Springfield Standard

Missouri State University quarterback Jacob Clark has received further recognition for his recent performance, being named a finalist for the Manning Award Star of the Week and earning an honorable mention for the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Weekly Award.

The Manning Award, sponsored by the Allstate Sugar Bowl, highlights eight quarterbacks each week as its "Stars of the Week." The winner is determined by fan voting, which closes Wednesday at 9 a.m. Central time. According to organizers, "the award was created to honor the college football accomplishments of Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning. It is the only quarterback award that includes the candidates' bowl performances in its balloting." Since its inception in 2011, 578 different quarterbacks from 136 schools have been recognized as Stars of the Week, with 74 players honored during the 2024 season.

Clark joins Steve Angeli (Syracuse), Aidan Chiles (Michigan State), Cale Hellums (Army), John Mateer (Oklahoma), Beau Pribula (Missouri), Sawyer Roberts (Baylor) and Blake Shapen (Mississippi State) on this week's list of finalists.

For the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award, Clark was one of 16 honorable mention selections behind recipient John Mateer of Oklahoma. The award recognizes top offensive players in Division I football who display characteristics such as integrity, performance, teamwork, sportsmanship, drive, community involvement and tenacity. As described by organizers: "The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award...recognizes the top offensive player in Division I football who also exhibits the enduring characteristics that define Earl Campbell: integrity, performance, teamwork, sportsmanship, drive, community, and tenacity; specifically tenacity to persist and determination to overcome adversity and injury in pursuit of reaching goals."

Clark's honors follow his ninth career 300-yard passing game. He surpassed 5,000 career passing yards during Missouri State's comeback win over Marshall last Saturday—MSU's first victory as an FBS program. Clark completed 21-of-31 passes for 359 yards and three touchdowns. He added 30 rushing yards and caught a pass for 29 yards—the first reception of his career. On MSU’s game-winning drive in the fourth quarter he went five-for-five through the air while leading an 80-yard march that included a key third-and-14 completion to Ramone Green Jr., setting up the winning score.

Following Saturday’s win, Clark also received a College Football Final helmet sticker from ESPN.

Coach Ryan Beard’s Bears will open their six-game home schedule this Saturday against nationally-ranked SMU at Plaster Stadium. Tickets for Missouri State’s first-ever FBS home game are available at MissouriStateBears.com/tickets or at the Missouri State Athletics Box Office.

Season tickets remain available in most seating sections through either box office purchase or online via MissouriStateBears.com/tickets.