Bison break Bobcat's hearts, again

It was heartbreak again for the Montana State Bobcats.

On the FCS' biggest stage, on ABC national tv, the No. 1 Bobcats came up a few plays short of winning a coveted national championship. Instead, inside Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas Monday night, it was the No. 2 North Dakota State Bison adding to their legendary dynasty with a 35-32 win the FCS title game.

Not only did NDSU (14-2) win its 10th national championship Monday night, but, the Bison also ended MSU's season yet again. They did it to the Bobcats last year in the FCS second round, and they did it when the Cats last made the national championship game back in 2021. 

Meanwhile, the Bobcats ended their historic season with a 15-1 record and quarterback Tommy Mellott winning the Walter Payton Award, as well as head coach Brent Vigen winning the Eddie Robinson Award.

Yes, there was a lot to love about MSU's magical season, which included a season-opening win over FBS New Mexico, a dominant victory over hated rival Montana and an undefeated Big Sky championship. 

"I know it stings a lot for these guys, for these seniors in particular that have laid such a foundation for our program. They've certainly built upon the seniors before them," Vigen said to 406 Sports in the postgame press conference. "Obviously this is a low point. You end up rattling off 15 victories and you can't finish it off, this is not how we wanted this day to end.

"But I know the program's much better for their efforts. I know they're much better off for being part of Montana State's football program. So I can't thank them enough."

Montana State is at a very high point in the program's history. But like Vigen said, the Cats couldn't quite finish off their historic run, and the start of the game was a big reason why.

NDSU, led by All-American Cam Milller, came roaring out of the gates, and built a 21-3 lead at halftime. Miller ran for two touchdowns in the first quarter and threw a touchdown pass to Bryce Lance in the second. In between, the Cats could only muster a Myles Sansted field goal in what was a disappointing start to the game.

The second half however, was a completely different story.

Mellott seemingly tried to will the Cats back into contention as they scored twice in the third period to cut NDSU's lead to 21-18.

The Bison answered with a drive of their own to start the fourth, but, Mellott came right back with a 44-yard touchdown run to make the score 28-25. 

The game, as expected, then went down to the wire as NDSU punched in a score to go up 10 points with just 2:41 to play. Mellott however, wasn't done. He marched MSU down the field, connecting with Taco Dowler for a 19-yard TD pass to make it a 3-point game with 1:09 to play.

MSU then went for the onside kick and failed to convert, while Miller was able to run the clock nearly out, before a final punt did just that.

"They just outplayed us, had better technique," said MSU junior defensive lineman Paul Brott to 406 Sports after the game. "Cam (Miller) was able to escape the pocket and go for some big runs. We've just got to get better at that."

Miller was sensational, going 19-for-22 for 199 yards and two scores, while also leading the Bison in rushing with 121 yards on 18 carries. Lance caught nine ball for 107 yards, while the Bison totaled 401 yards on MSU's normally vaunted defense.

And while the Cats came up just short, Mellott ended his record-setting career in Bozeman with a sensational effort. He rushed for 135 yards and threw for another 195 yards just two days after being crowned as the FCS' best player in 2024.

Still, it was the outcome he reflected on Monday night at the end of one of the greatest careers in Bobcat football history.

"Hat's off to North Dakota State for beating us today," Mellott said. "Unfortunately, I think the better team lost. That's how it goes sometimes. That's football. That's why they play the game. We didn't play the right game."