Montana State won the 2025-26 FCS Football National Championship in an overtime thriller.

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The drought is over! We repeat, the drought is over! Montana State snapped a 41-year drought and won its first FCS championship since 1984.

The Bobcats won the 2025-26 FCS championship with a 35-34 overtime victory over Illinois State and a classic overtime victory over the Redbirds.

4th overtime TD in 2026 FCS Championship Game

After Illinois State scored twice in the fourth quarter, the Redbirds won on a field goal with just over a minute left in the game. That’s when the shot was blocked! The game went to overtime.

NASHVILLE CHICKEN, ARE YOU SERIOUS?!?! 🫨

Blocking a field goal kick @MSUBobcats_FBgrabbed and returned to the Illinois 45-yard line. #FCSChampionship x 🎥 ESPN pic.twitter.com/apXWzNehjH

— NCAA FCS Football (@NCAA_FCS) January 6, 2026

In overtime, Illinois State took the first possession and scored to take the lead. The extra point attempt was blocked as special teams mistakes proved costly for Illinois.

BEGINNERS ARE WORKING OVERTIME ⚡️

Dylan Lord scored his second of the game @RedbirdFB leading. #FCSChampionship x 🎥 ESPN pic.twitter.com/cE9621nX2Y

— NCAA FCS Football (@NCAA_FCS) January 6, 2026

However, Montana State had to respond with a strike of its own. On 4th and 10, quarterback Justin Lamson hit quarterback Taco Dowler to tie the game. Colby Frokjer hit the game-winning PAT to clinch the game.

TACO DOWLER TOUCHDOWN 🚨🚨🚨

Lamson connects with Dowler in the end zone for overtime @MSUBobcats_FB reach #FCSChampionship x 🎥 ESPN pic.twitter.com/gBdNnha0PR

— NCAA FCS Football (@NCAA_FCS) January 6, 2026

The game win earned Lamson player of the year honors. He completed 67 percent of his passes for 287 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 30 yards and two scores.

“There aren’t many better moments.”@MSUBobcats_FBof @justin_lamson10 Thinking about bringing the first title back to Bozeman in 41 years @stan_becton 🏆 #FCSChampionship pic.twitter.com/2UQuvtKXO2

— NCAA FCS Football (@NCAA_FCS) January 6, 2026

The head coach hoisted the trophy for the first time in his third title game, the first under Brent Vigen in Bozeman. The win also marked the first Big Sky title over MVFC, bringing the all-time record to 4-1.