MISSOULA — Montana and Montana State are the two highest-remaining seeds in the FCS playoffs heading into the quarterfinals this weekend.

That is a result of the surprising loss by No. 1 North Dakota State in the second round. It also required the third-seeded Grizzlies and second-seeded Bobcats to take care of business Saturday as they began their postseason journeys in the second round after they each received a first-round bye.

The elimination of NDSU and 14th-seeded South Dakota State means that a team other than the Bison or Jackrabbits will win the FCS title for the first time since Sam Houston in the pandemic-delayed spring 2021 season.

They've each won two of the past four national championships — NDSU in 2021 and 2024, and SDSU in 2022 and 2023. The Bison have won 10 of the pas

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