Cam Miller led North Dakota State to a 35-32 victory over Montana State on Monday night, securing their 10th Football Championship Subdivision title. This win marks the Bison’s record-breaking achievement as they defeated the top-seeded and previously undefeated Bobcats.
The victory took place in Frisco, and North Dakota State made the trip there for the 11th time in 14 seasons. Their last title in Frisco was three years ago, where Miller and Montana State’s Tommy Mellott were also the starting quarterbacks.
Miller, who has started in 54 consecutive games for North Dakota State, had an outstanding performance. He completed 19 of 22 passes for 199 yards, and he also ran for 121 yards on 18 carries. Miller scored two touchdowns on the ground and threw for two more. This victory marked his 45th career win, and it was his second national title.
Tommy Mellott, a native of Montana, had a strong showing for Montana State. He ran for 135 yards on 14 carries and passed for 195 yards, including two touchdown passes. One of his key plays was a 44-yard touchdown run that brought Montana State within 28-25 early in the fourth quarter.
Mellott had also been named the Walter Payton Award winner this season, which is given to the FCS’ top offensive player, narrowly beating Miller for the honor.
In the final moments of the game, Mellott threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to Taco Dowler with 1:09 left, but Montana State’s attempt at an onside kick failed. Despite this, North Dakota State never trailed in the game. The Bison took control early when Miller capped the opening drive, which lasted over seven minutes, with a 2-yard touchdown run. On their second possession, Miller ran 64 yards untouched for another touchdown.
Before halftime, Miller threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to Bryce Lance, extending their lead to 21-3. Lance’s touchdown was his FCS-leading 17th of the season, coming after a replay review had overturned an earlier call and ruled him out of bounds at the 1-yard line. Lance also had a diving 38-yard catch in the third quarter, which set up another 1-yard touchdown pass from Miller to Joe Stoffel.
Lance is the younger brother of former NDSU quarterback Trey Lance, who now plays for the Dallas Cowboys. Bryce Lance finished the game with nine receptions for 107 yards.
This victory further cements North Dakota State’s dominance in the FCS. They remain the only team in modern college football to complete a perfect 16-0 season, which they accomplished five years ago when they also won the national title. The Bison’s only loss in a title game in Frisco was to South Dakota State two years ago.
For Montana State, the loss meant they remain without a national title for the past 40 years. Although they lead the all-time series with North Dakota State 21-18, the Bobcats have lost the last six matchups, all in the FCS playoffs since 2010. Last season, Montana State lost to the Bison 35-34 in the second round after a blocked extra point in overtime.
Looking ahead, North Dakota State will open the 2025 season with a game at The Citadel on August 30. This game will mark the first time since the middle of the 2021 season that someone other than Cam Miller will start at quarterback for the Bison. Meanwhile, Montana State will begin their 2025 campaign with a road game at Oregon, also on August 30. The only previous meeting between the two schools took place in 1947.
