NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Myles Sansted kicked the extra point in overtime as Montana State won its first national championship since 1984, beating Illinois State 35-34 on Monday night in the Football Championship Subdivision title game.
The Bobcats (14-2) found a way to top a season that featured not one, but two wins over in-state rival Montana over a four-week span. Beating Montana in the semifinals put Montana State back into the title game for the second straight season, third in five years under coach Brent Vigen and the fourth berth overall.
Montana State found a way to top that accomplishment with a thrilling finish in the first overtime in the 48 years of this title game. The Bobcats led 21-7 at halftime and 28-14 in the third. They needed Jhase McMillan’s block of Michael Cosentino’s 38-yard field goal attempt with 57 seconds left in regulation to keep it tied at 28.
In overtime, Justin Lamson tied with a 14-yard touchdown pass to Taco Dowler on fourth-and-10. Cosentino missed the extra point after Tommy Rittenhouse gave Illinois State its only lead at 34-28 to open overtime.
Once Sansted’s kick went through the uprights, the Bobcats started sprinting around the field throwing helmets in the air celebrating the end of a long title drought. Montana State also won the 1976 NCAA Division II title and 1956 NAIA championship.
Illinois State (12-5) already made history as the first FCS team to win four straight road games to advance through the playoffs to this championship game. That included a win over this postseason’s No. 1 seed and North Dakota State — winners of 10 of the last 14 FCS championships including last year.
This was the Redbirds’ first time in this game since 2014, and they leave empty-handed.
Lamson finished with 280 yards passing and two TDs. He also ran for two more scores. Dowler had eight catches for 111 yards.
Rittenhouse finished with 311 yards passing and four TDs. Victor Dawson ran for 126 yards, and Dylan Lord had 13 catches for 161 yards receiving and two TDs.
The takeaway
Illinois State made big defensive plays to give the Redbirds a chance. They forced Montana State three-and-out on consecutive drives in the fourth for a chance at the win and had three sacks.
Montana State won its 14th straight game despite too many self-inflicted mistakes. The Bobcats were flagged 14 times for 93 yards.
Up next
Illinois State has to replace Rittenhouse. Leading tackler Tye Niekamp has another season to play for his father Travis, the defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach.
Montana State should get Lamson back after he arrived on campus last summer after two seasons at Stanford. ___
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