FRISCO, Texas — In a thrilling match, Cam Miller showcased his skills with two rushing touchdowns and two passing touchdowns, leading North Dakota State to a dramatic 35-32 victory against the top-seeded and undefeated Montana State. This win marked the Bison’s record-setting 10th title in the Football Championship Subdivision, achieved during Miller’s 54th consecutive start as the team’s quarterback.
North Dakota State (14-2) has become a frequent presence in Frisco, making their 11th appearance in just 14 seasons. Their previous championship victory in the same venue came three years ago, with both Miller and Montana State quarterback Tommy Mellott facing off once again.
Miller excelled throughout the game, completing 19 of 22 passes for 199 yards and rushing for 121 yards on 18 carries. This remarkable performance secured his 45th win out of 56 starts and marked his second national championship. “Cam Miller was the best quarterback on the football field today. There was no doubt about it,” remarked first-year NDSU coach Tim Polasek, who was part of the coaching staff during the initial title victories in Frisco in 2011 and 2012. “Tommy’s a talented player, but throughout the year, our team has consistently delivered complementary football.”
Montana’s own Mellott made a significant impact with a 44-yard touchdown run, narrowing the score to 28-25 early in the fourth quarter. He was recognized this season with the Walter Payton Award, which honors the FCS’s leading offensive player, narrowly beating Miller in a close vote. Mellott finished the game with 135 yards on 14 carries and completed 13 of 24 passes for 195 yards and two touchdowns, including a 19-yard throw to Taco Dowler with just over a minute left on the clock before falling short during an onside kick attempt.
“Our offense struggled a bit in the first half, and unfortunately, that cost us the game,” reflected Mellott. “Even with a score of 21-3, the guys kept fighting. We had a resilient team, and they played hard for this season’s seniors.”
The Bison never found themselves trailing after Miller started the game strong, completing a seven-minute opening drive that concluded with a 2-yard touchdown run. During their second possession, Miller executed a close-range draw play, sprinting 64 yards untouched for another score. “It was a designed draw play with an option to pass… it was executed perfectly,” Miller explained. “Usually, draw plays involve dodging defenders, but this time, the defense just opened up.”
Before halftime, Miller further tightened the lead with a 1-yard touchdown pass to Bryce Lance, who not only scored his 17th touchdown of the season but is also the brother of former NDSU quarterback Trey Lance, who started for the Dallas Cowboys just a day prior to the championship game. Lance concluded the game with nine receptions for 107 yards, including a crucial 38-yard diving catch that set up a touchdown pass to Joe Stoffel, restoring a 10-point lead for the Bison.
“In hindsight, they played better than us and we ended up in a tough position,” said Montana State coach Brent Vigen, who has past connections as a former player and assistant coach at NDSU. “It’s disheartening to reflect on having 15 victories and not being able to finish the way we wanted.”
In summary, North Dakota State remains the only team in modern college football to have achieved a perfect 16-0 season, which they accomplished five years ago while capturing the national title. They have only lost once in Frisco, which was against South Dakota State two years ago. On the other hand, Montana State has not seen a championship since their last title 40 years ago, holding a 21-18 advantage in the series against NDSU but having been defeated in their last six playoff meetings since 2010, including a closely fought game last season that ended 35-34 due to a blocked extra point in overtime.
Looking ahead, North Dakota State is set to kick off its 2025 season against The Citadel on August 30, marking the first time since midway through the 2021 season that a different player will be the starting quarterback. Meanwhile, Montana State will open their 2025 season at Oregon of the Big Ten on the same day, their first meeting since 1947.
