The Bison will be looking for their ninth title in ten years whereas the Bobcats will attempting to to win their second title in program history. The last time Montana State won a title was back in 1984 defeating Louisiana Tech 19-6 whereas the last time North Dakota State won was back in 2019 when they beat JMU 28-20. This will be the third time these two teams have met in the FCS playoffs with the Bison winning each contest by a considerable margin.
North Dakota State's Path to the Championship
After going 10-1 in the regular season the Bison earned themselves a first round bye and the second overall seed. Their first game in this years playoffs was a 38-7 victory over the Southern Illinois Salukis behind a two touchdown performance from their running back TaMerik Williams.
In the quarterfinals they faced the East Tennessee State Buccaneers and beat them in dominate fashion 27-3. Cam Miller threw for 123 yards and TaMerik Williams rushed for two touchdowns and averaged 6.1 yards per carry.
The Bison went on to defeat James Madison University in the semifinals 20-14 with a two touchdown performance from Cam Miller and a 199-yard, two touchdown day for fullback Hunter Luepke.
Montana State's Path to the Championship
Just like the Bison, the Bobcats also earned a first round bye after going 9-2 in the regular season. Tommy Mellot, who stepped in for transferring quarterback Matthew McKay, had a 181 yard and two touchdown rushing performance to beat the Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks 26-7.
The Bobcats went on to dominate the defending FCS champions Sam Houston State 42-7. Once again quarterback Tommy Mellot put on a show throwing for two touchdowns and rushing for two more.
Montana State kept the momentum going in the semifinals against South Dakota State with a 31-17 victory. Tommy Mellot threw for two touchdowns and rushed for one more.