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Justin Lamson accounted for four touchdowns, Adam Jones had 131 yards rushing and two TDs, and second-seeded Montana State beat No. 3 seed Montana 48-23 on Saturday in the semifinals of the FCS playoffs. Montana State (13-2) will play unseeded Illinois State - a 30-14 winner at 12th-seeded Villanova later Saturday - for the national championship on Jan. 5 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Bobcats will make their fourth appearance in the title game and third in coach Brett Vigen's five seasons. Montana State, which won the 1984 national championship, lost to North Dakota State in the 2021 and 2024 title games. Bryce Grebe returned an interception 35 yards for a touchdown that capped the scoring with 7:01 to play. Lamson was 13-of-19 passing for 209 yards and two touchdowns and ran for TDs of 4 and 7 yards. Taco Dowler had five receptions for 125 yards, which included an 87-yard touchdown. Keali'i Ah Yat completed 27 of 42 for 251 yards passing with a touchdown and an interception and Taco Dowler's twin brother, and added a 5-yard TD run. Eli Gillman had 106 yards rushing and a touchdown on 16 carries for Montana.

Montana State defensive back Caden Dowler, the Big Sky Conference's defensive player of the year, left the game in the first quarter due to an apparent wrist injury. Dowler went into the semis with six interceptions - two of which were returned for touchdowns - in the last five games. Grizzlies wide receiver Brooks Davis, tight end Evan Shafer, and defensive lineman Jereb Ramos left the game due to injury and did not return. Micah Harper was ejected early in the second quarter after he was called for targeting. A crowd of 25,437 jammed into Bobcats Stadium to make the 125th meeting between the programs - the first in the playoffs - arguably the biggest sporing event in the history of the state. The Grizzlies lead the all-time series 75-45-5, but Montana State has won three straight and eight of the last 10. Montana State beat the Grizzlies 31-28 on Nov. 22 to clinch the Big Sky Conference regular-season title. - AP College Football

(DS#46 QB) rSr/2026

QB Justin Lamson, Montana State
News Source: AP College Football
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12/12/25 - Adam Jones, rSo/2028, Montana State, 6-0, 200 (DS#54 RB) + More +

Adam Jones ran for 114 yards and two touchdowns as No. 2 Montana State used a season-high 227 rushing yards to end No. 7 Stephen F. Austin's eight-game winning streak with a 44-28 victory Saturday in an FCS quarterfinal matchup. Montana State will face the winner of No. 3 Montana and No. 11 South Dakota in the semifinals. The Bobcats scored on six of their first eight possessions and never trailed, improving to 12-2 while earning a spot in the national semifinals. Stephen F. Austin, which had not lost since Sept. 6, finished the year 11-3. Montana State struck first midway through the opening quarter when Jones capped a 10-play, 65-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown run.

Justin Lamson added two touchdown passes in the second quarter, connecting with Jones for a 21-yard score and Luvens Valcin for a 3-yard touchdown to build a 24-0 lead. Stephen F. Austin responded just before halftime, driving 75 yards in 1:22 and converting a two-point play on Sam Vidlak's 11-yard touchdown pass to Clayton Wayland to pull within 24-8. The Lumberjacks cut the margin to 24-14 early in the third quarter on Jaylen Jenkins' 5-yard run, but Montana State answered with a Myles Sansted field goal and a Lamson 5-yard rushing touchdown to restore control. Jenkins scored again late in the third to keep the Lumberjacks within reach. Any momentum ended early in the fourth when Jones broke free for a 16-yard touchdown run on the Bobcats' first snap of the quarter. Stephen F. Austin became just the second FCS team to score 28 points against Montana State this season. No other FCS opponent topped 17 points in regulation. - AP College Football

(DS#54 RB) rSo/2028

RB Adam Jones, Montana State
News Source: AP College Football
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12/06/25 - Adam Jones, rSo/2028, Montana State, 6-0, 200 (DS#54 RB) + More +

Adam Jones ran for 107 yards and a touchdown and second-ranked Montana State beat Yale 21-13 on Saturday to advance to the quarterfinals of the FCS playoffs. The Bobcats (11-2) will host Stephen F. Austin. Yale (9-3) reduced its deficit to 21-13 with 2:01 remaining when Josh Pitsenberger ran it in from the 6 with 2:09 remaining to end a five-play, 54-yard drive. After forcing a three-and-out, Yale took the ball with 59 seconds left and no timeouts. Dante Reno's 18-yard completion to Pitsenberger proved to be the only positive yardage gained on the drive. A series of desperation laterals by Yale ended with Montana State's Zac Crews recovering the ball at the Bulldogs' 3 as time expired.

Against the Bulldogs - who were coming off a stunning 43-42 comeback win over Youngstown State in the first round - Montana State struck first when on his way to score from the 14, quarterback Justin Lamson was stripped at the goal line but receiver Chris Long fell on it in the end zone for a 7-0 lead. It was the only score of the first half. Late in the third quarter, Julius Davis ended a nine-play, 70-yard drive, running it in from the 3 for a two-touchdown lead. Yale countered with its first touchdown when Reno threw a 25-yard touchdown to Nico Brown. The failed two-point conversion made it 14-6. Montana State followed with a score of its own when Jones ran left and scored from 33 yards out for a 21-6 lead with 3:58 left. Reno passed for 198 yards and a touchdown and threw a pair of interceptions. Brown caught 11 passes for 107 yards. - AP College Football

(DS#54 RB) rSo/2028

RB Adam Jones, Montana State
News Source: AP College Football
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11/26/25 - Caden Dowler, Jr/2027, Montana State, 5-11, 205 (DS#26 SS) + More +

2025 BIG SKY DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR (COACHES): Caden Dowler, DB, Montana State,...Justin Lamson and Caden Dowler, two of the heroes from MSU's 31-28 victory over Montana in last weekend's Brawl of the Wild, won individual honors partly for their outstanding play down the stretch. Lamson scored 26 touchdowns (17 passing, 9 rushing) in conference play alone, while Dowler had four interceptions and two interceptions returned for touchdowns in the final three games of the season. The Bobcats have now won back-to-back Defensive Player of the Year honors and three of the last five awards overall, as Dowler joins Brody Grebe in 2024 and Troy Andersen in 2021. The Newcomer of the Year recognition is the first for MSU since Sean Chambers won the same honor in 2022. - Big Sky Football

(DS#26 SS) Jr/2027

SS Caden Dowler, Montana State
News Source: Big Sky Football
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11/26/25 - Justin Lamson, rSr/2026, Montana State, 6-2, 210 (DS#46 QB) + More +

2025 BIG SKY NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR (COACHES): Justin Lamson, QB, Montana State,...Justin Lamson and Caden Dowler, two of the heroes from MSU's 31-28 victory over Montana in last weekend's Brawl of the Wild, won individual honors partly for their outstanding play down the stretch. Lamson scored 26 touchdowns (17 passing, 9 rushing) in conference play alone, while Dowler had four interceptions and two interceptions returned for touchdowns in the final three games of the season. - Big Sky Football

(DS#46 QB) rSr/2026

QB Justin Lamson, Montana State
News Source: Big Sky Football
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11/24/25 - Caden Dowler, Jr/2027, Montana State, 5-11, 205 (DS#26 SS) + More +

WEEK 13 FCS NATIONAL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Caden Dowler, DB, Montana State, DB, Jr., 6-0, 205,...Dowler continued his sizzling play with six solo tackles and a pick-6 as Montana State won 31-28 at previously unbeaten Montana to secure the Big Sky championship. His 34-yard return late in the third quarter turned a 21-17 deficit into a 24-21 lead the Bobcats didn't relinquish. He's earned top Big Sky defensive honors in three straight weeks with four interceptions and 204 return yards, including a TD in back-to-back Top 10 wins. Honorable Mention: Lando Brown, DE, Southern Utah; Anthony Busa, DB, Stonehill; Chris Gales, LB, UAlbany; Keyshawn Johnson, OLB, UT Martin; Dorian Plumley, S, Abilene Christian; Dylan Rowsey, DB, Murray State; Dune Smith, LB, UIW. - Stats Perform FCS Football

(DS#26 SS) Jr/2027

SS Caden Dowler, Montana State
News Source: Stats Perform FCS Football
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11/24/25 - Caden Dowler, Jr/2027, Montana State, 5-11, 205 (DS#26 SS) + More +

WEEK 13 BIG SKY DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Caden Dowler, Montana State (DB, Jr., Billings, MT),...Caden Dowler had a momentum-swinging play that helped Montana State secure a 31-28 victory over previously undefeated Montana, while earning the first road victory in the Brawl of the Wild since 2018 and the team's third Big Sky Championship in the last four seasons. Montana State's junior safety snared a pass from Montana's Keali'i Ah Yat late in the third quarter and dashed 34 yards for a touchdown to turn a 21-17 deficit into a 24-21 lead that the Bobcats would never relinquish. Dowler's history-making play marked his third-consecutive game with an interception and second-straight he's returned it for a touchdown, both coming against Top 10 opponents. Dowler also logged six solo tackles on Saturday, the second-most on the team. Others Nominated, Defense: Troy Bean (CP), Isaiah Perez (EWU), Rylan Leathers (ISU), Dominic Butts (UNC), Nate Rutchena (UCD), Sione Hala (WSU). - Big Sky Football

(DS#26 SS) Jr/2027

SS Caden Dowler, Montana State
News Source: Big Sky Football
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11/24/25 - Justin Lamson, rSr/2026, Montana State, 6-2, 210 (DS#46 QB) + More +

WEEK 13 BIG SKY OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Justin Lamson, Montana State (QB, Jr., El Dorado Hills, CA),...Justin Lamson led Montana State to a 31-28 victory over previously undefeated Montana, earning the first road victory in the Brawl of the Wild since 2018 and the team's third Big Sky Championship in the last four seasons. Facing a record crowd and the biggest stakes in Cat-Griz history, Lamson posted one of the most efficient passing days ever for Montana State and led the Bobcats to a Big Sky Championship-clinching win in Missoula. MSU's junior quarterback completed 18 of his 20 passes for 175 yards and one touchdown, rushed for 80 yards and a touchdown, and committed no turnovers in the victory. Lamson also extended his string of rushing and passing for at least one touchdown each to seven-straight games, and on the championship-clinching drive to close out the game he was 2-2 passing for 15 yards and rushed three times for eight yards. The last of those was a five-yard run on third-and-four that sealed MSU's 10th straight win overall, ultimately leading to a No. 2 overall seed for the FCS Playoffs. Others Nominated, Offense: Anthony Grigsby Jr. (CP), Kaden Rolfsness (EWU), Jordan Cooke (ISU), Justin Guin (UNC), Samuel Gbatu Jr. (UCD), Spencer Ferguson (WSU). - Big Sky Football

(DS#46 QB) rSr/2026

QB Justin Lamson, Montana State
News Source: Big Sky Football
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11/22/25 - Caden Dowler, Jr/2027, Montana State, 5-11, 205 (DS#26 SS) + More +

Caden Dowler had a 34-yard interception return for a third-quarter touchdown and Justin Lamson had touchdowns passing and running for the seventh straight game to lift Montana State to a 31-28 win over Montana to win the Big Sky Conference championship on Saturday. The Bobcats (10-2, 8-0), ranked third in the FCS coaches poll, ran the clock out after Eli Gillman scored on a 52-yard run to pull the second-ranked Grizzlies (11-1, 7-1) within three with 6:59 to play. That included a fourth-and-1 conversion at midfield and Lamson running for 5 yards on a third-and-4 from the Montana 40. It was the highest-ranking matchup in the 124 games of the rivalry now known as the Brawl of the Wild. Montana leads the series 74-44-5 but both teams now have 19 Big Sky titles.

Keali'i Ah Yat had a touchdown pass and his 18-yard touchdown run in the third quarter - the first third-quarter points Montana State allowed since its season-opening loss at Oregon - but on the Grizzlies' next possession Dowler ran untouched after grabbing a tipped pass to put the Bobcats on top 24-21. On the next possession the Grizzlies had touchdowns nullified by penalties on back-to-back plays. Eventually Zac Crews blocked a 44-yard field-goal attempt. Lamson capped the ensuing drive with a 23-yard touchdown run for what proved to be the decisive points. Lamson, a transfer from Stanford, was 18-of-20 passing for 175 yards and ran for 80 on 15 keepers. Julius Davis had 106 yards on 15 carries. Ah Yat was 26 of 32 for 186 yards, Gillman ran for 132 yards on 15 carries and Davis Brooks had 10 catches for 113 and a score. Piling up 72 yards on the final possession, the Bobcats finished with 416 yards to 364 for Montana. - AP College Football

(DS#26 SS) Jr/2027

SS Caden Dowler, Montana State
News Source: AP College Football
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11/19/25 - Caden Dowler, Jr/2027, Montana State, 5-11, 205 (DS#26 SS) + More +

WEEK 12 BIG SKY DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Caden Dowler, Montana State (DB, Jr., Billings, Mont.),...Montana State's Caden Dowler had one of the best defensive performances of the season in the 38-17 win over No. 9 UC Davis on Saturday night. The junior had two interceptions, one of which he returned 83 yards for a touchdown, to headline his night, while also tallying 12 tackles, nine being solos, a tackle for loss, and a forced fumble to cap off his sensational performance. The interception return for a touchdown came with MSU leading just 17-7 late in the third quarter, while his second takeaway came with the score at 24-14 and the Aggies driving. The Top 10 victory for the Bobcats on ESPN2 sets up a winner-take-all game for the Big Sky title next weekend in Missoula. Dowler has now won weekly conference honors in back-to-back weeks. Others Nominated Defense: Isaac Redford (EWU), Maka Tu'akoi (ISU), Peyton Wing (UM), Cam Chapa (UNC), Elliott Spencer (PSU), Oscar Moore (SAC). - Big Sky Football

(DS#26 SS) Jr/2027

SS Caden Dowler, Montana State
News Source: Big Sky Football
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11/19/25 - Colby Frokjer, Fr/2029, Montana State, 6-2, 185 (DS#999 P) + More +

WEEK 12 BIG SKY SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Colby Frokjer, Montana State (P/K, Fr., West Haven, UT.),...Montana State's Colby Frokjer contributed to UC Davis having a starting field position on their own 23-yard line this past Saturday night in the 38-17 win over the ninth-ranked Aggies. The freshman averaged 51.2 yards on four punts, while producing five touchbacks on seven kickoffs. Of his four punts, two went over 50 yards and one pinned the Aggies at their own 11-yard line. The weekly conference honor is the first of the season for Frokjer. Others Nominated Special Teams: Gianluca Dimauro (CP), Landon Ogles (EWU), Mason Lindberg (ISU), Michael Wortham (UM), Grant Meadors (SAC). - Big Sky Football

(DS#999 P) Fr/2029

P Colby Frokjer, Montana State
News Source: Big Sky Football
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11/19/25 - Caden Dowler, Jr/2027, Montana State, 5-11, 205 (DS#26 SS) + More +

WEEK 11 BIG SKY DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Caden Dowler, Montana State (DB, Jr., Billings, Mont.),...Caden Dowler created two Bobcat takeaways that turned into touchdowns in Montana State's 66-14 rout of Weber State on Saturday. The first turnover came after a Weber State runner gained 36 yards and Dowler chased him down to punch out the ball from behind. The next takeaway came the following drive, as Dowler picked off a pass near midfield and returned it 54 yards to set up another Bobcat touchdown. The interception was the second of Dowler's career, and the forced fumble was his first. Dowler also finished the game with seven tackles, three being solos, and a pass breakup in the MSU win. Others Nominated Defense: Gabe Tahir (ISU), Kellen Detrick (UM), Slade Shufelt (PSU), Dylan Hampsten (SAC). - Big Sky Football

(DS#26 SS) Jr/2027

SS Caden Dowler, Montana State
News Source: Big Sky Football
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11/16/25 - Justin Lamson, rSr/2026, Montana State, 6-2, 210 (DS#46 QB) + More +

Justin Lamson accounted for three touchdowns, Caden Dowler had two interceptions and returned one 82 yards for a score, and Montana State beat UC Davis 38-17 on Saturday night in a matchup between two of the top teams in the FCS. Montana State (9-2, 7-0 Big Sky Conference), ranked No. 3 in the FCS coaches poll, has won nine straight. The Bobcats close the regular season next Saturday at second-ranked and undefeated Montana for the conference title and an automatic bid into the FCS playoffs. The Aggies (7-3, 5-2) are tied with Sacramento State for third in the conference.

Lamson scored on a 3-yard run a minute into the second quarter and threw an 18-yard touchdown pass to Chris Long with 1:38 left until halftime to give Montana State a 14-7 lead. Myles Sansted kicked a 29-yard field goal almost six minutes into the second half and Dowler's pick-6 made it 24-7 with 4:22 remaining in the third quarter. Caden Pinnick was 18-of-29 passing for 206 yards and threw two touchdowns passes and two interceptions for tenth-ranked UC Davis, adding 80 yards rushing on 21 carries. Lamson completed 10 of 18 for 144 yards and finished with a career-high 97 yards rushing and two TDs on 11 carries. - AP College Football

(DS#46 QB) rSr/2026

QB Justin Lamson, Montana State
News Source: AP College Football
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11/08/25 - Justin Lamson, rSr/2026, Montana State, 6-2, 210 (DS#46 QB) + More +

Justin Lamson threw for two touchdowns and ran for two more scores, Julius Davis added 114 yards on just 10 carries with two touchdowns and Montana State beat Weber State 66-14 on Saturday. Montana State (8-2, 6-0 Big Sky) extended its winning streak to eight straight games with its 21st consecutive home victory. Davis' 52-yard touchdown run gave Montana State a 14-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Taco Dowler knocked the ball out of the hands of Weber State running back Colter May and Montana State recovered. The Bobcats responded with a 10-play, 67-yard drive that took over five minutes for a 21-0 lead on Adam Jones' 2-yard run. Lamson had a 4-yard touchdown pass to Rocky Lencioni with 6:31 left before halftime and Myles Sansted kicked a 48-yard field goal with four seconds remaining for a 31-7 lead. Montana State scored 28 straight points in the second half to make it 59-7 with 14:30 left in the fourth. Lamson was 12 of 16 for 117 yards. Patrick Duchien, Chance Wilson and Jordan Reed also threw a pass. Eleven different players caught a pass for Montana State - none with more than two. Dijon Jennings had a touchdown pass and an interception for Weber State (3-7, 1-5). Spencer Ferguson rushed for 88 yards and a touchdown. - AP College Football

(DS#46 QB) rSr/2026

QB Justin Lamson, Montana State
News Source: AP College Football
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11/01/25 - Justin Lamson, rSr/2026, Montana State, 6-2, 210 (DS#46 QB) + More +

Justin Lamson threw for three touchdowns and ran for another to lead Montana State to a 55-7 win over Northern Colorado on Saturday for the Bobcats' seventh consecutive victory. Lamson's pitch to Rocky Lencioni, Adam Jones' 2-yard run and two Myles Sansted field goals made it 20-0 by halftime. Lamson threw a pair of TD passes to Taco Dowler and ran 24 yards for another score to break the game open in the third quarter. One of Dowler's TDs came on a screen pass that he turned into a 67-yard score. Talon Marsh, a 280-pound defensive lineman, took a tipped pass for an 80-yard pick-6 for the Bobcats (7-2, 5-0 Big Sky Conference), ranked No. 4 in the FCS coaches' poll. Northern Colorado (3-6, 1-4) avoided the shutout with 1:31 left on Kieryus Boone's short TD run. Montana State has beaten Northern Colorado 13 straight times. - AP College Football

(DS#46 QB) rSr/2026

QB Justin Lamson, Montana State
News Source: AP College Football
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