Missouri State University secured its fifth consecutive win with a 38-24 victory over UTEP during the homecoming game on Saturday. Quarterback Jacob Clark set a school record by completing 30 passes and achieved his tenth career 300-yard passing game, finishing with 330 yards and four touchdowns. Freshman tight end Jaron Askren caught two of those touchdown passes, while ten different Missouri State receivers contributed to the offense.
Running back Shomari Lawrence carried the ball 25 times for 109 yards and one touchdown, marking his second 100-yard rushing performance this season. The Bears improved their record to 7-3 overall and 5-1 in Conference USA play, maintaining a streak of holding opponents under 30 points for nine straight games.
Missouri State led UTEP (2-8, 1-5 CUSA) by a score of 24-7 at halftime. In the third quarter, UTEP capitalized on a long punt return to set up a field goal before rallying with two more scores—one from quarterback Skyler Locklear's four-yard run and another after a blocked punt was recovered in the end zone—to tie the game at 24 late in the third quarter.
The Bears responded with a decisive fourth-quarter drive led by Clark. He completed key third-down passes to Jmariyae Robinson and Connor Lair before finding Tristian Gardner for a touchdown that put Missouri State ahead again. On defense, Jared Lloyd broke up an important pass on UTEP’s next possession.
A subsequent drive saw Clark connect with Dash Luke for another touchdown after crucial plays from Askren and Lawrence helped move the team downfield. This seven-minute scoring drive was Missouri State's longest of the season.
Defensively, Kanye Young led with eight tackles while DJ Wesolak recorded seven tackles and 2.5 sacks. Jalen Brooks added six stops as Missouri State limited UTEP to just 240 total yards.
In the first half, Lawrence opened scoring with a ten-yard rush followed by Yousef Obeid’s field goal. Clark threw two touchdown passes to Askren in the second quarter as Missouri State built its lead.
Missouri State will continue Conference USA play next week against Kennesaw State before concluding its inaugural FBS season at home against Louisiana Tech on November 29 at Robert W. Plaster Stadium. Tickets for the Louisiana Tech game are available online through MissouriStateBears.com or at the Athletics Box Office at Great Southern Bank Arena during regular hours.
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