UPDATE: In a heart-stopping showdown, the Illinois State Redbirds fell to the Montana State Bobcats 35-34 in overtime during the FCS National Championship in Nashville, Tennessee, marking the first time in the tournament’s 48-year history that the title went to an extra period.
Illinois State, unseeded entering the playoffs, fought valiantly after entering the championship game with significant momentum, having defeated the top-ranked North Dakota State earlier in their playoff run. The Redbirds clawed back from a 14-point deficit in the second half, showcasing their resilience at FirstBank Stadium on January 5, 2026.
Despite their efforts, Illinois State’s magic ran out in overtime. After the Redbirds scored a touchdown, Montana State’s Hunter Parsons blocked the extra-point attempt, a critical moment that would haunt Illinois State. Just moments before, the Bobcats had blocked a potential game-winning field goal attempt with 57 seconds left in regulation.
Montana State secured their victory on a 14-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Justin Lamson to Taco Dowler on fourth-and-10. The win marks Montana State’s first national championship since 1984 and capped off an exhilarating game witnessed by a record crowd of 24,105 fans, the largest attendance for an FCS title game since 1996.
“We just couldn’t find one more play,” said Illinois State head coach Brock Spack. “If you just make one of them, you win it.”
Illinois State’s quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse threw for 311 yards and four touchdowns, with his standout receiver, Dylan Lord, catching 13 passes for 161 yards and two touchdowns, including a crucial score to tie the game at 28-28. The Redbirds had been trailing since the first quarter, but their relentless effort brought them back into contention.
“You put your all into this team. Sometimes you just fall short, and that’s part of life,” stated Lord, reflecting on the emotional toll of the game. “I’m proud of our seniors and our whole team.”
The Illinois State defense struggled early, allowing Montana State to build a 21-7 halftime lead. However, adjustments in the second half led to a markedly improved performance, including critical stops that forced overtime.
Despite the heartbreak, players from Illinois State expressed pride in their journey to the championship. Rittenhouse emphasized the electric atmosphere of the game, while linebacker Tye Niekamp noted, “In the second half, we tackled a lot better, and that was the reason we played a lot better.”
The defeat stings for the Redbirds, who believed they could claim the title. As Spack noted, “There’s probably 10, 15, maybe even 20 plays in the game that could have changed the outcome.” The Redbirds’ Cinderella story may have ended, but their performance solidified their place as a formidable team in FCS history.
Moving forward, Illinois State will reflect on this historic championship run while Montana State revels in their hard-fought victory and the glory of their first title in decades. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as both teams prepare for what comes next in their respective programs.
