Springfield Standard

Missouri State University Bears Football began their Conference USA schedule with a narrow 27-22 loss to Western Kentucky University (WKU) at home on Saturday. The Bears accumulated 414 total yards without committing a turnover, but could not overcome a second-half surge from the visiting Hilltoppers.

The game was marked by strong individual performances. Shomari Lawrence led the Bears' rushing attack with 78 yards on 16 carries and scored a 32-yard touchdown in the third quarter that gave Missouri State its first lead since early in the second period. Quarterback Jacob Clark completed eight of fifteen passes for 143 yards before leaving the game due to injury, described as affecting his lower extremity. Backup quarterback Deuce Bailey stepped in for the final six possessions, finishing with seven completions on sixteen attempts for 57 yards and adding 61 rushing yards on eight carries.

WKU's La'Vell Wright ran for 91 yards and two touchdowns on ten carries, helping his team respond quickly after Missouri State took a third-quarter lead. WKU quarterback Maverick McIvor completed twenty-six of thirty-nine passes for 317 yards, contributing to the Hilltoppers' first road win of the season.

After Lawrence’s touchdown put Missouri State ahead 16-10, WKU answered with a twelve-play drive capped by Wright’s two-yard run. That score initiated a seventeen-point run by WKU that included another Wright touchdown and a field goal by John Cannon.

Missouri State’s defense limited WKU to four conversions on thirteen third- and fourth-down attempts during the game. Kanye Young led defensively with ten tackles—his second career game reaching double digits—along with two tackles for loss, one sack, two quarterback hurries, and one pass break-up. Maguire Neal, Christian Ford, and Jared Lloyd each added eight tackles.

In special teams play, Yousef Obeid made field goals from forty-nine, twenty-two, and nineteen yards in the first half to keep Missouri State close at halftime. However, his attempt at a go-ahead forty-three yard field goal just before halftime hit the upright.

Ronnel Johnson led all Missouri State receivers with five catches for sixty-four yards while Dash Luke contributed three receptions for seventy-one yards along with notable return yardage.

Looking ahead, Missouri State will have a bye week before resuming conference play against Middle Tennessee on Wednesday, October 8 at 6:30 p.m., airing nationally on ESPN2. Their next home game is scheduled for Wednesday, October 29 against FIU at Robert W. Plaster Stadium; it will be broadcast nationally on CBS Sports Network. Tickets can be purchased online or through the university box office.