Champions

By Montana State University

January 27^th, 2026

On January 5, 2025, the Montana State Bobcats captured their first NCAA Football Championship Subdivision title since 1984 with a 35-34 overtime victory over the Illinois State Redbirds.

Photographers from MSU University Communications and Bobcat Athletics were on hand to capture the excitement, from the community's sendoff for the team to events in Nashville, TN, to the team's return to Bozeman.

Sendoff

Bobcat fans cheer for the Montana State Bobcats football team as they travel to the airport for the NCAA FCS National Football Championships Friday, Jan. 2, 2026 in Bozeman, Mont. MSU photo by Colter Peterson

Bobcats Invade Nashville

Over 7,000 Bobcat fans attended the Bobcat Bash at the Music City Center the night before the game. "Go Cats!" could be heard throughout Nashville for the days leading up to the event. Performers on Nashville's famous Broadway music scene were even caught up in the spirit and would play would play Billy Idol’s “Mony Mony” and often ask, "Are there any Bobcats in the crowd?"

Bobcat fans gather at the Music City Center for the Bobcat Bash the night before the NCAA FCS National Football Championships Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.MSU photo by Colter Peterson

Go Time

Over 24,000 fans packed Vanderbilt University's FirstBank Stadium, and a peak three million viewers tuned in to the broadcast, to watch the 2025 NCAA FCS National Championship between Montana State and Illinois State, making it the third most watched FCS title game ever.