Illinois State Redbirds 34–35 Montana State Bobcats: Final Score & Recap | Week 1, 2025

Quick answer

Montana State Bobcats defeated Illinois State Redbirds 35–34 in Week 1, 2025. Final score: Illinois State Redbirds 34, Montana State Bobcats 35.

Game summary

Montana State Bobcats edged Illinois State Redbirds 35–34 in Week 1 of the 2025 season.

Scoring: 10 touchdowns across 10 plays.
Passing leader: Tommy Rittenhouse (Illinois State) — 326.0 pass yds, 4 TD, +0.45 EPA/play.
Rushing leader: Victor Dawson — 125.0 yds.
Receiving leader: Dylan Lord — 13 rec, 176.0 yds.
EPA edge: Montana State (+0.437/play) vs Illinois State (+0.255/play).

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Team	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	OT	Final
Illinois State Redbirds	0	6	6	12	6	34
Montana State Bobcats	6	12	6	0	6	35

Scoring Map

Each pin marks a score on the field — TDs in the end zone, field goals near the kick line.

ILSTIllinois State Redbirds

MTSTMontana State Bobcats

FantasyHQ CFB Analytics

Scoring timeline

10 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

Montana State
Q1TD
JLJustin Lamson
Points+6
Yard line
OPP EZ
Score
0-6
Justin Lamson rushes 3 yards for a touchdown
Montana State
Q2TD
JLJustin Lamson
Points+6
Yard line
OPP EZ
Score
0-12
Justin Lamson rushes 2 yards for a touchdown
Illinois State
Q2TD
SPScotty Presson Jr.
Points+6
Yard line
OPP EZ
Score
6-12
Tommy Rittenhouse pass to Scotty Presson Jr. for a touchdown (6 yards)
Montana State
Q2TD
DSDane Steel
Points+6
Yard line
OPP EZ
Score
6-18
Justin Lamson pass to Dane Steel for a touchdown (33 yards)
Illinois State
Q3TD
LBLogan Brasfield
Points+6
Yard line
OPP EZ
Score
12-18
Logan Brasfield rushes 1 yard for a touchdown
Montana State
Q3TD
TDTaco Dowler
Points+6
Yard line
OPP EZ
Score
12-24
Taco Dowler rushes 22 yards for a touchdown
Illinois State
Q4TD
DSDaniel Sobkowicz
Points+6
Yard line
OPP EZ
Score
18-24
Tommy Rittenhouse pass to Daniel Sobkowicz for a touchdown (4 yards)
Illinois State
Q4TD
DLDylan Lord
Points+6
Yard line
OPP EZ
Score
24-24
Tommy Rittenhouse pass to Dylan Lord for a touchdown (25 yards)
Illinois State
OTTD
DLDylan Lord
Points+6
Yard line
OPP EZ
Score
30-24
Tommy Rittenhouse pass to Dylan Lord for a touchdown (10 yards)
Montana State
OTTD
TDTaco Dowler
Points+6
Yard line
OPP EZ
Score
30-30
Justin Lamson pass to Taco Dowler for a touchdown (14 yards)

Stars of the game

Top passers, rushers, and receivers from cfbfastR play-by-play.

Passing

Tommy Rittenhouse (Illinois State) — 326.0 yds · 4 TD · +0.45 EPA/play +19.86 EPA
Justin Lamson (Montana State) — 271.0 yds · 2 TD · +0.40 EPA/play +10.77 EPA

Rushing

Victor Dawson (Illinois State) — 125.0 yds +0.01 EPA
Justin Lamson (Montana State) — 54.0 yds · 2 TD +0.64 EPA
Tommy Rittenhouse (Illinois State) — 20.0 yds -0.17 EPA

Receiving

Dylan Lord (Illinois State) — 13 rec · 176.0 yds +0.90 EPA
Taco Dowler (Montana State) — 8 rec · 111.0 yds +1.00 EPA
Daniel Sobkowicz (Illinois State) — 5 rec · 52.0 yds +0.49 EPA

Quarterback report card

Attempts, efficiency, and EPA.

Player	Team	Att	Cmp%	Yds	TD	EPA/play	Total EPA
Tommy Rittenhouse	Illinois State	46	71.7%	326	4	+0.45	+19.86
Justin Lamson	Montana State	30	60.0%	271	2	+0.40	+10.77

Team EPA comparison

Stat	Illinois State	Montana State
Plays	84	51
EPA / play	+0.255	+0.437
Total EPA	+20.88	+20.12
Success rate	46.4%	56.9%
Pass EPA / play	+0.451	+0.399
Rush EPA / play	+0.027	+0.492
Yards	486	396

Drive chart

Key possessions and results.

Qtr	Offense	Plays	Yards	EPA	Result
Q1	Illinois State	8	40	-0.13	Punt
Q1	Montana State	10	100	+9.28	Rush TD
Q1	Illinois State	9	57	-1.24	Punt
Q2	Montana State	8	90	+7.36	Rush TD
Q2	Illinois State	7	30	-0.79	Punt
Q2	Montana State	5	26	-0.92	Punt
Q2	Illinois State	10	80	+6.86	Pass TD
Q2	Montana State	3	75	+6.12	Pass TD
Q2	Illinois State	2	10	-0.64	Ended
Q3	Montana State	5	19	-1.83	Punt
Q3	Illinois State	17	70	+5.51	Rush TD
Q3	Montana State	6	64	+4.52	Rush TD
Q3	Illinois State	15	68	+6.07	Pass TD
Q4	Montana State	3	8	-1.29	Punt
Q4	Illinois State	8	60	+5.04	Pass TD
Q4	Montana State	3	2	-1.50	Punt

Biggest EPA swings

Q2 · Montana State Bobcats · Justin Lamson pass to Dane Steel for a touchdown (33 yards) (+4.87 EPA)
Q4 · Illinois State Redbirds · Tommy Rittenhouse pass to Dylan Lord for a touchdown (25 yards) (+4.71 EPA)
Q4 · Illinois State Redbirds · Tommy Rittenhouse pass to Daniel Sobkowicz for a touchdown (4 yards) (+4.54 EPA)
Q2 · Montana State Bobcats · Justin Lamson pass to Chris Long for 48 yards (1st & 15) (+3.64 EPA)
Q4 · Illinois State Redbirds · Blocked Field Goal (38 yards) (-3.62 EPA)
Q1 · Illinois State Redbirds · Penalty (4th & 4) (+3.6 EPA)
Q3 · Montana State Bobcats · Justin Lamson pass to Jabez Woods for 21 yards (3rd & 10) (+3.34 EPA)
Q1 · Montana State Bobcats · Justin Lamson pass to Taco Dowler for 26 yards (2nd & 23) (+3.3 EPA)

Key takeaways

Montana State Bobcats controlled the final (35–34) in Week 1.
Passing edge: Tommy Rittenhouse (Illinois State) — 326.0 yds, 4 TD.
EPA edge: Montana State at 0.437 EPA/play.
Full EPA, scoring map, and play-by-play live in CFB Analytics Box & Scores.

Frequently asked questions

What was the final score of Illinois State Redbirds vs Montana State Bobcats?

Illinois State Redbirds 34, Montana State Bobcats 35 in Week 1 of the 2025 college football season.

Who won Illinois State Redbirds vs Montana State Bobcats?

Montana State Bobcats won with a final score of 34–35.

Where can I find the Illinois State Redbirds vs Montana State Bobcats box score?

See EPA, scoring timeline, and full play-by-play on FantasyHQ CFB Analytics: /cfb-analytics?game=401833680.

Who led Illinois State Redbirds vs Montana State Bobcats in passing?

Tommy Rittenhouse (Illinois State) led passers with 326.0 yards and 4 touchdowns.

Full analytics box score

Explore every snap, drive chart, and the interactive scoring map for Illinois State Redbirds at Montana State Bobcats in FantasyHQ CFB Analytics Box & Scores.