BOZEMAN – For the second year in a row, the Montana State Bobcats will play for a national championship the first week of January, and for the first time since 2009, the game will not be played in Frisco, Texas. Instead, the ’Cats will play Illinois State University on Monday, Jan. 5, at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee, on the campus of Vanderbilt University.
Kickoff between the No. 2-seeded Bobcats and unseeded Redbirds is set for 5:30 p.m. Mountain Time. It is the third time in five years that MSU has played for a national championship.
MSU defeated rival Montana for the second time this season in the FCS semifinal game in Bozeman on Dec. 20. It was the first time the two teams have ever met in the playoffs, and both were ranked in the top three nationally. MSU won that semifinal by a score of 48-23.
On the other side of the bracket, Illinois State has pulled off some exceptional upsets to reach the title game. The Redbirds defeated No. 16-seeded Southeastern Louisiana in the first round of the playoffs before knocking off perennial power and top-seeded North Dakota State in the second round. They then beat No. 8-seeded UC Davis in the quarterfinals and No. 12-seeded Villanova in the semifinals to advance to play MSU in Nashville. It is the first time the Redbirds have made it to the national championship since 2014, when they lost to North Dakota State.
With their win against Montana on Nov. 22 to end the regular season, the ’Cats earned the Big Sky Conference title and the conference’s only automatic bid to the playoffs. It is the third time in the past four seasons that the Bobcats have ended the regular season as conference champions.
Fans have several options to attend the FCS national championship, stream it or listen live. The MSU Alumni Foundation has coordinated charter flights, hotel blocks and fan events for those traveling to Nashville, as well as watch parties around the country. More information can be found below or at montana.edu/nashville.
Tickets
Fans interested in purchasing tickets can check availability online through the NCAA website. Bobcat fans are encouraged to purchase tickets in the East Stands, sections P-V, the side of FirstBank Stadium opposite the press box.
Flights and hotels
Charter flights and flight packages are available through the MSUAF, and more information can be found on its charter webpage. The alumni foundation has also secured room blocks at several Nashville hotels. Please note that travel and hotel packages do not include tickets to the football game.
Events in Nashville
For fans traveling to Nashville, events will be held on Saturday, Jan. 3, Sunday, Jan. 4 and Monday, Jan. 5, before the game.
- Bobcats on Broadway, Saturday, Jan. 3: Kick off the weekend celebration with fellow Bobcats at Assembly Hall beginning at 5 p.m. Central Time. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased in advance through the MSUAF.
- Bobcat Bash in Nash, Sunday, Jan. 4: Rally the night before the big game with live entertainment from country artist Sara Evans, the Spirit of the West band and the MSU Spirit Squad, along with remarks from head football coach Brent Vigen and MSU President Brock Tessman. Face painting, photo booths, Bobcat gear, inflatables and a cowboy hat bar will be available, as well as food and beverages for purchase. Advance registration is required and costs $55 for attendees ages 13 and over. Children ages 12 and under are free.
- Bobcat Tailgate, Monday, Jan. 5: Free and open to all. Mingle with other Bobcat fans before kickoff at FirstBank Stadium. Fans must bring their own food and beverages, and information about tailgate time and location will be available soon.
Watch parties
Bobcat alumni across the nation are hosting FCS championship watch parties, including locations around Montana. A full listing of watch parties and RSVPs can be found at msuaf.org/championshipwatchparties.
Live coverage
The game will broadcast live nationwide on ESPN. Fans can listen live via Bobcat Radio Network online or on radio stations across Montana. Specific station information can be found on the Bobcat Radio and Television webpage. On social media, updates will be shared via Instagram @montanastatebobcats and on Facebook @Montana State Football.
Support the Spirit of the West
MSU’s Spirit of the West band is aiming to raise roughly $300,000 to offset travel costs for the FCS championship. Donations will help cover costs not covered by the NCAA or ticket revenue, including lodging, meals and transportation for student musicians and equipment. More information is available at montana.edu/sotw.
