Dakota.
• Illinois State maintained their momentum with a 42-31 win over No. 8 UC Davis.

Semifinals: The Final Four

The semifinals on December 20 set the stage for a showdown:

• No. 2 Montana State emerged victorious in a heated rivalry clash, defeating No. 3 Montana 48-23.
• Illinois State continued their Cinderella run by beating No. 12 Villanova 30-14.

National Championship: A Historic Overtime Thriller

The national championship game, held on January 5, 2026, in Nashville, Tennessee, was a wild finish to an already epic season. Montana State and Illinois State delivered a game for the ages, with the Bobcats clinching a 35-34 victory in overtime.

Key Moments in the Championship Game

The game was packed with memorable moments:

• Montana State’s defense held strong in crucial moments, stopping Illinois State on several key drives.
• Both teams showed serious resilience, with the lead changing hands a few times.
• It all came down to overtime, where Montana State sealed it with a walk-off touchdown on 4th down.

Historical Context and Future Implications

This championship added a new chapter to Montana State’s history. The Bobcats’ dramatic win over Illinois State is going to be talked about for a long time.

Recent Champions and Runners-Up

The past decade has seen a pretty diverse group of champions:

• 2025: Montana State (Coach: Brent Vigen) – 35-34 vs. Illinois State
• 2024: North Dakota State (Coach: Tim Polasek) – 35-32 vs. Montana State
• 2023: South Dakota State (Coach: Jimmy Rogers) – 23-3 vs. Montana
• 2022: South Dakota State (Coach: John Stiegelmeier) – 45-21 vs. North Dakota State
• 2021: North Dakota State (Coach: Matt Entz) – 38-10 vs. Montana State
• 2020: Sam Houston (Coach: K.C. Keeler) – 23-21 vs. South Dakota State
• 2019: North Dakota State (Coach: Matt Entz) – 28-20 vs. James Madison
• 2018: North Dakota State (Coach: Chris Klieman) – 38-24 vs. Eastern Washington
• 2017: North Dakota State (Coach: Chris Klieman) – 17-13 vs. James Madison
• 2016: James Madison (Coach: Mike Houston) – 28-14 vs. Youngstown State
• 2015: North Dakota State (Coach: Chris Klieman) – 37-10 vs. Jacksonville State

Conclusion

The 2025 FCS National Championship game captured what makes college football so wild and addictive. Montana State pulled off a win over Illinois State in overtime—a finish that’s sure to stick with fans for years.

It was dramatic, a little chaotic, and honestly, exactly what you’d hope for in a title game. If you want the nitty-gritty details, the NCAA’s official report has you covered.