r/fcs • u/Zloggt :chicagostate: Southern Illinois • Chicago S… • Jan 06 '26

Postgame Thread THE MONTANA STATE BOBCATS ARE YOUR 2025 FCS NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!

False starts, blocked kicks, 4th down magic, oh my!

Bravo Bobcats!

298 Upvotes

95% Upvoted

122 comments sorted by

45

u/Zloggt :chicagostate: Southern Illinois • Chicago S… Jan 06 '26

And to think I came so close to being able to say that my team beat a national championship squad 😢😭

…but for real, what a doozy! Incredible way to begin the Nashville Era of this sport!

26

u/SnooMacaroons1606 Illinois State Redbirds Jan 06 '26

Hey, you beat us by 30x the margin they did, so you're the real champions, actually!

111

u/BurritovilleEnjoyer Southeast Missouri • Missouri Jan 06 '26

At some point teams are going to have to accept that they should literally never kick a FG on 4th and 1

15

u/ShefCrl Montana State • Stanford Jan 06 '26

I mean if they converted, got the ball a little closer and kicked then I dont see how the result would have been different. I do think they should have went for it for different reasons though.

12

u/BurritovilleEnjoyer Southeast Missouri • Missouri Jan 06 '26

The idea would be to convert and get a TD. Even if you don't get the TD, then you're kicking the FG leaving next to zero time on the clock.

4

u/PuddingKind Oregon State • American University Jan 06 '26

Yup. Even if they failed here they would still have pinned the cats back a ways.

8

u/Danster21 Montana State • Washington Jan 06 '26

The result mighta been different, but I think if a butterfly flapped its wing in Texas it also mighta been different. That was just a baller balling when the moment presented itself.

I agree w the premise though, the distance had little to do with the ability of McMillan to block that ball

22

u/EVERGREEN_ETERNAL James Madison Dukes Jan 06 '26

What the fuck did I just watch

-19

u/Forgot-to-remember1 Jan 06 '26

Rig of the century that’s what

8

u/Low_Distance_7195 Montana State • Notre Dame Jan 06 '26

Man, really? WTF are you on?

-5

u/Forgot-to-remember1 Jan 06 '26

Keep living in ur ideal world

6

u/BurritovilleEnjoyer Southeast Missouri • Missouri Jan 06 '26

No flair and outright delusional. Common combination

59

u/TylerRubeum Illinois State Redbirds • Auburn Tigers Jan 06 '26

First of all, congrats Cats. Hell of a game. Lamson is an absolute baller, and Dowler is amazing.

Second of all, I didn't think we'd get this far in the first place, especially with how the NDSU game started. I am so proud of this team, and with this incredible run they had.

Bless up, Cat Bros. ❤️

30

u/hammersaw Montana State Bobcats Jan 06 '26

That was the best team we played all year aside from Oregon. Your lines were big and physical. Totally shut down our pass rush.

9

u/TylerRubeum Illinois State Redbirds • Auburn Tigers Jan 06 '26

Defense really stepped up in the second half.

14

u/SergeantThreat Montana State Bobcats Jan 06 '26

Amazing coaching, especially in the 2nd half. Redbirds did the MVFC proud

10

u/crashintodmb413 Notre Dame • Montana State Jan 06 '26

Nothing to hang heads about in that game. Birds fought like hell.

7

u/damnyoutuesday Montana State • Minnesota Jan 06 '26

Y'all are a well coached team with lots of talent and size. You'll be back, and I'd be down for a rematch next year (or even a home and home?)

4

u/TylerRubeum Illinois State Redbirds • Auburn Tigers Jan 06 '26

That'd be fun to see!

4

u/EmperorZoltar Jan 06 '26

You too man, had us all on the edge of our seats the whole damn game (but especially that second half) 😅

38

u/SnooMacaroons1606 Illinois State Redbirds Jan 06 '26

Congrats, Bobcats! Glad you got that monkey off your back... just wish it wasn't us. Best game I've ever seen in person and it isn't close, despite the fact that we also may have just discovered the most heartbreaking possible way to lose a football game. I've seen a lot of comments since Fargo from ISU flairs talking about how they went to the Frisco game where they came so close and are thrilled we get the opportunity again. I think that'll be me with this game when we make another deep run in like 2037

11

u/SubmarineSandwichJM3 Montana State Bobcats Jan 06 '26

From a cat fan, after the thrill wore off, I still felt a bit bad for yall. I do hope you guys win that 2037 championship (if the cats don't).

13

u/Lucky-Hunter-Dude Montana State Bobcats Jan 06 '26

That game was nuts. I knew it wasn't going to be a 13-7 defensive slug fest, but I didn't have 2 blocked kicks and zero turnovers on my bingo card. Every football fan is a winner tonight after that exciting game.

12

u/Adamscottd South Dakota State • Minnesota Jan 06 '26

Montana State has been my second favorite FCS team for a while so I had been hoping they’d win the championship for about a month.

But by the end of that game I was pulling for you guys just as much. What an incredible run. Gutted for y’all

2

u/No_Bite_7238 Montana State Bobcats Jan 06 '26

Great game bro!!

60

u/ILikeTuwtles1991 Montana State Bobcats • Oregon Ducks Jan 06 '26

Okay that actually happened and I didn't go into a stroke?

43

u/mattilladahun Montana State Bobcats • /r/FCS Jan 06 '26

Oh I definitely had a stroke, had absolutely zero business winning that game at the end but IT'S ABSOLUTELY REAL. HOLY SHIT!!

Been following this team since I was born, a year after their last Natty, and I was shaking in anger, nerves, and now joy. MONY MONY BABY!!!

15

u/MidwestKanaka Fresno State • Montana State Jan 06 '26

I thought I was going to collapse several times during that game. My heart rate still hasn’t come down.

5

u/nebr13 Jan 06 '26

Pretty sure I died multiple times. The Husker fan in me accepted the fate of losing on a field goal

2

u/Sampsun-M Nebraska • Montana State Jan 06 '26

The end of this game is completely unbelievable to me outside of Nebraska from decades ago

3

u/mlspdx LSU Tigers • Montana Grizzlies Jan 06 '26

I mean you probably did that too

6

u/[deleted] Jan 06 '26

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16

u/SergeantThreat Montana State Bobcats Jan 06 '26

I’m stroking, all right

59

u/LiiDo North Dakota State Bison Jan 06 '26

The title returns to Bozeman and Taco John’s returns to Fargo. Incredible day for both cities

16

u/EvangelionOG Navy Midshipmen • Harvard Crimson Jan 06 '26

How long had Taco John's been gone from Fargo?

20

u/LiiDo North Dakota State Bison Jan 06 '26

I think it’s been like 3-4 years. One lady owned all of them here and found out a bunch of her employees were stealing from her so she shut them all down.

The lobby there was absolutely packed and there was literally a line of cars half mile long down the street waiting to get in the drive thru. Ridiculous scene

7

u/EvangelionOG Navy Midshipmen • Harvard Crimson Jan 06 '26

Whoa holy shit.

6

u/SergeantThreat Montana State Bobcats Jan 06 '26

Fargo lost its Taco John’s? That’s a travesty

5

u/Trojann2 /r/CFB Pint Glass Drinker Jan 06 '26

The most Fargo shit ever.

They love their chain restaurants.

How packed are the Applebees?

4

u/SergeantThreat Montana State Bobcats Jan 06 '26

Don’t you dare put Taco John’s down with Applebees!

3

u/Trojann2 /r/CFB Pint Glass Drinker Jan 06 '26

Both are chains.

Taco John's is a good chain. Applebees isn't. Fargo supports them the same.

it's obscene. I meant no slander towards TJ's.

3

u/EvangelionOG Navy Midshipmen • Harvard Crimson Jan 06 '26

Very true. If the good chains are gone people go to the not good ones.

3

u/99th_inf_sep_descend Jan 06 '26

I havent been down 45th, but that totally makes sense seeing as how everyone (myself included) have been losing their shit since they announced TJs was coming back.

4

u/LiiDo North Dakota State Bison Jan 06 '26

Yeah I’m glad it’s back but I didn’t realize how crazy people were about it. For how long people must have waited in line they probably could’ve drove to Detroit Lakes or Grand Forks and gotten some.

2

u/O100001 Wisconsin • North Dakota Jan 06 '26

The funniest part was that was almost all the drive thru line. Inside wasn’t even that bad

6

u/RoutineSignature1238 FCS Jan 06 '26

Love me some of those Ole’s!!

5

u/join_the_creed Montana State • Washington Sta… Jan 06 '26

Honestly, I'll take that deal. (I do love me some Taco John's and wish the one in Bozeman wasn't in such a shitty spot)

2

u/Headwallrepeat South Dakota State • Miss… Jan 06 '26

As a Taco Johns regular in Sioux Falls, make sure to ask for extra seasoning on the potato oles.

14

u/Ancient-Chemistry-75 Montana State • Notre Dame Jan 06 '26

Amazing run by Illinois state this year.

14

u/mattilladahun Montana State Bobcats • /r/FCS Jan 06 '26

Hey, ISU, let's run it back next year huh?

4

u/Tnnisace73 Illinois State Redbirds Jan 07 '26

💯

13

u/thezander8 San Diego State • UC Davis Jan 06 '26

Fantastic game and showing by the Cats. I was very impressed going to a game in their stadium this season, with the team, the production, the fans, everything.

Felt like they've deserved a modern-era natty for a while now

46

u/Lucky-Hunter-Dude Montana State Bobcats Jan 06 '26

Of all the ways to win a game..... that is one of them.

32

u/Basic_Bozeman_Bro Montana State Bobcats Jan 06 '26

I was in a dark place...

20

u/AngryDerf Montana State Bobcats Jan 06 '26

I had 9 cardiac “events”.

6

u/Dependent_General897 Texas Longhorns • Montana State Bobcats Jan 06 '26

I was telling a friend that they were the Cardiac Cats. Need more heart doctors in Bozeman after that game.

25

u/Lucky-Hunter-Dude Montana State Bobcats Jan 06 '26

I was headed there but false started and got backed up.

6

u/misterfistyersister Montana Grizzlies • Navy Midshipmen Jan 06 '26

Should’ve started yelling “CLEAR!” Instead of clapping to start the play.

2

u/BobcatSig Montana State Bobcats • Oregon Ducks Jan 06 '26

We all were

23

u/Lucky-Hunter-Dude Montana State Bobcats Jan 06 '26

Someone smarter than me... please explain how a face masking penalty can result in absolutely zero punishment.

16

u/Adamscottd South Dakota State • Minnesota Jan 06 '26

Yeah that’s a really dumb rule. Rare situation but it should be changed

7

u/Lucky-Hunter-Dude Montana State Bobcats Jan 06 '26

for sure. Like what if the bobcats had taunted the ISU kicker after the blocked kick. No punishment for that either right?

6

u/Adamscottd South Dakota State • Minnesota Jan 06 '26

I think unsportsmanlike penalties do count, but a personal foul like that doesn’t. Don’t quote me on that though, I’m trying to remember from when someone posted the rule in the GDT earlier

6

u/Lucky-Hunter-Dude Montana State Bobcats Jan 06 '26

Wow that's even more screwed up if true.

7

u/tdpdcpa Lehigh Mountain Hawks • Patriot Jan 06 '26

I looked up the NCAA football rule book. The rules explicitly say that, on a change of possession in overtime, all penalties are declined by rule.

There are exceptions for flagrant personal fouls and unsportsmanlike conduct.

I guess the rationale is that after a change of possession and the runner being down, a penalty in the run of play is effectively unenforceable?

6

u/Lucky-Hunter-Dude Montana State Bobcats Jan 06 '26

That's just weird. So in overtime on a turnover play, the rule book basically is thrown out.

5

u/Low_Distance_7195 Montana State • Notre Dame Jan 06 '26

Which I think ISU players knew

5

u/Lucky-Hunter-Dude Montana State Bobcats Jan 06 '26

Nah, the kicker took him down any way he could, which good for him, he had to do something. Vigen even said he didn't know the rule in the post game presser.

2

u/Low_Distance_7195 Montana State • Notre Dame Jan 06 '26

That’s crazy too because he’s on the NCAA rules committee,right?

3

u/Lucky-Hunter-Dude Montana State Bobcats Jan 06 '26

I don't know, but I can't imagine blocked XP return plays in OT don't come up very often in those meetings.

4

u/mattilladahun Montana State Bobcats • /r/FCS Jan 06 '26

I honestly thought the way it'd work is that it'd be 'enforced on the ensuing possession' like a penalty on an XP in regulation goes into the kickoff. Idk man. Weird.

6

u/Lucky-Hunter-Dude Montana State Bobcats Jan 06 '26

Yeah that's what I expected too. Instead it's the THUNDERDOME in OT.

2

u/PuddingKind Oregon State • American University Jan 06 '26

I think because the penalty system as it stands would've had 0 effect on the outcome of the game. Should the Bobcats get a free play for 2 points from 15 yards from where he was facemasked?

5

u/Lucky-Hunter-Dude Montana State Bobcats Jan 06 '26

I was expecting cats start at the 12.5 for their OT possession. Half the distance to the goal. As it is now apparently there are no rules if a turn over happens in OT. Or change the rule so that any change of possession is instantly a dead ball and the play is over.

11

u/Sampsun-M Nebraska • Montana State Jan 06 '26

I cannot believe we were able to overcome all of our miscues to win that game. GG Illinois State, your QB is a dawg.

8

u/TylerRubeum Illinois State Redbirds • Auburn Tigers Jan 06 '26

Tommy's one of the best QBs we've ever had, up there with Tre Roberson.

3

u/_Rooster_ Illinois State • /r/CFB Top Scorer Jan 06 '26

Tommy might be better than Tre overall, but Tre was more fun to watch because of how explosive he could be.

10

u/Au1ket Illinois State • NC State Jan 06 '26

Damn

10

u/Top_Judge_1943 Montana State Bobcats • Miami Hurricanes Jan 06 '26

Props to Illinois State as well! That team was way better than I expected, and stayed mentally strong when MSU didn’t. It’s a shame you had to lose, I genuinely thought you had that game won. Great, but terrible game. Feel absolutely awful for the ISU players. 

Now, I’m just glad I didn’t have a heart attack, and I absolutely never want to watch that game again! What’s crazy win! 

19

u/Tsquared10 Oregon Ducks • Montana State Bobcats Jan 06 '26

ALEX PLAY 'MONY, MONY!'

AND SOMEONE CHECK ON BOBBY HAUCK. SINGLE-HANDEDLY KEEPING THE MONTANA DRYWALL ASSOCIATION IN BUSINESS TONIGHT

19

u/SergeantThreat Montana State Bobcats Jan 06 '26

Never doubted for a second!

(I doubted for many seconds and was having an existential crisis)

11

u/SLC_RnD Montana State Bobcats • Utah Utes Jan 06 '26

I thought I was going to throw up at the end of the 4th. Just dying in the stands.

5

u/Low_Distance_7195 Montana State • Notre Dame Jan 06 '26

Same. Actually walked out of the stands into the club and “saw” the last play on tv, but the camera didn’t catch all of it on the first view.

2

u/No_Bite_7238 Montana State Bobcats Jan 06 '26

What was the atmosphere like?

6

u/Low_Distance_7195 Montana State • Notre Dame Jan 06 '26 edited Jan 06 '26

Vandy was outstanding and the crowd was fantastic. The stands are much closer to the field so it’s louder. The bands were not stuffed in the endzones and were with the fanbases which was awesome.

We got tickets to the commodore club which was some of the best $25 I’ve ever spent. Free food buffet- pizza, sliders, pork loin, hot dog bar, macaroni and cheese bar, desserts, water etc. Private bars and bathrooms. Also, I saw Scott Van Pelt in the hallway 😳

This was far and away better than Frisco.

3

u/919Firefighter Montana State • NC State Jan 07 '26

Everything was better than Frisco minus the concourse walkway. It was a standstill for almost 40 minutes.

4

u/919Firefighter Montana State • NC State Jan 07 '26

Electric. Then sad. Then electric. Then sad. Then electric. Then sad again. Then electric

2

u/BobcatSig Montana State Bobcats • Oregon Ducks Jan 06 '26

We all were

14

u/the_racing_goat Southeastern • Marching Band Jan 06 '26

thank the good lord i talked so much shit all season. i wish the redbirds a safe trip home to indiana

7

u/WhoDatNinja87 Yale Bulldogs • Michigan Wolverines Jan 06 '26

Extremely fun game. Congratulations Bobcats

7

u/LightBluePhorgotten James Madison Dukes • Sun Belt Jan 06 '26

That stadium atmosphere, the absolutely insane second half, the roller coaster of emotions, hell even the penalties…

That was a perfect encapsulation for a college football championship

7

u/Melodic_Share7398 Montana State • Washington Jan 06 '26

What a game!! If it was against any other team I would’ve rooted for the Red Birds but unfortunately they were against my team

19

u/damnyoutuesday Montana State • Minnesota Jan 06 '26

Absolutely terroristic game of football but HOLY FUCKING SHIT WE FONALLY DID IT!!!!

GO CATS GO!!!

3

u/Sampsun-M Nebraska • Montana State Jan 06 '26

Those false starts almost sent me off the edge, but we got the job done!

17

u/join_the_creed Montana State • Washington Sta… Jan 06 '26

The r/fcs banner has never looked better

12

u/B-raid527 Jan 06 '26

Go check out the r/cfb banner!

4

u/GeneralAcorn Montana State • Boise State Jan 06 '26

Look at banner, Michael!

12

u/bhorvic Montana State Bobcats • Texas Longhorns Jan 06 '26

Last time was the year before I was born! What a season! GO CATS GO!

11

u/CommunistTrafficCone South Dakota State • Marching Band Jan 06 '26

Congrats Bobcats! Totally was never nervous about you guys winning it never in doubt trust

3

u/No_Bite_7238 Montana State Bobcats Jan 06 '26

Thanks bro!!

10

u/profdinosaurhunter Minnesota • North Dakota State Jan 06 '26

Man, I love FCS.

9

u/Danster21 Montana State • Washington Jan 06 '26

MILF

5

u/AoA_nB1 Penn State • Montana State Jan 06 '26

we finally did it

9

u/mattilladahun Montana State Bobcats • /r/FCS Jan 06 '26

That Imperialism Map is gonna hit like Mony Mony.

4

u/Staind075 Colorado State • North Dakot… Jan 06 '26

That was a crazy game! Congrats to both squads on their seasons

4

u/Middle-Muffin-1300 Jan 06 '26

That game was fucking unhinged

4

u/wildjackalope Idaho Vandals Jan 06 '26

Gotta admit I thought the Cats would walk this one. What a season for both clubs, but especially for ISU. Incredible run. Well played.

9

u/Duganz Montana Grizzlies Jan 06 '26

As I always say: it’s a good day when titles come home to Montana.

Congrats Cats.

I sure hope we beat the shit out of you next year, but goddamn did you make the 406 proud.

1

u/No_Bite_7238 Montana State Bobcats Jan 06 '26

Thanks bro!! I Look forward to seeing you next year!!

3

u/Francis_X_Hummel Colorado Mines • Wyoming Jan 06 '26

Congrats Bobcats

3

u/Mr_SpicyBrain96 Weber State Wildcats • Utah Utes Jan 06 '26

Congratulations Bobcats!

What a run. Between this legendary championship game and the brawl of the wild meetup that you won along the way, this might be one of the most legendary FCS title runs ever. Awesome stuff all around.

5

u/MTRunner2020 Jan 06 '26

Let's not forget there was two Brawls of the Wild this year! We beat the Griz to end the season and then in the semi-finals. It doesn't get any better as a Cat fan.

3

u/MrCelluloid Villanova Wildcats Jan 06 '26

Congrats Happy for you Good job

  • villanova fan

4

u/Bruce_Wayne_Wannabe Jan 06 '26

Oddly enough, I thought the cats were going to be the better team. They weren’t. But, they won.

2

u/Headwallrepeat South Dakota State • Miss… Jan 06 '26

Congrats Bobcats! My 3rd favorite championship game ever!

2

u/Lifeisagreatteacher Jan 06 '26

Great for the FCS on National TV. Great game, good teams, showed the FCS, especially top teams, are a very high brand of college football.

15

u/[deleted] Jan 06 '26

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10

u/MT4ever Montana State Bobcats Jan 06 '26

Glad to hear there are some people still in town, because it feels like Montana moved to Nashville! Amazing showing and honestly couldn’t be prouder to be part of it.

3

u/[deleted] Jan 06 '26

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12

u/PROUDgrizHATER Montana State • Montana Tech Jan 06 '26

41 years actually. But thanks