In a historic first postseason meeting of their storied rivalry, the Montana State Bobcats delivered a commanding performance, defeating the University of Montana Grizzlies in the 2025 FCS playoff semifinals. The No. 2 seeded Bobcats, playing at home in Bozeman, established a dominant early lead and never looked back, securing a 20-3 victory to punch their ticket to the national championship game in Nashville. This marked the first time the two programs have met in the playoffs and the first time they’ve played twice in a season since 1913, adding a monumental chapter to the ‘Brawl of the Wild’ saga.
The Bobcats set the tone immediately, forcing a three-and-out on Montana’s opening drive. Quarterback Justin Lamson, the Big Sky Newcomer of the Year, capped a swift 60-yard drive with a 4-yard touchdown run to put Montana State up 7-0. The defense remained stifling, and running back Adam Jones powered in an 11-yard score later in the first quarter. A botched snap on the extra point left the score at 13-0, but the damage was done. Jones would later break the game wide open with a spectacular 54-yard touchdown dash in the second quarter, finishing the day with 96 rushing yards and two scores. The Bobcats’ ground game was overwhelming, racking up 139 rushing yards while holding the Grizzlies’ potent offense to just 16 on the ground.
Montana, the No. 3 seed, struggled to find any offensive rhythm against a fierce Montana State defense. The Grizzlies’ only points came from a 21-yard Jo Silver field goal in the second quarter, set up by an 18-yard completion from quarterback Keali’i Ah Yat to tight end Evan Shafer. The drive, however, came at a cost, as Shafer exited with an injury. The Grizzlies also lost star wide receiver Brooks Davis to an ankle injury in the first half. For Montana State, the celebration was tempered slightly by a wrist injury to Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year Caden Dowler, though it was reported not to be broken. His status for the title game remains a key storyline.
The victory extends Montana State’s winning streak to 12 games after an 0-2 start to the season and sends them to their second consecutive FCS championship game, where they will face the winner of the Illinois State-Villanova semifinal. For the University of Montana, the dream of a return to the title game after a runner-up finish in 2023 ends in Bozeman. The Bobcats’ decisive win avenged a tight 31-28 regular-season finale victory over the Grizzlies and proved that beating a fierce rival twice in one year is indeed possible. The atmosphere at Bobcat Stadium was electric, a testament to the deep-rooted passion for football in the state of Montana, where this rivalry defines the sporting landscape.
While the focus was squarely on the gridiron in Bozeman, other athletic events involving Montana schools occurred. The Montana State women’s basketball team fell in a close contest to Oregon State at the Maui Classic, and the University of Montana men’s basketball team was routed by No. 11 Louisville. Furthermore, three University of Montana women’s volleyball players were honored for their academic achievements. But on this December Saturday, all eyes in the Treasure State were on the historic playoff clash, where Montana State’s physical dominance wrote the final, definitive line in this year’s epic rivalry story.