Catch up on all the action

Missouri State returns home this Saturday for the team's home opener against in-state opponent, Lindenwood University, at Robert W. Plaster Stadium. The game will kick off at 6 p.m., with coverage on ESPN+ in addition to the Missouri State Radio Network. Fans are encouraged to wear black BearWear with a free MSU headband giveaway and post-game drone show. 

The Bears are 71-37-4 all-time in home openers, including a 30-10-2 mark in home lid lifters as a Division I program (since 1982) with 3 straight home-opening victories. During his tenure at MSU, including three years as defensive coordinator, coach Ryan Beard is 3-1 in home openers (1-0 as head coach).

Missouri State begins its 84th season at Robert W. Plaster Stadium, holding an all-time home record of 228-183-12 (.553) since 1941.

Standout safety Todric McGee (Jr., Wichita Kan.) is coming off a career-high 16 tackles at Ball State, racking up 6 solo stops and 10 assists to go with a tackle for loss (3 yards). It marked McGee's 8th career double-figure tackle game (2nd this season). He currently ranks No. 3 nationally in total tackles per game (13.5), which leads the MVFC, and is 22nd among active FCS players in career tackles per game (6.54).

The Bears have scored in 17 of their last 20 quarters (dating back to last season) and notched double-figure scoring totals in 41 consecutive ball games, including 20 or more points 33 times in that span.

Missouri State is 5-5 in night games over the last three years (2-0) at home.

Jacardia Wright (Sr., Decatur, Ill.) needs 276 rushing yards to reach 2,000 for his career to go with his 378 carries and 17 rushing TDs. He is part of Missouri State's "Thunder and Lightning" backfield along with Jayden Becks (So., Waxahachie, Texas). The tandem has combined for 172 ground yards and 3 rushing scores through Missouri State's first two ball games.

Missouri State enters Week 3 of the college football season sharing the FCS national lead with 1.000 red-zone efficiency (6-of-6) with 34 other teams. The Bears also rank 19th in passing offense (257.5), 28th in scoring offense (29.0) and 35th in total first downs (40). 

Hunter Wood (Sr., Springdale, Ark.) ranks 20th nationally in punt return average (7.3).

MoState QB Jacob Clark (Sr., Rockwall, Texas) ranks 10th nationally in passing yards per game (257.5) and total passing yards (515), both of which rank 2nd in the MVFC. Clark leads The Valley in completions per game (21.0), which ranks 12th nationally, while his total offense per game (247.0) ranks 18th in FCS.

Punter Grant Burkett (Sr., Joplin, Mo.) ranks No. 2 among active FCS punters in career average (43.8). The three-time All-American and four-time All-MVFC standout ranks No. 1 on MSU's career average list, No. 2 in punt yds. (9,120) and No. 4 in attempts (208). He has 54 boots of 50+ yards and 49 inside the 20. 

Sixth-year Bears and All-American specialists Grant Burkett (P, Joplin, Mo.) and Caden Bolz (LS, Overland Park, Kan.) have both played in 46 consecutive games, the most by any current Missouri State player.

WR Jmariyae Robinson (So., Cocoa, Fla.) scored two more touchdowns in last week's game at Ball State, giving him 3 scores this season, including two on the ground. He ranks 8th nationally in total TDs (3) and 12th in scoring per game (9.0), both of which lead the MVFC. His 5.0 receptions per game ranks 35th nationally.

MSU linebacker Kanye Young (Jr., Menifee, Calif.) ranks 2nd in The Valley in sacks per game (1.0) and tackles for loss per game (1.5), which also rank 14th and 18th, respectively, in the FCS national rankings.

The Bears are coming off a 34-point outing at FBS Ball State, the second-most points ever scored by Missouri State against an FBS foe (43 at Missouri in 2017).

Series HistoryThis will mark the first-ever meeting between the Bears and Lindenwood in football.