Saturday, December 20
BOZEMAN
2 pm
Montana State University
13-2 , 8-0
48
vs
23
Montana
13-2 , 7-1
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
F
Montana
0
16
7
0
23
Montana St.
13
7
7
21
48
Photo by: Brian Morse
Bobcats Topple Grizzlies for Second Time in Four Weeks to Punch Ticket to Nashville!
12/20/2025 9:10:00 PM | Football
MSU exploded for 21 fourth-quarter points to beat UM and clinch a title game berth
BOZEMAN, Mont. (December 20, 2025) – In retrospect, the Bobcats had the Grizzlies right where they wanted them.
"We felt confident," said Bobcats receiver Taco Dowler of the moment in the third quarter of Saturday's FCS Semifinal playoff game at Bobcat Stadium when the game appeared to be slipping away. When Jake Olson caught a one-yard touchdown pass from Keali'i Ah Yat with 8:47 to play in penultimate period, Montana had erased a 20-3 MSU lead to vault in front 23-20.
"I think this team has continued to be a forward-thinking outfit," said MSU head coach Brent Vigen, "and the offense came out and drove it down the field to take the lead back. That piece is a microcosm of what we've been about all season."
Montana State answered UM's 80-yard scoring drive with an impressive march, moving 75 yards in 14 plays and converting three third downs while chewing up 6:40. Lamson connected with Rocky Lencioni on a pop pass that has become a familiar sight to Bobcat fans, pushing MSU back into the lead.
After Montana moved near midfield on the ensuing possession, the MSU defense stiffened. Ah Yat completed a short pass that Bryant Meredith's tackle limited to a two-yard gain on first down. Then Carson Williams rode UM do-it-all star Michael Wortham out of bounds after a three-yard game on second down. When the teams traded ends of the field after the third quarter ended, the Cats forced an incomplete pass and Montana punted to set up one of the most stunning, memorable sequences in Bobcat history.
Julius Davis rushed for eight on first-and-10 from the MSU 10, the gained five more. Adam Jones gained two yards, but then Lamson was sacked for a loss of seven, and a Bobcat false start put the Cats in a third-and-20 from the 13-yard line.
Lamson took the snap, surveyed from the pocket, and rolled right. Rather than leaking out for a scramble, the junior signal caller slinged a pass off one leg and hit Taco Dowler in stride at midfield. Dowler made a clean catch, subtly adjusted his path, and when two Grizzly defenders collided he was off to the races. The junior blazed down the near-side numbers, and when he crossed into the middle of the field through two other defenders he was home free.
"It had to be one of the greatest plays in program history," Vigen said.
If that play changed the course of Bobcat history, the next possession sealed the outcome. On fourth-and-seven from the Grizzly 25, Ah Yat threw a pass to the middle of the field and Bryce Grebe made the interception and sailed 40 yards into the end zone. That pushed MSU's lead to 48-23 and completed the scoring.
Powered by a strong final 24 minutes, Montana State out-gained UM 449 yards to 347, and piled up 23 first downs to the Grizzlies' 18. Justin Lamson completed 13 of his 19 passes for 209 yards and two touchdowns, while UM's Keali'i Ah Yat finished 27-42 with a touchdown and an interception.
Montana State's offense was balanced. The Cats rushed for 240 yards and threw for 209. Adam Jones gained 131 yards on the ground with two touchdowns. Taco Dowler caught five passes for 125 yards.
Stars also shone for the Bobcat defense, with Kenneth Eiden IV getting two tackles-for-loss, Tayden Gray getting two tackles-for-loss with a sack, and Zac Crews recording a sack. One of the team's biggest stars, though, missed most of the afternoon. Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year Caden Dowler was injured early in the game. In his absence, Colter Petre logged six tackles and a pass breakup.
The Grizzlies finish the season 12-2, with both losses to the Bobcats. After MSU won 31-28 in Missoula, Montana routed South Dakota State 50-29 and South Dakota 52-22. In two games spread out over four weeks, Montana State held the Griz to 51 total points.
The Cats raised their record to 13-2, and their winning streak to 13 games. Montana State advances to the FCS Championship for the second straight season and the third time in five seasons. MSU coach Brent Vigen is now 60-12 in his five seasons leading the Bobcats, 40-2 at home.
The Bobcats play Illinois State of the Missouri Valley Football Conference on Monday, January 5, for the national championship.
#GoCatsGo
"We felt confident," said Bobcats receiver Taco Dowler of the moment in the third quarter of Saturday's FCS Semifinal playoff game at Bobcat Stadium when the game appeared to be slipping away. When Jake Olson caught a one-yard touchdown pass from Keali'i Ah Yat with 8:47 to play in penultimate period, Montana had erased a 20-3 MSU lead to vault in front 23-20.
"I think this team has continued to be a forward-thinking outfit," said MSU head coach Brent Vigen, "and the offense came out and drove it down the field to take the lead back. That piece is a microcosm of what we've been about all season."
Montana State answered UM's 80-yard scoring drive with an impressive march, moving 75 yards in 14 plays and converting three third downs while chewing up 6:40. Lamson connected with Rocky Lencioni on a pop pass that has become a familiar sight to Bobcat fans, pushing MSU back into the lead.
After Montana moved near midfield on the ensuing possession, the MSU defense stiffened. Ah Yat completed a short pass that Bryant Meredith's tackle limited to a two-yard gain on first down. Then Carson Williams rode UM do-it-all star Michael Wortham out of bounds after a three-yard game on second down. When the teams traded ends of the field after the third quarter ended, the Cats forced an incomplete pass and Montana punted to set up one of the most stunning, memorable sequences in Bobcat history.
Julius Davis rushed for eight on first-and-10 from the MSU 10, the gained five more. Adam Jones gained two yards, but then Lamson was sacked for a loss of seven, and a Bobcat false start put the Cats in a third-and-20 from the 13-yard line.
Lamson took the snap, surveyed from the pocket, and rolled right. Rather than leaking out for a scramble, the junior signal caller slinged a pass off one leg and hit Taco Dowler in stride at midfield. Dowler made a clean catch, subtly adjusted his path, and when two Grizzly defenders collided he was off to the races. The junior blazed down the near-side numbers, and when he crossed into the middle of the field through two other defenders he was home free.
"It had to be one of the greatest plays in program history," Vigen said.
If that play changed the course of Bobcat history, the next possession sealed the outcome. On fourth-and-seven from the Grizzly 25, Ah Yat threw a pass to the middle of the field and Bryce Grebe made the interception and sailed 40 yards into the end zone. That pushed MSU's lead to 48-23 and completed the scoring.
Powered by a strong final 24 minutes, Montana State out-gained UM 449 yards to 347, and piled up 23 first downs to the Grizzlies' 18. Justin Lamson completed 13 of his 19 passes for 209 yards and two touchdowns, while UM's Keali'i Ah Yat finished 27-42 with a touchdown and an interception.
Montana State's offense was balanced. The Cats rushed for 240 yards and threw for 209. Adam Jones gained 131 yards on the ground with two touchdowns. Taco Dowler caught five passes for 125 yards.
Stars also shone for the Bobcat defense, with Kenneth Eiden IV getting two tackles-for-loss, Tayden Gray getting two tackles-for-loss with a sack, and Zac Crews recording a sack. One of the team's biggest stars, though, missed most of the afternoon. Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year Caden Dowler was injured early in the game. In his absence, Colter Petre logged six tackles and a pass breakup.
The Grizzlies finish the season 12-2, with both losses to the Bobcats. After MSU won 31-28 in Missoula, Montana routed South Dakota State 50-29 and South Dakota 52-22. In two games spread out over four weeks, Montana State held the Griz to 51 total points.
The Cats raised their record to 13-2, and their winning streak to 13 games. Montana State advances to the FCS Championship for the second straight season and the third time in five seasons. MSU coach Brent Vigen is now 60-12 in his five seasons leading the Bobcats, 40-2 at home.
The Bobcats play Illinois State of the Missouri Valley Football Conference on Monday, January 5, for the national championship.
#GoCatsGo
Team Stats
UMT
MSU
Total Yards
347
449
Pass Yards
251
209
Rushing Yards
96
240
Penalty Yards
65
45
1st Downs
18
23
3rd Downs
7
10
4th Downs
0
0
TOP
28:17
31:43
1st Quarter
UMT 0, MSU 7
MSU - Lamson,Justin 4 yd run (Sansted,Myles kick), 7 plays, 60 yards, TOP 03:18
UMT 0, MSU 13
MSU - Jones,Adam 7 yd run (), 10 plays, 55 yards, TOP 04:22
2nd Quarter
UMT 3, MSU 13
UMT - Silver,Jo 21 yd field goal 13 plays, 72 yards, TOP 05:07
UMT 3, MSU 20
MSU - Jones,Adam 54 yd run (Sansted,Myles kick), 3 plays, 68 yards, TOP 01:27
UMT 9, MSU 20
UMT - Gillman,Eli 17 yd run (), 9 plays, 75 yards, TOP 04:23
UMT 16, MSU 20
UMT - Ah Yat,Keali'i 5 yd run (Silver,Jo kick), 8 plays, 40 yards, TOP 03:11
3rd Quarter
UMT 23, MSU 20
UMT - Olson,Jake 1 yd pass from Ah Yat,Keali'i (Silver,Jo kick) 7 plays, 80 yards, TOP 03:15
UMT 23, MSU 27
MSU - Lencioni,Rocky 2 yd pass from Lamson,Justin (Sansted,Myles kick) 14 plays, 75 yards, TOP 06:40
4th Quarter
UMT 23, MSU 34
MSU - Dowler,Taco 87 yd pass from Lamson,Justin (Sansted,Myles kick) 5 plays, 90 yards, TOP 02:40
UMT 23, MSU 41
MSU - Lamson,Justin 7 yd run (Sansted,Myles kick), 5 plays, 60 yards, TOP 03:05
UMT 23, MSU 48
MSU - Grebe,Bryce 40 yd interception (Sansted,Myles kick)
Game Leaders
CMP
13
TD
2
YDS
209
INT
0
Players Mentioned
RB
/ Football
DB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
DE
/ Football
DB
/ Football
LB
/ Football
RB
/ FootballQB
/ Football
TE
/ Football
DB
/ Football
DB
/ Football
DB
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