The Montana State football national championships are an important part of the history of the Montana State Bobcats. The program has won four national titles across three levels of college football. This page covers every Montana State football national championship season, from the NAIA days to the FCS era.
Montana State won national championships in 1956, 1976, 1984, and 2025. These titles came in the NAIA, NCAA Division II, and Division I-AA/FCS eras.
The 2025 championship was the latest title. Montana State defeated Illinois State 35β34 in overtime to win the FCS national championship in Nashville.
How many Montana State Football National Championships?
Montana State has won four national football championships:
Each Montana State football national title came in a different era, which is why the full list below matters for Bobcats fans.
| Year | Level | Championship |
|---|---|---|
| 1956 | NAIA | National Championship |
| 1976 | NCAA Division II | National Championship |
| 1984 | NCAA Division I-AA | National Championship |
| 2025 | NCAA Division I FCS | National Championship |
The four titles show the long history of Montana State football across different levels of college football. Few programs can match this Montana State football national championship pedigree.
The 1984 championship was won during the Division I-AA era. Division I-AA was later renamed the Football Championship Subdivision, or FCS.
1956 Montana State National Championship
Montana State won its first national football championship in 1956 at the NAIA level.
The title was an early milestone for the program and established Montana State as a national-level college football team.
This championship came well before the Bobcats moved into the modern Division I football structure.
1976 NCAA Division II Championship
Montana State captured its second national title in 1976.
The Bobcats competed in NCAA Division II at the time. The championship added another national title to the program’s history and remains one of the major achievements of Montana State football.
The 1976 team is also closely associated with former Montana State coach and player Sonny Holland, an important figure in Bobcats football history.
1984 Division I-AA Championship
Montana State won its third national championship in 1984 at the Division I-AA level.
Division I-AA was the predecessor to today’s FCS. The title therefore forms part of the program’s Division I championship history.
The 1984 championship came nearly a decade after the Bobcats’ Division II title and gave Montana State national championships at three different levels.
2025 FCS National Championship
Montana State’s most recent national championship came in the 2025 FCS season.
The Bobcats finished the season 14β2 and reached the FCS championship game in Nashville. They faced Illinois State in the title game.
Montana State won 35β34 in overtime to claim the national championship.
The championship game was played at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee.
Montana State 2025 Playoff Run
The Bobcats reached the championship game by winning three playoff games:
| Round | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Quarterfinal | Yale | Montana State won 21β13. |
| Semifinal | Stephen F. Austin | Montana State won 44β28. |
| Championship | Illinois State | Montana State won 35β34 OT. |
Montana State also defeated Montana 48β23 during its playoff run.
The victory over Illinois State gave the program its first FCS national championship of the modern era.
Montana State and the FCS
Montana State competes in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS).
The Bobcats are members of the Big Sky Conference, where they regularly compete against teams from across the western United States.
The 2025 national championship added another major achievement to Montana State’s FCS history.
Montana State Big Sky Championships
National titles are not the only major championships in Montana State football history. The Bobcats have also won 18 Big Sky Conference football titles.
Recent conference championships include:
- 2022
- 2024
- 2025
The Big Sky title is a conference achievement, while the FCS national championship is decided through the NCAA postseason playoff system.
Montana State’s 2025 season included both achievements, making it a major year in the program’s recent history.
Montana State Football Championship History
The Bobcats’ championship history spans several eras of college football.
The four national titles came at three different levels:
NAIA: 1956
NCAA Division II: 1976
NCAA Division I-AA: 1984
NCAA Division I FCS: 2025
This history makes Montana State one of the programs with national championships across multiple levels of college football.
2025 Championship vs. Illinois State
The 2025 FCS championship game between Montana State and Illinois State was decided in overtime.
Montana State scored enough in the extra period to finish with a 35β34 victory.
The game added another national championship to the Bobcats’ history and capped their 2025 playoff campaign.
Fans looking for more information can also follow the Illinois State vs. Montana State game history, Montana State football scores, and the team’s current schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many national championships does Montana State football have?
Montana State has won four national football championships, in 1956, 1976, 1984, and 2025.
Who did Montana State beat in the 2025 title game?
Montana State defeated Illinois State 35β34 in overtime in the 2025 FCS national championship game.
When did Montana State win its first national championship?
The Bobcats won their first national championship in 1956 at the NAIA level.
When did Montana State win the Division II championship?
Montana State won the NCAA Division II national championship in 1976.
When did Montana State win the 1984 championship?
The Bobcats won the 1984 Division I-AA national championship.
How many Big Sky football titles does Montana State have?
Montana State has won 18 Big Sky Conference football championships.
Is Division I-AA the same as FCS?
Division I-AA was renamed the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) in 2006. The 1984 Montana State title therefore belongs to the program’s Division I-AA/FCS championship history. The Montana State football national title history spans three divisions β a rare feat in college football.
Related: Montana State Football Hub Β· Logo & Colors Β· Coaches
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