If you follow FCS football, the Bobcats’ last nine months have been unusual. The team beat its in-state rival in the first-ever playoff meeting, won a national championship in overtime, and opened 2026 ranked No. 1. This guide covers how it happened, who mattered, where things stand now, and when the rivalry game is next.
Are the Montana State Bobcats the Reigning FCS Champions?
Yes. Montana State beat Illinois State 35-34 in overtime on January 5, 2026, in Nashville.
Justin Lamson hit Taco Dowler for a 14-yard touchdown on fourth down in overtime, and the extra point won it. Myles Sansted kicked the extra point that ended the game. Two blocked kicks helped: Jhase McMillan blocked a go-ahead field goal late in regulation, and Hunter Parsons blocked Illinois State’s extra point in overtime.
The game was wilder than the final score suggests. Illinois State outscored Montana State 14-0 in the fourth quarter to force extra time, the first overtime game in FCS title game history. Illinois State also outgained the Bobcats 471 yards to 381, yet lost. It was Montana State’s first national championship since 1984.
How Did Montana State Get There?
Through four playoff wins, including a home rout of Montana.
The Bobcats opened 2025 with losses to Oregon and South Dakota State, then didn’t lose again. They won 13 straight through the semifinal.
| Round | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Second round | Yale | W 21-13 |
| Quarterfinal (Dec. 12) | Stephen F. Austin | W 44-28 |
| Semifinal (Dec. 20) | Montana | W 48-23 |
| Championship (Jan. 5) | Illinois State | W 35-34 (OT) |
The Stephen F. Austin quarterfinal
SFA arrived at Bobcat Stadium with an 11-game winning streak. Montana State ended it with turnovers and a steady ground game. Kenneth Eiden IV had three sacks and forced two fumbles, and Adam Jones had three touchdowns. Jones ran for 114 yards and senior Julius Davis added 96 as the Bobcats rushed for 227. SFA’s 28 points tied the most any FCS opponent scored on Montana State in regulation that season.
The individual stories mattered locally. Jones is a Missoula native, and Eiden is a Bozeman product. Two players from opposite ends of the rivalry combined for the biggest performances in a game that set up the rivalry showdown.
What Happened in the First Playoff Cat-Griz Game?
Montana State won 48-23 in the semifinal, in front of a record crowd.
The Bobcats had already beaten Montana 31-28 in Missoula on November 22, which secured the Big Sky Conference regular-season title. The rematch was the first playoff meeting in the series.
- The crowd: 25,437 fans filled Bobcat Stadium for the 125th meeting, described as arguably the biggest sporting event in state history.
- The turn: Montana State led 20-3, Montana scored 20 unanswered points to take a 23-20 lead in the third quarter, and the Bobcats answered with four straight touchdowns. swxlocalsports
- The big plays: Dowler caught an 87-yard touchdown from Lamson at the start of the fourth quarter. Bryce Grebe returned an interception 35 yards for the final score.
- The stats: Lamson accounted for four touchdowns, and Jones ran for 131 yards and two scores. Montana State finished with three sacks and eight tackles for loss.
Tight end Rocky Lencioni, a Bozeman redshirt freshman, also scored. He entered the game with five touchdown catches after switching from high school receiver to college tight end.
Who Coaches and Leads the Bobcats?
Brent Vigen is the head coach, now in his sixth season.
The 2026 team is led by sixth-year head coach Brent Vigen. The title was Montana State’s fourth appearance in the championship game and third under Vigen, after losses to North Dakota State in 2021 and 2024. After the win, Vigen described the moment as a long time coming.
Names to know as of the latest box scores:
- Justin Lamson (QB): led the 2026 opener with 260 passing yards.
- Adam Jones (RB): the leading rusher in most 2026 games so far.
- Taco Dowler (WR): the overtime touchdown catcher in Nashville, still producing this fall.
- Tommy Mellott: the former quarterback and wide receiver was picked in the sixth round of the NFL draft by the Las Vegas Raiders.
How Is Montana State Doing in 2026?
The Bobcats are 5-0 overall and 2-0 in Big Sky play, and they are ranked No. 1.
| Date | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Aug. 29 | at Utah Tech | W 54-0 |
| Sept. 5 | Butler | W 51-24 |
| Sept. 12 | at Nevada (FBS) | W 20-7 |
| Sept. 19 | Central Connecticut | W 35-30 |
| Sept. 26 | Northern Arizona | W 28-14 |
The Northern Arizona win extended the winning streak to 19 games. That game showed some depth: Patrick Duchien threw a touchdown pass and ran for two scores as a short-handed Montana State beat Northern Arizona. Central Connecticut was closer than expected. Adam Jones scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to hold off the Blue Devils.
What Is the Rest of the Schedule?
Six more Big Sky games and the rivalry finale on November 21.
| Date | Opponent | Site |
|---|---|---|
| Fri., Oct. 2 | at Idaho | Moscow, ID |
| Oct. 17 | at Eastern Washington | Cheney, WA |
| Oct. 24 | Weber State | Bozeman |
| Oct. 31 | Cal Poly | Bozeman |
| Nov. 7 | at Idaho State | Pocatello, ID |
| Nov. 14 | at Northern Colorado | Greeley, CO |
| Nov. 21 | Montana | Bozeman |
The Idaho game on Friday, October 2, is set for 8:30 p.m. MT on ESPN. Most other games stream on ESPN+, but listings disagree on some kickoff times, so check the official Montana State site.
When Is the Next Cat-Griz Game?
Saturday, November 21, 2026, at Bobcat Stadium in Bozeman.
The regular season closes with the 125th Brawl of the Wild in Bozeman. The series count depends on how you tally it. After the semifinal, Montana led the all-time series 75-45-5, but Montana State had won three straight and eight of the last 10. As of this week Montana is 4-1 and tied with Montana State at 2-0 in the Big Sky standings. That makes the November game a likely conference-title decider for the third year in a row.
What Should Fans Watch for the Rest of 2026?
- The takeaway margin. Montana State’s 2025 run was built on defense and turnovers. The Bobcats were positive in turnover margin in six straight games entering the semifinal. If that trait holds, the offense can stay conservative in tight games.
- Depth at the skill positions. Duchien’s performance against Northern Arizona suggests the roster can absorb injuries, but a Friday night trip to Idaho, on a short week, is a real test.
- The road stretch. Three of the final five games are away from Bozeman, at Idaho State, Northern Colorado, and Eastern Washington. Idaho State is unbeaten and could be a factor in the conference race.
- A championship hangover. The historic pattern in the FCS is that repeat champions are rare. Montana State’s 19-game streak, though, is an unusually strong sign of program stability.
Where Can You Watch or Attend?
Games are typically on ESPN platforms, with the Bobcat Radio Network handling radio. Montana State averaged 21,877 fans at home in 2025, fourth-highest in the FCS. Tickets for the Montana game were listed above $500 on resale sites at the time of writing, far above other home dates, so buy early and use official channels.
Conclusion
The Montana State Bobcats have turned a one-game rivalry into a season-long story: a first-ever playoff Cat-Griz game, an overtime national title, and a 19-game streak going into October. The next checkpoints are Idaho on October 2 and the Montana game on November 21.
FAQ Section
What is the Cat-Griz rivalry?
It is the football rivalry between Montana State and the University of Montana, also called the Brawl of the Wild. The two schools have played more than 120 times, and in 2025 they met in the playoffs for the first time.
Who is Montana State’s head coach?
Brent Vigen is the head football coach. He is in his sixth season and led the Bobcats to the 2025 FCS national championship.
When is the next Cat-Griz game?
The next meeting is scheduled for Saturday, November 21, 2026, at Bobcat Stadium in Bozeman, Montana. Confirm the kickoff time on the official Montana State schedule.
Did Montana State win the FCS national championship?
Yes. The Bobcats beat Illinois State 35-34 in overtime on January 5, 2026, in Nashville. It was their first national title since 1984.
Who did Montana State beat in the 2025 FCS playoffs?
The Bobcats beat Yale 21-13, Stephen F. Austin 44-28, Montana 48-23, and Illinois State 35-34 in overtime.
What is Montana State’s 2026 record?
As of September 29, 2026, Montana State is 5-0 overall and 2-0 in the Big Sky Conference. The team is ranked No. 1 and has won 19 straight games.
Where do the Montana State Bobcats play home games?
They play at Bobcat Stadium in Bozeman, Montana. The stadium ranked fourth in FCS attendance in 2025, at an average of about 21,900 fans.
What conference are the Montana State Bobcats in?
Montana State plays in the Big Sky Conference, along with Montana, Idaho State, Weber State, and other schools.
Author Bio: Hamid Ali is a sports writer covering college football, FCS programs, rivalries, playoff runs, and championship stories. He focuses on clear, accurate analysis that helps fans understand teams, players, schedules, and the latest developments.
Author Name: Hamid Ali
Email: johanharwen314@gmail.com
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