From left, Wayne, Todd, and I; our view during pregame warmups; the captains gather for the coin flip.
To the moment, I’ve attended 38 events on this wild journey Around the World in 80 Sporting Events. (And, really, as I write this post I’ve been to 59 … I’m a bit behind in my reflections;-)
I’m able to say, without question, none – of the 38 or the 59 – has proven to be as exciting as the NCAA FCS National Championship Game in Nashville, TN, between Illinois State and Montana State. Montana State won in walk-off fashion, 35-34, in overtime.
It was an electric atmosphere and an incredible game that featured the type of finish a fan with no dog in the fight loves. That is, one that ends on the final play.
I know it’s been a minute since the Bobcats and Redbirds took to FirstBank Stadium‘s field that first Monday in January so let’s recap how they got there:
- Montana State was the No. 2 overall seed in the tournament, though I’m sure the majority of their fans weren’t thinking about that when the season began with a 59-13 shellacking at the hands of the B1G’s Oregon Ducks and then followed it up with a 30-24 double-overtime loss to then-second-ranked South Dakota State. Yes, the Bobcats began their season 0-2 before winning 12 straight – including a pair of victories over their in-state rivals the University of Montana Grizzlies – to reach Nashville.
- In stark contrast, Illinois State rather limped into the playoffs. It lost its regular-season finale to Southern Illinois, 37-7 (at home!), to finish in a 3-way tie for third place in the Missouri Valley Football Conference. The Red Birds received one of the final at-large bids to the tournament before turning into road warriors, knocking off Southeastern Louisiana, top-seeded North Dakota State, California-Davis, and Villanova to arrive on Vanderbilt’s campus.
I got there via Chattanooga, as my friend Wayne and I spent a couple of nights with his buddy, Todd, who was set to join us in Nashville for the game as well.
Room with a View
I was only at the FCS National Championship Game because its FBS brethren completely priced me out of the event the previous January.
If you recall, I was actually in Atlanta when The Ohio State University and Notre Dame University were set to play in the first 12-team playoff back in early 2025. Rather than coming down in the days prior to the game prices actually went up to levels only a Super Bowl could understand.
Because of this, I opted to pivot and make plans for the FCS Game which, as it turned out, would be in Nashville, a day’s drive from my home in Michigan.
That said, there was some surplus funds in the budget so I splurged on a room in the Nashville Marriott at Vanderbilt University. Though not on a high enough floor to have a view of the field, we could see the scoreboard and, obviously, was within walking distance to the stadium.
Last One Out of Montana Turn the Lights Out
There was no shortage of fans – mainly Montana State fans! – trying to get into our section at FirstBank Stadium; I didn’t pack my overalls, but perhaps I should have!?! I also didn’t bring my guns with me either like the fella on the right;-)
I had no expectations when I decided to make the journey to Nashville.
Actually, that’s not necessarily true, I had a reasonable expectation to see the North Dakota State Bison – and Bison Bob, whom I met in Fargo at Event No. 31 in November – at the FCS Championship Game because, well, NDSU had played in 11 of the previous 15 FCS finales.
What I did experience was crazy. The announced attendance was 24,105 and I’m not exaggerating when I suggest that easily two-thirds of them were rooting for Montana State. Never mind that Illinois State’s campus in Normal, IL, was only about a six-and-a-half hour drive from Nashville. And, I might add, it seemed like the Bobcat fans all arrived at the same time and the same time as Todd and I who walked over ahead of Wayne. We were caught in the throng of fans on the concourse that rivaled the crush of people I’d experienced at venues multiple times larger.
Credit to the NCAA
Clockwise from upper left, this fan was pleased with the outcome of the game; hanging on the field after the game; a look at the stage where the trophy was presented; the ISU and MSU marching bands pregame; unironically, me holding the godforsaken media timeout placquard the red-vested fella stands on the field with that I’ve railed against for years.
I cannot believe I typed that heading, but I have to give credit where credit is due.
In addition to an ideal venue that’s relatively centrally located in the U.S. (Vanderbilt’s campus will serve as host for at least one more title tilt thanks to ongoing renovations at Frisco, TX, Toyota Stadium which hosted the previous 15), the NCAA made this as fan-friendly an event as possible.
There were fan zones prior to the game, a stadium that was small enough to provide excellent sight lines no matter where you were seated, a pregame performance featuring both marching bands, a halftime drone show, and, perhaps the coolest moment of the day, is that fans were invited onto the field 10 minutes following the game’s conclusion to celebrate with each other and be on the field for the trophy presentation. That, I can guarantee, does not occur following the FBS Championship Game.
A Fantastic Finish
From left, the overtime coin flip at midfield; Montana State celebrates postgame; a fireworks display ensued.
As alluded to at the top, I’m going to be hard-pressed to experience a more exciting event than this one.
It seemed for all the world like Montana State was going to cruise to victory. The Bobcats controlled the game from the outset, jumped out to a 14-0 lead 20 minutes in and Illinois State seemed adrift.
The Red Birds seemed to receive a spark with, just under a minute left in the first half, scored a touchdown to make it 14-7, only to allow MSU to score a touchdown with 18 seconds left before the break.
Illinois State cut it to 21-14 before MSU stretched it to 14 points again before the the start of the fourth quarter when the Red Birds scored on their next two possessions to tie it and then, with just under a minute remaining, had a 38-yard field goal attempt to take the lead.
Bobcat Jhase McMillan blocked the kick.
MSU failed to move the ball, Illinois State chose not to even try after receiving it back via punt, and it headed to overtime.
After losing the coin flip, the Red Birds scored on their second play from scrimmage and then had their point after attempt blocked.
Then, facing a fourth-and-10 from the ISU 14-yard-line, Bobcats’ quarterback Justin Lamson hit receiver Taco Dowler on a crossing pattern for a touchdown.
The Bobcats’ point after was good and pandemonium from the Montana State faithful ensued.
Pregame Eats
A few shots of Gabby’s, clockwise from upper left, my burger and sweet potato fries; the explanation why the accolades are displayed in the restroom; the quirky nature continues to the Take a Thought/Leave a Though area; the interior features a counter as well as a modest dining area; the exterior is not much to look at but the food is delicious; the aforementioned restroom with all the accolades.
We arrived pretty early in Nashville after commuting from Chattanooga. So early, in fact, that our hotel wasn’t ready to receive us yet and, serendipitously, it was around lunch time.
As fate would have it, I was traveling with Wayne who knows where to find some off-the-beaten-path grub that’s good, (usually) cheap, and in a memorable location.
Gabby’s Burgers & Fries is such a place.
The fact the joint is only open for four hours each day (10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.) should tell you plenty about the business it does.
The fact that it’s just off I-65 and sits, essentially, on a railyard makes it all the more alluring.
And, finally, the simplicity of the menu is too good for it to not be good. Burgers, fries, shakes, and a few non-burger items … that’s it.
It all makes it, in my estimation, a must visit if you happen to be in Nashville … Monday through Saturday from 10:30-2:30, that is;-)
And if you don’t trust me, check out the restroom – yes, the restroom! – where all of Gabby’s awards and accolades are displayed. (I kid you not!)
Post-Game View
