Opponent Insight: Missouri State

Missouri State Bears (Record: 4-4, 2-3 in MVFC)
The Series (From MSU): It will be just the 11th meeting between the Jackrabbits and Bears, sixth time in Brookings. South Dakota State is undefeated (5-0) at home against Missouri State and has only lost once in Springfield (4-1) - losing 35-21 in 2013.

South Dakota State vs. Missouri State All-Time (Started in 2008):

Date	Location	Result
2017	Springfield	W, 62-30
2016	Brookings	W, 49-24
2015	Springfield	W, 39-0
2014	Brookings	W, 32-28
2013	Springfield	L, 35-21
2012	Brookings	W, 17-7
2011	Springfield	W, 43-36
2010	Brookings	W, 31-10
2009	Springfield	W, 24-17
2008	Brookings	W, 43-13

The Jacks have won four straight in the series, averaging 45.5 points per game over the same stretch. MSU has lost 11 straight games in the Dakotas dating back to 2010; its lone win in 13 combined trips to North and South Dakota came in 2009 at NDSU. The Jackrabbit football team has held an opponent without a score on five separate occasions since becoming moving into the NCAA DI-AA/FCS in 2004 - with one scoreless game coming against Missouri State at home in 2015 - the most recent (2015 at Missouri State, 39-0; 2013 vs. Indiana State, 29-0; 2010 vs. North Dakota, 21-0; 2009 vs. Indiana State, 41-0; 2007 vs. Stephan F. Austin, 45-0).

SDSU has out-scored MSU in the series, 243-146 (average: 24.3-14.6 per game), and a four-game win streak where the Jacks have out-scored the Bears 45.5-20.5 points per game. Last season, the Jackrabbits notched their highest point total against a MVFC opponent and was the team's 100th FCS win.

Jackrabbit QB Taryn Christion is 2-0 (backup QB in 2015, still played) vs. the Redbirds. 2017 at MSU (W, 62-30: 14-19 for 323 yards and two TDs, eight carries for 59 yards and one TD rushing), 2016 vs. MSU (W, 49-24: 22-37 for 324 yards and one TD with one INT, nine carries for 25 yards), 2015 vs. ISU (W, 39-0: 9-11 for 97 yards and one TD passing, seven carries for -19 yards)

Offense: The offense has scored 29.9 points per game - throwing 13 passing TDs and rushing for 17 ... the team has gained 3,182 yards of total offense (397.8 per game, 5.6 per play) with 1,255 yards rushing on 298 attempts (156.9 per game, 4.2 per carry) and 1,927 yards passing on 266 attempts (240.9 yards per game, 7.2 yards per attempt, 12.9 per catch) ... picked up 172 first downs (62 by rush, 95 by pass, 15 by penalty) and is 46-108 on third down (42.6%) and 8-14 on fourth down (57.1%) ... they have fumbled it 13 times (losing eight) and thrown 11 interceptions - having a -8 turnover margin - while committing 39 penalties for 361 yards (4.9 penalties per game, 45.1 yards per game) ... scoring by quarter - First: 48, Second: 97, Third: 44, Fourth: 50.

Defense: Opponents have scored 31.5 points per game - throwing 18 passing TDs and rushing for 13 ... opponents have gained 3,783 yards of total offense (472.9 per game, 6.2 per play) with 1,774 yards on the ground from 350 attempts (221.8 per game, 5.1 per carry) and thrown for 2,009 yards on 261 attempts (251.1 per game, 7.7 per attempt, 11.6 per catch) ... picked up 191 first downs (84 by rush, 93 by pass, 14 by penalty) and they have been 56-124 on third down (45.2%) and 6-14 on fourth down (42.9%) ... opponents have fumbled nine times (lost six) and thrown five interceptions - having a +8 turnover margin - while committing 62 penalties for 534 yards (7.8 penalties per game, 66.8 yards) ... scoring by quarter - First: 48, Second: 57, Third: 80, Fourth: 67.

Bears' Players to Watch
OFFENSE
QB Peyton Huslig (#15, JR, 6-3, 205): Has started all eight games for the Bears at QB ... leads the team in all passing statistics (140-254 for 1,820 yards and 12 TDs with 11 INTs) while also leading the team in rushing attempts, yards and TDs (104 for 376 and six TDs) ... accounts for 2,205 yards (69.2% of total offense) ... averages - 17.6 completions on 31.8 attempts passing for 227.5 yards and 1.5 TDs and 1.4 INTs while adding 13 rushing attempts for 47 yards rushing and 0.75 TDs ... had a season-high 46 attempts and 404 yards passing the last time out vs. Southern Illinois while adding four TDs passing ... has a streak of throwing INTs in the last two games - throwing two each ... has thrown four INTs earlier in a game and another two in another game ... has thrown for 200 yards or more in five of the eight games, including the last two ... has had 30-plus attempts in the last five games - including the 46 attempts last time out and 42 at USD ... has only rushed for more than 100 yards one time - beginning of the season, but has recorded 50 or more yards three other times ... only rushed for a combined 24 yards in the last two games with one TD ... was 17-24 with one TD and a INT and 123 yards rushing in 2017 vs. the Jacks.

RB Jason Randall (#25, SR, 5-9, 183): Has started six of the eight games, but only one of the last three so far this season ... second on the team behind the QB in attempts, yards, and TDs this season (70 attempts for 309 yards and five TDs) ... averages 44.1 yards per game and 4.4 per carry ... has caught eight passes for 64 yards ... had a streak of three games with a TD - including two games with two TDs, but hasn't scored in three games ... team is 3-0 when he scores, 1-4 when he does not ... had four catches for 52 yards in the opening game, four catches the rest of the games for 10 yards ... had seven carries for 85 yards and one TD with a long of 68 yards in 2017 vs. the Jacks.

RB Donovan Daniels (#35, SO, 5-10, 196): Third on the team in carries, yards, and rushing TDs while starting playing all eight games for the Bears in 2018 (52 attempts, 226 yards, four TDs) ... averages 28.2 yards per game, 4.3 per carry ... only three carries have more than 50 attempts, while the next best is 37 carries and 10 carries on the season ... had 15 carries in two games for 60-plus yards and eight total carries for 33 total yards in the last two games ... recorded his first two catches - one each game - in the last two outings.

TE Jordan Murray (#9, FR, 6-4, 225): Second on the team in receptions and third on the team in yards, while tied for the most TD receptions (29 catches, 321 yards, four TDs) in six starts ... averages 40.1 yards per game and 11.1 yards per catch ... has recorded back-to-back games with TD catches after starting the season with two TDs in the first three games ... had a season-high catches and yards vs. Southern Illinois (seven catches for 77 yards) ... has recorded more than three catches two other times - six catches for 23 yards at Indiana State and four catches for 53 yards vs. Illinois State ... his longest TD catch was 27 yards against WIU, otherwise has scored from 10 yards or less.

WR Lorenzo Thomas (#84, SO, 6-5, 194): Leads the team in receptions and yards with eight starts this season (31 catches for 466 yards, one TD) ... averages 58.2 yards per game and 15.0 yards per catch ... coming off of a season-high performance in catches and yards (eight for 173) vs. Southern Illinois ... prior to that game, had three games with 25-40 yards receiving and one with 61 yards and another with 89 yards ... had three games with more than three catches prior to SIU ... recorded his lone TD against Indiana State where he had four catches for 37 yards ... had two catches for 18 yards in 2017 vs. SDSU.

WR Tyler Currie (#11, JR, 6-3, 202): Third on the team in receptions and second in yards while tied for the most TD catches in six starts this season (27 catches, 382 yards, four TDs) ... averages 47.8 yards per game, 14.1 per catch ... started the season with two catches in the first three games and has had at least four in the last five games, with five in the last two ... notched a season-high seven catches and 113 yards at USD ... posted his first multi-TD game last time out vs. Southern Illinois ... has scored from 33, 24, 10, and three yards out with a long of 33 on the season ...

DEFENSE
DT Claudio Martin (#57, SO, 6-2, 280): Second on the team in sacks while tied for third in TFLs (4.5 sacks, 6.5 TFLs) ... has 16 tackles in seven games played this season ... has 3.5 TFLs and 1.5 sacks in the last three games after having three TFLs and sacks in games two and three ... added a season-high five tackles at Indiana State.

DE Matt McClellan (#27, JR, 6-4, 218): Leads the team in TFLs (9.5) and sacks (5.5) while notching 33 tackles in his first season playing with the team ... had at least half a sack in the first six games - including two at USD, but hasn't recorded any in the last two games ... has been a part of a TFL in every game, notching more than one in four games - all in the first five games ... has 2.5 TFLs in the last three games ... posted at least three tackles in each game this year.

LB McNeece Egbim (#52, JR, 6-0, 220): Leads the team tackles and solo stops (74 tackles, 38 solo) while second on the team in TFLs (7.5) ... two players have 70-plus stops while the next-best has 46 ... has recorded 10 stops on four separate occasions while notching nine once and eight the last time out ... added his lone INT on the season vs. WIU and had two QB hurries vs. Illinois State ... recorded two sacks in the first four games, none since - but has 3.5 TFLs in the last two games ... had 10 tackles, five solo, and 2.5 TFLs - one sack - in the 2017 matchup vs. SDSU.

LB Angelo Garbutt (#8, JR, 6-2, 230): Second on the team in tackles and third in solo stops while adding 6.5 TFLs and two sacks (72 tackles, 35 solo) ... one of two players with 70-plus stops, next-best is 46 tackles ... has recorded double-digit stops in the past four games - 11 in the first three, 12 last time out ... notched 5 TFLs in three of the four last games - none in the last game ... had a sack at Indiana State and vs. Lincoln and three QB hurries vs. Illinois State ... had three tackles in the 2017 matchup vs. SDSU.

DB Jared Beshore (#30, SR, 6-0, 204): Third on the team for tackles (46) with 25 solo stops, one TFL, one INT, and four pass breakups ... recorded a season-high eight tackles in three games, while notching six and five tackles the last two times out ... recorded his INT vs. Northern Arizona and his TFL vs. Illinois State ... has had one pass breakup in the last two games - having two vs. Northern Arizona ... had eight stops in the 2017 matchup vs. SDSU

Game-by-Game Recap (From Missouri State, 4-4, MVFC: 2-3):
Oct. 27 vs. Southern Illinois (L, 49-35): Southern Illinois seized control of a nip-and-tuck contest with Missouri State by scoring 28 unanswered points over an eight-minute stretch en route to 49-35 decision over the Bears and its first Missouri Valley Football Conference victory of the season.

The Salukis' victory overshadowed a big day for MSU quarterback Peyton Huslig, who threw for a career-best 404 yards and 27 completions. The Bears' signal-caller also posted a career-high four passing touchdowns, two of which went to WR Tyler Currie, who reeled in five catches for 84 yards. WR Lorenzo Thomas starred as well, bringing in a career-best eight receptions for 173 yards, while WR Jordan Murray caught seven passes for 77 yards and a touchdown. Late in the game, Huslig became just the third MSU quarterback ever to top the 400-yard passing plateau.

With 11 seconds left in the first half, a four-yard touchdown pass pulled SIU even at 21-21 and set off a scoring bonanza that would ultimately see the Salukis score on four consecutive offensive series - as well as a 55-yard interception return for a touchdown - to take a 42-21 lead midway through the third period.

In spite of the 14-point final margin, the game's first 30 minutes played out nearly as evenly as possible. After trading punts with the Salukis on their first two offensive possessions of the day, the Bears seized the upper hand with a 12-play drive, punctuated by a six-yard Huslig run. SIU answered with 75-yard scoring drive of its own, as they scored an 18-yard touchdown rush to knot the score.

Huslig's four-yard scoring pass to Murray set off a late scoring flourish that saw each of the offenses register a pair of touchdowns in the final 5:19 of first-half play.

After snapping the Salukis' scoring run with another Huslig-to-Currie touchdown connection early in the fourth quarter, SIU answered one more time to seal the outcome - a five-yard run capped a short Saluki drive.

Oct. 20 vs. Western Illinois (L, 31-14): Western Illinois put the clamps on Missouri State's offense, holding the Bears to 283 yards of offense in a 31-14 decision for the Leathernecks home. WIU permitted just one offensive touchdown, while limiting the MSU offense to a season-low 68 rushing yards on 24 attempts. The Leatherneck offense turned in its best showing of the season as well, totaling 565 yards of offense.

The critical component of the Leathernecks' big day was their ability to convert third-down opportunities, going 11-of-18 for the game. WIU's defense, meanwhile, held the Bears to 1-of-10 third-down conversions and just 1-of-3 on fourth down. LB Angelo Garbutt paced the Missouri State defense with a game-high 12 tackles, including 2.5 tackles for losses and two key fourth-down stops.

WIU took advantage of a QB Peyton Huslig interception and corresponding 22-yard return with just over two minutes left in the first half to seize a 10-7 lead at intermission. The Leathernecks limited the Bears to 151 yards of offense over the game's first 30 minutes, picking off two passes and sacking Huslig twice. The Bears' lone scoring drive of the half came late in the first period, as Huslig completed 4-of-5 passes for 69 yards, including a 27-yard touchdown strike to WR Jordan Murray that knotted the score at 7-7 with 0:30 left on the clock.

The visitors stretched their lead to double digits with a 90-plus yard drive midway through the third period, needing just five plays to find the end zone - including a 52-yard pass that punctuated the drive, handing the Leathernecks a 17-7 lead with 4:39 to play in the quarter.

MSU's lone touchdown in the second half followed WIU's scoring run that brought their lead to 24-7, as RB Jeremiah Wilson fielded the Leatherneck kickoff at his own 8, and beat a host of defenders to the end zone to momentarily pull the Bears back within 10 points.

Oct. 13 at Indiana State (W, 29-26): A four-yard touchdown pass from QB Peyton Huslig to WR Lorenzo Thomas with 16 seconds left in the game lifted visiting Missouri State to a 29-26 victory over Indiana State.

It was Thomas' first career touchdown reception that lifted the Bears, who led 21-10 at the half, to their first road win of the year. RB Jeremiah Wilson grinded his way through the Sycamore defense for a two-point conversion moments later to give MSU the three-point lead.

Missouri State's winning drive was almost halted before it got started on the ensuing possession. On fourth-and-five from his own 37, Huslig had to scramble out of the pocket for a nine-yard gain to sustain hope. Indiana State was also whistled for defensive holding on the play to move the Bears into Sycamore territory.

Huslig finished 21-of-33 for 169 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions. In fact, neither team committed a turnover on the afternoon in Missouri State's third straight victory in the series. RB Donovan Daniels led MSU's rushing attack, carrying 15 times for 62 yards and a pair of scores in his first start, while Wilson carried 14 times for 61 yards. The Bears racked up 352 yards of total offense, including 183 on 41 rushing attempts.

The Bears' game-winning, 86-yard scoring drive came on the heels of a stellar MSU goal-line stand late in the game to hold ISU to a field goal. The Indiana State drive covered 84 yards to the MSU one-yard line before LB Angelo Garbutt and LB Tyler Lovelace stuffed Indiana State's running back for no gain on third down. Covington was carried off the field with an injury after the play, forcing the Sycamores to settle for a Jerry Nunez 19-yard field goal that gave ISU a 26-21 lead with 4:04 remaining.

Missouri State wasted little time getting on the scoreboard early in the contest, marching 87 yards on 17 plays on their opening possession to take a 7-0 lead. Daniels' one-yard rush capped the Bears' longest scoring drive of the season by all measures, consuming seven-and-a-half minutes in the process.

The Bears' defense held ISU to three-and-out possessions on its first two opportunities, but on Indiana State's third possession, the Sycamores broke through. ISU marched 78 yards on seven plays for the tying score with 47-yard scamper to pay dirt just 10 seconds into the second quarter to knot the score, 7-7.

Huslig then led the Bears down the field with urgency, retaking the lead eight plays later on an option pitch to Daniels from 10 yards out for his second score of the day. The Sycamores chipped away with a 48-yard field goal by Nunez with 6:31 left in the opening half to draw within four. But once again, the Bears were up to the task, engineering a long scoring drive on their next possession to extend their lead to 21-10.

Indiana State capitalized on its first possession of the second half, going 73 yards with a sustained ground attack. On the 12th play of the drive, ISU pounded it in again from two yards out to make it a 21-17 contest with 8:15 left in the third. The home side rallied again later in the third period, utilizing the ground attack again to march 85 yards for the go-ahead score, 23-21. Indiana State ended its 16-0 run with the 19-yard field goal by Nunez with four minutes left in the game to extend its lead to 26-21 before MSU made the game-winning drive.

Oct. 6 at South Dakota (L, 35-28): South Dakota rallied from a halftime deficit to hand No. 24 Missouri State its first Missouri Valley Football Conference setback of the season with a 35-28 decision over the Bears at the DakotaDome.

In a shootout that saw the two clubs combine for 991 yards of total offense, South Dakota hit 40-yard touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter to hand the Coyotes the lead for good. Despite surrendering 478 yards to the Bears offense, USD's defense slammed the door shut, allowing just one second-half MSU touchdown and coming up with a crucial goal-line stand late in the game to preserve the lead.

Bears' QB Peyton Huslig accumulated 374 yards of offense, completing 21-of-42 passes for 283 yards, while rushing 18 times for 91 yards and two touchdowns. WR Tyler Currie enjoyed a career day for MSU, hauling in seven catches for 113 yards and a score.

The Bears took a 21-17 advantage into the locker room at halftime, seizing their first lead of the day on a Huslig-to-Antwan Woods 11-yard touchdown pass with 1:31 to play in the half. Moments earlier, Huslig connected with WR Damoriea Vick on a critical 22-yard toss on fourth and seven, setting the Bears up with a fresh set of downs at the USD 11.

Both offenses enjoyed productive starts to the game, combining for 566 yards in a half that featured two ties and three lead changes. South Dakota struck first and the Bears responded immediately with a nine-play drive of their own, knotting the score at 7-7 when Huslig ran it in from 10 yards out with 9:02 to play in the opening period. After the Coyotes got back on top from a 19-yard run, Huslig and the Bears had an answer once again. This time, the QB broke free for a 32-yard scoring run that punctuated an 82-yard drive.

MSU's defense flexed its collective muscle on a key third-down stop at the Bears' 2-yard line late in the half, as LB Angelo Garbutt and LB Jordan Wilkes teamed up to stuff a USD rush for a two-yard loss. The 'Yotes led once again off of a 22-yard field goal, but the Bears offense came through with another scoring drive inside the two-minute mark to swing the momentum. Huslig hooked up with Currie on a 31-yard completion to the USD 36, and then found Vick deep in Coyote territory to set up Woods' go-ahead score.

South Dakota used a pair of big plays from its defense and a two subsequent third-quarter scoring drives to reclaim the lead, however. Immediately following a 26-yard completion to Currie on the Bears' opening drive of the second half, South Dakota stepped in front of a Huslig pass near midfield to give the Coyotes the ball where they eventually and controlled the lead, 24-21. USD forced another turnover on MSU's second possession, a fumble at the home team's 46. From there, the Coyotes moved the ball to the MSU 3, only to see the Bears defense stiffen when it mattered, forcing a 39-yard field goal to make it 27-21 in South Dakota's favor.

MSU once again relied on the right arm and legs of Huslig to engineer another go-ahead scoring drive, capped by a 10-yard TD strike to Currie that handed the Bears a 28-27 lead with 2:45 left in the period. After the 'Yotes responded yet again, the Bears had a pair of late scoring opportunities in USD territory, only to come up empty. They were stopped at USD's 1-yard line on a fourth-down rush and stalled on the Coyote 37-yard line after incompletions.

Sept. 29 vs. Illinois State (W, 24-21): Missouri State answered a second-half surge from No. 9 Illinois State with 14 unanswered points and a last-second block of a game-tying field-goal attempt to finish off a 24-21 victory over the Redbirds in the Missouri Valley Football Conference opener for both clubs at home .

The Bears' second-straight victory over a ranked opponent - their first such two-game win streak since the 1989 season - came on the heels of a dominant first-half performance, followed by a big rally from the Redbirds in the third quarter. After Illinois State pulled to within three points, the Redbirds manufactured one last scoring chance, only to see DB Darius Joseph come up with the game-clinching block on a 32-yard field goal attempt as the final seconds ticked away.

After being held scoreless on just 73 yards of total offense in the opening half, Illinois State scored on a pair of scoring passes within a span of 2:40 early in the third period to put the Redbirds in front. Missouri State responded, scoring the go-ahead touchdown on RB Donovan Daniels' five-yard run late in the third period, before stretching the margin to 24-14 when RB Jason Randall punched it home from a yard out with 7:56 left in regulation. MSU appeared to be in full command with just over five minutes left in the game, as ISU was stopped short of the marker on a fourth-and-one call at the MSU 7, preserving the 10-point cushion.

But the Redbird defense came through with a quick stop, before the Redbirds took a swing pass and beat several MSU defenders to the end zone to make it a one-possession game. The ISU defense delivered once again on the ensuing MSU drive, stopping the Bears on three successive rushing attempts to force a punt. Illinois State moved the ball on the ground before a key 37-yard pass to the MSU 30. However, a facemask penalty on the Redbirds gave the Bears a reprieve and pushed the line of scrimmage back to the 45. With just 0:14 left on the clock, the Redbirds completed an 18-yard completion to the Bears 15, bringing out the kicker for a chance to even the score with four seconds to play.

But Joseph, who also logged a season-high eight tackles for the MSU defense, came through with the decisive block as time expired, handing the Bears a win over their highest-ranked opponent since a home decision over No. 6 UNI (also by a 24-21 score) on Oct. 8, 2005. The victory also gave Dave Steckel his first three-game win streak as MSU's head coach, and marked the first such streak for the Bears since winning four straight games five years ago (Oct. 19-Nov. 9, 2013).

In all, the MSU defense held ISU to 128 yards rushing and just 3-of-13 third-down conversions for the afternoon. Additionally, the Bears kept ISU's running back - the Valley's second-leading rusher coming into the weekend - in check with just 54 rushing yard on 13 carries. LB McNeece Egbim led the way, totaling nine stops, including a sack.

Sept. 15 vs. No. 20 Northern Arizona (W, 40-8): Missouri State rode a shutdown effort from its defense and a breakout performance from RB Jason Randall to extend its non-conference home win streak with a convincing 40-8 victory over No. 20 Northern Arizona.

Randall eclipsed a personal high with 181 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries for the second 100-yard rushing performance of his career, while the Bears defense forced six NAU turnovers and limited the Lumberjacks to 3-of-15 third-down conversions for the day. DB Jared Beshore led the charge for the home club with a season-best eight stops, to go along with a pair of pass break-ups and the fifth interception - one of three by the Missouri State defense - of his Bears career.

MSU's stout defensive effort also included three fumbles to go with the interceptions for the afternoon, as the Bears defense forced the most turnovers in a single game since 2007 - holding the Lumberjack offense scoreless over its final 12 possessions of the contest.

In all, the Bears totaled 297 rushing yards and 441 yards of offense for the second time under head coach Dave Steckel with their sixth consecutive non-conference home win. The victory gave the Bears their first win over a ranked opponent since a 45-24 road victory at Indiana State on Oct. 1, 2016, while the 32-point final spread represented their second-largest margin of victory over a ranked foe.

Despite committing four first-half turnovers of their own, the Bears moved the ball at will throughout the first 30 minutes of the contest to build a 17-point halftime advantage. QB Peyton Huslig added 45 rushing yards, including a late score on a fourth-and-goal try from the NAU 1-yard line with just three seconds to play in the half.

After an opening touchdown for the squad, Missouri State immediately turned to Randall before being forced to a 19-yard K Parker Lacina field goal that made it a 10-0 game. The Bears weathered a dizzying stretch that saw the two defenses combine to force five turnovers on the next six offensive possessions, before a 48-yard scoring toss put NAU on the board with 13:46 to play in the half.

Up 23-6 after the break and stops by each defense, the Lumberjacks endured their second punt-return fumble after MSU boomed a 53-yard punt. On the next play, Huslig found TE Jordan Murray on a short pass, who glided into the end zone to stretch the advantage to 30-6.

The Bears punctuated the victory with another punishing ground attack on a 72-yard drive early in the fourth quarter to set up another score. RB Donovan Daniels finished the job with a 17-yard touchdown rush for the first of his MSU career.

Sept. 6 vs. Lincoln (NCAA DII, W, 52-24): Missouri State overcame an early double-digit deficit behind a dominant second-quarter, reeling off 35 unanswered points en route to a 52-24 home-opening victory over Lincoln University Thursday afternoon at Robert W. Plaster Stadium. The Bears defense paved the way to MSU's first victory of the season, putting points on the board with a fumble return for a score, while recording seven sacks and permitting just 59 rushing yards on the day.

QB Peyton Huslig led the Bears' comeback, finishing his day with completions on his last 11 passing attempts as part of a 12-for-14, 235-yard performance. In all, three MSU quarterbacks combined for 330 passing yards, giving the Bears their best single-game showing through the air since their 2017 season opener at Missouri. Additionally, the offense topped the 500-yard mark in total offense - tallying 177 yards on the ground - and none of its eight scoring drives extended beyond the three-minute mark in duration.

LB McNeece Egbim led all tacklers with 10 stops, and seven different Bears recorded at least half a sack, paced by the first two sacks of DT Claudio Martin's MSU career.

After coughing up the football on each of their first three possessions of the day, the Bears responded in a big way to find the end zone on five straight drives to build a 25-point advantage. Lincoln converted the three early turnovers into a 10-0 lead with 4:29 to play in the first period, but Huslig's 59-yard scoring toss to a wide-open RB Nick Masoner opened the scoring floodgates for the Bears just 12 seconds later.

Huslig would lead the Bears' offensive charge, starting a string of 13 overall consecutive completions for MSU signal-callers before completing his day late in the first half. The junior quarterback also gashed the Blue Tigers with his legs, capping a seven-play, 73-yard drive with a five-yard scoring run to hand the Bears their first lead of the day. Huslig completed six passes - three of which went to WR Aaron Denson for a total of 42 yards - on the drive, then connected with his first two throws of MSU's next possession to set up the first of two short RB Jason Randall TD runs. The RB added his second one-yard TD run of the day to cap the first-half scoring with just under four minutes left on the clock.

MSU's defense cashed in as well, as an DE Eric Johnson strip caused a fumble, and DB Darius Joseph scooped up the loose ball and raced 27 yards to pay dirt to push the margin to 28-10 with 7:00 to play in the half. The Bears sacked the LU QB six times for a total loss of 43 yards in the opening stanza, and allowed just 13 rushing yards on 22 attempts in the half.

Lincoln would finish the half with just 70 yards of total offense, but broke from intermission with a 77-yard scoring drive that ended with a 15-yard pass to stop the Bears' scoring run.

The Bears answered immediately, using a pair of long runs from QB Dalton Hill to set up RB Jeremiah Wilson's first rushing touchdown as a Bear that pushed the lead back to 25 points. Hill would finish the day as the Bears' leading rusher, carrying three times for 74 yards, in addition to completing 4-of-5 passes for 30 yards. Fellow reserve QB J.T. Granato later connected with WR Tyler Currie on a 33-yard touchdown pass for his first scoring toss of the season to complete the ledger for MSU.

Aug. 30 at No. 25 Oklahoma State (L, 58-17): Oklahoma State built an early 31-point cushion before withstanding a valiant second-half charge from Missouri State to post a 58-17 season-opening victory over the Bears Thursday evening at Boone Pickens Stadium.

OSU recorded eight different scoring drives covering 67 yards or more in the contest and led 31-0 late in the first half before the Bears scored 17 of the next 24 points to cut their deficit to 21 points. Bears QB Peyton Huslig totaled 109 yards on the ground and threw for 150 yards and a pair of touchdowns to help spark the surge, before the No. 25 Cowboys pulled away by scoring the final 20 points of the game.

Oklahoma State amassed 732 yards of total offense in their 24th straight win in a home opener. The Cowboys scored on each of their first four offensive possessions, outgaining the Bears by a 280-9 margin in first-quarter total offense.

Missouri State P Brendan Withrow provided an early highlight with his third career boot of 60 yards or more, pinning the Cowboys on their own 5-yard line with 1:22 left on the clock. The Bears put together their first scoring drive of the new season late in the opening half, as Huslig engineered a nine-play series that covered 75 yards and ended with a six-yard toss to TE Jordan Murray.

The Cowboys dominated the half with 405 yards of offense, while the OSU defense yielded an average of just 2.9 yards per snap over the first 30 minutes of play.

MSU struck first following intermission, as Huslig carried three times for 15 yards, then completed a 14-yard pass to WR Tyler Currie to set up a 40-yard K Parker Lacina field goal on the Bears' opening drive of the half.

After the Cowboys answered with a quick-strike score on a 19-yard pass, the Bears bounced back with another long march to find the end zone for a second time. Huslig registered a trio of 20-plus yard completions, including a 22-yard toss to WR Damoriea Vick and a 28-yarder to RB Jason Randall to move the Bears deep into OSU territory. The QB then found WR Antwan Woods open over the middle who bolted through the Cowboy secondary for a touchdown on his first catch as a Bear, slicing the home team's lead to 38-17 with 6:28 left on the clock.

But that would be as close as the Bears got, as Oklahoma State scored 21-unanswered points and Missouri State lost 58-17.

-GoJacks.com-

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Taryn Christion

Upcoming Event: Football at Montana on December 6, 2025 at noon MT/1 p.m. CT

Completed Event: Football versus New Hampshire on November 29, 2025 , Win , 41, to, 3

Completed Event: Football at North Dakota on November 22, 2025 , Win , 34, to, 31 , OT

Completed Event: Football versus Illinois State on November 15, 2025 , Loss , 21, to, 35

Completed Event: Football at South Dakota on November 8, 2025 , Loss , 17, to, 24

Completed Event: Football versus Indiana State on November 1, 2025 , Loss , 12, to, 24

Completed Event: Football versus North Dakota State on October 25, 2025 , Loss , 7, to, 38

South Dakota State University Athletics