The Missouri State Bears are set to extend their impressive five-game winning streak this Saturday as they face Kennesaw State in a crucial Conference USA clash with significant postseason implications. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:02 p.m. Central at Walens Family Field in Kennesaw, Georgia.
Both teams come into this matchup with an overall record of 7-3 and a league standing of 5-1, trailing Jacksonville State by one game with just two weeks remaining in the regular season. Missouri State has established itself as a formidable road team, winning four consecutive games away from Springfield and eight of their last ten, a feat only matched by seven other FBS programs this season.
The strength of the Bears can be attributed, in part, to their solid defense. Since their season opener against USC, Missouri State has held its opponents to under 30 points for nine consecutive games, a streak not seen since the mid-1990s. The defense currently ranks second in Conference USA in both total defense (averaging 364.2 yards per game) and rushing defense (142.1 yards per game).
On the offensive side, quarterback Jacob Clark is fresh off one of his finest performances, earning national recognition after last week’s victory over UTEP. Clark set a school record with 30 completions and posted his highest completion percentage in a single game. He leads the conference with 19 passing touchdowns and excels in efficiency, also sitting near the top in various passing statistics. With just 51 yards needed to reach 7,000 career passing yards, he’s poised to make history.
Wide receiver Jmariyae Robinson is making his mark with 117 career catches, and running back Shomari Lawrence is coming off a season-high performance with 109 rushing yards. The Bears have demonstrated a strong passing game, recording 40 passing plays of 20 yards or more, which ranks tied for 24th nationally.
Defensively, cornerback Jordan Dunbar is a standout, ranking second in Conference USA with an average of 1.20 passes defended per game, further bolstering the Bears’ efforts on that side of the ball.
A victory on Saturday would enable head coach Ryan Beard to achieve several milestones, including the Bears’ 10th all-time eight-win season, their first five-win campaign on the road, and a potential share of the conference lead should FIU defeat Jacksonville State.
Historically, Kennesaw State holds a 1-0 advantage in the all-time series, having won their only prior matchup 35-24 in 2019.
Fans can catch the game on KWTO 101.3 FM and the Bears Radio Network, with television coverage available via ESPN+. This promising matchup presents a thrilling opportunity for Missouri State as they look to capitalize on their recent momentum and strengthen their postseason aspirations.