FCS championship live score: Illinois State vs. Montana State updates, results, highlights from 2026 football title game

By | January 5, 2026
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The 2025 FCS season will wrap on Monday, January 5 with the FCS National Championship Game. 

Twenty-four teams qualified for the FCP playoffs, with the top 16 receiving rankings 1-16. After four rounds of thrilling action, unranked Illinois State will face No. 2 Montana State in the FCS title game at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee on Monday night. 

Illinois State enters the game 12-4 overall, after finishing the regular season 8-4. So far in the FCS playoffs, the Redbirds have beaten No. 16 Southeastern Louisiana (21-3), No. 1 North Dakota State (29-28), No. 8 UC Davis (42-31) and No. 12 Villanova (30-14) to have a berth in the title game. 

Montana State is 13-2 and riding an 11-game win streak. The Bobcats lost their first two games of the season to Oregon and in double overtime to South Dakota State. With the No. 2 seed, Montana State had a bye in the first round of the playoffs. The Bobcats have beaten Yale (21-13), No. 7 Stephen F. Austin (44-28) and No. 3 Montana (48-23) on their way to the championship game. 

The Sporting News is tracking live updates, results and scores as Illinois State plays Montana State in the 2026 FCS Championship. Follow along for the results. 

WATCH: Stream the FCS Championship between Illinois State and Montana State with Fubo (free trial)

Illinois State vs. Montana State live score

  Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Total
Illinois State          
Montana State          

Illinois State vs. Montana State live updates, results, highlights from 2026 FCS Championship

7:43 p.m.: A false start penalty made it a 3rd & 15, and Rittenhouse tries to find a receiver but it comes up incomplete.

The Bobcats defense bends, but doesn’t break, forcing Illinois to punt. Next up is the Montana State offense, who starts inside the 10.

7:41 p.m.: The Redbirds are across midfield, with Dawson taking it 14 yards right up the middle all the way to the Montana State 38.

7:39 p.m.: Illinois State has a first down in two plays, with running back Victor Dawson taking his first carry to the right for 11 yards and a first down.

The next play, Tommy Rittenhouse has his first completion of the game for a first down, hitting Dylan Lord for 11 yards as well.

7:35 p.m.: We are underway at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville.

The Cinderella Illinois State Redbirds offense has the ball first.

7:23 p.m.: For the Montana State Bobcats, this is a chance to reclaim their status as the dominant force in the FCS, seeking their first national title in over four decades after a near-perfect season.

For the Illinois State Redbirds, the stakes couldn’t be higher: they are chasing the first national championship in program history, a feat that would complete one of the most improbable underdog runs the FCS playoffs have ever witnessed.

With the title on the line in Nashville, the winner will forever cement their legacy within college football.

7:10 p.m.: The highly-favored Montana State Bobcats, who are seeking their first national title since 1984, bring a prolific offense centered on a relentless rushing attack, featuring two 1,000-yard backs and mobile quarterback Justin Lamson.

Conversely, the Illinois State Redbirds’ surprising run has been powered by a physical defense that has excelled in the playoffs, notably by holding opponents to under 100 rushing yards per game in the postseason.

This clash of styles — Montana State’s power running game versus Illinois State’s defensive front and time-of-possession-heavy offense — will likely determine the outcome. Redbirds QB Tommy Rittenhouse, who has over 3,200 passing yards, will need to be efficient against the Bobcats’ opportunistic defense to complete the ultimate Cinderella story.

7:03 p.m.: The “road team” Illinois State is dressed in all-white uniforms for the final game.

6:58 p.m.: FirstBank Stadium is filling up as teams are on the field for warmups.

Montana State and Illinois State kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET.

6:40 p.m.: The Illinois State Redbirds, who became the first team in FCS history to win four straight road playoff games, are set for the national championship tonight against the No. 2 seeded Montana State Bobcats.

The game, which kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN, will see the Cinderella Redbirds try to complete their historic run and capture the program’s first-ever national title in Nashville.

6:38 p.m.: Montana State fans are going to want to watch this before kickoff.

6:32 p.m.: The stage is set as kickoff inches closer.

6:00 p.m.: Expect mostly Montana State fans in the crowd tonight.

5:55 p.m.: The Montana State Bocats have arrived.

The bobcats made last year’s national championship game but lost to North Dakota State. This year, return searching for their first national championship since 1984.

5:48 p.m.: We are less than two hours away from kickoff.

5:38 p.m.: The Redbirds are all business heading into FirstBank Stadium.

5:24 p.m.: On the other side are the Illinois State Redbirds, who are looking for their first national championship in school history.

Illinois State is 12-4 entering the championship in Nashville.

4:44 p.m.: The Montana State Bobcats enter Vanderbilt Stadium looking to win their fourth national championship in school history.

The Bobcats enter tonight’s contest with a record of 13-2 in the 2025 season.

4:41 p.m.: The FCS champion will be crowned today in Nashville, Tennessee.

MORE: Bowl season winners and losers

Where to watch Illinois State vs. Montana State 

Illinois State vs. Montana State start time

  • Date: Monday, January 5
  • Start time: 7:30 p.m. ET

The FCS Championship game between Illinois State and Montana State will kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET. The game will be played at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee. This is where the Vanderbilt Commodores play their home football games. 

What channel is Illinois State vs. Montana State on today?

The FCS Championship game between Illinois State and Montana State will air on ESPN. Dave Flemming will be the play-by-play analyst while Brock Osweiler serves as the color commentator. Stormy Buonantony will be the sideline reporter. 

Those looking to stream the game can do so via the ESPN App or Fubo. The latter carries ESPN in its channel lineup and is currently offering a free trial. 

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