Kory Boyd, Class of 2024 Wylie East graduate, poses for pictures after Montana State defeated Illinois State 35-34 in overtime on Monday in the FCS National Championship in Nashville, Tenn., to win its first national title since 1984. Photo courtesy Koby Boyd
By David Wolman
Kory Boyd is a national champion.
Boyd, Class of 2024 Wylie East graduate and special teams gunner/defensive back for Montana State, helped lead the Bobcats past Illinois State 35-34 in overtime in the FCS National Championship on the campus of Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., Monday, Jan. 5, to clinch the program’s first national title since 1984.
A year ago, the Bobcats missed winning its first national title in 40 years after a slow start proved too much for Montana State to overcome in a shootout loss to North Dakota State. Two years ago, the Bobcats’ season ended in Bozeman in the quarterfinals on a blocked extra point in overtime against the Bison.
Montana State finished this season with 14 straight wins after losing to Oregon and South Dakota State to start 0-2.
The Bobcats (14-2) capped a campaign that featured two wins over in-state rival Montana across a four-week span. Beating the Grizzlies in the semifinals put Montana State back into the FCS title game for the second straight season. It was the school’s fourth berth overall in the championship tilt.
The Bobcats led 21-7 at halftime and 28-14 in the third. They needed Jhase McMillan’s block of Michael Costetino’s 38-yard field goal attempt with 57 seconds left in regulation to keep it tied at 28.
In overtime, Montana State blocked the extra point attempt after Tommy Rittenhouse threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Dylan Lord to give Illinois State its only lead at 34-28 to open overtime. However, another blocked kick by the Bobcats on the ensuing PAT try kept it a six-point contest, setting the stages for a walk-off win by Montana State.
Justin Samson tied it for the Bobcats with a 14-yard scoring pass on fourth-and-10.
Myles Sansted’s extra point on the ensuing PAT kick set off a celebration that was 41 years in the making.
Boyd finished his freshman season with six tackles.
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