Taco Dowler will go down in FCS playoff and Montana State lore.
The Billings, Montana, native made two of the biggest plays in MSU history during the 2025 playoffs.
In the semifinals vs. fierce rival Montana, and in front of an FCS playoffs TV record 2.8 million viewers, Dowler delivered a fourth-quarter dagger. On third-and-20 with the Bobcats up four points, Justin Lamson hit Dowler down the middle for an 87-yard catch-and-run touchdown, sending a juiced-up, sold-out stadium into a frenzy.
In arguably the biggest sports event in state history, Dowler’s TD will be remembered forever.
But perhaps his most memorable play (so far in his career) came in the next game. Eyeing its first national championship in 41 years, MSU took on Illinois State in an epic battle.
With the contest heading into overtime and Illinois State striking first with a touchdown (MSU blocked the PAT), the Cats faced a fourth-and-10. The Redbirds sent the house. A bold strategy considering Dowler is a 1-on-1 matchup nightmare for any FCS defender. With pressure in his grill, Lamson found Dowler in the corner of the end zone for the game-tying score. Myles Sansted then hit the game-winning PAT, resulting in an unforgettable celebration in Nashville.
Dowler had eight catches for 111 yards and the overtime touchdown in the title game, plus a 22-yard rushing score.
The 5-foot-9 and 170-pounder was sensational in all of the 2025 season.
After hauling in 38 catches for 597 yards and 11 touchdowns as a sophomore in 2024, he racked up 77 receptions for 1,025 yards and seven scores last year. He also returned 24 punts for 323 yards (13.5 average) and another score.
Dowler earned Second Team All-Big Sky honors as a wide receiver and was a First Teamer as a return specialist.
His 84.9 overall PFF grade ranked No. 13 among FCS wide receivers.
Dowler is set to return in 2026 along with most of MSU’s 2-deep.
The returning talent, notably on offense, makes the Cats a large favorite to repeat as national champs.
Lamson is back after throwing for 3,172 yards, 26 touchdowns, and three interceptions while rushing for 734 yards and 16 TDs. Back-to-back 1,000-yard rusher Adam Jones returns, along with No. 2 and 3 wide receivers Dane Steel and Jabez Woods, top tight end Rocky Lencioni, and three full-time starting offensive linemen: Braden Zimmer, Titan Fleischmann, and Burke Mastel.
Dowler’s twin brother, Caden, returns to lead the defense after being named the Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year.
