The FCS national championship stage is set. No. 1 seed Montana State squares off against No. 2 seed North Dakota State in Frisco, Texas.
The game is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT on Monday, Jan. 6, and it airs on ESPN.
It’s the fifth postseason meeting between NDSU and MSU since 2018. The Bison are 4-0 in the previous matchups, winning 52-10 in the 2018 second round, 42-14 in the 2019 semifinals, 38-10 in the 2021 national championship, and 35-34 in the 2023 second round.
In the semifinals today, NDSU beat No. 3 seed South Dakota State 28-21, led by Bryce Lance’s three touchdown catches, including a marvelous one-hander with 4:02 remaining to give NDSU the 28-21 go-ahead score.
Cam Miller finished 13/19 for 179 yards and three touchdowns, plus he led NDSU with 93 rushing yards and a score.
In the other semifinals, Montana State defeated No. 4 seed South Dakota 31-17.
Tommy Mellott threw for 134 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 125 yards and two TDs.
Miller and Mellott are Top 3 finalists for the Walter Payton Award, which will be announced at the Stats Perform FCS National Awards Banquet on Jan. 4 in Frisco.
Entering the semifinal round, Montana State held +155 odds to win the FCS championship while NDSU was +280. SDSU was +180, and USD was +900.
