Montana State football coach Brent Vigen earned over $180,000 in bonuses after leading the team to its first national title in 41 years, with incentives tied to team achievements and milestones, supplementing his $295,000 annual salary.
Montana State won their first FCS National Championship since 1984 with a 35-34 overtime victory over Illinois State, highlighted by key performances from Justin Lamson and Taco Dowler, and a dramatic game-winning touchdown in Nashville.
Montana State and Illinois State will face off in the 2025-26 FCS football National Championship Game on January 5 at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, with Montana State favored as the No. 2 seed after a strong season, including a recent appearance in the title game, while Illinois State, with a less prominent record, aims for its first final since 2014.
Montana and Montana State will face off in the 2025 FCS semifinals on December 20 at Bobcat Stadium, with the game broadcast on ABC. The matchup features a historic rivalry, with Montana aiming to return to the FCS title game and Montana State seeking a back-to-back appearance. Key players include Eli Gillman and Keali'l Ah Yat from Montana, and Caden Dowler and Justin Lamson from Montana State. The game marks the first postseason meeting between the two schools, continuing their long-standing rivalry known as 'The Brawl of the Wild.'
No. 7 Oregon Ducks opened the 2025 season with a dominant 59-13 victory over Montana State, highlighting their strong start as they prepare to face Oklahoma State next.
No. 7 Oregon Ducks dominated Montana State 59-13 in their season opener, receiving positive reviews nationally and in Bozeman, with Oregon praised for their performance and Montana State reflecting on lessons learned from the loss.
Montana State's coach Brent Vigen acknowledged Oregon's dominance in their 59-13 loss, praising their talent and coaching while emphasizing the learning experience for his team, especially with many players in new roles. He highlighted the team's resilience and the lessons to be taken from the game as they prepare for their next opponent, South Dakota State.
The article previews the upcoming college football game between Oregon and Montana State, discussing changes in Montana State's offense with a new quarterback, key players to watch, and a prediction of a 48-24 Oregon win, emphasizing the importance of minimizing mistakes for Montana State.
ESPN announced that North Dakota State will face Montana State in the 2027 Vegas Kickoff Classic at Allegiant Stadium, part of a series of future college football games highlighting top FCS programs, with additional matchups planned for 2029 and beyond, emphasizing Las Vegas as a premier sports destination.
The 2024 FCS playoffs are underway, with Montana State ranked as the top contender for the national title due to their strong defense and offense, and an easier path to the finals. NDSU and SDSU are also strong contenders, expected to face each other in the semifinals. The rankings consider bracket positioning and matchups, with teams like UC Davis, South Dakota, and Richmond also in the mix as potential challengers.
The 2024 FCS playoffs will feature Montana State as the top seed after an undefeated season, marking the first time the playoffs will run through Bozeman, Montana. The Bobcats, who last won the FCS national championship in 1984, secured the top spot following a decisive victory over Montana. North Dakota State and South Dakota State, both strong contenders, are seeded second and third, respectively. The playoffs will culminate in Frisco, Texas, continuing a 15-year tradition.
Montana State has secured the No. 1 seed in the 24-team FCS playoffs, with South Dakota State, the two-time defending champion, seeded third. The playoffs feature eight teams with first-round byes, including North Dakota State and South Dakota. The Missouri Valley Conference claimed three of the top four seeds, highlighting its dominance in recent FCS championships. Montana State, leading in scoring and total offense, is seen as a strong contender to challenge the Dakotas' recent dominance. The playoffs begin with first-round games on Saturday, broadcast on ESPN-plus.
North Dakota State University (NDSU) secured the No. 2 seed in the Division I FCS playoffs despite a recent loss, ensuring they will host games through the semifinals if they advance. Montana State claimed the top seed, with South Dakota State and South Dakota following as the third and fourth seeds, respectively. NDSU will have a first-round bye and face the winner of Northern Arizona vs. Abilene Christian. The playoffs feature a new seeding format, ranking teams 1-16, with the championship game scheduled for January 6 in Frisco, Texas.
Montana State has been awarded the No. 1 overall seed in the 2024 NCAA Division I Football Championship playoffs following an undefeated regular season and a victory over Montana. This marks the highest seed in the program's history and the highest for a Big Sky team since 2009. Montana State will have a first-round bye and home-field advantage through the semifinals. Meanwhile, Montana, seeded 14th, will host Tennessee State in the first round. The FCS playoffs have expanded to 16 seeded teams, with the top eight receiving byes.
Montana State has released an impressive hype video featuring Journey's "Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)" for their upcoming Brawl of the Wild game against the Montana Grizzlies. This annual rivalry, one of the most intense in college football, sees the 11-0 Bobcats face off against the 8-3 Grizzlies, with Montana aiming to spoil Montana State's perfect season. The game, a highlight of the FCS season, will be broadcast on ESPN+ and promises a thrilling atmosphere.