Montana State quarterback Tommy Mellott didn’t hesitate when reacting to losing the FCS national title.

The Bobcats entered the FCS national title game a perfect 15-0 against 13-2 North Dakota State, and were favored to leave Frisco as national champions.

Things didn’t go according to plan. NDSU was up 21-3 at halftime, and while Mellott pulled off some incredible second half heroics, the Bobcats still lost 35-32.

Tommy Mellott reacts to national title loss.

Mellott’s college career ended Monday night in Frisco on the field, and he felt the better team was going home with a loss. He also took a moment to acknowledge God in his postgame press conference.

“This year was very special. Hats off to North Dakota State for beating us today. Unfortunately, I think the better team lost, but that’s how it goes sometimes. It’s football. That’s why they play the game. You know, we just didn’t play the right game. God is good in all circumstances, and I trust that,” a visibly crushed Mellott said after the stunning loss.

You can watch his comments below starting around 4:50, and let me know your thoughts at David.Hookstead@outkick.com.

It’s truly too bad Mellott didn’t get to end his historic FCS career with a national title. Montana State had an insane run this season, but like the dual-threat QB said, the game is played for a reason.

A team can be the favorite and undefeated and still be upset. That’s the way sports work.

What’s arguably most impressive is the fact Mellott nearly brought the Bobcats back from an 18-point deficit.

He finished the game with three total touchdowns and 330 yards of offense. The team fell just three points short of forcing OT and giving fans a legendary ending.

North Dakota State upset Montana STate in the FCS national title game. (Photo by George Walker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Mellott’s incredible run in Bozeman is finally over, and it will be fascinating to see how he translates to the NFL. He’s a true freak of nature athlete. It’s hard to imagine he’s not going to get a serious look after being the best player in the FCS. Hopefully, he finds success at the next level. Let me know what you think at David.Hookstead@outkick.com.

On Saturday night, the Montana State football account shared a video of MSU players swarming and celebrating with quarterback Tommy Mellott in the hotel lobby after he returned from winning the Walter Payton Award.

The vibes were immaculate. 

The responses and comments to the video were aplenty, talking about how this Bobcat team was different, a truly special squad ready to accomplish greatness in the FCS championship game in two nights, a team of destiny, and some “Cats by 90” type of responses as well.

The video was another moment of things just lining up for MSU to win its first national championship in 40 years. From Mellott’s magical play as everyone’s favorite Montana son, to Brent Vigen not getting swayed by FBS openings, to how MSU had built itself up over the years to finally get to this moment, to finally reach the FCS mountaintop after a multi-season climb that ended in tough tumbles.

If not now, then when?

It was all leading up to a legendary day for the state of Montana.

And then … NDSU happened.

The Bison — an underdog in the spread (+4.5) and most predictions (even from FCS coaches who know what they’re seeing) — beat the Bobcats 35-32 Monday night to win their 10th FCS national championship.

NDSU took a commanding 21-3 lead into halftime. But MSU made a valiant comeback, making it a 21-18 deficit with two straight touchdowns in the third quarter. The Bison made it a 2-score game again, then MSU made it 28-25, then NDSU made it a 2-score game again, and then MSU made it 35-32 with 1:09 to go but couldn’t recover the ensuing onside kick.

It was a fun finish after a jarring first-half domination by the Bison. The FCS title game needed some late-game drama after three straight years of decisive results.

After a two-season “drought,” the Bison have reclaimed their FCS throne, continuing one of the most impressive runs in college football history. The true meaning of a program lives in Fargo.

“A pretty incredible journey started with a group of seniors that decided after a team meeting to get together and just what are we going to do?” NDSU head coach Tim Polasek said after the game. “They chose to stay. And once again, there’s a lot of evidence with our program, we’re running a football program, but those that stayed will be champions.”

Cam Miller was a gamer tonight, as he’s been all season. He completed 19/22 passes for 199 yards and two touchdowns while rushing 18 times for 121 yards and another two scores.

But all eyes were on Montana State entering this game. Was it finally their time? It seemed so, which makes this a crushing loss for MSU. And it was a business-as-usual and an OK-make-room-for-another-trophy win for NDSU.

“We came here with one expectation,” Vigen said postgame. “I know it stings a lot for these guys, for these seniors in particular that have laid such a foundation for our program. They’ve certainly built upon the seniors before them, but the success they’ve had, been through a lot of ups and some downs. Obviously this is a low point. You end up rattling off 15 victories and you can’t finish it off, this is not how we wanted this day to end. But I know the program’s much better for their efforts.”

Polasek is a very likable guy. The players are likable. NDSU fans, while brash and confident online, are some of the nicest humans when you talk to them in person. But NDSU is the villain in the FCS. That’s the reality when you’ve won this many titles. It’s less about you, and more about your success. The Kansas City Chiefs have gone from a likable team to a squad many are sick of. Same thing with Golden State in the 2010s.

And boy did NDSU play the villain part well on Monday.

It was supposed to be a historic day in Montana, a state that loves its football teams like the Frisco area loves its Cowboys. It was supposed to be a movie-like sendoff for several Montana seniors who learned their lessons in past playoff defeats to build themselves into a national championship team. It was supposed to be Mellott’s statue-building performance as one of, if not the most notable players in the state’s history. It was supposed to be a full-circle moment for MSU to finally topple NDSU.

And then … NDSU happened.

Maybe it’s because us FCS followers want new storylines. Something different. Maybe some were trying to wish an MSU win into existence and talk themselves into it being a likelihood. Maybe because this year’s NDSU team isn’t quite on the same level as all-time Bison teams like 2013, 2018, or 2019, we subconsciously think the Bison aren’t as good as they actually are. “This is an all-time Montana State team going up against one of NDSU’s least talented teams” was a common thought. But maybe this NDSU team was also really really good and our memories of the all-time Bison teams deceive how we evaluate more current NDSU rosters. Maybe there’s just something about this NDSU program where it rises up and plays its best in the biggest moment.

And the Bison reminded us who they are once again.

“The standard is the standard, and the expectation is the expectation,” Polasek said.

Every FCS fan base besides, of course, NDSU (and maybe Montana) wanted the Bobcats to win. It was a feel-good moment other fan bases were ready to celebrate. Instead, the Bison told the rest of the FCS, “Remember who we are.” The amount of dirt shoveled on their dynasty was probably enough to make a new road from Fargo to Frisco.

And then … NDSU happened.

It’s the Bison’s FCS once again.

Two of FCS’s greatest prizefighters are set to lock horns on Monday night. The reward? One of college sport’s grandest honors — a national championship.

North Dakota State (13-2) meets Montana State (15-0) in the 2025 FCS Championship. The showdown, slated to be held at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, is a rematch of the Bison and Bobcats’ 2021 championship duel. That matchup ended in a 38-10 NDSU victory, although the game turned on its head when Montana State’s star QB, Tommy Mellott, exited after the first series due to an ankle injury.

The Bison are FCS’s most preeminent powerhouse, winners of nine of the past 13 FCS titles. They’ve been held without a trophy for each of the past two seasons, losing in the championship to rival South Dakota State two years ago and in the semifinals to Montana last year. But with Cam Miller leading the line on offense, Tim Polasek’s side looks as capable as ever to take home some more hardware.

STREAM: Watch NDSU vs. Montana State live with Fubo (free trial)

To do so, it’ll have to down Mellott and the Bobcats. Montana State is seeking its first title since 1984 and the second 16-0 campaign in FCS history. Mellott leads the charge, having bested Miller and Southern Utah’s Targhee Lambson to take home the Walter Payton Award as FCS’s best offensive player. A quick glance at his stat line reveals why he garnered such praise: Mellott accounted for just over 3,500 yards of total offense and 43 touchdowns (29 passing, 14 rushing). He also tallied just two interceptions in his first 15 games.

The Sporting News is tracking live updates from NDSU and Montana State’s duel in the 2025 FCS Championship. Follow below for highlights, live results, and more as two of FCS’s best sides ready for their close-up.

SN’s PLAYOFF HQ: Live CFP scores | Updated CFP bracket | Full CFP schedule

North Dakota State vs. Montana State score

North Dakota State vs. Montana State live updates, results, highlights from 2025 FCS Championship

(All times Eastern)

8:11 p.m.: Now, it’s the Bison’s turn to work their way down the field methodically. Miller is using his legs and arm to great effect in the game’s opening two frames. This drive is no exception; after connecting with Bryce Lance and RaJa Nelson on three straight plays, NDSU is just outside the red zone. 30 seconds left in the second quarter. The Bison have one timeout left.

8:05 p.m.: TURNOVER ON DOWNS! Mellott and Co. are stuffed on fourth-and-five. NDSU gets the ball back with about a minute left and 30 or so yards from field goal range.

8:02 p.m.: Mellott and Montana State are starting to find their form. Mellott continues to jab at NDSU’s defense with short- and intermediate-length runs. The Bobcats are on the brink of Bison territory.

7:57 p.m.: The Bobcats finally stifled Miller, spilling into the pocket to crowd him out. NDSU is forced to punt it back to the Bobcats after falling short of the first down marker after three plays.

7:49 p.m.: FIELD GOAL! Montana State breaks the seal with a three-point try from short distance.

NDSU 14, Montana State 3

7:45 p.m.: Montana State’s second drive of the day has gone about as good as one can hope. NDSU is limiting the Bobcats’ ability to string together big plays. But Montana State is employing a “death by a thousand paper cuts” approach to the drive, moving down the field at an onerous pace. Up to 14 plays thus far.

End of first quarter: NDSU 14, Montana State 0

7:30 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN! Miller does it again! This time, he opted for both the marathon and the sprint, dashing beyond the Bobcats surveillance after splitting the defensive line. 67 yard house call for the senior standout. The Bison are rolling early.

CAM MILLER TAKES IT 64 YARDS! pic.twitter.com/FwoELRAw7M

— Mr Matthew CFB (@MrMatthew_CFB) January 7, 2025

NDSU 14, Montana State 0

7:20 p.m.: Montana State’s drive fell to bits after breeching NDSU territory. The ball is headed back to the Bison via punt. 

7:18 p.m.: Mellott danced down the sideline, collecting 19 yards on third down to keep the Bobcats’ offense churning.

7:12 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN! Miller bursts through the seams, leaps and crosses the plane of the end zone while his helmet flies off his head. Wondrous start for the Bison, who collect 75 yards and more than seven minutes en route to the game’s opening score.

NDSU STRIKES FIRST pic.twitter.com/zQtaDUbDit

— Mr Matthew CFB (@MrMatthew_CFB) January 7, 2025

NDSU 7, Montana State 0

7:08 p.m.: Miller and Co. are moving down the field with relative ease. Miller’s already up to 44 yards on 3-of-3 passing. He’s added an additional 12 yards on the ground. NDSU is inside Montana State’s 10-yard line five minutes into the contest.

7:04 p.m.: And we’re off! NDSU’s offense is trotting onto the field, led by its star hurler, Miller. Here we go!

6:58 p.m.: We’re mere moments away from kickoff. As a reminder, here’s a look at how NDSU-Montana State matchup ended. It’s safe to say that the Bobcats will want some revenge.

#NDSUSeasonOpenerCountdown: #76: The biggest play of the 2023 Bison football season came from number 76, Hunter Poncius.

Poncius blocked Montana State’s game-tying extra point in overtime, securing a 35-34 NDSU win in the 2nd round of the FCS Playoffs. pic.twitter.com/QLyfYsJJTJ

— Dom Izzo (@DomIzzoWDAY) June 14, 2024

6:10 p.m.: Here come the senior gunslingers! It’s NDSU’s Cam Miller vs. Montana State’s Tommy Mellott in a rematch of the 2021 FCS Championship. Both hurlers were among the best at their position in 2024. Let’s see if that translates into a barnstorming performance tonight.

Mellott vs. Miller pic.twitter.com/UeFbrmC37b

— Sam Herder (@SamHerderFCS) January 6, 2025

5:45 p.m.: Here’s another view of the raptures taking place outside of the Toyota Stadium concourses.

The scene outside Toyota Stadium ahead of the #FCSChampionship pic.twitter.com/GkiiXAwbnI

— Sam Herder (@SamHerderFCS) January 6, 2025

5:30 p.m.: There are plenty of eyes on tonight’s contest, with the Toyota Stadium backdrop sharing an eery resemblance to both the Fargodome and Bobcat Stadium, depending on your vantage point.

NDSU has arrived pic.twitter.com/Gd6JHJrROl

— Sam Herder (@SamHerderFCS) January 6, 2025

Advertisement

Montana State has arrived pic.twitter.com/Bfo3wMQjxv

— Sam Herder (@SamHerderFCS) January 6, 2025

North Dakota State vs. Montana State start time

• Date: Monday, Jan. 6
• Time: 7 p.m. ET (6 p.m. local)

North Dakota State and Montana State will lock horns in the 2025 FCS Championship. The game is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. ET (6 p.m. local time) from Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas.

What channel is North Dakota State vs. Montana State on today?

• TV Channel: ESPN
• Streaming: ESPN+, Fubo

ESPN will carry coverage of North Dakota State and Montana State’s matchup in the 2025 FCS Championship. Dave Flemming will lead the broadcast, serving as the game’s play-by-play announcer. He’ll be joined by Brock Osweiler (analyst) in the booth. Stormy Buonantony will serve as the game’s sideline reporter.

Cord-cutters can find the action on ESPN+ or Fubo, which offers a free trial.