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NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - JANUARY 05: Taco Dowler #14 of the Montana State Bobcats catches the ball for a first down during the first half of the FCS Championship against the Illinois State Redbirds at FirstBank Stadium on January 05, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - JANUARY 05: Taco Dowler #14 of the Montana State Bobcats catches the ball for a first down during the first half of the FCS Championship against the Illinois State Redbirds at FirstBank Stadium on January 05, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Images)

NCAA Highlights: All-Time thriller in the FCS Championship

Jan 6, 2026 | 12:18 AM

NASHVILLE – The Montana State Bobcats win their first National Championship in 41 years, stamping their mark as the best in the FCS with a thrilling OT win over Illinois State.

Up by 2 touchdowns in the 4th, the Bobcats saw their lead disappear courtesy of a red-hot Redbird offense. Illinois State set up for the game-winning field goal in the final minute, which was blocked.

Fast forward to overtime, Illinois State scores just two plays in, but the Bobcats block another kick.

4th and 10, Montana State finds the endzone, then kicks the PAT for the win and the title.

Tom Emrich, Ryan Leaf and Dawn Davenport call the thriller on Westwood One.

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