Montana State freshman defensive back Kory Boyd, Class of 2024 Wylie East graduate, will play in the FCS National Championship Game on Jan. 5 in Nashville. Photo courtesy Koby Boyd
By David Wolman
When Kory Boyd looked at the 2024 season schedule for the Montana State football team for the first time, he knew there was a chance he could be playing for a national championship less than an hour from his hometown of Wylie.
The Bobcats clinched a berth in the FCS national championship after defeating South Dakota 31-17 in the FCS semifinals. However, the Bobcats saw their undefeated season come to a stunning end after losing 35-32 to North Dakota State in the national championship. What stung Boyd more was that he was unable to play in the title game at Toyota Stadium in Frisco because of an injury.
Boyd, a Class of 2024 Wylie East graduate, was in line to earn playing time at safety. However, he suffered a knee injury just two weeks after arriving on campus and missed all of spring football. He returned to practice about six weeks later, but a hand injury suffered in the fall sidelined him for the remainder of the year. Montana State designated Boyd with a medical redshirt shortly thereafter.
“It hurt, but I was there learning and watching all of the other guys,” Boyd said. “It hurt to see all of the senior players who had worked so hard to be in that position lose that game. But it gave our team motivation to finish what I know we’re capable of doing.”
But it didn’t take long for Boyd to find out that he had a strong support system after suffering his first injury, even from 1,500 miles away from home.
“He was frustrated. We were frustrated,” said Koby Boyd, Kory’s father. “We were sick for him because we knew the hard work he put in but didn’t get that opportunity. We told him he’s got to keep working, keep getting better. It made him stronger, made him better.”
Kory Boyd’s hard work has earned him playing time at defensive back and on special teams for Montana State. The Wylie East graduate will get one more chance to suit up for the Bobcats this season. And just like last season, a national title will be on the line.
Montana State will battle Illinois State in the FCS national championship, set for 6:30 p.m. Jan. 5 at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville.
“We’ve been going into every game with the mindset of being 1-0,” Boyd said. “We need to make sure that we stay hungry. There is still too much meat left on the bone.”
Boyd played all four years in high school at Wylie East, beginning as a wide receiver before moving to cornerback his junior season.
Montana State offered Boyd on May 1, 2023, becoming the second college to extend an offer. He made an official visit to Montana State on Dec. 5, 2024. Once he arrived in Bozeman, it didn’t take him long to notice how different the weather and scenery were compared to Wylie.
“It was completely different,” Boyd said. “There was already snow on the ground.”
It also didn’t take long for Boyd to find out how passionate Montana State fans are about football. He saw it firsthand two days later at Bobcat Stadium when Montana State cruised to a 49-17 win over UT Martin in the second round of the FCS playoffs.
“When I came to the football game, the atmosphere was electric,” Boyd said. “The fans and coaches were amazing.”
Boyd has played in a few games at defensive back, but the majority of his playing time has come on special teams, where he serves as a jammer and gunner for the Bobcats. He delivered a key block earlier this season that set up a kickoff return.
Montana State has been clicking in all three phases, and the Bobcats are hopeful it will result in their first national title since 1984.
The season, however, has not come without adversity.
Montana State started the season 0-2 after losses to Oregon and South Dakota State, but the Bobcats have since reeled off 13 consecutive wins.
The Bobcats advanced to the national championship after cruising to a 48-23 win over in-state rival Montana on Dec. 20 in the FCS playoffs semifinals.
“It was one of the craziest games of my entire life,” Boyd said.
Montana State isn’t taking anything for granted as it prepares to face Illinois State.
“Our undefeated record last year made us too complacent,” Boyd said. “We’re not taking anything for granted this year. Not everybody gets the chance to play in a national championship football game. You’ve got to cherish the moment and give it all that you’ve got.”
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