DAVIS, Calif. — Tommy Mellott threw two touchdown passes as Montana State secured a decisive 30-point run, overcoming UC Davis 30-28 in a thrilling contest between two top-ranked teams in the FCS coaches poll on Saturday night. This win marked a significant achievement for the Bobcats as they captured the Big Sky Conference title, finishing the regular season undefeated for the first time in the school’s history.

Initially, Montana State held the advantage until the fourth quarter when UC Davis, led by Miles Hastings, mounted an impressive 95-yard drive, culminating in a 1-yard touchdown pass to Ian Simpson. Winston Williams successfully converted the 2-point attempt, putting the Aggies ahead 8-0. This was only the second time all season that Montana State had allowed a touchdown in the first quarter.

Responding to the challenge, Mellott connected with Rohan Jones for a 53-yard touchdown pass, bringing the score to 8-7 less than three minutes later. In the second quarter, Mellott found Ty McCullouch for another touchdown, this time a 17-yard strike, giving the Bobcats a 14-8 lead just 41 seconds into the quarter. The Bobcats capitalized on a crucial interception by Dru Polidore, gaining possession deep in Aggies’ territory.

Later, Taco Dowler electrified the crowd with a 79-yard punt return, extending the score to 20-8 after a blocked extra point with 12:43 remaining in the first half. After another turnover when Hastings was strip-sacked, the Bobcats recovered the fumble and converted it into a 42-yard field goal by redshirt freshman Myles Sansted, increasing their lead to 23-8.

Montana State continued to assert dominance in the third quarter, notching a 7-yard touchdown run from Julius Davis, pushing their lead to 30-8 as they headed into the fourth quarter.

However, UC Davis staged an impressive comeback in the final minutes, scoring three touchdowns in a span of just 6 minutes and 21 seconds. Lan Larison, who recorded 112 rushing yards, initiated the rally with a 1-yard touchdown run. As time wound down, Hastings connected on touchdown passes of 4 yards to Samuel Gbatu Jr. and 11 yards to Chaz Davis, bringing the game to a close at 30-28.

Mellott finished the game completing 18 of 25 passes for 174 yards, while Julius Davis added 91 rushing yards on 13 carries. Hastings had a standout performance for the Aggies, throwing for 320 yards on 22-of-33 attempts, despite an interception. Additionally, Davis and Larison each made important contributions in the receiving game, with Davis securing four catches for 128 yards, while Larison garnered 109 yards on eight receptions.

Montana State’s offense displayed consistency this season, scoring in 24 consecutive quarters and managing to find the end zone in 39 out of 44 quarters before being held scoreless in the final period of this game. Notably, Montana State is the only collegiate football program in the country to have claimed national championships across three distinct levels of competition: NAIA in 1956, NCAA Division II in 1976, and NCAA Division I-AA (now known as FCS) in 1984.

For UC Davis, this defeat marked their first loss since their season opener against FBS team California, where they fell 31-13. Though they triumphed in their initial matchup against the Bobcats, they have now suffered eight consecutive losses to Montana State.