Montana State Survives Illinois State in Remarkable FCS Championship Win

There never has been… or maybe never will be… an FCS championship game like the one that played out in Nashville on Monday evening. 60 minutes was not quite enough time needed to crown Montana State the champion but, thanks to a blocked PAT and a fourth down touchdown throw in overtime, the Bobcats took home their first title in 41 years. The way Brent Vigen’s squad did it, though, could not have been dreamt up be even Hollywood’s most talented writers.

Despite opening up a 14-0 lead over Illinois State, Montana State had to earn every bit of their second FCS championship. Aided greatly by uncharacteristic MSU procedural penalties, the Redbirds were able to claw back in. Quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse evaded the ‘Cats defense time after time and got his team on the board right before halftime with a short touchdown throw to Scotty Presson Jr. Even then, though, the Bobcats would answer quickly with an incredible catch-and-run scoring snag from freshman Dane Steel who hurdled a defender to stay on his feet en route to the end zone.

The craziness toward the end of the first half was merely an appetizer to the chaos that would ensue in the second. Trailing 21-7 in the third quarter, Illinois State cut into the deficit when Logan Brasfield picked up a loose ball from Victor Dawson at the goal line. Effort plays like that on offense paired with stifling defensive stops allowed ISU to stay within striking distance. Even when a Taco Dowler touchdown scamper made it a 14-point game in the fourth quarter, there was no quit in the Redbirds.

Montana State watched its lead and its control of the game slip away in the final ten minutes. On fourth and short, Rittenhouse unloaded a pass to start receiver Daniel Sobkowicz who curled back with a defender on him in the end zone for a TD snag that made it 28-21. All the while the Bobcats were continuing to struggle, specially with false start penalties that killed their drives. As the clock wound down, the Redbirds marched the ball slowly and methodically. With 5:10 left, they would tie the game when Rittenhouse connected with Dylan Lord who danced his way through the MSU defense.

Knotted up at 28 apiece, the pressure sat squarely on the Montana State offense. It appeared that the moment had gotten too big as signal caller Justin Lamson couldn’t deliver. A near interception and yet another false start forced the ‘Cats to punt away.

With the chance to win the game in his hands, Rittenhouse led ISU down to field goal range. Montana State burned two of its three timeouts before kicker Michael Cosentino lined up for a 38-yard field goal. With just 57 seconds left it looked as though the Redbirds were on the cusp of victory. MSU defensive backs Jhase McMillan, however, flew in from the edge and blocked the kick. Seth Johnson scooped it up and took it back into Montana State territory, flipping the field and giving the ‘Cats the chance to seal it.

Once again, though, the offense sputtered. Lamson took a big sack and then a bad snap on the next play, effectively squashing any chance MSU had at a field goal of their own. For the first time in FCS championship history, overtime ensued.

It only took Illinois State two plays to find the end zone again. Rittenhouse hit Lord who broke free on a 10-yard touchdown strike much to the elation of the Redbird contingency. That joy, though, was short-lived as the Bobcats special teams flew in a blocked their second kick of the night, ensuring that a touchdown of their own and an extra point would win it.

Trailing for the first time all night, Lamson and company took over for one final chance. A quick first down run from Julius Davis was followed up by three nothing plays that put the entire game on a fourth and ten. On the do-or-die play, Lamson took the snap and rolled left. He got hit hard as he tossed up a prayer to Dowler. Dowler came down with it in the end zone as the MSU fans erupted.

Kicker Miles Sanstead trotted on for the biggest kick of his career and smoothly nailed it. The Bobcats players flooded the field before their raucous crowd. The Illinois State players and coaches stood back in shock as the fireworks popped overhead. The ‘Cats had, somehow against every conceivable odd at the end, won the national title.

Illinois State, who had been on the tail end of a remarkable Cinderella run, was left with nothing to show for it in spite of their massive effort. Rittenhouse threw for 311 yards, four touchdowns and no picks in one of the better QB performances ever in a championship. Dawson ran for 126 yards and Lord caught 13 passes for 161 yards and two scores of his own. It was all for naught, though, as ISU is still left looking for its first title.

Montana State, meanwhile, snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. Nine false start penalties and plenty of other miscues could have easily derailed an incredible season. Instead, though, huge plays from their stars in the most crucial moments saved the day. Dowler ended his night with 111 yards on eight snags and posted arguably the biggest touchdown in school history in OT. Lamson threw for 280 yards and two scores and did not turn the ball over.

It hasn’t happened since 1984 but at long last MSU is the king of the FCS again. Vigen has his first ring as a head coach and the Bobcats end their season on a 14-game win streak dating back to mid September. One of the most memorable seasons in program history ends with the most unlikely and sensational win the team has ever seen.