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The Bobcats are trying to get back to the FCS National Championship Game after they fell to the North Dakota State Bison last season. The 2026 champion, which will be determined on January 5, will be the first team not from North or South Dakota to win the FCS title since 2021.
The 2025 FCS championship semifinals are here, and No. 2 Montana State, No. 3 Montana, No. 12 Villanova and Illinois State still have a chance to lift this year's trophy. Here's what you need to know.
SB Nation on MSN
FCS Quarterfinals Recap: Breaking the Bracket More
Stephen F. Austin’s season ends at 11-3 after making its first quarterfinal appearance since 2009. Star receiver Kylon Harris finished his night with 11 catches for 85 yards but no touchdowns. Vidlak went for 242 yards in the air with one score. Standout corner Charles Demmings did not play due to an illness.
Another x-factor will be how effective Villanova's defense has been in key situations. The Wildcats have held opponents to 28% on third-down attempts, while also making several key red zone stops in all three postseason games. The best example was the forced fumble on Lehigh's final possession, sealing the win for the Wildcats.
The teams set to play in the 2025 FCS national championship at Vanderbilt's FirstBank Stadium will be known after the semifinals are played on Dec. 20. This much is guaranteed: one of the recent FCS champions will not claim the championship when it is played Jan. 5, 2026 (ESPN, 6:30 p.m. CT).
It's quarterfinal weekend in the FCS playoffs, and Montana State and Montana are still playing home football games.
Only three games remain in the race for the FCS national championship. With the regular season coming to a close, it's time to honor the best players at the FCS level. Each year, FCS Football Central builds an annual FCS All-American Team, honoring the best players across the subdivision.
FloFootball on MSN
NCAA D1 FCS Quarterfinal Football | Motanna Tops South Dakota
The 2025 NCAA D1 FCS football playoffs continue! As the quarterfinal action is set to kickoff on Dec. 13, here is all of the live scoring action!