Week 18 FCS Football Championship Game: North Dakota State Claims 10th National Title in Thrilling Victory Over Montana State

The FCS championship game delivered one of the most compelling finishes in recent memory, with second-seeded North Dakota State holding off a furious second-half rally from top-seeded Montana State to secure a 35-32 victory at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas on January 6, 2025. The triumph gives the Bison their 10th FCS national championship since 2011 and 18th football national title in program history, while ending the Bobcats' bid for a perfect season in heartbreaking fashion.

North Dakota State quarterback Cam Miller earned Most Outstanding Player honors with a masterful performance, accounting for 320 total yards and four touchdowns while showcasing his dual-threat capabilities throughout the contest. The Bison built a commanding 21-3 halftime lead before withstanding Montana State's furious second-half comeback, which saw the previously undefeated Bobcats pull within three points in the final minutes before North Dakota State recovered an onside kick to secure the victory.

The championship matchup represented a rematch of the 2021 title game, which North Dakota State also won by a decisive 38-10 margin. This time, however, Montana State quarterback Tommy Mellott remained healthy throughout the contest, delivering a valiant effort with 195 passing yards, 135 rushing yards, and three total touchdowns in defeat. The game featured dramatic momentum swings, clutch performances, and championship-level execution from both programs in front of 18,005 fans witnessing the crowning of college football's FCS champion.

First Half: North Dakota State Establishes Control

First Quarter (NDSU 14, MSU 0)

North Dakota State established its dominance immediately, taking the opening possession 75 yards in 12 plays for a touchdown. Cam Miller orchestrated a methodical drive that consumed 7:05 off the clock, completing both pass attempts for 36 yards while personally carrying five times for 16 yards. The senior quarterback capped the march with a 2-yard touchdown run at the 7:55 mark, giving the Bison a 7-0 lead and marking the first time all season that Montana State had allowed a touchdown on an opponent's opening drive.

After forcing a Bobcat punt, the Bison struck again with an explosive play that stunned the Montana State defense. Starting from their own 8-yard line, North Dakota State needed just five plays to cover 92 yards, culminating in Miller's electrifying 64-yard touchdown run with 1:51 remaining in the quarter. The Bison quarterback recognized Montana State's defensive alignment against an empty backfield formation and exploited the middle of the field, sprinting untouched for his second rushing touchdown of the period to give North Dakota State a 14-0 advantage.

The opening quarter belonged entirely to North Dakota State, with Miller accounting for all 14 points while the Bison defense completely stifled Montana State's typically explosive attack. The Bobcats failed to complete a pass in the quarter, managing just 45 total yards while the Bison accumulated 160 yards of offense behind Miller's perfect 4-for-4 passing for 51 yards and 84 rushing yards on seven designed quarterback runs.

Second Quarter (Halftime: NDSU 21, MSU 3)

Montana State found its footing to start the second quarter, engineering its most productive drive of the first half. The Bobcats used a methodical 17-play possession that spilled over from the first quarter, marching to the North Dakota State 13-yard line. However, the Bison defense stiffened at that point, forcing Montana State to settle for Myles Sansted's 32-yard field goal with 5:38 remaining in the half, cutting the deficit to 14-3.

The Bobcat defense responded with its first stop of the game, forcing a three-and-out to regain possession. Montana State moved the ball near midfield but was stopped on a critical fourth-down attempt, giving North Dakota State excellent field position with just 59 seconds remaining in the half. The Bison showcased their offensive efficiency by executing their two-minute drill to perfection, covering 56 yards in 10 plays over just 47 seconds.

Miller connected with wide receiver Bryce Lance four times during the drive, including a perfectly executed 1-yard touchdown pass with just 12 seconds left before intermission. The score extended North Dakota State's lead to 21-3 heading into halftime and represented a crushing blow to Montana State's momentum after the Bobcats had shown signs of life earlier in the quarter.

At halftime, North Dakota State had thoroughly dominated the statistics, outgaining Montana State 226-108 while averaging 7.5 yards per play. Miller was nearly perfect through the air, completing 10-of-11 passes for 92 yards and adding 108 rushing yards with two touchdowns. The Bison controlled the time of possession 17:13 to 12:47 and converted six of eight third-down attempts, while Montana State managed just 17 passing yards in the half.

Second Half: Montana State's Furious Comeback Falls Short

Third Quarter (End of 3rd: NDSU 21, MSU 18)

Montana State emerged from the locker room with renewed determination, immediately mounting a response on the opening possession of the second half. Tommy Mellott engineered an 11-play, 75-yard drive highlighted by a critical completion to Ryan King that placed the ball at the North Dakota State 1-yard line. Running back Scottre Humphrey punched it in from there with 8:09 remaining in the quarter, and Myles Sansted's extra point cut the deficit to 21-10.

The Bobcat defense built on that momentum by forcing a quick three-and-out, giving the ball back to their suddenly energized offense. Mellott wasted no time capitalizing, needing just two plays to cover 58 yards for another touchdown. The Walter Payton Award-winning quarterback connected with tight end Rohan Jones on a 5-yard scoring strike at the 4:03 mark. Montana State converted the ensuing two-point attempt when Mellott found Ryan Lonergan, pulling the Bobcats within 21-18 and sending a jolt of electricity through their sideline.

The third quarter belonged entirely to Montana State, which outscored North Dakota State 15-0 while outgaining the Bison 175-53. Mellott was brilliant during this stretch, completing 5-of-7 passes for 117 yards and a touchdown as the Bobcats seized momentum heading into the final period. As the quarter ended, North Dakota State faced a crucial possession, having advanced to the Montana State 2-yard line thanks in part to Miller's 39-yard completion to Bryce Lance on a slot fade route that had proven effective throughout the game.

Fourth Quarter (Final: NDSU 35, MSU 32)

North Dakota State halted Montana State's momentum on the second play of the fourth quarter when Miller found tight end Joe Stoffel for a 1-yard touchdown pass. The score, which came after CharMar Brown was stopped at the goal line on the quarter's first play, extended the Bison lead to 28-18 with 14:18 remaining and represented Miller's third total touchdown of the contest.

The Bobcats responded quickly, needing just five plays to cover 75 yards on their ensuing possession. Mellott provided the explosive play Montana State desperately needed, breaking free for a 44-yard touchdown run at the 11:25 mark. The electrifying dash, sprung by a tremendous block from tight end/H-back Rohan Jones, cut the deficit to 28-25 and ensured a dramatic finish to the championship game.

Following an exchange of three-and-outs, North Dakota State embarked on what proved to be the decisive drive of the contest. The Bison methodically marched 66 yards in nine plays, consuming a critical 5:06 off the clock. Running back CharMar Brown capped the possession with a 3-yard touchdown run with 2:41 remaining, extending North Dakota State's lead to 35-25. Wide receiver RaJa Nelson provided a crucial third-down reception to sustain the drive.

Montana State refused to surrender, with Mellott orchestrating a 10-play, 73-yard drive in just 1:32. Facing fourth-and-2 with 1:09 remaining, the senior quarterback connected with Taco Dowler on a 19-yard touchdown pass to cut the deficit to 35-32. The Bobcats' comeback hopes hinged on recovering the ensuing onside kick, but Bryce Lance secured the ball for North Dakota State, effectively sealing the outcome.

The Bison ran the clock down to its final seconds before punter Kaedin Steindorf boomed a 45-yard kick as time expired, touching off a championship celebration for North Dakota State. The victory marked the program's 10th FCS title in the last 14 seasons and first under head coach Tim Polasek, who captured the championship in his inaugural season at the helm.

Statistical Leaders and Key Performances

North Dakota State

Cam Miller earned Most Outstanding Player honors with one of the most complete performances in championship game history. The fifth-year senior completed 19-of-22 passes (86.4%) for 199 yards and two touchdowns while adding 121 rushing yards and two scores on 18 carries. His 320 yards of total offense accounted for nearly 80% of the Bison's production.

Bryce Lance, younger brother of former North Dakota State star and NFL quarterback Trey Lance, delivered a career-best performance with nine receptions for 107 yards and a touchdown. His consistent production throughout the game, including several critical third-down conversions, provided Miller with a reliable target against Montana State's aggressive secondary.

Defensively, linebacker Nick Kubitz led the Bison with nine tackles, including one for loss, and a pass breakup. The North Dakota State defense limited Montana State to over 100 yards below their season average of 301 rushing yards per game, holding the Bobcats to 199 yards on the ground.

Montana State

Tommy Mellott concluded his brilliant career with a valiant performance in defeat, completing 13-of-24 passes for 195 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 135 yards and a score on 14 carries. The Walter Payton Award winner was particularly effective in the second half, accounting for three total touchdowns as the Bobcats nearly erased an 18-point deficit.

Tight end Ryan Lonergan contributed a 53-yard reception that sparked Montana State's second-half surge, while Rohan Jones and Taco Dowler both recorded touchdown receptions in key moments. Running back Scottre Humphrey added a touchdown run as part of the Bobcats' offensive attack.

Despite the loss, Montana State finished its historic season with a 15-1 record, the best in program history. The Bobcats' appearance in the championship game marked their second under head coach Brent Vigen, with both resulting in defeats to North Dakota State.

Championship Legacy

North Dakota State's victory further cements the program's dynasty status in FCS football, with 10 national championships in the past 14 seasons. The Bison have now won all but four FCS titles since 2011, establishing an unprecedented period of dominance in college football at any level. This championship represented the program's 18th overall football national title, including their poll championship from 1965.

For first-year head coach Tim Polasek, the victory provides immediate validation after taking over from Matt Entz, who departed for Fresno State following the previous season. Polasek became the second consecutive North Dakota State coach to win a national championship in his debut season, following Craig Bohl's title in 2011.

Montana State's runner-up finish marks the program's second championship game appearance under head coach Brent Vigen, who previously served as an assistant coach at North Dakota State during the early years of their dynasty. The Bobcats' 15-1 record represents the most wins in a single season in program history and establishes them as a perennial contender at the FCS level.

The championship game attracted 18,005 fans to Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, continuing the tradition of the Dallas suburb hosting the FCS title game. The thrilling contest, which featured 67 combined points and multiple lead changes, provided a fitting conclusion to the 2024-25 FCS season and set the stage for what promises to be another competitive campaign in 2025-26.

Conclusion

The 2024-25 FCS season concluded with a championship game worthy of its billing, featuring two powerhouse programs battling until the final minute. North Dakota State's 35-32 victory over Montana State showcased the Bison's championship DNA while highlighting the Bobcats' tremendous resilience in nearly overcoming an 18-point deficit to complete a perfect season.

Cam Miller's MVP performance, accounting for four touchdowns and 320 yards of total offense, provided the difference in a contest that ultimately came down to North Dakota State's ability to respond to Montana State's second-half surge. The victory extends the Bison's unprecedented dynasty at the FCS level, while Montana State's valiant effort in defeat confirms their status as one of the subdivision's elite programs.

As the confetti fell in Frisco and North Dakota State hoisted its 10th championship trophy in 14 seasons, the 2024-25 FCS campaign officially closed with another reminder of the Bison's remarkable dominance in college football's championship subdivision. Tim Polasek's first-year success as head coach suggests that North Dakota State's dynasty remains firmly intact, while Montana State's emergence as a consistent championship contender ensures that the competitive landscape at the FCS level continues to evolve heading into the 2025-26 season.