The stage is set for a showdown in Nashville, and the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) couldn’t have scripted a more compelling matchup. On January 5, 2026, the Montana State Bobcats and the Illinois State Redbirds will collide at FirstBank Stadium, each with a storybook playoff run and a shot at history. For Montana State, it’s a return to familiar territory, while Illinois State arrives as the ultimate road warriors and the Cinderella story of this postseason.
Montana State punched its ticket with a resounding 48-23 victory over archrival Montana in the FCS Semifinal at Bobcat Stadium on December 20, 2025. It was the second time in just four weeks that the Bobcats toppled the Grizzlies, having previously edged them 31-28 in Missoula. This latest win was anything but routine, showcasing the Bobcats’ grit, resilience, and a flair for the dramatic.
The Bobcats stormed out to a 20-3 lead midway through the contest, only to see Montana claw back and seize a 23-20 advantage after Jake Olson hauled in a one-yard touchdown pass from Keali'i Ah Yat with 8:47 left in the third quarter. But if the momentum seemed to slip, the Bobcats never lost faith. “We felt confident,” said receiver Taco Dowler, recalling the tense moment when the game teetered on a knife’s edge. Head coach Brent Vigen echoed that sentiment: “I think this team has continued to be a forward-thinking outfit, and the offense came out and drove it down the field to take the lead back. That piece is a microcosm of what we’ve been about all season.”
Montana State answered immediately with a methodical 75-yard drive, converting three third downs and eating up nearly seven minutes. Quarterback Justin Lamson capped the march with a pop pass to Rocky Lencioni, restoring the Bobcats’ lead. The defense then stiffened, with key stops from Bryant Meredith and Carson Williams, before forcing a Montana punt. What followed was a sequence that will live forever in Bobcat lore.
Pinned deep at their own 13-yard line and facing third-and-20, Lamson rolled right and, off one leg, launched a pass to Dowler at midfield. Dowler made the grab, slipped free as two Grizzly defenders collided, and blazed down the sideline. He cut across the field through a swarm of would-be tacklers, sprinting 87 yards for a touchdown. “It had to be one of the greatest plays in program history,” marveled Vigen.
The Bobcats weren’t finished. On Montana’s next possession, Bryce Grebe picked off Ah Yat and returned it 40 yards to the house, stretching the lead to 48-23 and putting the game out of reach. The stats told the story: Montana State outgained Montana 449 yards to 347, with 23 first downs to the Grizzlies’ 18. Lamson was sharp, completing 13 of 19 passes for 209 yards and two touchdowns. Adam Jones was a workhorse, rushing for 131 yards and two scores. Dowler, the hero of the night, caught five passes for 125 yards.
The Bobcat defense also stepped up, with Kenneth Eiden IV and Tayden Gray each recording two tackles-for-loss, Gray adding a sack, and Zac Crews notching one of his own. Notably, the Cats had to persevere without Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year Caden Dowler, who was injured early. In his absence, Colter Petre logged six tackles and a pass breakup, helping hold Montana to just 51 points across two meetings in four weeks.
With their 13th straight win, the Bobcats improved to 13-2 and secured their third FCS Championship appearance in five seasons. Coach Brent Vigen’s record now stands at a sterling 60-12 over five years, including a dominant 40-2 mark at home. “That play changed the course of Bobcat history,” Vigen said, reflecting on the wild semifinal triumph.
While Montana State’s path was impressive, Illinois State’s journey to Nashville has been nothing short of remarkable. The Redbirds stunned the FCS world by defeating No. 12 seed Villanova 30-14 in the other semifinal, becoming the first team ever to win four road games in a single FCS playoff. Their nine-game road winning streak, dating back to mid-September, is a testament to their tenacity and focus.
Coach Brock Spack’s Redbirds, now 12-4, are also the first unseeded team in the current 16-seed playoff format to reach the national title game. “This group has really good leadership,” Spack said after the win. “They just don’t flinch and they’re an amazing group… we’re on a pretty good run.” Quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse has been at the heart of that run. Against Villanova, he threw for 251 yards, surpassing Tre Roberson’s single-season school passing record with 3,256 yards. “I want to just put ourselves in a good position to win the game, and I felt I did that today,” Rittenhouse said. “It’s awesome, I’ll definitely look back in a few years at those accolades and really appreciate it. Right now, really enjoy this one, being with the boys and celebrate.”
Rittenhouse’s connection with Daniel Sobkowicz has been electric, with the duo finding the end zone seven times in the last three games. Sobkowicz snagged two more touchdowns in the semifinal, including a 53-yard bomb to open the scoring. “It just goes back to Tommy trusting his guys,” Sobkowicz said. “There’s certain plays and playcalls that we’re able to execute at such a high level.”
Running back Victor Dawson continued his postseason dominance, carrying 34 times for 155 yards and a touchdown. “Just shout out to the O-line,” Dawson said. “They gave great pushes and we just stayed consistent moving the chains.” The Redbirds controlled the clock for nearly 40 minutes and were 11 of 20 on third down. Defensively, linebacker Tye Niekamp led a unit that stifled Villanova, allowing just two field goals until the closing minutes and limiting the Wildcats to 1 of 10 on third down. CJ Richard Jr. notched a crucial interception in the end zone, and kicker Michael Cosentino, making his debut, was perfect on all field goals and extra points.
The Redbirds’ playoff run has been a gauntlet, knocking off defending champion North Dakota State and three other teams with a combined 42-8 record. This will be Illinois State’s second appearance in the FCS title game, their first since a narrow 29-27 loss to North Dakota State in 2015. Spack, in his 17th season, has guided both championship runs.
As the January 5 title game approaches, Montana State’s fan base is expected to travel en masse to Nashville, but Illinois State has shown it can thrive in hostile territory. Both teams bring momentum, star power, and compelling narratives to the biggest stage in FCS football.
With history on the line and two teams peaking at the perfect time, all eyes turn to Nashville, where one will etch its name in the FCS record books. Will the Bobcats’ experience and home-run plays carry the day, or will the Redbirds’ road-tested resolve deliver a storybook ending? The answer awaits beneath the bright lights of FirstBank Stadium.
