FLAGSTAFF, ARIZONA – OCTOBER 04: Quarterback Justin Lamson #8 of the Montana State Bobcats celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks during the second half of the game at the J. Lawrence Walkup Skydome on October 04, 2025 in Flagstaff, Arizona. The Bobcats defeated the Lumberjacks 34-10. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images)

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Kilty Cleary

By Kilty Cleary

Contributing Sports Writer

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The Cinderella Illinois State Redbirds (12–4) look to cap an improbable postseason run with their first-ever FCS national championship on Monday night, but they’ll face a formidable challenge from the Montana State Bobcats (13–2), who return to the title game for the second straight year at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville.

FLAGSTAFF, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 04: Quarterback Justin Lamson #8 of the Montana State Bobcats celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks during the second half of the game at the J. Lawrence Walkup Skydome on October 04, 2025 in Flagstaff, Arizona. The Bobcats defeated the Lumberjacks 34-10. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images)

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How to Watch Illinois State vs Montana State

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Unseeded Illinois State is the first team in FCS history to reach the championship game with four straight wins on the road, taking down Southeastern Louisiana, defending national champion North Dakota State, UC Davis, and Villanova to get to just its second title game, the first coming in 2014. Tommy Rittenhouse triggers the offense with 3,257 passing yards, 36 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions while also running for seven scores. Victor Dawson comes in with 1,251 yards and five TDs on the ground, with Daniel Sobkowicz the key receiver with 78 catches, 1,089 yards, and 18 touchdowns. Garrett Steffen leads the defense with seven sacks, and Shadwel Nkuba II has five interceptions.

Montana State has won 13 straight since an 0-2 start and reached Nashville with its first-ever playoff win over archrival Montana on Dec. 20. The Bobcats are after the program’s second national title and its first since 1984, with losses in the 2021 and 2024 finals. Justin Lamson comes in with 2,892 passing yards along with 24 touchdowns and three interceptions. Julius Davis (1,100 yards) and Adam Jones (1,047) give Montana State a pair of 1,000-yard rushers, with Jones scoring 15 times and Lamson adding 14 rushing scores with 704 yards. Taco Dowler has 69 receptions for 914 yards and six TDs. Kenneth Eiden IV has 8.5 sacks, with Caden Dowler nabbing six picks.

Monday’s national championship game marks the first meeting between the Redbirds and Bobcats. This is a great college football matchup that you will not want to miss; make sure to tune in and catch all the action.

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