PHOTOS: Montana State outlasts Illinois State 35-34 in FCS Championship overtime thriller
CASEY KREIDER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 8 months, 1 week AGO
Montana State celebrates with the FCS National Championship trophy after their 35-34 overtime victory over Illinois State at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Jan. 5. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
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Montana State defenders Ryan Krahe (42) and Paul Brott (41) celebrate after a 35-34 overtime victory over Illinois State in the FCS National Championship at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Jan. 5. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
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Montana State wide receiver Taco Dowler (14) scores a touchdown on a 22-yard run in the third quarter against Illinois State in the FCS National Championship at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Jan. 5. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
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Montana State defender Jhase McMillan (1) blocks a field goal attempt by Illinois State kicker Michael Cosentino in the fourth quarter during the FCS National Championship at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Jan. 5. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
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Montana State quarterback Justin Lamson (8) celebrates after a 35-34 overtime victory over Illinois State in the FCS National Championship at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Jan. 5. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
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Montana State celebrates after their 35-34 overtime victory over Illinois State in the FCS National Championship at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Jan. 5. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
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Montana State quarterback Justin Lamson (8) and Illinois State quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse (16) shake hands after the FCS National Championship game at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Jan. 5. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
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Montana State tight end Luvens Valcin celebrates after a 35-34 overtime victory over Illinois State in the FCS National Championship at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Jan. 5. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
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Montana State quarterback Justin Lamson (8) celebrates after a 2-yard touchdown run in the second quarter against Illinois State in the FCS National Championship at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Jan. 5. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
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Illinois State tight end Javon Charles (85) is tackled by Montana State cornerback Taki Uluilakepa (2) after a reception in the third quarter in the FCS National Championship at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Jan. 5. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider
Montana State running back Adam Jones (23) picks up yardage on a run in the first quarter against Illinois State in the FCS National Championship at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Jan. 5. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider
Montana State wide receiver Taco Dowler (14) scores a touchdown on a 22-yard run in the third quarter against Illinois State in the FCS National Championship at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Jan. 5. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
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Montana State defensive back Bryant Meredith (6) celebrates after a stop in the first quarter against Illinois State in the FCS National Championship at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Jan. 5. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
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Montana State players take the field before the FCS National Championship game against Illinois State at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Jan. 5. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider
Montana State wide receiver Dane Steel (84) picks up yardage after a reception in the second half against Illinois State in the FCS National Championship at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Jan. 5. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider
Montana State running back Adam Jones (23) picks up yardage after a reception in the second quarter against Illinois State in the FCS National Championship at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Jan. 5. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
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Montana State quarterback Justin Lamson (8) throws a pass in the second half against Illinois State in the FCS National Championship at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Jan. 5. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
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Montana State wide receiver Chris Long (1) picks up yardage after a reception in the second quarter against Illinois State in the FCS National Championship at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Jan. 5. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider
Montana State linebacker Zac Crews (36) takes a knee before the start of the FCS National Championship game against Illinois State at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Jan. 5. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider
Montana State quarterback Justin Lamson (8) takes the field for warmups before the start of the FCS National Championship game against Illinois State at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Jan. 5. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
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Illinois State running back Victor Dawson (5) sheds a tackle on a run in the fourth quarter against Montana State in the FCS National Championship at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Jan. 5. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
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Illinois State quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse (16) drops back to pass in the fourth quarter against Montana State in the FCS National Championship at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Jan. 5. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
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Montana State running back Julius Davis (32) picks up yardage on a run in overtime against Illinois State during the FCS National Championship at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Jan. 5. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
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Illinois State wide receiver Dylan Lord (4) picks up yardage after a reception in the fourth quarter against Montana State in the FCS National Championship at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Jan. 5. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
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Illinois State wide receiver Dylan Lord (4) celebrates after a 25-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter against Montana State in the FCS National Championship at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Jan. 5. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
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Illinois State wide receiver Dylan Lord (4) heads to the end zone on a 25-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter against Montana State in the FCS National Championship at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Jan. 5. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider
Montana State quarterback Justin Lamson (8) picks up yardage on a run in the third quarter against Illinois State in the FCS National Championship at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Jan. 5. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider
Montana State quarterback Justin Lamson (8) picks up yardage on a run in the third quarter against Illinois State in the FCS National Championship at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Jan. 5. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider
Montana State wide receiver Dane Steel (84) avoids a tackle on a 33-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter against Illinois State in the FCS National Championship at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Jan. 5. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider
Montana State wide receiver Chris Long (1) catches a 22-yard reception in the second quarter against Illinois State in the FCS National Championship at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Jan. 5. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
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Montana State wide receiver Chris Long (1) catches a 22-yard reception in the second quarter against Illinois State in the FCS National Championship at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Jan. 5. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider
Illinois State quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse (16) drops back to pass in the second quarter against Montana State in the FCS National Championship at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Jan. 5. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider
Montana State quarterback Justin Lamson (8) celebrates after a 2-yard touchdown run in the second quarter against Illinois State in the FCS National Championship at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Jan. 5. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider
Montana State running back Julius Davis (32) looks for running room in the first quarter against Illinois State in the FCS National Championship at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Jan. 5. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider
Illinois State quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse (16) drops back to pass in the first quarter against Montana State in the FCS National Championship at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Jan. 5. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider
Montana State celebrates with the FCS National Championship trophy after their 35-34 overtime victory over Illinois State at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Jan. 5. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Casey Kreider is a staff photographer for the Daily Inter Lake. His work documents news, sports, wildlife, landscapes and everyday life across Northwest Montana through visual storytelling. Kreider’s keen eye captures major sporting events, community moments, and the natural beauty that defines the region. He is a graduate of Penn State University and previously worked as a photographer for Lancaster Newspapers in Pennsylvania. In 2024, he received the Montana Newspaper Association’s Mel Ruder Photograph of the Year award. IMPACT: Kreider's work brings readers closer to the people, places and moments that shape life in Northwest Montana through powerful visual journalism. | January 5, 2026 10:00 PM
Photos from the Montana State Bobcats' 35-34 win over Illinois State in overtime in the FCS National Championship game held at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee on Monday, Jan. 5.
Montana State defenders Ryan Krahe (42) and Paul Brott (41) celebrate after a 35-34 overtime victory over Illinois State in the FCS National Championship at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Jan. 5. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)Casey Kreider
Montana State wide receiver Taco Dowler (14) scores a touchdown on a 22-yard run in the third quarter against Illinois State in the FCS National Championship at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Jan. 5. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)Casey Kreider
Montana State defender Jhase McMillan (1) blocks a field goal attempt by Illinois State kicker Michael Cosentino in the fourth quarter during the FCS National Championship at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Jan. 5. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)Casey Kreider
Montana State quarterback Justin Lamson (8) celebrates after a 35-34 overtime victory over Illinois State in the FCS National Championship at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Jan. 5. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)Casey Kreider
Montana State celebrates after their 35-34 overtime victory over Illinois State in the FCS National Championship at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Jan. 5. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)Casey Kreider
Montana State quarterback Justin Lamson (8) and Illinois State quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse (16) shake hands after the FCS National Championship game at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Jan. 5. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)Casey Kreider
Montana State tight end Luvens Valcin celebrates after a 35-34 overtime victory over Illinois State in the FCS National Championship at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Jan. 5. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)Casey Kreider
Montana State quarterback Justin Lamson (8) celebrates after a 2-yard touchdown run in the second quarter against Illinois State in the FCS National Championship at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Jan. 5. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)Casey Kreider
Illinois State tight end Javon Charles (85) is tackled by Montana State cornerback Taki Uluilakepa (2) after a reception in the third quarter in the FCS National Championship at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Jan. 5. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)Casey Kreider
Montana State running back Adam Jones (23) picks up yardage on a run in the first quarter against Illinois State in the FCS National Championship at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Jan. 5. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)Casey Kreider
Montana State wide receiver Taco Dowler (14) scores a touchdown on a 22-yard run in the third quarter against Illinois State in the FCS National Championship at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Jan. 5. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)Casey Kreider
Montana State defensive back Bryant Meredith (6) celebrates after a stop in the first quarter against Illinois State in the FCS National Championship at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Jan. 5. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)Casey Kreider
Montana State players take the field before the FCS National Championship game against Illinois State at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Jan. 5. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)Casey Kreider
Montana State wide receiver Dane Steel (84) picks up yardage after a reception in the second half against Illinois State in the FCS National Championship at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Jan. 5. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)Casey Kreider
Montana State running back Adam Jones (23) picks up yardage after a reception in the second quarter against Illinois State in the FCS National Championship at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Jan. 5. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)Casey Kreider
Montana State quarterback Justin Lamson (8) throws a pass in the second half against Illinois State in the FCS National Championship at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Jan. 5. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)Casey Kreider
Montana State wide receiver Chris Long (1) picks up yardage after a reception in the second quarter against Illinois State in the FCS National Championship at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Jan. 5. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)Casey Kreider
Montana State linebacker Zac Crews (36) takes a knee before the start of the FCS National Championship game against Illinois State at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Jan. 5. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)Casey Kreider
Montana State quarterback Justin Lamson (8) takes the field for warmups before the start of the FCS National Championship game against Illinois State at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Jan. 5. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)Casey Kreider
Illinois State running back Victor Dawson (5) sheds a tackle on a run in the fourth quarter against Montana State in the FCS National Championship at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Jan. 5. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)Casey Kreider
Illinois State quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse (16) drops back to pass in the fourth quarter against Montana State in the FCS National Championship at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Jan. 5. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)Casey Kreider
Montana State running back Julius Davis (32) picks up yardage on a run in overtime against Illinois State during the FCS National Championship at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Jan. 5. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)Casey Kreider
Illinois State wide receiver Dylan Lord (4) picks up yardage after a reception in the fourth quarter against Montana State in the FCS National Championship at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Jan. 5. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)Casey Kreider
Illinois State wide receiver Dylan Lord (4) celebrates after a 25-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter against Montana State in the FCS National Championship at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Jan. 5. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)Casey Kreider
Illinois State wide receiver Dylan Lord (4) heads to the end zone on a 25-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter against Montana State in the FCS National Championship at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Jan. 5. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)Casey Kreider
Montana State quarterback Justin Lamson (8) picks up yardage on a run in the third quarter against Illinois State in the FCS National Championship at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Jan. 5. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)Casey Kreider
Montana State quarterback Justin Lamson (8) picks up yardage on a run in the third quarter against Illinois State in the FCS National Championship at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Jan. 5. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)Casey Kreider
Montana State wide receiver Dane Steel (84) avoids a tackle on a 33-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter against Illinois State in the FCS National Championship at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Jan. 5. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)Casey Kreider
Montana State wide receiver Chris Long (1) catches a 22-yard reception in the second quarter against Illinois State in the FCS National Championship at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Jan. 5. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)Casey Kreider
Montana State wide receiver Chris Long (1) catches a 22-yard reception in the second quarter against Illinois State in the FCS National Championship at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Jan. 5. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)Casey Kreider
Illinois State quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse (16) drops back to pass in the second quarter against Montana State in the FCS National Championship at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Jan. 5. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)Casey Kreider
Montana State quarterback Justin Lamson (8) celebrates after a 2-yard touchdown run in the second quarter against Illinois State in the FCS National Championship at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Jan. 5. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)Casey Kreider
Montana State running back Julius Davis (32) looks for running room in the first quarter against Illinois State in the FCS National Championship at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Jan. 5. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)Casey Kreider
Illinois State quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse (16) drops back to pass in the first quarter against Montana State in the FCS National Championship at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Jan. 5. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)Casey Kreider
Montana State celebrates with the FCS National Championship trophy after their 35-34 overtime victory over Illinois State at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Jan. 5. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)Casey Kreider
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