Montana State Beats Illinois State to Win 2026 FCS Championship Bracket in OT Thriller

Justin Lamson and Taco Dowlers led the Montana State Bobcats to a dramatic 35-34 overtime win over the Illinois State Redbirds on Sunday, securing the 2026 FCS Championship and the program's first national title in 41 years.

A frantic final two minutes of regulation sent the game to overtime. Illinois State scored first in the extra period but had its extra-point attempt blocked. Montana State answered by converting a fourth-and-10 for a touchdown, then added the extra point to clinch the championship.

Lamson finished with 280 passing yards and two touchdowns while completing 18-of-27 passes. He also added two rushing touchdowns. He connected with Dowler for a receiving score, and Dowler added a rushing touchdown. Dane Steel also caught a touchdown pass.

Illinois State quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse threw for 311 yards and four touchdowns while completing 33-of-46 passes in the loss.

Montana State Bobcats' FCS Championship victory thrilled fans.

The unranked Illinois State Redbirds made a surprising run to the championship game, knocking off several ranked opponents along the way. The Redbirds upset No. 1 North Dakota State Bison, which entered undefeated, in a one-point thriller, then defeated No. 8 UC Davis Aggies, No. 12 Villanova Wildcats and No. 16 Southeastern Louisiana Lions.

No. 2 Montana State Bobcats earned a first-round bye and advanced to the title game with wins over No. 7 Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks before dominating No. 3 Montana Grizzlies 48-23.

Montana State had not won an FCS championship since 1984, having finished as runner-up in 2021 and 2024 before breaking through this season.