On the evening of Monday, January 6 Toyota Stadium filled with 18,005 fans from across the country for one reason… To watch their team win a National Championship.
North Dakota State Bison fans came to the stadium looking to celebrate a 10th FCS title. As for Montana State Bobcat fans they were in search of two things… Ending a four decade championship drought and revenge for their national runner-up finish to this very NDSU squad in the 2021 season.
Montana State won the coin toss, deferring its decision to the second half. In return the Bison made the decision to receive in the South end zone. NDSU’s opening drive took 7:05 of clock over 12 plays and 75 yards, resulting in a two-yard touchdown run from Cam Miller. He would dive over the pile and lose his helmet in the process.
7:55 Q1 Bison 7-0
The Bobcats opening drive would gain 30 yards, but fizzle out after six plays. After the punt, NDSU took over at its own eight yard line. What initially looked to be a three-and-out for NDSU would turn into an extended drive after a pass interference call on a third down play. Later in the drive, on a third and three, Miller would perfectly execute a QB draw where he would scamper 64 yards for a score, extending the Bison lead.
1:51 Q1 Bison 14-0
Montana State’s next drive would begin in the closing stages of the first quarter and eat up the majority of the second quarter. In a situation where the Bobcats needed points, they put together a 17 play drive that spanned over 11:13 of game clock. That long drive would stall out at the 15-yard line, where Alexandria, Minn. native, Myles Sanstad, knocked down a 32-yard field goal.
5:38 Q2 Bison 14-3
The Bison would end up punting on the next drive, giving the Cats a chance at points before the half. MSU began a drive at its own 38-yard line with 3:48 remaining in the first half. The Bobcats would end up turning the ball over on downs at the Bison 44-yard line with 58 seconds remaining in the half. NDSU would march down the field 56 yards, over 10 plays in only 47 seconds, ending with a one yard touchdown pass from Miller to Bryce Lance.
0:08 Q2 Bison 21-3
Montana State would take a knee to send the game into the half.
In the third quarter the Bobcats would come out swinging. The opening drive would last 6:44 over 10 plays and 75 yards, capped off by a Scottre Humphrey one yard touchdown run.
8:09 Q3 Bison 21-10
North Dakota State would end up punting after six plays, giving Montana State the ball at the Bobcat 42-yard line. The drive only lasted two plays… The first was a Mellott 53-yard pass play to Ryan Loneran. On the second play Mellott connected with Rohan Jones for a five yard touchdown pass. MSU would go for two points and convert it on a pass from Mellott to Lonergan.
4:03 Q3 Bison 21-18
NDSU would now look to regain control of the game, but on a third-and-one there would be a false start setting up a third-and-six at the 40-yard line. On that third down play Miller would toss a 38 yard completion to Lance to end the third quarter with the Bison at the two yard line. 42 seconds into the fourth quarter Miller would connect with tight end Joe Stoffel on a one-yard touchdown pass.
14:18 Q4 Bison 28-18
The Bobcats responded with a five play, 75 yard drive that ended with a 44-yard Mellott touchdown run down the right sideline.
11:25 Q4 Bison 28-25
After an exchange of three-and-outs, NDSU would eat up 5:06 of game clock ending a nine play, 66 yard drive with a Marty Brown three yard touchdown run.
2:41 Q4 Bison 35-25
Montana State would keep its championship hopes alive with a 73 yard touchdown drive capped off by a 19 yard Mellott touchdown pass to Taco Dowler.
1:06 Q4 Bison 35-32
NDSU would end up recovering the onside side, but get called for a personal foul. The Bobcats had two timeouts remaining and would end up forcing the Bison into a fourth-and-22 at the NDSU 40 yard line. The Bison would punt the ball away with 10 seconds remaining on the game clock… Montana State would send all 11 players after the punt and the clock would run out as the football bounced around the MSU side of the field.
The Bison survived the comeback bid to secure the program’s 10th championship since moving up to the FCS. NDSU ended the season with a record of 14-2 while Montana State’s record fell to 15-1.
NDSU’s Cam Miller would be named the games Most Outstanding Player after completing 19-of-22 passes for 199 yards and two touchdowns. Additionally, he totaled 121 yards on 18 carries with two more scores on the ground.
Other Bison leaders:
- Bryce Lance: 9 receptions, 107 yards, one touchdown
- Marty Brown: 17 carries, 77 yards, one touchdown
- Nick Kubitz: nine tackles, one tackle for loss, one pass breakup
- Jaylin Crumby: six tackles
- Enock Sibomana: six tackles
Bobcat leaders:
- Tommy Mellott: 13-for-24 passing, 195 yards, two touchdowns; 14 carries, 135 yards, one touchdown
- Taco Dowler: three receptions, 51 yards, one touchdown
- Rylan Ortt: 10 tackles, one pass breakup
- Bryce Grebe: seven tackles
