Montana State will host Yale on Saturday afternoon in the second round of the FCS playoffs after claiming the Big Sky championship and earning a first-round bye.
The Bobcats started the season 0-2 but have won 10 straight games since their Sept. 6 loss to South Dakota State. Montana State enters the matchup motivated to make another championship run after falling just short against North Dakota State in last year’s title game.
Yale punched its ticket to the second round with a comeback win over Youngstown State that defied all expectations.
The Bulldogs trailed 35-7 at halftime before exploding for 36 second-half points. Running back Josh Pitsenberger carried the team with 32 carries for 209 yards and three touchdowns in the victory.
Montana State enters as the No. 2 seed, while Yale upset the No. 15 seed Penguins to reach this point.
Where to watch Montana State vs. Yale: TV channel, live stream
- TV channel: N/A
- Live stream: ESPN+
Montana State vs. Yale won’t air on national television. Fans can stream the game exclusively on ESPN+.
The new ESPN app provides access to all ESPN+ content through ESPN Select. Users can download the app, sign in with their ESPN account, and subscribe to stream live sports and original programming.
Montana State vs. Yale start time
- Date: Saturday, Dec. 6
- Time: 2 p.m. ET
Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. ET on Saturday, Dec. 6. The game takes place at Bobcat Stadium in Bozeman, Mont.
FCS playoffs schedule, results 2025
Saturday, Nov. 29 (First round)
| Scores |
| Yale 43, No. 15 Youngstown State 42 |
| No. 9 Rhode Island 27, Central Connecticut State 19 |
| No. 12 Villanova 52, Harvard 7 |
| Illinois State 21, No. 16 Southeastern Louisiana 3 |
| No. 10 Abilene Christian 38, Lamar 20 |
| North Dakota 31, No. 13 Tennessee Tech 6 |
| No. 11 South Dakota 38, Drake 17 |
| No. 14 South Dakota State 41, New Hampshire 3 |
Saturday, Dec. 6 (Second round)
| Game | Time (ET) | TV/Live stream |
| No. 5 Lehigh vs. No. 12 Villanova | Noon | ESPN+ |
| No. 6 Mercer vs. No. 11 South Dakota | Noon | ESPN+ |
| No. 1 North Dakota State vs. Illinois State | 1 p.m. | ESPN+ |
| No. 4 Tarleton State vs. North Dakota | 1 p.m. | ESPN+ |
| No. 2 Montana State vs. Yale | 2 p.m. | ESPN+ |
| No. 3 Montana vs. No. 14 South Dakota State | 2 p.m. | ESPN+ |
| No. 7 Stephen F. Austin vs. No. 10 Abilene Christian | 2 p.m. | ESPN+ |
| No. 8 UC Davis vs. No. 9 Rhode Island | 10 p.m. | ESPN2, ESPN app |
