Illinois State’s Tommy Rittenhouse threw for 311 yards and four touchdowns to help force the first overtime in the 48-year history of the FCS title game.

The FCS National Championship could remain in Nashville for the long term after its resounding success from the game between the Montana State and Illinois State at FirstBank Stadium on Monday.

Montana State recovered in overtime to beat Illinois State 35-34 in the FCS national championship at Vanderbilt's FirstBank Stadium.

When and where to play the game are the biggest questions facing the title game of the Football Championship Subdivision.

This is the first time the FCS title game has landed in Music City, and the setting fits the moment. A new venue, a national audience, and two teams that took very different paths to reach the same destination.

The scoreboard says Montana State won the national championship in overtime. But inside the locker room, players say the the 35–34 victory over Illinois State was built long before the final snap.

Jay Cutler, who became Vanderbilt's all-time leading passer, attended the FCS national championship game on Jan. 5.

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