Montana State will celebrate its national championship football team with a parade through downtown and a celebration at Bobcat Stadium on Saturday, Jan. 17.

The last time Montana State University football team claimed a national championship, U.S. Sen. Steve Daines was graduating from the school, in 1984. “What a time to be a Bobcat!” Daines wrote in a social media post on X last night from Nashville,

Montana State University secured its first FCS Championship title since 1984. Following a devastating loss last season, the team returned determined to end the 41-year drought that had plagued the Bobcats.

BOZEMAN — Montana State University is raising funds to offset costs for the Spirit of the West marching band to accompany the Bobcats as they play for the FCS national football championship in Nashville,

The Bobcats (14-2) held off a furious Illinois State rally at Vanderbilt University’s First Bank Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Jan. 5, as Taco Dowler scored on their first possession in overtime and kicker Myles Sansted booted through the decisive extra point for the 35-34 championship win.

Waded Cruzado, who was MSU’s president from 2009-25, headlines a highly distinguished class of inductees. The list features Elvis Akpla (football, 2009-11), Jasmine Hommes Moeakiola (women’s basketball, 2012-16), Dan Johnson (track and field, 2004-08), Cody Kirk (football, 2010-13) and Cristian Soratos (cross country/track and field, 2012-15).

Illinois State and Tommy Rittenhouse lost an OT thriller to Montana State in the FCS Championship college football game in Nashville, Tennessee.

Illinois State’s magical season has come to an end. The Redbirds fell, 35-34, to Montana State on Monday in overtime at the FCS national championship at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville.

"I cannot wait to celebrate with our students, faculty, staff, neighbors, friends and our athletes, who brought this championship home not just for MSU but for the entire state of