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FCS championship final score, results: Montana State beats Illinois State in overtime, wins first national championship since 1984

Jake Mozarsky

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FCS championship final score, results: Montana State beats Illinois State in overtime, wins first national championship since 1984 image

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The 2026 FCS National Championship Game did more than crown a winner; it instantly etched itself into college football lore.

In the first title game in subdivision history to be decided in overtime, the Montana State Bobcats ultimately defeated the unseeded Illinois State Redbirds in a 35-34 thriller, capturing the program's first national championship since 1984. The contest was a relentless, seesaw affair that saw Illinois State storm back from multiple two-touchdown deficits in the second half, only for their miraculous, history-making playoff run to end on an agonizing missed point after a touchdown in the extra period. The result left one team celebrating an end to a decades-long title drought and the other collapsing just one kick short of glory.

Illinois State's dramatic comeback was powered by truly career-defining performances from their senior quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse and star receiver Dylan Lord. Rittenhouse completed 33-of-46 passes for 311 yards and four touchdowns; he connected with Lord for a remarkable 13 receptions, which resulted in 161 yards and two scores, including the 10-yard touchdown in overtime that gave Illinois State their first lead of the entire game at 34-28. Unfortunately for the Redbirds, the ensuing extra point was missed, leaving the door open for Montana State to snatch the trophy with a touchdown and a single made kick.

The final, decisive drive for the Bobcats provided one last moment of breathtaking drama, cementing the game’s iconic status. Facing a seemingly insurmountable 4th & 10 from the Illinois State 14-yard line, quarterback Justin Lamson stood firm under pressure and lofted a perfectly placed pass to the corner of the end zone, where star wideout Taco Dowler secured the critical touchdown to tie the score at 34-34. The successful PAT that followed secured the 35-34 victory for Montana State, concluding a game filled with spectacular individual efforts and relentless, pressure-filled moments that delivered an instant all-time classic.

For the Montana State Bobcats, this championship is the culmination of years of sustained excellence under head coach Brent Vigen. Having reached the title game in previous seasons only to fall short, this win secures their first national championship since 1984, fulfilling the high standards they have set in Bozeman after years of heartbreak. The Bobcats became the first team since 2001 to win the FCS Championship the season after being the runner-up, making a definitive statement about the program’s resilience and reinforcing their status as a perennial powerhouse.

Meanwhile, while the loss stings, the season will forever be remembered as the greatest in Illinois State Redbirds history. The unseeded team became the first in FCS history to win four straight road playoff games, knocking off giants and silencing critics at every turn. Though the final moment was one of crushing defeat, the historic run by Rittenhouse and the "Road Warriors" elevated the Illinois State program to a new national prominence. Once again on the national stage, the Redbirds stormed back against an FCS powerhouse, setting a new standard for championship competitiveness in the Missouri Valley Football Conference and building a foundation of belief that the program can compete with and beat anyone in the nation.

AllSportsPeople followed all the action from one of the best games in college football this season, where Montana State defeated Illinois State in an overtime thriller for its second national championship ever. Check out all the highlights below.

WATCH: Stream the FCS Championship between Illinois State and Montana State with Fubo (free trial)

Illinois State vs. Montana State final score

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Illinois State001414634
Montana State71470735

Illinois State vs. Montana State live updates, results, highlights from 2026 FCS Championship

Final: Montana State 35, Illinois State 34

11:00 p.m.:  Montana State has won its first national championship since 1984 in dramatic fashion.

The extra point is good, and Montana State, who gave up a 14-point lead in the fourth quarter, who ends its storybook season with a storybook game.

On then other side, Illinois State's season ends in the most heartbreaking way. Rittenhouse and Lord had the games of their lives, but it was not enough. An extra point made the difference.

The first overtime game in FCS Championship history delivers an all-time classic.

11:00 p.m. TOUCHDOWN:  Montana State has tied the game on 4th & 10.

Lamson lofts one up to the left side of the endzone while facing pressure, and it's his superstar Dowler who hauls it in to tie the game.

Now, the extra point.

10:57 p.m.:  Lamson had Woods for a chance for a first down, but the receiver drops it.

Now, Montana State faces a 4th & 10 with a play to save the season.

10:55 p.m.:  Montana State has its ninth false start penalty of the game. This one drives them from a 2nd & 6 to a 2nd & 11.

The Bobcats have nearly 100 penalty yards tonight.

10:54 p.m.:  Just like Illinois State, Montana State gets a first down on the first play.

Lamson takes a QB draw up the middle, gets wrapped up and is pushed by his line across the chians.

The Bobcats are on the Illinois State 14.

Illinois State 34, Montana State 28

10:52 p.m. TOUCHDOWN:  Illinois State has its first lede of the game.

On only the second play, Rittenhouse throws a screen to Lord, who runs into the end zone for a 10-yard score.

But, the extra point is blocked, meaning Montana State can win the game with a touchdown and an extra point.

10:51 p.m.:  Illinois State already has a 1st & goal, with Rittenhouse passing to Sobkowicz for 15 yards.

10:50 p.m.:  Montana State has won the coin toss and has elected to play defense first.

Rittenhouse, who threw for 286 yards and three touchdowns in regulation, takes the field first with the Illinois State offense.

Overtime: Illinois State 28, Montana State 28

10:46 p.m.:  If Montana State and Illinois State didn't deliver enough memorable moments tonight, there's now an extra frame to do more.

The FCS Championship is going to overtime for the first time ever, tied 28-28.

Both teams will get a possession and an opportunity to score. Will the champion be the Illinois State Redbirds or the Montana State Bobcats?

We're about to find out.

10:44 p.m.:  The Montana State offensive line has had a poor game to its standard, with multiple penalties and missed blocks. Now, the center snaps it when Lamson is not ready, and it goes behind the quarterback.

By the time No. 8 recovers it, Montana State loses 20 yards and now has to punt.

Illinois State takes over with 12 seconds left deep inside their own territory. We're probably going to overtime.

10:40 p.m.:  The kick is blocked!

Jhase McMillan, comes free off the edge and blocks the kick, and Seth Johnson, who has been the victim to some crucial penalties tonight, picks it up. He returns it past midfield before being brought down.

Montana State has 57 seconds left to get into field goal range as the game remains tied.

10:37 p.m.:  The Redbirds faced a 3rd & 5 with 1:50 remaining, and Rittenhouse kept a read option and was just short of the line to gain.

Illinois State is running the clock down, and Michael Cosentino will have a chance to give the Redbirds their first lead of the game with 1:04 remaining.

10:32 p.m.:  Illinois State is in opponent territory at the two-minute timeout, and guess who got them there? Dylan Lord.

Rittenhouse floats one over the middle right to No. 4, who has a 33-yard reception after hauling it in and getting extra yardage.

The Illinois State Redbirds are close to history.

10:28 p.m.:  Montana State goes backwards on the first two plays, setting up a 3rd & 13 with the Illinois State faithful on their feet.

Those fans get what they want, with Lamson throwing down the left sideline and almost getting intercepted. Still, the Redbirds get a stop.

Now, Illinois State will get the ball back with the game tied, starting at the 34.

Illinois State 28, Montana State 28

10:24 p.m. TOUCHDOWN:  Dylan Lord is having the game of his life, and he just tied the game.

On his 11th catch, he gets the first down and stays up, beating a few more defenders before lunging into the end zone. He has 11 receptions for 118 yards and a touchdown on the night.

More importantly, the underdog Redbirds have stormed back from down 14, and it's a tie game with 5:10 remaining.

10:22 p.m.:  After a Dawson carry, Rittenhouse layers a throw to Lord again, who takes his 10th reception of the game 16 yards.

It gets Illinois State inside the 30.

10:20 p.m.:  Facing a 3rd & 1, Rittenhouse throws out to the right to Lord, who goes seven yards well past the first down sticks.

It gets Illinois State inside Montana State territory with over seven minutes remaining.

10:16 p.m.:  The Illinois State offense is getting the ball back with a chance to tie the game.

On third down, Lamson's pass gets deflected at the line and Montana State has to punt.

Rittenhouse and Illinois State will start the drive at their 40.

10:14 p.m.:  Lamson gets swarmed on second down and has to throw it away, setting up a 3rd & 7. But, another false start penalty moves the Bobcats offense back. On the ensuing play, Lamson tries to go deep to a receiver downfield but overthrows him; though, an offsides penalty on the defense gave them another chance.

Montana State 28, Illinois State 21

10:08 p.m. TOUCHDOWN:  Illinois State has to go for it on 4th & 1, and it is Sobkowicz who makes the play to make it 28-21.

Rittenhouse takes the snap and throws a fade up to the receiver, who goes up and makes the grab. He has four receptions for 37 yards and the score on the night as Rittenhouse throws his second touchdown.

Montana State will get the ball back with just over 10 minutes remaining in Nashville.

10:03 p.m.:  Rittenhouse throws an incomplete pass to Kasper, but a personal foul penalty advances the ball 15 yards and gives the Redbirds a first down.

10:01 p.m.:  On 3rd & 4, Rittenhouse throws to Dawson in the flat and the back gets just enough for a first down. He gets to he Montana state 26.

9:59 p.m.:  After getting a first down, Rittenhouse connects with Eddie Kasper for seven yards before Dawson is stuffed at the line of scrimmage.

End of the third quarter: Montana State 28, Illinois State 14

9:54 p.m.:  Illinois State is in Montana State territory. This time, it's backup running back Seth Glatz taking only his second carry of the game 12 yards for a new set of downs.

The next play, Rittenhouse gets out of the pocket for six yards in the final play of the third quarter.

It's 28-14, with the Redbirds driving. Expect the FCS championship to come down to the wire.

9:53 p.m.:  Needing to move, Illinois State gets a first down. Rittenhouse throws a play-action pass to Dawson, who gets forward before being tackled ahead of the chains.

Montana State 28, Illinois State 14

9:48 p.m. TOUCHDOWN:  Just like the first half, Montana State answers right back.

Here, Dowler takes a carry and makes defenders miss and goes all the way into the end zone. It's a 22-yard score.

Montana State has a 14-point lead for the third straight time.

9:47 p.m.:  It's a 3rd & 10 with momentum on the Illinois State side, but Lamson and Montana State convert.

The quarterback drops back and is able to find Wood in between three defenders way above the line to gain. It's a 20-yard completion.

The next play, Lamson takes a read option to the right and scrambles for 18 yards. The Bobcats are inside the Illinois State 30.

9:44 p.m.:  On the kickoff, Woods finds a gap and takes it 35 yards. Montana State will start drive at 36.

Montana State 21, Illinois State 14

9:38 p.m. TOUCHDOWN:  On play 17 of the drive, Dawson lunges to the end zone, but loses the ball in the process. Though, offensive lineman Logan Brasfield jumps on the ball in the end zone, and it's a touchdown.

After getting a quick stop, Illinois State drove down the field in 17 plays on a 7:32 drive. With it, the Bobcat lead is seven.

9:35 p.m.:  Illinois State faced a 3rd & goal from the 2, Rittenhouse play-fakes to Dawson and tries to find his receiver on the left. Though it comes up incomplete, a pass interference on Seth Johnson has given the Redbirds a new set of downs.

9:34 p.m.:  After gaining one yard on two plays, Rittenhouse targets the MVAC Freshman of the Year Luke Mailander, who holds on for another first down.

It's 1st & goal for the Redbirds.

9:31 p.m.:  A pass interference penalty on Montana State, where Sobkowicz was targeted, has given Illinois State a 1st & 10 inside the 20.

The Redbirds can cut the deficit in half for the second time.

9:30 p.m.:  On the second straight 3rd & 4, Dawson stiff arms a defender then bounces outside to the left and runs out of bounds after gaining enough yards for a first down.

9:28 p.m.:  After getting across midfield, Rittenhouse throws to Lord on the left sideline, and the receiver makes an acrobatic catch and gets a first down with it.

Lord is now up to 70 yards on the night.

9:26 p.m.:  Dawson has a chunk carry to open the Illinois State drive, rumbling 21 yards all the way up to the Illinois State 36. The back is approaching 100 rushing yards.

Then, the next play, Rittenhouse dumps one off to Dawson and he once again has a first down on a 10-yard reception.

9:22 p.m.:  On 3rd & 6, Lamson has to drift left and throws an incomplete pass to the sideline. There's a holding penalty on the play, but it's declined.

The Redbirds get a big stop to begin the second half, and Montana State will punt for only the second time. Down 14, the Redbirds have the ball back.

9:21 p.m.:  Montana State's offense picks up right where it left off. After a six-yard Jones reception, Jones takes his first carry of the second half for nine yards and a first down. 

The Bobcats are already up to their 46.

9:19 p.m.:  The second half has officially kicked off, with the Montana State offense on the field first.

The Bobcats can make it a 21-point lead with a touchdown on this drive.

9:14 p.m.:  Teams are coming out and the second half is moments away.

The first half was an offensive affair, with each team gaining over 200 yards and combining for four touchdowns.

Halftime: Montana State 21, Illinois State 7

8:57 p.m.:  Rittenhouse and Illinois State run a few plays before the clock expires, and though there was a Redbird flash the first half was Bobcats dominance.

Lamson has 228 yards and three total touchdowns, his two rushing serving as the difference in the game. On the other side, Rittenhouse and Illinois State have moved the ball, but only have seven yards to show for it.

Montana State 21, Illinois State 7

8:53 p.m. TOUCHDOWN:  It took three plays for Montana State to get into the end zone, and it happened in lightning-fast pace. First, Lamson connects with Jabez Woods for 20 yards then hits Long for 22 right after.

The Bobcats get to the line in no-huddle, and Lamson finds a wide-open Dane Steel near the sticks. Steel makes a tackler miss then hurdles over another, staying on his feet and lunges into the end zone. It's a 33-yard score.

Montana State went 75 yards in 36 seconds, and it did not take long to re-take the 14-point lead.

Montana State 14, Illinois State 7

8:50 p.m. TOUCHDOWN:  The underdog Redbirds are on the board in Nashville.

On 2nd & goal, Rittenhouse completes to his wide-open tight end, Scotty Prresson Jr., who walks into the end zone. The lead is now cut in half. Illinois State's longest drive of the game ends in their first score.

With it, Rittenhouse set a program record for most career passing yards. He's performing well tonight, completing 12-of-19 so far for 129 yards and a touchdown.

Now, Montana State will have 54 seconds to add onto the lead.

8:49 p.m.:  Illinois State has a 1st & goal. 

It's Lord again, who hauls in a slant for a seven-yard catch. The receiver has seven receptions in the first half.

8:46 p.m.:  The Redbirds have a 4th & 2 coming up after the two-minute timeout, with Rittenhouse throwing to Dawson but falling short of the line to gain.

8:43 p.m.:  Illinois State is inside the 30. Dawson takes a carry to the right, falling across the sticks for a nine-yard carry. The Redbirds are down to the Montana State 23.

8:42 p.m.:  Rittenhouse finds Lord on a 15-yard play, and even worse, there's a roughing the passer penalty on Cole Taylor. It moves the ball 30 yards.

Then, the next play, Rittenhouse completes one again to Lord for 13 yards, and Illinois State is across midfield.

8:38 p.m.:  On third down, Lamson does a quick snap and is immediately met by the Redbird pass rush, and the quarterback goes down. It sets up Montana State's first punt of the game.

Illinois State has the ball back and will start at its 20, with 5:17 remaining in the first half.

8:36 p.m.:  The Bobcats have two first downs on two plays.

First, Jones has a 12-yard run up to the 32, then Dowler brings in his sixth catch of the game which goes to the 42.

Dowler has six catches for 96 yards in the game already.

8:32 p.m.:  Facing a 3rd & 5, Rittenhouse has time in the pocket and floats one to Lord, who was open in the middle of the field. But, he puts it too far in front of the receiver, and it's 4th & 5. 

Down 14-0, Illinois State punts again and it's another touchback. 

8:31 p.m.:  The Redbirds get a much needed play. Rittenhouse finds Lord for a 10-yard gain, and a facemask penalty on Montana State moves the ball 15 more yards.

It moves Illinois State all the way above the 40, and two plays later, Dawson takes a carry across midfield for a first down.

Montana State 14, Illinois State 0

8:24 p.m. TOUCHDOWN:  Lamson has his second rushing touchdown of the game. He takes his second straight carry and gets engulfed by tacklers, but not before he drives into the end zone.

Montana State has the momentum and a two-score lead.

8:23 p.m.:  It's 1st & 10 for Montana State at the Illinois 11 after Lamson has time and easily finds his checkdown to Dowler.

A Lamson carry takes Montana State all the way down to the Illinois State 2.

8:22 p.m.:  Montana State is inside the 30, with Lamson hitting Dowler again. It goes for 10 yards.

8:17 p.m.:  The Bobcats are already across the 50. On the first play, Lamson throws a bullet over the middle of the field to Chris Long, who takes it 33 yards. 

It gets even worse for the Redbirds, who give up another 15 yards on a targeting call against Lashavion Brown. Brown has been ejected from the game.

With the penalty, Montana State is up to the Illinois State 37.

8:15 p.m.:  A screen pass on third down goes a few yards, but after the penalties Illinois State has to punt. The ball goes into the endzone and it's a touchback.

Montana State has the ball back up 7-0.

End of the first quarter: Montana State 7, Illinois State 0

8:11 p.m.:  Similar to the first drive, there's a big penalty on the Illinois State offense. This time, it's a holding penalty that drives them back 10 yards.

Rittenhouse takes a deep shot to Sobkowicz on 3rd & 20, and though he catches it there's an offensive interference penalty on the receiver. 

It's another crucial penalty for the RedBirds, serving as the final play of the first quarter.

8:03 p.m.:  Right after the penalty, Rittenhouse has a pitch-and-catch to Sobkowicz on the comeback route. It's 19-yards and Illinois State is inside the Montana State 40.

8:01 p.m.:  Facing a 3rd & 4 right above their 40, Rittenhouse tries hitting Daniel Sobkowicz on a slant but Carson Williams was there with him the entire way. He gets his hand in there for a pass breakup.

Though, on the ensuing punt, there is a running into the kicker penalty on Montana State's Seth Brock. With the penalty, the Illinois State offense comes back onto the field.

Montana State 7, Illinois State 0

7:54 p.m. TOUCHDOWN:  The Bobcats are on the board.

On play 10 of the drive, Lamson keeps a read option, going right to the endzone for a three-yard touchdown.

The favorites go 90 yards and draw first blood in Nashville.

7:51 p.m.:  Montana State is the first team in the red zone tonight.

Lamson buys time, scrambles right and sees a wide open Dowler downfield, hitting him for 38 yards, going all the way down to the five.

7:49 p.m.:  Right after the sack, the Bobcats get all the yardage back and more. Lamson throws short to Taco Dowler, who breaks loose and takes it 26 yards. It goes all the way down to the Illinois State 37.

7:48 p.m.:  The Bobcats are at midfield after Adam Jones 17-yard run, but on the next play Lamson gets immediately rushed by Mason Kaplan.

It's the first sack of the game.

7:47 p.m.:  One play, one first down for Montana State.

Justin Lamson has an easy play-action pass to his tight end Rocky Lencioni, taking it 16 yards to the Montana State 26.

7:43 p.m.:  A false start penalty made it a 3rd & 15, and Rittenhouse tries to find a receiver but it comes up incomplete.

The Bobcats defense bends, but doesn't break, forcing Illinois to punt. Next up is the Montana State offense, who starts inside the 10.

7:41 p.m.:  The Redbirds are across midfield, with Dawson taking it 14 yards right up the middle all the way to the Montana State 38.

7:39 p.m.:  Illinois State has a first down in two plays, with running back Victor Dawson taking his first carry to the right for 11 yards and a first down.

The next play, Tommy Rittenhouse has his first completion of the game for a first down, hitting Dylan Lord for 11 yards as well.

7:35 p.m.:  We are underway at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville.

The Cinderella Illinois State Redbirds offense has the ball first.

7:23 p.m.:  For the Montana State Bobcats, this is a chance to reclaim their status as the dominant force in the FCS, seeking their first national title in over four decades after a near-perfect season.

For the Illinois State Redbirds, the stakes couldn't be higher: they are chasing the first national championship in program history, a feat that would complete one of the most improbable underdog runs the FCS playoffs have ever witnessed.

With the title on the line in Nashville, the winner will forever cement their legacy within college football.

7:10 p.m.:  The highly-favored Montana State Bobcats, who are seeking their first national title since 1984, bring a prolific offense centered on a relentless rushing attack, featuring two 1,000-yard backs and mobile quarterback Justin Lamson.

Conversely, the Illinois State Redbirds' surprising run has been powered by a physical defense that has excelled in the playoffs, notably by holding opponents to under 100 rushing yards per game in the postseason.

This clash of styles — Montana State's power running game versus Illinois State's defensive front and time-of-possession-heavy offense — will likely determine the outcome. Redbirds QB Tommy Rittenhouse, who has over 3,200 passing yards, will need to be efficient against the Bobcats' opportunistic defense to complete the ultimate Cinderella story.

7:03 p.m.:  The "road team" Illinois State is dressed in all-white uniforms for the final game.

6:58 p.m.:  FirstBank Stadium is filling up as teams are on the field for warmups.

Montana State and Illinois State kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET.

6:40 p.m.:  The Illinois State Redbirds, who became the first team in FCS history to win four straight road playoff games, are set for the national championship tonight against the No. 2 seeded Montana State Bobcats.

The game, which kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN, will see the Cinderella Redbirds try to complete their historic run and capture the program's first-ever national title in Nashville.

6:38 p.m.:  Montana State fans are going to want to watch this before kickoff.

6:32 p.m.:  The stage is set as kickoff inches closer.

6:00 p.m.:  Expect mostly Montana State fans in the crowd tonight.

5:55 p.m.:  The Montana State Bocats have arrived.

The bobcats made last year's national championship game but lost to North Dakota State. This year, return searching for their first national championship since 1984.

5:48 p.m.:  We are less than two hours away from kickoff.

5:38 p.m.:  The Redbirds are all business heading into FirstBank Stadium.

5:24 p.m.:  On the other side are the Illinois State Redbirds, who are looking for their first national championship in school history.

Illinois State is 12-4 entering the championship in Nashville.

4:44 p.m.:  The Montana State Bobcats enter Vanderbilt Stadium looking to win their fourth national championship in school history.

The Bobcats enter tonight's contest with a record of 13-2 in the 2025 season.

4:41 p.m.:  The FCS champion will be crowned today in Nashville, Tennessee.

MORE: Bowl season winners and losers

Where to watch Illinois State vs. Montana State 

Illinois State vs. Montana State start time

  • Date: Monday, January 5
  • Start time: 7:30 p.m. ET

The FCS Championship game between Illinois State and Montana State will kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET. The game will be played at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee. This is where the Vanderbilt Commodores play their home football games. 

What channel is Illinois State vs. Montana State on today?

The FCS Championship game between Illinois State and Montana State will air on ESPN. Dave Flemming will be the play-by-play analyst while Brock Osweiler serves as the color commentator. Stormy Buonantony will be the sideline reporter. 

Those looking to stream the game can do so via the ESPN App or Fubo. The latter carries ESPN in its channel lineup and is currently offering a free trial. 

Senior Editor