Honestly, if you missed the ending of the FCS National Championship on January 5, 2026, you missed one of the gutsiest performances in Big Sky history. People keep searching for the montana state bobcats football score, but the final numbers—35-34—don't even come close to explaining the chaos that went down at FirstBank Stadium.
Brent Vigen’s squad finally did it. They broke a 40-year drought.
It wasn't pretty early on. In fact, after those first two weeks of the season back in August and September, most of us in Bozeman were basically ready to write the year off. You remember that Oregon blowout? 59-13. Then the heartbreaker against South Dakota State where we lost in double overtime. Starting 0-2 is usually a death sentence for title hopes. But this team just... didn't care. They rattled off 14 straight wins.
The Overtime Thriller: Montana State vs. Illinois State
When the clock hit zero in regulation in Nashville, the score was locked at 28-28. Illinois State had a chance to win it late, but they opted for a 38-yard field goal attempt with a little over a minute left. It missed. Wide right. You could hear the collective gasp from the traveling Bobcat fans all the way back in Gallatin County.
Overtime was pure adrenaline.
🔗 Read more: The Philadelphia Phillies Boston Red Sox Rivalry: Why This Interleague Matchup Always Feels Personal
Illinois State scored first. They pounded the ball into the end zone, making it 34-28. But then, the kick. The extra point—something we usually take for granted—hit the upright. Doink. Suddenly, the door was wide open.
Montana State took over and looked stuck. It was fourth down. The season, the title, the 40-year wait—it all came down to one play from the 12-yard line. Justin Lamson, who has been a rock all year, dropped back and threw a pass that looked like it was going to be intercepted. Somehow, it tipped off a defender’s hands and fell right into the lap of a diving receiver. Touchdown.
Myles Sansted stepped up for the extra point. No drama there. He nailed it. Final: 35-34. National Champions.
A Season of Streaks and Heart Attacks
If you're looking for the montana state bobcats football score from earlier in the 2025-2026 run, the season was defined by total dominance after that shaky start. They didn't just win; they embarrassed people.
💡 You might also like: The Eagles and Chiefs Score That Changed Everything for Philadelphia and Kansas City
Look at the Weber State game: 66-14.
Or the "Brawl of the Wild" in Missoula: 31-28.
Winning in Missoula is hard enough, but doing it to secure an undefeated Big Sky record? That's legendary stuff. Tommy Mellott might have been the face of the program for years, but the 2025 iteration of this team relied on a brutal rushing attack and a defense that actually showed up when it mattered.
The playoff run was a gauntlet of its own.
- Second Round: Beat Yale 21-13. It was a defensive slog.
- Quarterfinals: Handled Stephen F. Austin 44-28.
- Semifinals: A rematch with the Griz. This time in Bozeman. The 48-23 scoreline was a statement. It was the loudest I've ever heard Bobcat Stadium.
Why This Score Matters So Much
For decades, Montana State was the "almost" team. We'd get to the playoffs, maybe win a game or two, and then run into a North Dakota State buzzsaw or trip over our own feet in the semifinals. Last year’s loss to NDSU in the title game (35-32) was a scar that wouldn't heal.
📖 Related: The Detroit Lions Game Recap That Proves This Team Is Different
This 35-34 win over Illinois State felt like an exorcism.
Justin Lamson finished the season with over 3,100 passing yards and 26 touchdowns. More importantly, he only threw three interceptions all year. In the FCS, that kind of efficiency is basically a cheat code. The defense, led by local Bozeman talent like Kenneth Eiden IV, turned into a brick wall during the conference slate, allowing just 14 points or fewer in four different Big Sky matchups.
What to Watch for Next
The high of a national title lasts a long time, but the 2026 season is already looming. Brent Vigen has secured 20 new prep standouts, including some massive defensive ends from Montana like Jace Bantz.
If you want to keep up with the team as they defend the crown:
- Monitor the Transfer Portal: With the championship ring on their fingers, the Bobcats are now a massive destination for FBS players looking for more playing time.
- Check the Spring Game Dates: Usually held in April, this will be the first look at who replaces the departing seniors.
- Season Ticket Renewals: If you thought tickets were hard to get this year, just wait. The waitlist is going to be miles long.
The 2025-2026 Montana State Bobcats didn't just give us a final score; they gave the state a new standard for excellence. Whether you were in Nashville or watching at a bar in Belgrade, that 35-34 victory is one for the history books.