Week 17 FCS Football Top 4: Semifinals Set Championship Matchup as Montana State and North Dakota State Advance

The FCS Playoffs semifinal round delivered two compelling matchups that have set the stage for a championship showdown between traditional powers Montana State and North Dakota State. Top-seeded Montana State maintained its perfect season with a commanding 31-17 victory over fourth-seeded South Dakota, while second-seeded North Dakota State edged defending champion South Dakota State 28-21 in an all-Missouri Valley Football Conference semifinal. These results have created a championship matchup featuring two programs with rich football traditions seeking to add another trophy to their respective legacies.

Montana State's victory was fueled by a dominant performance from quarterback Tommy Mellott, who accounted for three total touchdowns while showcasing his dual-threat capabilities with 125 rushing yards and 134 passing yards. The Bobcats built a 24-14 halftime lead before pulling away in the third quarter, with their defense holding the Coyotes to just three second-half points while generating crucial stops in the red zone during the fourth quarter. The win sends Montana State to its second championship appearance under head coach Brent Vigen, seeking the program's first national title since 1984.

North Dakota State's semifinal triumph over rival South Dakota State demonstrated the program's championship resilience, as the Bison avenged their regular-season loss to the Jackrabbits while ending SDSU's quest for an unprecedented third consecutive national title. The victory advances North Dakota State to its 10th championship game appearance since 2011, with the program seeking its 10th national championship during this remarkable dynasty. The stage is now set for a compelling championship matchup in Frisco, Texas on January 6, with Montana State's perfect record facing its ultimate test against the FCS's most decorated program.

The Championship Finalists

1. Montana State Bobcats (15-0) [Previous: 2]

Montana State secured its second national championship game appearance in four seasons with an impressive 31-17 victory over South Dakota, maintaining their perfect record while demonstrating championship-level execution in all three phases. The Bobcats controlled the game from the outset, building a 14-7 first-quarter lead before extending their advantage to 24-14 by halftime. Quarterback Tommy Mellott delivered another outstanding performance, accounting for three total touchdowns (two rushing, one passing) while amassing 259 yards of total offense (125 rushing, 134 passing).

Head coach Brent Vigen's program showcased its balanced offensive attack, with Mellott's dual-threat capabilities creating consistent challenges for South Dakota's defense. The Bobcats' rushing attack generated 245 yards against a typically stout Coyotes front seven, with Scottre Humphrey adding a touchdown run to complement Mellott's ground production. Montana State's defense limited South Dakota to just three second-half points while making several crucial fourth-quarter stops, including a red-zone stand midway through the final period and a fumble recovery on the Coyotes' final possession.

Montana State advances to face North Dakota State in the national championship game on January 6 in Frisco, Texas, setting up a rematch of the 2021 title game won by the Bison. The Bobcats enter the championship with a perfect 15-0 record, seeking the program's first national title since 1984 when they defeated Louisiana Tech. Montana State's balanced approach and defensive excellence have fueled their historic season, with Vigen and Mellott now having the opportunity to avenge their loss from three years ago on college football's biggest FCS stage.

2. North Dakota State Bison (14-2) [Previous: Unranked]

North Dakota State continued its championship dynasty with a hard-fought 28-21 victory over defending national champion South Dakota State, earning the program's 10th championship game appearance since 2011. The Bison demonstrated remarkable resilience in avenging their regular-season loss to the Jackrabbits, with their balanced offensive attack and opportunistic defense proving decisive in the seven-point triumph. The victory sends NDSU to Frisco, Texas for a championship showdown with top-seeded Montana State on January 6.

Head coach Matt Entz's program showcased its championship DNA throughout the semifinal victory, with the Bison's physical rushing attack and efficient passing game creating consistent challenges for South Dakota State's defense. North Dakota State's defense generated crucial stops against the Jackrabbits' typically explosive offense, ending SDSU's quest for an unprecedented third consecutive national championship. The win represents another remarkable achievement for a program that has established itself as the gold standard in FCS football, with nine national championships already secured during their dynasty.

North Dakota State advances to face Montana State in the national championship game, setting up a rematch of the 2021 title game that the Bison won 38-10. NDSU enters the championship with a 14-2 record, seeking the program's 10th national title since 2011, which would further cement their status as the most dominant program in FCS history. The Bison's championship experience and balanced approach make them dangerous opponents for the undefeated Bobcats, with the contrast between Montana State's perfect season and North Dakota State's championship pedigree creating a compelling championship narrative.

Semifinal Defeated Teams

3. South Dakota Coyotes (11-3) [Previous: 4]

South Dakota's historic season concluded with a 31-17 semifinal defeat to top-seeded Montana State,

falling short in the program's first-ever FCS semifinal appearance. The Coyotes demonstrated impressive resilience throughout the contest, responding to Montana State's early scores with explosive touchdown runs from Travis Theis (55 yards) and Charles Pierre Jr. (45 yards) that kept them competitive in the first half. However, South Dakota's offense struggled after intermission, managing just a third-quarter field goal while being held scoreless in the decisive fourth quarter despite multiple red-zone opportunities.

Head coach Bob Nielson's program showcased the offensive balance that fueled their impressive season, with quarterback Aidan Bouman passing for 236 yards and Theis adding 110 rushing yards. The Coyotes' defense struggled to contain Montana State quarterback Tommy Mellott's dual-threat capabilities, surrendering 245 rushing yards while allowing Mellott to account for three total touchdowns. South Dakota's late comeback attempts were thwarted by Montana State's defensive stands, including a critical fourth-down stop at the Bobcats' 2-yard line midway through the fourth quarter.

Despite the semifinal exit, South Dakota's overall season represents historic progress for the program, reaching unprecedented heights in the school's Division I era. The Coyotes' quarterfinal victory over UC Davis delivered the program's first-ever semifinal appearance, with their 11 wins marking a program record at the FCS level. South Dakota's balanced approach and defensive playmaking established a foundation for sustained success under Nielson's leadership, with their impressive playoff run demonstrating the program's emergence as a legitimate national contender.

4. South Dakota State Jackrabbits (12-3) [Previous: 1]

South Dakota State's quest for an unprecedented third consecutive national championship ended with a 28-21 semifinal defeat to North Dakota State, falling to their Missouri Valley Football Conference rivals in a hard-fought contest. The Jackrabbits demonstrated the championship resilience that has defined their program in recent seasons but ultimately couldn't overcome a determined Bison squad seeking to reclaim their position atop the FCS landscape. The defeat marks just the third playoff loss for SDSU in their last 15 postseason games, with two of those defeats coming against North Dakota State.

Head coach Jimmy Rogers' program battled throughout the semifinal showdown, with the Jackrabbits' balanced offensive approach creating challenges for North Dakota State's typically stout defense. However, South Dakota State couldn't generate enough consistent production against the Bison's defensive front, while their own defense surrendered several critical scoring drives that proved decisive in the seven-point defeat. The loss represents a disappointing conclusion to South Dakota State's championship pursuit but doesn't diminish their remarkable achievements over the past three seasons.

Despite the semifinal exit, South Dakota State's overall season represents continued excellence for a program that has established itself among the FCS elite. The Jackrabbits' quarterfinal comeback victory over Rhode Island showcased their championship DNA, with their 12 victories marking another impressive campaign under first-year head coach Rogers. South Dakota State's balanced approach and championship experience established them as national title contenders throughout the season, with their program legacy significantly enhanced by consecutive national championships in 2022 and 2023.

Championship Preview

The FCS national championship game presents a compelling matchup between two programs with championship pedigrees and contrasting recent histories. Top-seeded Montana State enters with a perfect 15-0 record, seeking the program's first national title since 1984 and looking to avenge their 2021 championship game loss to these same North Dakota State Bison. Meanwhile, NDSU continues its remarkable dynasty with a 10th championship game appearance since 2011, seeking a 10th national title that would further cement their status as the most dominant program in FCS history.

The championship matchup features fascinating tactical elements, with Montana State's balanced offensive attack facing North Dakota State's typically stout defense. Bobcats quarterback Tommy Mellott presents unique challenges with his dual-threat capabilities, having accounted for 259 yards of total offense and three touchdowns in the semifinal victory over South Dakota. The Bison counter with their physical, fundamentally sound approach that has defined their championship dynasty, with their balanced offensive attack creating consistent challenges for opposing defenses.

The championship game represents a rematch of the 2021 title contest won by North Dakota State 38-10, though both programs feature significant roster changes since that matchup. Montana State head coach Brent Vigen and quarterback Tommy Mellott were both in their first seasons during that championship appearance, with their development since then fueling the Bobcats' perfect 2024 campaign. The contest will be played on Monday, January 6, 2025, at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m. ET on ABC, setting the stage for a compelling conclusion to the FCS season.

The Championship Legacy Stakes

The national championship matchup presents legacy-defining opportunities for both programs, with significant historical implications regardless of the outcome. Montana State seeks to complete just the ninth perfect season in FCS/Division I-AA history and the first since 2018 when North Dakota State accomplished the feat. The Bobcats are pursuing their second national championship overall and first since their 1984 victory over Louisiana Tech, which would represent a remarkable achievement for a program that has rebuilt itself into a national power under head coach Brent Vigen.

North Dakota State continues its unprecedented dynasty with a 10th championship game appearance in the past 14 seasons, having won 9 of their previous 10 title contests. The Bison seek their 10th national championship since 2011, which would further separate them from any other program in FCS history. Head coach Matt Entz leads NDSU into the championship game in his final season at the helm before departing for a position at Southern California, adding additional emotional motivation for a program seeking to reclaim its championship throne.

The championship matchup features compelling individual narratives, with Montana State quarterback Tommy Mellott seeking redemption after the disappointing 2021 title game performance in his freshman season. North Dakota State quarterback Cam Miller aims to secure his second national championship as a starter, having led the Bison to the 2021 title against these same Bobcats. The contrast between Montana State's perfect season and North Dakota State's championship pedigree creates fascinating storylines heading into college football's first FCS championship game of 2025.

Conclusion

The FCS playoffs have produced a compelling championship matchup following two semifinal contests that showcased the quality and competitive balance at the subdivision's highest level. Montana State's impressive victory over South Dakota maintained the Bobcats' perfect season while demonstrating their championship credentials with balanced execution in all three phases. North Dakota State's triumph over defending champion South Dakota State reaffirmed the Bison's dynasty status while setting up a championship rematch three years in the making.

The semifinal results have created a championship narrative filled with historical implications, with Montana State seeking to complete a perfect season with the program's first national title in 40 years, while North Dakota State pursues an unprecedented 10th championship in 14 seasons. The Missouri Valley Football Conference and Big Sky Conference have confirmed their status as the premier FCS leagues, with each placing a representative in the championship game for the third consecutive season.

As attention turns to Frisco, Texas for the January 6 championship showdown, college football fans can anticipate a fascinating tactical battle between two well-coached programs with championship pedigrees. Montana State enters as the slight favorite based on their perfect record and top seeding, but North Dakota State's championship experience and recent head-to-head success against the Bobcats create significant intrigue. The stage is set for a compelling conclusion to the FCS season, with championship legacy hanging in the balance for both programs.