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
January 5, 2026
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Shots from the sideline: Daily Inter Lake photographer provides a peek behind the photos from the FCS Championship game
I sent my wife a text at halftime. “0 for 3,” it read. Referring to the number of touchdowns Montana State had scored in the first two quarters of their FCS Championship game against Illinois State, 3, and the number of quality photographs I had of each play, 0.
Crown the Cats: Two blocked kicks help Montana State to first FCS title since 1984
The Roadbirds were excellent, and the Bobcats were somehow, some way, just a little bit better.
PHOTOS: Montana State outlasts Illinois State 35-34 in FCS Championship overtime thriller
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.