The Missouri State Bears will put their five-game winning streak on the line Saturday when they travel to Kennesaw State for a Conference USA matchup with major postseason implications. Kickoff is set for 1:02 p.m. Central at Walens Family Field in Kennesaw, Georgia.
Both teams enter at 7-3 overall and 5-1 in league play, one game behind CUSA leader Jacksonville State with two weeks left in the regular season. The Bears have been one of the league’s best road teams, winning four straight away from Springfield and eight of their last 10 overalla mark matched by only seven other FBS programs.
Missouri State’s defense has quietly anchored the surge. Since the season-opening trip to USC, the Bears have held nine consecutive opponents under 30 points, a streak the program hasn’t matched since the mid-1990s. They enter the weekend ranked second in CUSA in total defense (364.2 yards per game) and rushing defense (142.1).
Offensively, quarterback Jacob Clark is coming off one of the best performances of his career. Clark earned multiple national honors after last week’s win over UTEP, setting a school record with 30 completions and posting his highest single-game completion percentage. He leads the conference in passing touchdowns (19) and efficiency while sitting second in most major passing categories. Clark needs just 51 yards to reach 7,000 for his career.
Receiver Jmariyae Robinson continues to climb the program record book with 117 career catches, and running back Shomari Lawrence enters off a season-high 109 rushing yards. Missouri State also boasts 40 passing plays of 20 yards or more, tied for 24th in the nation.
On defense, cornerback Jordan Dunbar ranks second in CUSA in passes defended, averaging 1.20 per game.
A win Saturday would mark several milestones for head coach Ryan Beard’s program, including the Bears’ 10th all-time eight-win season, their first five-win road campaign, and a share of the CUSA lead if FIU beats Jacksonville State.
Kennesaw State leads the all-time series 1-0, winning the lone matchup 35-24 in 2019.
Saturday’s game will air on KWTO 101.3 FM and the Bears Radio Network. Television coverage is available on ESPN+.
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