Cam Miller accounted for 320 yards and four touchdowns to lead No. 2 seed North Dakota State to a 35-32 victory over top-seeded Montana State in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Game on Monday, Jan. 6, before a crowd of 18,005 at Toyota Stadium.
Miller was named the game’s Most Outstanding Player after rushing 18 times for 121 yards and two touchdowns and completing 19 of 22 passes for 199 yards and two TDs.
It was the 18th football national championship in school history, and the program’s 10th FCS national title in 14 seasons. NDSU finished the season 14-2 overall, and Montana State finished 15-1.
Bryce Lance caught nine passes for 107 yards including a key 1-yard touchdown reception with 12 seconds left in the first half after the Bison defense got a fourth-down stop near midfield. The 10-play, 56-yard scoring drive gave NDSU a 21-3 halftime lead.
Montana State started the second half with back-to-back touchdowns, including a two-point conversion, to cut the deficit to 21-18.
NDSU responded with a 1-yard touchdown pass from Miller to tight end Joe Stoffel on the second play of the fourth quarter to extend the lead to 28-18, but MSU quarterback Tommy Mellott got loose down the sideline for a 44-yard touchdown run to pull the Bobcats within 28-25.
After the teams traded three-and-outs, NDSU went on nine-play, 66-yard scoring drive capped by CharMar Brown’s 3-yard touchdown run to make it a 10-point game with 2:35 left. RaJa Nelson had a key third down reception to extend the drive.
Mellott connected with Taco Dowler on a 19-yard touchdown pass with 1:09 left in the game, but Lance recovered the ensuing onside kick and the Bison ran out the clock on Kaedin Steindorf’s 45-yard punt to seal the victory.
NDSU finished with a slight edge in total yards, 401-393 and converted 8 of 12 third downs compared to 8 of 13 for the Bobcats. MSU held the edge in time of possession with 31:01.
Linebacker Nick Kubitz made a team-high nine tackles with 1.0 tackle for loss and one pass breakup for NDSU. Safety Jaylin Crumby and linebacker Enock Sibomana added six tackles apiece.
