FARMINGTON, Utah (Dec. 31, 2024) – No. 1 Montana State faces No. 2 North Dakota State in the FCS National Championship Game on Monday, Jan. 6, with a chance for a perfect season and redemption on the line against the Bison. Below are news and notes for the FCS National Championship Game.
Big Sky Football Weekly Notebook (FCS National Championship Game)
Montana State Takes on North Dakota State for National Title
No. 1 Montana State faces off against No. 2 North Dakota State in the FCS National Championship Game, as the Bobcats look to cap off a perfect season in Frisco. Kickoff from Toyota Stadium is slated for 5:00 p.m. MT on ESPN.
The meeting between the Bobcats and Bison will be the second in the past four seasons, with both coming in the playoffs, including the 2021 national championship game.
Montana State is 15-0 entering Monday’s game, with its last loss coming to North Dakota State in the second round of the 2023 playoffs.
Montana State vs. NDSU in FCS Playoffs
Year (FCS Playoff Round)
2023: NDSU 35, Montana State 34, OT (2nd)
2021: NDSU 38, Montana State 10 (title game)
2019: NDSU 42, Montana State 14 (semifinals)
2018: NDSU 52, Montana State 10 (2nd)
2010: NDSU 42, Montana State 17 (2nd)
Big Sky Makes 17th Appearance in FCS National Championship Game
With Montana State’s trip to the FCS National Championship Game, the Big Sky booked its 17th appearance in the title game. The 17 appearances trail only the Missouri Valley’s 20 trips.
National Title Game Appearances By Conference
Conf. - App. (Titles)
Missouri Valley - 20 (13)
Big Sky - 17 (6)
SoCon - 16 (8)
CAA - 13 (6)
No. 1 Seed History for Big Sky Teams
Year - Big Sky #1 Seed (Playoff Result)
2024 - #1 Montana State (???)
2009 - #1 Montana (lost in title game)
2001 - #1 Montana (won national title)
2000 - #1 Montana (lost in title game)
1996 - #1 Montana (lost in title game)
1991 - #1 Nevada (lost in QF)
1988 - #1 Idaho (lost in SF)
1986 - #1 Nevada (lost in SF)
Big Sky History in FCS National Championship Game
Montana State makes its second FCS National Championship Game appearance since 2021, and the third overall for a Big Sky team in that time span.
Montana State is 1-1 in the FCS National Championship Game since it began in 1978 and 2-1 in national title games overall. Since it began in 1978, Big Sky teams are 6-10 in the FCS National Championship Game. The last Big Sky team to win a national title was Eastern Washington in 2010 after downing Delaware 20-19.
If Montana State defeats North Dakota State in the title game this year, the Big Sky will have at least one national title for six-straight decades (2020’s, 2010’s, 2000’s, 1990’s, 1980’s, 1970’s).
Big Sky Div. II/FCS National Championship Game History
Season: Result (Location)
2024: Montana State vs. NDSU (Frisco, TX)
2023: SDSU 23, Montana 3 (Frisco, TX)
2021: NDSU 38, Montana State 10 (Frisco, TX)
2018: NDSU 38, EWU 24 (Frisco, TX)
2010: EWU 20, Delaware 19 (Frisco, TX)
2009: Villanova 23, Montana 21 (Chattanooga, TN)
2008: Richmond 24, Montana 7 (Chattanooga, TN)
2004: JMU 31, Montana 21 (Chattanooga, TN)
2001: Montana 13, Furman 6 (Chattanooga, TN)
2000: Georgia So. 27, Montana 25 (Chattanooga, TN)
1996: Marshall 49, Montana 29 (Huntington, WV)
1995: Montana 22, Marshall 20 (Huntington, WV)
1994: Youngstown St. 28, Boise State 14 (Huntington, WV)
1990: Georgia So. 36, Nevada 13 (Statesboro, GA)
1984: Montana State 19, LA Tech 6 (Charleston, SC)
1981: Idaho State 34, EKU 23 (Wichita Falls, TX)
1980: Boise State 31, EKU 29 (Sacramento, CA)
1976*: Montana State 24, Akron 13 (Wichita Falls, TX)
* - Div. II National Title Game
Bold are Big Sky wins
Nevada & Boise State were former Big Sky members
Marion Hired as New Sacramento State Head Coach
Following Andy Thompson's departure for Stanford, the Sacramento State Hornets named Brennan Marion the program's 13th head football coach in school history.
One of the top offensive coordinators in the country, Marion comes to the Hornets after spending the last two seasons at UNLV. Under his watch, the Rebels had great success, posting a 19-8 overall record and qualifying for a pair of bowl games.
Ford Hired as New Idaho Head Coach
Following Jason Eck's departure for New Mexico, the Idaho Vandals named former assistant Thomas Ford as the school's 37th head football coach in program history.
Ford spent the 2024 season as the running backs coach at Oregon State, and spent the 2022 and 2023 seasons as Idaho's special teams coordinator and running backs coach.
Big Sky Earns Five Playoffs Selections
The Big Sky led all other FCS leagues for playoff bids in 2024, with the Big Sky's five selections topping the Missouri Valley (4), the CAA (4), the United Athletic (3) and the Big South-OVC (3) overall for the 24-team field.
Montana State Headlines Postseason Honors
After earning its first-ever 12-0 season and first outright Big Sky title since 2011, Montana State was rewarded with four of the five individual awards in the postseason voting. The Bobcats also had nine first teamers and 17 selections overall.
For the full release, click here.
2024 Big Sky Football Individual Awards
Offensive Player of the Year: Tommy Mellott, Montana State
Defensive Player of the Year: Brody Grebe, Montana State
Newcomer of the Year: Ty Pennington, Northern Arizona
Freshman of the Year: Adam Jones, Montana State
Coach of the Year: Brent Vigen, Montana State
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Upcoming Big Sky Football Games (Championship Game)
Monday, Jan. 6
#1 Montana State vs. #2 North Dakota State // 5:00 p.m. MT (ESPN/ESPN+)
Rankings: FCS Playoff seeds