2024 Missouri State Bears football team

2024 Missouri State Bears football
Conference	Missouri Valley Football Conference
Ranking
FCS Coaches	No. 21
Record	8–4 (6–2 MVFC)
Head coach	Ryan Beard (2nd season)
Offensive coordinator	Nick Petrino (5th season)
Offensive scheme	Multiple
Defensive coordinator	L. D. Scott (2nd season)
Base defense	3–4
Home stadium	Robert W. Plaster Stadium
Seasons ←  2023 2025  →

2024 Missouri Valley Football Conference standings

v t e	Conf.							Overall
Team		W		L					W		L
No. 1 North Dakota State +^		7	–	1					14	–	2
No. 3 South Dakota State +^		7	–	1					12	–	3
No. 4 South Dakota +^		7	–	1					11	–	3
No. 11 Illinois State ^		6	–	2					10	–	4
Missouri State *		6	–	2					8	–	4
Youngstown State		3	–	5					4	–	8
Indiana State		3	–	5					4	–	8
North Dakota		2	–	6					5	–	7
Southern Illinois		2	–	6					4	–	8
Northern Iowa		1	–	7					3	–	9
Murray State		0	–	8					1	–	11
+ – Conference co-champions ^ – FCS playoff participant * – Ineligible for 2024 FCS playoffs due to transition to the FBS Rankings from STATS Poll

The 2024 Missouri State Bears football team represented Missouri State University as a member of the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) during the 2024 NCAA Division I FCS football season. The Bears were led by second-year head coach Ryan Beard and played home games at Robert W. Plaster Stadium located in Springfield, Missouri. Because they were set join the Conference USA of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision in the following season, they were not eligible for the NCAA Division I playoffs nor the MVFC title this season.

Preseason

MVFC poll

The MVFC released it preseason prediction poll on July 22, 2024. The Bears were predicted to finish ninth in the conference. ^[1]

MVFC media poll
Predicted finish	Team	Votes (1st place)
1	South Dakota State	482 (42)
2	North Dakota State	437 (1)
3	South Dakota	371
4	Southern Illinois	293
5	North Dakota	276
6	Illinois State	264
7	Youngtown State	255
8	Northern Iowa	227
9	Missouri State	164 (1)
10	Indiana State	68
11	Murray State	67

Schedule

Date	Time	Opponent	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
August 31	8:00 p.m.	at No. 3 Montana *	Washington-Grizzly Stadium Missoula, MT	ESPN+	L 24–29	26,482
September 7	1:00 p.m.	at Ball State *	Scheumann Stadium Muncie, IN	ESPN+	L 34–42	10,018
September 14	6:00 p.m.	Lindenwood *	Robert W. Plaster Stadium Springfield, MO	ESPN+	W 28–14	9,642
September 21	6:00 p.m.	at UT Martin *	Graham Stadium Martin, TN	ESPN+	W 31–24	3,985
September 28	2:00 p.m.	Youngstown State	Robert W. Plaster Stadium Springfield, MO	ESPN+	W 38–31	12,117
October 12	12:00 p.m.	at No. 16 Illinois State	Hancock Stadium Normal, IL	ESPN+	W 41–7	6,232
October 19	2:00 p.m.	Indiana State	Robert W. Plaster Stadium Springfield, MO	ESPN+	W 46–21	11,280
October 26	4:00 p.m.	at Northern Iowa	UNI-Dome Cedar Falls, IA	ESPN+	W 49–42	10,848
November 2	2:00 p.m.	Southern Illinois	Robert W. Plaster Stadium Springfield, MO	ESPN+	W 38–17	8,134
November 9	1:00 p.m.	at Murray State	Roy Stewart Stadium Murray, KY	ESPN+	W 59–31	5,127
November 16	2:30 p.m.	at No. 1 North Dakota State	Fargodome Fargo, ND	ESPN+	L 21–59	14,679
November 23	2:00 p.m.	No. 3 South Dakota State	Robert W. Plaster Stadium Springfield, MO	ESPN+	L 9–45	7,142
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from STATS Poll released prior to the game All times are in Central time

^{[2] [3]}

Game summaries

at No. 3 Montana

See also: 2024 Montana Grizzlies football team

Game One – Missouri State Bears (0–0) at No. 3 Montana Grizzlies (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Bears	0	0	0	0	0
No. 3 Grizzlies	0	0	0	0	0

at Washington-Grizzly Stadium, Missoula, MT

• Date: Saturday August 31, 2024
• Game time: 8:00 p.m. CDT
• Game attendance: 26,482
• TV announcers (ESPN+): TBD

Statistics	MOST	MONT
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Missouri State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Montana	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at Ball State (FBS)

See also: 2024 Ball State Cardinals football team

Game Two – Missouri State Bears (0–1) at Ball State Cardinals (FBS) (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Bears	7	0	7	20	34
Cardinals (FBS)	0	7	7	28	42

at Scheumann Stadium, Muncie, IN

• Date: Saturday September 7, 2024
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: Sunny, 64 °F (18 °C)
• Game attendance: 10,018
• Referee: Billy Williams
• TV announcers (ESPN+): Kelsie Kasper (play-by-play) and Ryan Cavanaugh (analyst)

Statistics	MOST	BALL
First downs	18	25
Total yards	320	435
Rushing yards	62	173
Passing yards	258	262
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	19–32–1	28–38–1
Time of possession	21:30	38:30

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Missouri State	Passing	Jacob Clark	19/32, 258 yards, 2 TD, INT
	Rushing	Jacardia Wright	15 carries, 46 yards, TD
	Receiving	Jmariyae Robinson	7 receptions, 102 yards, TD
Ball State	Passing	Kadin Semonza	28/38, 262 yards, 4 TD, INT
	Rushing	Braedon Sloan	21 carries, 103 yards, TD
	Receiving	Cam Pickett	7 receptions, 69 yards

Lindenwood

See also: 2024 Lindenwood Lions football team

Game Three – Lindenwood Lions (0–2) at Missouri State Bears (0–2) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Lions	0	7	0	7	14
Bears	14	7	7	0	28

at Robert W. Plaster Stadium, Springfield, MO

• Date: Saturday September 14, 2024
• Game time: 6:00 PM
• Game weather: Sunny, 80 °F (27 °C)
• Game attendance: 9,642
• Referee: Jason Berg
• TV announcers (ESPN+): TBD

Game information

First quarter (9:32) MOST – Jmariyae Robinson 32 yard pass from Jacob Clark, Yousef Obeid kick (Drive: 6 plays, 85 yards, 3:07; MOST 7–0) (2:07) MOST – Lance Mason 10 yard pass from Jacob Clark, Yousef Obeid kick (Drive: 9 plays, 86 yards, 4:55; MOST 14–0) Second quarter (9:21) MOST – Jacardia Wright 3 yard run, Yousef Obeid kick (Drive: 10 plays, 78 yards, 5:29; MOST 21–0) (5:38) LIN – Nate Glantz 1 yard run, Logan Seibert kick (Drive: 9 plays, 79 yards, 3:36; MOST 21–7) Third quarter (10:04) MOST – Jacardia Wright 4 yard run, Yousef Obeid kick (Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 4:56; MOST 28–7) Fourth quarter (1:00) LIN – Jeff Caldwell 79 yard pass from Tyler Kubat, Logan Seibert kick (Drive: 3 plays, 71 yards, 0:57; MOST 28–14)

Statistics	LIN	MOST
First downs	18	28
Total yards	328	476
Rushing yards	127	174
Passing yards	201	302
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	14–24–3	28–33–0
Time of possession	23:41	36:19

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Lindenwood	Passing	Nate Glantz	13/22, 122 yards, 3 INT
	Rushing	Steve Hall	13 carries, 100 yards
	Receiving	Jeff Caldwell	6 receptions, 137 yards, 1 TD
Missouri State	Passing	Jacob Clark	28/33, 302 yards, 2 TD
	Rushing	Jacardia Wright	21 carries, 143 yards, 2 TD
	Receiving	Hunter Wood	10 receptions, 90 yards

at UT Martin

See also: 2024 UT Martin Skyhawks football team

Game Four – Missouri State Bears (1–2) at UT Martin Skyhawks (1–2) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Bears	0	10	14	7	31
Skyhawks	7	0	7	10	24

at Graham Stadium, Martin, TN

• Date: Saturday September 21, 2024
• Game time: 6:00 p.m. CDT
• Game attendance: 3,985
• TV announcers (ESPN+): TBD

Game information

First quarter (6:28) UTM – Max Dowling 9 yard pass from Kaiya Sheron, Jaren Van Winkle kick (Drive: 5 plays, 65 yards, 3:01; UTM 7–0) Second quarter (11:01) MOST – Yousef Obeid 33 yard field goal (Drive: 7 plays, 30 yards, 3:06; UTM 7–3) (0:05) MOST – Hunter Wood 1 yard pass from Jacob Clark, Yousef Obeid kick (Drive: 7 plays, 90 yards, 0:48; MOST 10–7) Third quarter (11:21) MOST – Jacardia Wright 5 yard run, Yousef Obeid kick (Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 3:39; MOST 17–7) (7:51) MOST – DVontae Key 35 yard pass from Jacob Clark, Yousef Obeid kick (Drive: 1 plays, 35 yards, 0:09; MOST 24–7) (3:38) UTM – Patrick Smith 8 yard run, Jaren Van Winkle kick (Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 4:13; MOST 24–14) Fourth quarter (12:50) MOST – Connor Lair 3 yard pass from Jacob Clark, Yousef Obeid kick (Drive: 5 plays, 18 yards, 1:53; MOST 31–14) (7:20) UTM – Tyler Dostin 12 yard pass from Kaiya Sheron, Jaren Van Winkle kick (Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 5:30; MOST 31–21) (2:24) UTM – Jaren Van Winkle 31 yard field goal (Drive: 9 plays, 44 yards, 2:13; MOST 31–24)

Statistics	MOST	UTM
First downs	19	19
Total yards	403	308
Rushing yards	15	95
Passing yards	388	213
Turnovers	0	2
Time of possession	30:06	29:54

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Missouri State	Passing	Jacob Clark	26/33, 388 yards, 3 TD
	Rushing	Jacardia Wright	16 carries, 22 yards, 1 TD
	Receiving	Lance Mason	3 receptions, 94 yards
UT Martin	Passing	Kaiya Sheron	20/27, 213 yards, 2 TD
	Rushing	Patrick Smith	16 carries, 63 yards, 1 TD
	Receiving	Trevonte Rucker	6 receptions, 73 yards

Youngstown State

See also: 2024 Youngstown State Penguins football team

Game Five – Youngstown State Penguins (1–3) at Missouri State Bears (2–2) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Penguins	0	0	0	0	0
Bears	0	0	0	0	0

at Robert W. Plaster Stadium, Springfield, MO

• Date: Saturday September 28, 2024
• Game time: 2:00 PM
• TV announcers (ESPN+): TBD

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	YSU	MOST
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Youngstown State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Missouri State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at No. 16 Illinois State

See also: 2024 Illinois State Redbirds football team

Game Six – Missouri State Bears (3–2) vs No. 16 Illinois State Redbirds (4–2) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Bears	0	0	0	0	0
No. 16 Redbirds	0	0	0	0	0

at Hancock Stadium • Normal, IL

• Date: Saturday October 12, 2024
• Game time: 12:00 p.m.
• Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)
• TV: ESPN+

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	MOST	ILST
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Missouri State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Illinois State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Indiana State

See also: 2024 Indiana State Sycamores football team

Game Seven – Indiana State Sycamores (2–4) at Missouri State Bears (4–2) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Sycamores	0	0	0	0	0
Bears	0	0	0	0	0

at Robert W. Plaster Stadium, Springfield, MO

• Date: Saturday October 19, 2024
• Game time: 2:00 PM
• TV announcers (ESPN+): TBD

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	INST	MOST
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Indiana State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Missouri State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at Northern Iowa

See also: 2024 Northern Iowa Panthers football team

Game Eight – Missouri State Bears (5–2) vs Northern Iowa Panthers (2–5) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Bears	0	0	0	0	0
Panthers	0	0	0	0	0

at UNI-Dome • Cedar Falls, IA

• Date: Saturday October 26, 2024
• Game time: 4:00 p.m.
• Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)
• TV: ESPN+

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	MOST	UNI
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Missouri State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Northern Iowa	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Southern Illinois

See also: 2024 Southern Illinois Salukis football team

Game Nine – Southern Illinois Salukis (2–6) at Missouri State Bears (6–2) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Salukis	0	0	0	0	0
Bears	0	0	0	0	0

at Robert W. Plaster Stadium, Springfield, MO

• Date: Saturday November 2, 2024
• Game time: 2:00 PM
• TV announcers (ESPN+): TBD

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	SIU	MOST
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Southern Illinois	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Missouri State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at Murray State

See also: 2024 Murray State Racers football team

Game Ten – Missouri State Bears (7–2) vs Murray State Racers (1–8) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Bears	0	0	0	0	0
Racers	0	0	0	0	0

at Roy Stewart Stadium • Murray, KY

• Date: Saturday November 9, 2024
• Game time: 1:00 p.m.
• Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)
• TV: ESPN+

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	MOST	MURR
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Missouri State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Murray State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at No. 1 North Dakota State

See also: 2024 North Dakota State Bison football team

Game Eleven – Missouri State Bears (8–2) vs No. 1 North Dakota State Bison (9–1) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Bears	0	14	0	7	21
No. 1 Bison	21	14	14	10	59

at Fargodome • Fargo, ND

• Date: Saturday November 16, 2024
• Game time: 2:30 p.m.
• Game weather: Indoors; 70 °F (21 °C)
• Game attendance: 14,679
• Referee: Jason Perkins
• TV: ESPN+

Game information

First quarter (13:14) NDSU – Barika Kpeenu 52-yard run, Griffin Crosa kick (Drive: 2 plays, 52 yards, 0:19; North Dakota State 7–0) (10:48) NDSU – Joe Stoffel 3-yard pass from Cam Miller, Griffin Crosa kick (Drive: 5 plays, 13 yards, 2:12; North Dakota State 14–0) (1:32) NDSU – Jackson Williams 22-yard pass from Cam Miller, Griffin Crosa kick (Drive: 12 plays, 95 yards, 7:09; North Dakota State 21–0) Second quarter (8:16) NDSU – Bryce Lance 4-yard pass from Cam Miller, Griffin Crosa kick (Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 4:09; North Dakota State 28–0) (2:48) MOST – Jacardia Wright 1-yard run, Yousef Obeid kick (Drive: 10 plays, 78 yards, 5:22; North Dakota State 28–7) (1:44) MOST – Jayden Becks 40-yard pass from Hunter Wood, Yousef Obeid kick (Drive: 1 play, 40 yards, 0:09; North Dakota State 28–14) (0:08) NDSU – Joe Stoffel 1-yard pass from Cam Miller, Griffin Crosa kick (Drive: 11 plays, 65 yards, 1:36; North Dakota State 35–14) Third quarter (13:03) NDSU – CharMar Brown 48-yard run, Griffin Crosa kick (Drive: 4 plays, 75 yards, 1:57; North Dakota State 42–14) (2:36) NDSU – Barika Kpeenu 49-yard run, Griffin Crosa kick (Drive: 7 plays, 85 yards, 4:03; North Dakota State 49–14) Fourth quarter (13:44) MOST – Jmariyae Robinson 2-yard pass from Jacob Clark, Yousef Obeid kick (Drive: 13 plays, 75 yards, 3:46; North Dakota State 49–21) (11:16) NDSU – Griffin Crosa 32-yard field goal (Drive: 8 plays, 58 yards, 2:28; North Dakota State 52–21) (7:47) NDSU – John Gores 27-yard pass from Nathan Hayes, Griffin Crosa kick (Drive: 3 plays, 31 yards, 1:28; North Dakota State 59–21)

Statistics	MOST	NDSU
First downs	22	27
Total yards	382	575
Rushing yards	86	364
Passing yards	296	211
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	20–32–0	19–27–1
Time of possession	31:21	28:39

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Missouri State	Passing	Jacob Clark	18/30, 247 yards, TD
	Rushing	Jacardia Wright	13 carries, 68 yards, TD
	Receiving	Hunter Wood	4 receptions, 73 yards
North Dakota State	Passing	Cam Miller	17/24, 155 yards, 4 TD, INT
	Rushing	Barika Kpeenu	10 carries, 169 yards, 2 TD
	Receiving	Chris Harris	3 receptions, 48 yards

No. 3 South Dakota State

See also: 2024 South Dakota State Jackrabbits football team

Game Twelve – No. 3 South Dakota State Jackrabbits (9–2) at Missouri State Bears (8–3) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 3 Jackrabbits	0	0	0	0	0
Bears	0	0	0	0	0

at Robert W. Plaster Stadium, Springfield, MO

• Date: Saturday November 23, 2024
• Game time: 2:00 PM
• TV announcers (ESPN+): TBD

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	SDST	MOST
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
South Dakota State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Missouri State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

References

1. "Valley Football 2024 Preseason Team and Poll". Missouri Valley Football Conference. July 22, 2024. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
2. "2024 Missouri State Football Schedule". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
3. "Missouri State Bears Schedule 2024". ESPN. Retrieved April 7, 2024.