Thousands of Bobcat fans gather in Frisco to celebrate the night of the FCS title game

FRISCO, Texas — When the clock hit zero during Montana State’s semifinal game against South Dakota in December, the mandate for Bobcat fans was clear.

Go to Frisco, Texas.

And the fans were happy to oblige.

Sunday night inside the Ford Center at The Star, an estimated 5,000 fans packed the court for Montana State’s Sunday Funday party on the eve of the FCS championship game between Montana State and North Dakota State.

Head coach Brent Vigen addressed the raucous crowd, as did president Waded Cruzado and athletic director Leon Costello.

“To walk in and see the energy, the people, I think everybody is here because of the season we had, because the leadership we have in President Cruzado and all the things that are happening at MSU,” Costello told MTN Sports. “Momentum has just carried us to this point and it’s great to see everyone making the trip down to Texas to support us.

“This is a dream come true, isn’t it?”

Those in attendance included several MSU legends such as former record-breaking linebacker Jim Kalafat. He and his teammates had nothing but praise for the undefeated 2024-25 Bobcats.

“Let me tell you something: If you’re, if you’re 15-0, it doesn’t matter if you play peewee football, high school, college, you’ve got a 15-0 record, you’ve done a hell of a job, ” Kalafat said. “So I have to tell you, the coaches, the players, the fans, they should be proud of themselves because it’s very rare.”

Montana State has won three national football championships in program history in 1956, 1976 and 1984. Members of those teams see similarities to this year’s team.

“You know, the ’76 team was unique in its own way because there were no superstars. We were definitely a team that came together. We wanted to win,” said 1976 co-captain Tim Nixon. “We played together, and that’s what was important. Winning feels good. And this team feels the same.”

And Sunday’s event is proof that victory goes much further than the football field.

“Bobcat Nation has been great. You know, during my nine years, they’ve been very supportive. They support our team. They support us financially. They come to the games and it just keeps growing,” Costello said. “And not just from a football perspective, but when you look at it across all our sports. I think all of our student-athletes feel that, and it allows them to excel in everything they do.”

There is only one thing left to add an exclamation point to an already historic season.

“There’s no doubt we have the best fans in the country,” Vigen told the crowd to loud cheers. “And we have the best team in the country and we’re going to prove that tomorrow night.”