On December 12, 2025, the No. 2 Montana State Bobcats dominated the No. 7 Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks with a 44-28 victory in the FCS quarterfinals. This win snapped Stephen F. Austin's eight-game winning streak and earned Montana State a spot in the national semifinals. The Bobcats' strong performance was highlighted by Adam Jones' 114-yard rushing performance, which included two crucial touchdowns. This was a significant improvement from their 12-2 record, while Stephen F. Austin finished the year 11-3.
The Bobcats' offensive prowess was evident early on, as they scored on six of their first eight possessions. They took the lead midway through the opening quarter with a 1-yard touchdown run by Jones, following a 10-play, 65-yard drive. In the second quarter, Justin Lamson added two more touchdown passes, connecting with Jones for a 21-yard score and Luvens Valcin for a 3-yard touchdown, extending their lead to 24-0.
However, Stephen F. Austin responded just before halftime, driving 75 yards in 1:22 and converting a two-point play on Sam Vidlak’s 11-yard touchdown pass to Clayton Wayland, narrowing the gap to 24-8. The Lumberjacks further reduced the margin to 24-14 early in the third quarter with Jaylen Jenkins' 5-yard run.
Montana State quickly regained control with a Myles Sansted field goal and a Lamson 5-yard rushing touchdown. Despite Jenkins' late third-quarter score, the Lumberjacks couldn't close the gap further. Early in the fourth quarter, Jones broke free for a 16-yard touchdown run, effectively ending any momentum for Stephen F. Austin.
This game marked a significant achievement for Montana State, as they became just the second FCS team to score 28 points against them this season. No other FCS opponent topped 17 points in regulation, showcasing the Bobcats' defensive strength. The win sets up an intriguing semifinal match between Montana State and the winner of the game between No. 3 Montana and No. 11 South Dakota.
