James Madison finished their regular season with a 9–2 record (7–1 in conference). One of their losses was to
West Virginia of Division I-A. The Dukes, unseeded in the tournament, defeated
Lehigh, second-seed
Furman, and third-seed
William & Mary to reach the final. This was the first appearance for James Madison in a Division I-AA championship game.
Montana finished their regular season with a 9–2 record (6–1 in conference). The Grizzlies, also unseeded in the tournament, defeated
Northwestern State,
New Hampshire, and
Sam Houston State to reach the final. This was the fifth appearance for Montana in a Division I-AA championship game; they had won in 1995 and 2001, and lost in 1996 and 2000.
James Madison finished their regular season with a 9–2 record (7–1 in conference). One of their losses was to
West Virginia of Division I-A. The Dukes, unseeded in the tournament, defeated
Lehigh, second-seed
Furman, and third-seed
William & Mary to reach the final. This was the first appearance for James Madison in a Division I-AA championship game.
Montana finished their regular season with a 9–2 record (6–1 in conference). The Grizzlies, also unseeded in the tournament, defeated
Northwestern State,
New Hampshire, and
Sam Houston State to reach the final. This was the fifth appearance for Montana in a Division I-AA championship game; they had won in 1995 and 2001, and lost in 1996 and 2000.