For the first time in the 128-year history of the fiercest rivalry in the Treasure State, Montana and Montana State squared off in the FCS Playoffs.
The 125th matchup was a back-and-forth between No. 2 MSU and No. 3 Montana. The Griz led 23-20 midway through the third quarter while the Bobcats retook the lead in the 4th quarter. But Taco Dowler’s 87-yard touchdown on a third and long broke the game open and MSU raced to a 48-23 victory, the second win over the Griz for the Bobcats in 28 days.
Blake Hempstead was on the sideline to capture all the action as Montana State won for the 8th time in the last 10 rivalry games.
Montana State sophomore Adam Jones surpassed 1,000 yards for the second season in a row by rushing for 131 yards and two touchdowns against Montana. The Missoula native rushed for 179 yards and 3 TDs in MSU’s two victories over UM this season/ by Blake HempsteadJones reacts to a diving 34-yard catch by freshman tight end Rocky Lencioni that set up a touchdown/ by Blake HempsteadCaden Dowler, the Big Sky Conference Defensive Player of the Year, left the game in the first quarter with an arm/shoulder injury. He is questionable for the national championship game/ by Blake HempsteadJustin Lamson completed 31-39 passes for 384 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 123 yards and three more touchdowns in MSU’s two wins over the Griz in 2025/ by Blake HempsteadMontana State senior Julius Davis rushed for 162 yards and averaged in two wins over the Griz this season. He has 1,100 yards and eight touchdowns this season/ by Blake HempsteadMontana State junior Taco Dowler had 5 catches for 125 yards, including the game-breaking 87-yard score in MSU’s win over the Griz. He has 69 catches for 914 yards and six TDs this season/by Blake HempsteadMontana State junior Zac Crews, a Missoula product, carries the flag onto the field before the rivalry game. Crews had a sack against Montana, giving him six sacks this season and 11 in his career.
