Overview
- No. 2 Montana State beat No. 7 Stephen F. Austin 44-28 at Bobcat Stadium to advance, improving to 12-2 as SFA ended 11-3 with its 11-game streak snapped.
- Montana State will host the semifinal against the Montana–South Dakota winner, creating the possibility of a first postseason Cat–Griz meeting in Bozeman.
- The Bobcats piled up a season-high 227 rushing yards, with Adam Jones gaining 114 yards and scoring two touchdowns.
- The defense generated three turnovers that became 21 points, featuring two strip-sacks by Kenneth Eiden IV and an interception by Caden Dowler.
- Quarterback Justin Lamson threw two touchdown passes and added a 5-yard scoring run, as Montana State scored on six of its first eight possessions after racing to a 24-0 lead.