Montana State University secured its first FCS Championship title since 1984. Following a devastating loss last season, the team returned determined to end the 41-year drought that had plagued the Bobcats.
While the team lost 2024 quarterback Tommy Mellott, known as “Touchdown Tommy”, they retained key players. These includes the Dowler brothers, who have been making waves in Montana football since their high school days.
After an incredible performance in Nashville, Tennessee, that saw Taco record eight catches for 111 yards and the game-winning overtime TD for MSU, here’s what to know about powerhouse twins Taco and Caden Dowler.
Raised in Montana
The Dowlers were born about a minute apart. Raised in Billings, Montana, they grew up just over two-hours away from Bobcat Stadium. While Caden is a defensive back and Taco a wide receiver, the two have always played competitively together.
In an interview with Tommy Rooney of NBC Montana, the Dowler’s spoke about the close bond they share:
“I don’t think people don’t realize how tight-knit twins are,” Taco said. “And I think we’re the tightest that they come it was just always us binded at the hip. First day of school was always the first day of school with my twin brother, always had a teammate on my side. So it’s awesome.”
Caden is Team Captain
As a junior this season, Caden earned team captain honors despite playing only eight games over the 2023 and 2024 seasons due to injuries. His high school head coach, Rob Stanton, praised his football knowledge, despite his setbacks:
“Even as freshmen in high school, No. 1, they could talk football, meaning, you know, they could talk coverages and schemes, and they could use football verbiage rather than, ‘I got that guy over there,’ you know, they study football.”
Caden’s resilience combined with his knowledge of the sport allowed him to lead the team all the way to the championship win.
Taco’s Real Name Isn’t Taco
Taco’s real name is actually McLean, despite being well known as Taco. In the same interview with Rooney, Caden spoke about the origin of this nickname:
“He just decided one day that he was named Taco, and I decided that I was named Burrito, and I was that for a little bit,” Caden said. “I couldn’t stand when people called me that, so I switched back, and, you know, he just kept it. I don’t know. He’s stubborn enough that he just kept it, and it ended up on yearbooks and articles and everything.”
Coach Stanton also reflected on the name, stating:
“I remember Taco when he was a sophomore, he thought about going by McLean instead of Taco,” Stanton said. “I said, ‘Bad idea,’ and he’s like, ‘Who’s going to want a job interview with a guy named Taco?’ I said, ‘Everybody.’”
Their High School Careers are Incredibly Impressive
The twins’ high school achievements foreshadowed their success at Montana State. According to the MSU roster:
Caden Dowler earned 1st Team All-State at safety and 2nd Team All-State at receiver, 1st Team All-Conference honors at both positions, and 2nd Team All-Conference as a punt returner. He recorded 848 all-purpose yards in 2021 with three interceptions, 10 total touchdowns, seven pass breakups, and 50 tackles.
Taco Dowler was Montana’s Gatorade Player of the Year in 2021. He earned multiple All-State honors as a receiver, defensive back, kick returner, and punt returner. Taco holds Billings West career records with 2,752 receiving yards, 30 touchdowns, 149 catches, and 4,562 all-purpose yards.
Caden has Battled Injuries
2025 marked the most Caden has been able to play for the Bobcats, after being sidelined during parts of 2023 and 2024 due to knee and other injuries. During the semifinal matchup against Montana, he suffered a shoulder injury but was able to suit up and participate in the championship game, leaving temporarily after further injury before returning to help Montana State secure the overtime win against Illinois State.
In a Bozeman Daily Chronicle article, Coach Stanton commented on Caden’s resilience:
“Who wants to keep going after two ACL tears?”
“The answer’s Caden Dowler.”
Montana State Twins Caden and Taco Dowler: Everything you Need to Know