North Dakota State Athletics
14-2 , 7-1
Montana State
15-1 , 8-0
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota St. | 14 | 7 | 0 | 14 | 35 |
| Montana St. | 0 | 3 | 15 | 14 | 32 |
Bison Win 10th FCS National Championship 35-32 Over Montana State
1/6/2025 10:55:00 PM | Football
Miller was named the game's Most Outstanding Player after rushing 18 times for 121 yards and two touchdowns and completing 19 of 22 passes for 199 yards and two TDs.
It was the 18th football national championship in school history, and the program's 10th FCS national title in 14 seasons. NDSU finished the season 14-2 overall, and Montana State finished 15-1.
Bryce Lance caught nine passes for 107 yards including a key 1-yard touchdown reception with 12 seconds left in the first half after the Bison defense got a fourth-down stop near midfield. The 10-play, 56-yard scoring drive gave NDSU a 21-3 halftime lead.
Montana State started the second half with back-to-back touchdowns, including a two-point conversion, to cut the deficit to 21-18.
NDSU responded with a 1-yard touchdown pass from Miller to tight end Joe Stoffel on the second play of the fourth quarter to extend the lead to 28-18, but MSU quarterback Tommy Mellott got loose down the sideline for a 44-yard touchdown run to pull the Bobcats within 28-25.
After the teams traded three-and-outs, NDSU went on nine-play, 66-yard scoring drive capped by CharMar Brown's 3-yard touchdown run to make it a 10-point game with 2:35 left. RaJa Nelson had a key third down reception to extend the drive.
Mellott connected with Taco Dowler on a 19-yard touchdown pass with 1:09 left in the game, but Lance recovered the ensuing onside kick and the Bison ran out the clock on Kaedin Steindorf's 45-yard punt to seal the victory.
NDSU finished with a slight edge in total yards, 401-393 and converted 8 of 12 third downs compared to 8 of 13 for the Bobcats. MSU held the edge in time of possession with 31:01.
Linebacker Nick Kubitz made a team-high nine tackles with 1.0 tackle for loss and one pass breakup for NDSU. Safety Jaylin Crumby and linebacker Enock Sibomana added six tackles apiece.
Team Stats
NDS 7, MSU 0
NDS - Miller,Cam 2 yd run (Crosa,Griffin kick), 12 plays, 75 yards, TOP 07:05
NDS 14, MSU 0
NDS - Miller,Cam 64 yd run (Crosa,Griffin kick), 5 plays, 92 yards, TOP 03:05
NDS 14, MSU 3
MSU - Sansted,Myles 32 yd field goal 17 plays, 61 yards, TOP 11:13
NDS 21, MSU 3
NDS - Lance,Bryce 1 yd pass from Miller,Cam (Crosa,Griffin kick) 10 plays, 56 yards, TOP 00:47
NDS 21, MSU 10
MSU - Humphrey,Scottre 1 yd run (Sansted,Myles kick), 11 plays, 75 yards, TOP 06:44
NDS 21, MSU 18
MSU - Jones,Rohan 5 yd pass from Mellott,Tommy (Lonergan,Ryan pass) 2 plays, 58 yards, TOP 00:57
NDS 28, MSU 18
NDS - Stoffel,Joe 1 yd pass from Miller,Cam (Crosa,Griffin kick) 8 plays, 75 yards, TOP 04:45
NDS 28, MSU 25
MSU - Mellott,Tommy 44 yd run (Sansted,Myles kick), 5 plays, 75 yards, TOP 02:53
NDS 35, MSU 25
NDS - Brown,CharMar 3 yd run (Crosa,Griffin kick), 9 plays, 66 yards, TOP 05:06
NDS 35, MSU 32
MSU - Dowler,Taco 19 yd pass from Mellott,Tommy (Sansted,Myles kick) 10 plays, 73 yards, TOP 01:26
