Idaho Stuns FCS No. 1 Montana State in Controversial Final-Play Upset

Key points

• Idaho Vandals defeated FCS No. 1 Montana State Bobcats 35-34 at the Kibbie Dome in Moscow, Idaho, on October 3, 2026.
• The game ended with Idaho quarterback Joshua Wood throwing a touchdown pass to Ryan Jezioro, followed by a successful two-point conversion run by Wood.
• The final play was enabled by a clock reset to one second, which rules analyst Terry McAulay claims was against the rules, as officials should not have added time when the clock was under three seconds.
• Montana State coach Brent Vigen called a timeout after the clock reset, allowing Idaho to scheme a final play; Vigen stated he hoped a second remained on the clock.
• Idaho, entering the game 0-4, completed a 14-point fourth-quarter comeback, while Montana State, the defending FCS national champions, suffered their first loss in 19 games.
• Montana State played without several key players, including quarterback Justin Lamson and wide receiver Taco Dowler, due to injuries.

Background

This upset follows a similar controversy earlier in the 2026 season involving Michigan and Western Michigan, where a phantom extra second was added to the clock. The NCAA has faced criticism for protocol failures in such situations. Idaho has historically performed well against Montana State at home, remaining undefeated in the Kibbie Dome since 1990. The Bobcats had been undefeated since 2023 in the Big Sky Conference, with their last loss coming against in-state rival Montana.

How outlets are covering it

Awful Announcing and Fox News (OutKick) emphasize the dramatic nature of the upset and the potential rule violation, with Awful Announcing highlighting Terry McAulay's analysis that the clock reset was improper. Fox News focuses on the 'craziest upset' narrative and the impact of Montana State's timeout. NCAA.com provides a factual account of the game's progression, noting Idaho's 14-point fourth-quarter comeback and Montana State's injury issues, but does not explicitly critique the officiating. All sources agree on the final score and the sequence of events, but differ in their emphasis on the controversy versus the athletic achievement.

Why it matters

The result ends Montana State's 19-game winning streak and removes them from the top of the FCS rankings, potentially altering the playoff picture. The controversy over the clock reset may prompt the NCAA to review or clarify rules regarding final-second plays, similar to the Michigan-Western Michigan incident. For Idaho, the win marks a historic victory over a top-ranked opponent and could boost morale for the remainder of the season.

What to watch

The NCAA may review the officiating decision, potentially leading to rule clarifications or training updates for officials. Montana State will need to assess the impact of the loss on their playoff positioning, while Idaho will look to build momentum from the upset. Both teams will continue their regular season schedules, with Montana State aiming to recover their ranking and Idaho seeking to capitalize on their first win.