Montana State Wins First Football Title in 40 Years

Thousands packed the streets of downtown Bozeman on Saturday morning, dressed in blue and gold, to welcome home their national champions.

Montana State University's football team defeated Illinois State 35-34 in overtime on January 5, claiming the school's first national title since 1984. The championship game made history as the first FCS title to go into overtime and drew more than 24,000 fans to Nashville, the best attendance for an FCS championship since 1996.

The celebration parade rolled down Main Street with players riding on flatbed trucks, hoisting the NCAA trophy high above cheering crowds. Fans of all ages waved foam hands, rang cowbells, and shouted "Go 'Cats!" while football players jumped down to give high-fives to kids lining the route.

After the parade, 4,000 fans gathered on the field at Bobcat Stadium to hear from the heroes who made it happen. Wide receiver Taco Dowler, who caught the overtime touchdown pass that set up the winning extra point, reminded everyone this victory belongs to more than just the team.

"This isn't for Bozeman, it's not just for MSU, it's for the whole state of Montana," Dowler told the crowd. He spoke directly to young athletes across the state, encouraging them to chase their dreams and work hard.

The Ripple Effect

Head coach Brent Vigen credited the team's success to trust and love, saying those two qualities helped them become the most resilient team in the country. University President Brock Tessman called it "a lifetime memory maker" that will stand the test of time, not just for the banners and trophies, but for what it means to the entire state.

The championship represents decades of building something special. Previous teams came close, and they share in this moment too, according to Vigen.

For Montana, a state where college football runs deep, this victory united communities from Billings to Bozeman and everywhere in between. Grandparents stood next to college students, toddlers sat on parents' shoulders, all celebrating together in blue and gold.

The team's message to young Montanans was clear: stay patient, work hard, and take pride in where you're from. This championship proves that big dreams can come true right here at home, and the program is just getting started.