2021 Missouri State Bears football team

The 2021 Missouri State Bears football team represented Missouri State University as a member of the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) for the 2021 NCAA Division I FCS football season. They were led by second-year head coach Bobby Petrino, and played their home games at Robert W. Plaster Stadium in Springfield, Missouri. This was the Bears 115th season overall and their 36th season as a member of the Missouri Valley Football Conference. The Bears came off a historic 2020 season which saw them return to the playoffs after a 30-year drought where they last made the playoffs in 1990.^[1] Entering the season the team was predicted to finish 6th in the conference. The Bears finished the regular season with an 8–3 record (5–2 in conference play) which was good enough for second place in the Valley and their best finish to a season since 1990. The 2021 team set and matched numerous school records. QB Jason Shelley broke several school records in total offense and passing yards. He broke the single season passing record, total offense in a game, total offense in a season, games with more than 200 passing yards and matched the record for passes completed in a game. WR Ty Scott set school records in receiving yards in a season, matched touchdown receptions in a season, and 100 yard receiving games in a season. Scott was also the first receiver in school history to eclipse a thousand receiving yards in a season. P Grant Burkett set school records in punting average in a game and punting average in a season. The Bears qualified for the playoffs for the second straight year and hosted UT- Martin in the first round. This was the first home playoff game in Springfield since 1990 when Missouri State hosted Idaho.

Pregame of the 2020 FCS Playoff game between North Dakota and Missouri State.

2021 Missouri State Bears football
NCAA Division I First Round, L 31–32 vs. UT Martin
Conference	Missouri Valley Football Conference
Ranking
STATS	No. 14
FCS Coaches	No. 14
Record	8–4 (6–2 MVFC)
Head coach	Bobby Petrino (2nd season)
Offensive coordinator	Nick Petrino (2nd season)
Offensive scheme	Multiple
Defensive coordinator	Ryan Beard (2nd season)
Base defense	3–4
Home stadium	Robert W. Plaster Stadium
Seasons ← 2020 2022 →

2021 Missouri Valley Football Conference standings

v t e	Conf							Overall
Team		W		L					W		L
No. 1 North Dakota State $^		7	–	1					14	–	1
No. 14 Missouri State ^		6	–	2					8	–	4
No. 16 Southern Illinois ^		5	–	3					8	–	5
No. 18 South Dakota ^		5	–	3					7	–	5
No. 4 South Dakota State ^		5	–	3					11	–	4
No. 23 Northern Iowa ^		4	–	4					6	–	6
Indiana State		3	–	5					5	–	6
North Dakota		3	–	5					5	–	6
Western Illinois		2	–	6					2	–	9
Illinois State		2	–	6					4	–	7
Youngstown State		2	–	6					3	–	7
$ – Conference champion ^ – FCS playoff participant Rankings from STATS Poll

Offseason

Recruiting

The Bears signed 11 freshman for the 2021 class.^[2] They added four players from the state including late addition Kaden McMullen^[3] who was the best QB in Missouri and number 5 in the 2021 class according to ESPN.^[4] Other highlights include TE Gary Clinton who was 29 overall and the 3rd best TE in Missouri,^[5] 3 star QB Hess Horne from Alabama, 3 star OL Brett Harris from Kansas City, and 2 star DL Sterling Smithson from Kansas.

US college sports recruiting information for 2021 recruits
Name	Hometown	High school / college	Height	Weight	Commit date
Kaden McMullen QB	O'Fallon, MO	Christian High School	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	190 lb (86 kg)	Jul 29, 2021
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals: N/A   247Sports:    ESPN:   ESPN grade: 80
Gary Clinton TE	Webb City, MO	Webb City High School	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	220 lb (100 kg)	Feb 4, 2021
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:   ESPN grade: 71
Hess Horne QB	Eufaula, AL	Eufaula High School	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	165 lb (75 kg)	Jan 12, 2021
	Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A   247Sports:
Brett Harris OL	Kansas City, MO	Rockhurst High School	6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)	285 lb (129 kg)	Dec 5, 2020
	Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A   247Sports:
Sterling Smithson DL	Stilwell, KS	Blue Valley High School	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	305 lb (138 kg)	Feb 4, 2021
	Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A   247Sports:
Naveli Dixson OL	Lakeland, FL	Lakeland High School	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	310 lb (140 kg)	Dec 17, 2021
	Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Udoka Ezeani LB	Richmond, TX	Foster High School	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	207 lb (94 kg)	Dec 16, 2020
	Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Jordan Hoskins LB	Detroit, MI	West Bloomfield High School	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	205 lb (93 kg)	Dec 16, 2021
	Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Mark Hutchinson OL	Hayward, CA	Pittsburg High School	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	280 lb (130 kg)	Dec 16, 2021
	Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Tywuan Lee RB	Hillirard, FL	Hilliard High School	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	200 lb (91 kg)	Dec 16, 2021
	Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Todric McGee DB	Wichita, KS	Wichita Northwest High School	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	195 lb (88 kg)	Dec 16, 2021
	Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Davin Simms WR	Wichita, KS	Andover Central High School	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	180 lb (82 kg)	Dec 16, 2021
	Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Siale Suliafu DL	Riverside, CA	St. Bernard High School	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	279 lb (127 kg)	Dec 16, 2021
	Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Steven Ward LB	Nixa, MO	Nixa High School	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	205 lb (93 kg)	Dec 12, 2021
	Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Overall recruiting rankings:
Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight. In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale. Sources: "ESPN commits". ESPN.com. Retrieved July 27, 2021. "2021 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved July 27, 2021.

Transfers

Incoming

Missouri State brought in 18 transfers in the 2021 class, who were eligible to play right away. Several players have started right away on offense like Junior QB Jason Shelley from Utah State, Senior OL Sean Fitzgerald from Coastal Carolina, Sophomore WR Ty Scott from Central Michigan, and RS Senior WR Xavier Lane from Western Kentucky. Defensively, Senior LB Dimitri Moore from Vanderbilt, Freshman DB Donovan Clark from Boise State, and Junior CB Javian Smith have all made impacts.

Name	No.	Pos.	Height	Weight	Year	Hometown	Prev. school
Andrew Cunningham	TBA	RB	6'1	215	Sophomore	Tampa, Florida	Iowa Central CC
Kendrick Davis	TBA	OL	6'4	300	Senior	West Bend, Wisconsin	Fort Hays State
Sean Fitzgerald	TBA	OL	6'2	290	Senior	Mount Pleasant, Michigan	Coastal Carolina
Nick Gallo	TBA	OG	6'3	285	Sophomore	Lewisville, Texas	Independence CC
Ryan Suliafu	TBA	OL	6'0	279	Sophomore	Riverside, California	Riverside CC
Jason Shelley	TBA	QB	5'11	190	Junior	Frisco, Texas	Utah State
Ty Scott	TBA	WR	6'3	194	Sophomore	Estill, South Carolina	Central Michigan
Dimitri Moore	TBA	LB	6'3	234	Senior	Cedar Hill, Texas	Vanderbilt
Terique Owens	TBA	WR	6'3	180	RS Sophomore	Pleasanton, California	Florida Atlantic
Xavier Lane	TBA	WR	6'4	205	RS Senior	Montgomery, Alabama	Western Kentucky
Naveon Mitchell	TBA	RB	5'10	175	RS Freshman	Richmond, Texas	New Mexico State
Donovan Clark	TBA	DB	6'2	194	Freshman	Tacoma, Washington	Boise State
Javian Smith	TBA	CB	6'3	193	Junior	Richmond, Texas	Houston
Jahod Booker	TBA	WR	5'11	182	RS Junior	Montgomery, Alabama	Alabama State
Clayton Ingram	TBA	OL	6'0	270	RS Freshman	Concord, California	Northern Arizona
Trae Thompson	TBA	LB	6'1	235	Sophomore	Tulsa, Oklahoma	Northeastern Oklahoma CC
Jaylen Stewart	TBA	DB	6'3	190	Somphomore	Texarkana, Texas	El Camino College
Jeremiah Carter	TBA	OL	6'6	313	Sophomore	Bear, Delaware	Lackawanna College

Source:

Preseason

MVFC Media Poll

The Media picked the Bears to finish in 6th place. This was the highest prediction for the Bears since 2010.

MVFC media poll[6]
Predicted finish	Team	Votes (1st Place)
1	South Dakota State	454 (24)
2	North Dakota State	435 (18)
3	North Dakota	357
4	Southern Illinois	345
5	Northern Iowa	311 (1)
6	Missouri State	256
7	Illinois State	196
8	South Dakota	163
9	Youngstown State	126
10	Indiana State	112
11	Western Illinois	83

Preseason awards

Missouri State had seven players selected to the 2021 All-MVFC Preseason Team. 5 from the defense, 1 from the offense, and 1 from the specialists. The Bears had one player picked to the first team which was Junior defensive back, Montrae Braswell. 6 players were chosen to the second team.

Preseason All-MFVC Team[7]
Player	Team	Position	Year
Montrae Braswell	First Team	DB	JR
Landon Bebee	Second Team	OL	JR
Kevin Ellis	Second Team	DL	SR
Eric Johnson	Second Team	DL	-SR
Kyriq McDonald	Second Team	DB	SR
Jose Pizano	Second Team	K	JR
Tylar Wiltz	Second Team	LB	SR

Personnel

Coaching staff

Bobby Petrino's coaching staff remained the same from 2020. Ryan Beard remained with the Bears as the defensive coordinator. Nick Petrino remained with the Bears as the offensive coordinator/ quarterbacks coach. Petrino received a pay raise as well following the successful 2020 season.^[8] Other members of the coaching staff such as offensive coordinator Nick Petrino, defensive line coach L.D. Scott, running backs coach Ronnie Fouch and defensive coordinator Ryan Beard also earned extensions and raises.^[9]

Name	Position	Alma mater	Joined staff
Bobby Petrino	Head coach	Carroll College (1983)	2020
Ryan Beard	Defensive coordinator/ Safeties	Western Kentucky (2012)	2020
Nick Petrino	Offense coordinator / quarterbacks coach	Western Kentucky (2014)	2020
Austin Appleby	Wide receivers coach	Purdue (2015)	2020
Skyler Cassity	Inside linebackers coach	Auburn (2016)	2020
Nelson Fishback	Tight ends coach/ co-special teams coordinator	Western Kentucky (2015)	2020
Ronnie Fouch	Running backs coach/ recruiting coordinator/ co-special teams coordinator	Indiana State (2004)	2020
Max Halpin	Offensive line coach	Western Kentucky (2016)	2020
Reggie Johnson	Inside Linebackers	Louisville (1996)	2020
L.D. Scott	Defensive line coach/ run game coordinator	Louisville (2009)	2020
Tramain Thomas	Defensive backs coach	Arkansas (2013)	2020
Lynn Mentzer	Director of football operations	Coastal Carolina (2005)	2018

Source:^[10]

Roster

2021 Missouri State Bears Football Roster
Quarterback  3 Jason Shelley – junior (5'11, 197)  8 Jaden Johnson – Sophomore (6'2, 216) 10 Jake Van Dyne – Freshman (6'3, 193) 11 Hess Horne – freshman (6'2, 183) Running back  0 Tobias Little – senior (6'0, 230)  4 Andrew Cunningham – sophomore (6'1, 200)  5 Kevon Latulas – junior (6'0, 200) 14 Myron Mason – junior (5'8, 200) 23 Tywuan Lee – freshman (6'2, 200) 31 Celdon Manning – freshman (5'10, 180) 32 Brandon Benjamin – freshman (5'9, 200) Wide receiver  1 Xavier Lane – senior (6'4, 210)  6 Cairo Payne – sophomore (5'11, 175)  9 Jordan Murray – junior (6'4, 233) 15 Jahod Booker – junior (5'11, 185) 16 Damoriea Vick – junior (6'3, 213) 18 Terique Owens – junior (6'3, 193) 19 Ty Scott – junior (6'3, 200) 28 Myles Shaw – freshman (5'9, 178) 80 Isaiah Allred – senior (6'3, 214) 81 Jakael Jackson – freshman (6'1, 191) 82 Davin Simms – freshman (6'0, 195) 83 Michael Alphin – freshman (5'10, 175) 84 DVontae Key – sophomore (5'10, 175) 86 Marquis Yarbrough – junior (5'11, 185) 88 Hunter Wood – sophomore (6'1, 205) Tight end  2 Ron Tiavaasue – senior (6'3, 270) 49 Carson Buddemeyer – sophomore (6'2, 241) 87 Gary Clinton – freshman (6'2, 241) 89 Isaac Smith – senior (6'7, 259) Punter 31 Grant Burkett – sophomore (6'1, 180)		Offensive lineman 50 Paul Sogialofa – junior (6'5, 342) 53 Jeremiah Carter – junior (6'6, 315) 56 Ryan Suliafu – sophomore (6'2, 340) 57 Naveli Dixson − Freshman (6'3, 314) 60 Sean Fitzgerald – senior (6'2, 301) 62 Ethan Barnett – sophomore (6'7, 300) 63 Stingray Miller – junior (6'7, 290) 65 Ian Fitzgerald – sophomore (6'5, 291) 66 Grant Goodson – freshman (6'6, 288) 67 Remy Bilodeau – junior (6'3, 295) 72 Mark Hutchinson – freshman (6'2, 302) 73 Landon Bebee – junior (6'3, 297) 74 Mike Fangman – freshman (6'2, 288) 75 Kendrick Davis – senior (6'3, 310) 76 Jake Swope – sophomore (6'7, 284) 77 Clayton Ingram – sophomore (6'6, 308) 79 Brett Harris – freshman (6'6, 295) Defensive lineman 15 Kevin Ellis – DE – senior (6'4, 244) 33 Anthony Payne – DE – senior (6'2, 282) 43 Caleb Dietlin – DE – freshman (6'3, 241) 44 Siale Suliafu – DL – freshman (6'0, 295) 47 Devin Goree – DE – sophomore (6'3, 243) 90 Sterling Smithson – DL – freshman (6'3, 314) 91 Ja'Veo Toliver – DE – freshman (6'5, 290) 93 Eric Johnson – DL – senior (6'5, 298) 94 Ikenna Ahumibe – DT – junior (6'0, 299) 95 Jalen Williams – DE – sophomore (6'4, 242) 96 Armon Wallace – DL – freshman (6'0, 289) 98 Arian Bhat – DL – junior (6'2, 290) 99 Allen Love – DL – junior (6'2, 295) Long snapper 61 Caden Bolz – sophomore (6'0, 240)		Linebacker  3 Dimitri Moore – senior (6'3, 232)  5 Ferrin Manuleleua – senior (6'1, 230) 10 Tylar Wiltz – senior (6'1, 219) 21 Steven Ward – freshman (6'0, 215) 24 Trae Thompson – junior (6'1, 250) 26 Tahj Chambers – sophomore (6'2, 198) 27 Udoka Ezeani – freshman (6'2, 203) 36 Jordan Hoskins – freshman (6'0, 215) 46 Ethan Mackowski – freshman (6'3, 225) 48 Tyler Lovelace – senior (6'2, 213) 52 Bryan Ulrich – freshman (6'0, 211) 54 Von Young – sophomore (6'0, 226) 58 Logan Decker – sophomore (6'1, 218) 59 Lucas Eastman – sophomore (6'3, 234) Cornerback  0 Kaunor Ashley – sophomore (5'10, 185)  1 Zack Sanders – senior (6'0, 196)  4 Montrae Braswell – junior (6'0, 190) 11 Javian Smith – junior (6'3, 189) 17 Nick Hessefort – junior (6'2, 196) 20 Donovan Clark – freshman (6'2, 193) 22 Lemondre Joe – freshman (6'0, 172) 41 Cole Bowen – freshman (5'10, 178) Safety  6 Kyriq McDonald – senior (6'0, 209)  7 Titus Wall – senior (6'0, 202)  9 Mikey Miles – sophomore (6'2, 192) 12 P.J. Hall – freshman (6'3, 200) 13 Todric McGee – freshman (6'1, 196) 29 Dwight Jacobs Jr. – sophomore (5'10, 193) 39 Brock Carter – junior (5'11 , 191) Placekicker 37 Spencer Grosz – sophomore (5'11, 173) 38 Jose Pizano – junior (5'7, 218)

Source:^[11]

Schedule

The Bears opened the season at Big 12 member Oklahoma State with a night game at Boone Pickens Stadium; where they lost a close matchup, 23–16. The Bears returned home for 2 straight at Plaster Stadium when they faced off with Central Arkansas and their first conference game with South Dakota for family weekend. Missouri State avenged 2 losses to UCA last fall with a 43–34 victory. They also beat South Dakota 31–23 to conclude the homestand. An early bye week split the two home games. Following the South Dakota game the Bears went on the road for two straight. They traveled to Illinois State where they won 41–20. Concluding the road trip was a game at Youngstown State where they lost 41–33. The team returned home for Homecoming against the Indiana State Sycamores where they crushed the Sycamores 37–7. North Dakota State in Fargo awaited Missouri State after Homecoming and the Bears lost 27–20 after leading late. A rematch of the playoff game from last season with North Dakota at home awaited the team and after a frantic 4th quarter comeback they got their revenge and won 32–28. The Bears traveled to Carbondale and beat the #7 Salukis 38–28. For their last home game of the year against Northern Iowa the team scored late to win 34–27. A late non-conference road trip to St. George to new division 1 school Dixie State ended the regular season for the Bears. After qualifying for the FCS Playoffs, Missouri State hosted their first home play off game since 1990. In the regular season, Missouri State had three non conference games, 5 home games and 6 away games.

Pregame against Missouri State.

Date	Time	Opponent	Rank	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
September 4	6:00 p.m.	at Oklahoma State*	No. 24	Boone Pickens Stadium Stillwater, OK	ESPN+	L 16–23	50,807
September 11	7:00 p.m.	No. 19 Central Arkansas*	No. 23	Plaster Stadium Springfield, MO	ESPN+	W 43–34	11,247
September 25	7:00 p.m.	South Dakota	No. 18	Plaster Stadium Springfield, MO	ESPN3	W 31–23	12,738
October 2	1:00 pm	at Illinois State	No. 16	Hancock Stadium Normal, IL	ESPN+	W 41–20	N/A
October 9	1:00 p.m.	at Youngstown State	No. 16	Stambaugh Stadium Youngstown, OH	ESPN+	L 33–41	12,444
October 16	2:00 p.m.	Indiana State	No. 20	Plaster Stadium Springfield, MO	ESPN+	W 37–7	14,336
October 23	2:30 p.m.	at No. 3 North Dakota State	No. 17	Fargodome Fargo, ND	ESPN+	L 20–27	15,559
October 30	2:00 p.m.	North Dakota	No. 17	Plaster Stadium Springfield, MO	ESPN+	W 32–28	8,372
November 6	12:00 p.m.	at No. 7 Southern Illinois	No. 17	Saluki Stadium Carbondale, IL	ESPN3	W 38–28	7,176
November 13	2:00 p.m.	No. 20 Northern Iowa	No. 16	Plaster Stadium Springfield, MO	ESPN+	W 34–27	9,173
November 20	8:00 p.m.	at Dixie State*	No. 14	Greater Zion Stadium St. George, UT	ESPN+	W 55–24	2,794
November 27	3:00 p.m.	No. 16 UT Martin*	No. 12	Plaster Stadium Springfield, MO (FCS Playoffs – first round)	ESPN+	L 31–32	5,072
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from STATS Poll released prior to game All times are in Central time

Last updated: October 18, 2021.
Source:

Game summaries

Regular Season

At Oklahoma State

See also: 2021 Oklahoma State Cowboys football team

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 24 Missouri State	0	3	6	7	16
Oklahoma State	6	14	0	3	23

Game information

First Quarter (9:47) OKST – Tay Martin 5-yard pass from Shane Illingworth, PAT Failed (Drive: 9 plays, 72 yards, 3:05; OKST 6–0) Second Quarter (11:38) OKST – Jaylen Warren 1-yard run, Alex Hale kick (Drive: 9 plays, 66 yards, 3:28; OKST 13–0) (10:57) OKST – L.D. Brown 1-yard run, Alex Hale kick (Drive: 2 plays, 25 yards, 0:29; OKST 20–0) (1:51) MSU – Jose Pizano 30-yard field goal (Drive: 10 plays, 51 yards, 4:23; OKST 20–3) Third Quarter (7:27) MSU – Jose Pizano 48-yard field goal (Drive: 6 plays, 12 yards, 1:30; OKST 20–6) (1:15) MSU – Jose Pizano 33-yard field goal (Drive: 10 plays, 45 yards, 4:11; OKST 20–9) Fourth Quarter (13:05) OKST – Alex Hale 35-yard field goal (Drive: 4 plays, -7 yards, 0:49; OKST 23–9) (3:06) MSU – Ty Scott 8-yard pass from Jason Shelly, Jose Pizano kick (Drive: 11 plays, 84 yards, 4:06; OKST 23–16)

Game One: #24 Missouri State Bears (0–0) at Oklahoma State Cowboys (0–0)

at Boone Pickens Stadium • Stillwater, OK

• Date: September 4
• Game time: 6:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: 87 °F (31 °C), Winds N 16 mph; Sunny
• Game attendance: 50,807
• Referee: Dan Scanlan • Umpire: Rod Tucker • Linesman: George Shoup • Line judge: Steve Hoslett • Back judge: Dion Spenard • Field judge: Patrick Herron • Side judge: Joseph Martinez
• TV announcers (ESPN+): Courtney Lyle (play-by-play), Brandon Weeden (analyst) & Shane Sparks (sideline)
• Box Score

Statistics	MSU	OSU
First downs	23	16
Total yards	336	369
Rushes/yards	37/102	28/54
Passing yards	234	315
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	24-46-0	22-40-1
Time of possession	35:30	24:30

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Missouri State	Passing	Jason Shelley	23/44, 235 yards, 1 TD
	Rushing	Kevon Latulas	6 carries, 45 yards
	Receiving	Xavier Lane	8 receptions, 78 yards
Oklahoma State	Passing	Shane Illingworth	22/40, 315 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
	Rushing	L.D. Brown	15 carries, 30 yards, 1 TD
	Receiving	Tay Martin	6 receptions, 107 yards, 1 TD

Missouri State at Oklahoma State in 2021

Oklahoma State	Missouri State
Game One Uniforms

#19 Central Arkansas

See also: 2021 Central Arkansas Bears football team

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 19 Central Arkansas	0	14	0	20	34
No. 23 Missouri State	7	10	6	20	43

Game information

First Quarter (04:13) MSU - Tobias Little 2 yard run, Jose Pizano kick (Drive: 8 plays, 85 yards, 3:42; MSU 0-7) Second Quarter (09:51) UCA - Sam Camargo 4 yard pass from Breylin Smith, Hayden Ray kick (Drive: 12 plays, 56 yards, 5:09; TIED 7-7) (07:23) MSU - Jason Shelley 16 yard run, Jose Pizano kick (Drive: 5 plays, 60 yards, 2:28; MSU 7-14) (04:32) UCA - Darius Hale 1 yard run, Hayden Ray kick (Drive: 7 plays, 61 yards, 2:46; TIED 14-14) (00:20) MSU - Jose Pizano 39 yard field goal (Drive: 10 plays, 53 yards, 4:12; MSU 14-17) Third Quarter (07:34) MSU - Jose Pizano 35 yard field gold (Drive: 15 plays, 57 yards, 7:26; MSU 14-20) (01:10) MSU - Jose Pizano 36 yard field goal (Drive: 9 plays, 49 yards, 3:47; MSU 14-23) Fourth Quarter (13:04) UCA - Darius Hale 3 yard run, Hayden Ray kick (Drive: 7 plays, 30 yards, 2:55; MSU 21-23) (03:17) UCA - Trysten Smith 3 yard run, 2 pt. conversion failed (Drive: 3 plays, 97 yards, 0:58; UCA 27-23) (03:05) MSU - Montrae Braswell 96 yard kickoff return, Jose Pizano kick (MSU 27-30) (02:15) UCA - Tyler Hudson 71 yard pass from Breylin Smith, Hayden Ray kick (Drive: 2 plays, 75 yards, 0:51; UCA 34-30) (00:29) MSU - Xavier Lane 26 yard pass from Jason Shelley, Jose Pizano kick (Drive: 7 plays, 69 yards, 1:37; MSU 34-37) (00:00) MSU - Tylar Wiltz 45 yard interception return (MSU 34-43)

Game Two: #19 Central Arkansas Bears (0–1) at #23 Missouri State Bears (0–1)

at Plaster Stadium • Springfield, MO

• Date: Saturday, September 11, 2021
• Game time: 7:05 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: 88 °F (31 °C), Winds S 10 mph; Sunny
• Game attendance: 11,247
• Referee: Rick Warne • Umpire: Steve Flanagan • Linesman: Matthew Banks • Line judge: Grant Henderson • Back judge: Devin Aller • Field judge: Austin Hills • Side judge: Harlan Bizzell
• TV announcers (ESPN+): Don West, Correy Riggs
• Box Score

Statistics	UCA	MSU
First downs	22	24
Total yards	453	378
Rushes/yards	29/ 121	34/ 147
Passing yards	332	231
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	25-38-2	18-36-0
Time of possession	27:43	32:17

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Central Arkansas	Passing	Breylin Smith	25/38, 332 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
	Rushing	Trysten Smith	8 carries, 79 yards, 1 TD
	Receiving	Lujuan Winningham	10 catches, 144 yards
Missouri State	Passing	Jason Shelley	18/36, 231 yards, 1 TD
	Rushing	Kevon Latulas	10 carries, 98 yards
	Receiving	Xavier Lane	9 catches, 148 yards, 1 TD

Missouri State	Central Arkansas
Game Two Uniforms

South Dakota

See also: 2021 South Dakota Coyotes football team

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
South Dakota	14	9	0	0	23
No. 18 Missouri State	7	7	3	14	31

Game information

First Quarter (12:19) USD - Travis Their 8 yard run, Mason Lorber kick (Drive: 1 play, 21 yards, 00:08; USD 0-7) (09:28) USD - Kody Case 21 yard pass from Carson Camp, Mason Lorber kick (Drive: 1 play, 21 yards, 00:08; USD 0-14) (05:38) MSU - Jason Shelley 26 yard run, Jose Pizano kick (Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 03:50; MSU 7-14) Second Quarter (01:52) MSU - Ty Scott 46 yard pass from Jason Shelley, Jose Pizano kick (Drive: 1 play, 46 yards, 00:08; TIED 14-14) (01:38) USD - Wesley Eliodor 99 yard kickoff return, Mason Lorber kick blocked (USD 20-14) (00:00) USD - Mason Lorber 27 yard field goal (Drive: 7 plays, 66 yards, 1:05; USD 23-14) Third Quarter (10:21) MSU - Jose Pizano 42 yard field goal (Drive: 9 plays, 49 yards, 4:31; USD 23-17) Fourth Quarter (13:02) MSU - Kevon Latulas 3 yard pass from Jason Shelley, Jose Pizano kick (Drive: 12 plays, 74 yards, 6:19; MSU 23-24) (04:42) MSU - Jason Shelley 12 yard run, Jose Pizano kick (Drive: 4 plays, 27 yards, 1:34; MSU 23-31)

Game Three: South Dakota Coyotes (2–1) at #18 Missouri State Bears (1–1)

at Plaster Stadium • Springfield, MO

• Date: Saturday, September 25, 2021
• Game time: 7:05 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: 71 °F (22 °C), Winds N NE 1 mph; Clear and Cool
• Game attendance: 12738
• Referee: Aaron Adams • Umpire: Keith Wohlers • Linesman: John Winter • Line judge: Scott Landy • Back judge: Kurt Dingmann • Field judge: Brad Brunet • Side judge: Leanne Surmin
• TV announcers (ESPN3): Scott Warmann, Danan Hughes, Kelly Burke
• Box Score

Statistics	USD	MSU
First downs	14	22
Total yards	361	439
Rushes/yards	33/ 130	46/ 158
Passing yards	231	281
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	12-29-2	19-29-0
Time of possession	24:11	35:49

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
South Dakota	Passing	Carson Camp	12/29, 231 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT
	Rushing	Nate Thomas	4 carries, 60 yards
	Receiving	Carter Bell	3 catches, 102 yards
Missouri State	Passing	Jason Shelley	19/29, 281 yards, 2 TD
	Rushing	Tobias Little	14 carries, 71 yards
	Receiving	Ty Scott	7 catches, 111 yards, 1 TD

Missouri State	South Dakota
Game Three Uniforms

At Illinois State

See also: 2021 Illinois State Redbirds football team

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 16 Missouri State	7	14	13	7	41
Illinois State	13	7	0	0	20

Game information

First Quarter (11:09) MSU - Jordan Murray 22 yard pass from Jason Shelley, Jose Pizano kick (Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 03:51; MSU 0-7) (07:26) ISU - Mitchell Lewis 7 yard pass from Jackson Waring, PAT Failed (Drive: 7 plays, 81 yards, 03:36; MSU 6-7) (02:26) ISU - Bryson Deming 23 yard pass from Jackson Waring, Aidan Bresnahan kick (Drive: 5 plays, 82 yards, 02:48; ISU 13-7) Second Quarter (08:57) MSU - Tobias Little 2 yard run, Jose Pizano kick (Drive: 9 plays, 77 yards, 04:12; MSU 13-14) (08:43) ISU - Jabari Khepera 75 yard pass from Jackson Waring, Aidan Bresnahan kick (Drive: 1 play, 75 yards, 00:14; ISU 20-14) (03:16) MSU - Tobias Little 2 yard run, Jose Pizano kick (Drive: 10 plays, 58 yards, 05:22; MSU 20-21) Third Quarter (08:43) MSU - Tobias Little 5 yard run, PAT Failed (Drive: 5 plays, 40 yards, 02:20; MSU 20-27) (07:11) MSU - Montrae Braswell 46 yard interception return, Jose Pizano kick (MSU 20-34') Fourth Quarter (05:06) MSU - Kevon Latulas 69 yard pass from Jason Shelley, Jose Pizano kick (Drive: 6 plays, 94yards, 03:00; MSU 20-41)

Game Four: #16 Missouri State Bears (2–1) at Illinois State Redbirds (2–2)

at Hancock Stadium • Normal, IL

• Date: Saturday, October 2, 2021
• Game time: 1:05 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: 74 °F (23 °C), Winds SW 9 mph; Cloudy
• Game attendance: N/A
• Referee: Matt Packowski • Umpire: Adam McClurg • Linesman: Kevin Moss • Line judge: AJ Haduch • Back judge: Cleo Miller • Field judge: Marcus Cameron • Side judge: Jen Berke
• TV announcers (ESPN+): Kurt Pegler, and Chris Highland
• Box score

Statistics	MSU	ISU
First downs	26	17
Total yards	513	358
Rushes/yards	38/194	31/40
Passing yards	319	318
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	19-27-1	19-30-3
Time of possession	30:50	28:26

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Missouri State	Passing	Jason Shelley	19/27, 319 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
	Rushing	Tobias Little	14 carries, 91 yards, 3 TD
	Receiving	Jordan Murray	5 catches, 85 yards, 1 TD
Illinois State	Passing	Jackson Waring	19/30, 318 yards, 3 TD, 3 INT
	Rushing	Pha'leak Brown	7 carries, 27 yards
	Receiving	Jabari Khepera	5 catches, 107 yards, 1 TD

Illinois State	Missouri State
Game Four Uniforms

At Youngstown State

See also: 2021 Youngstown State Penguins football team

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 16 Missouri State	0	3	7	23	33
Youngstown State	6	11	3	21	41

Game information

First Quarter (12:28) YSU - Samuel St. Surin 28 yard pass from Demeatric Crenshaw, PAT failed (Drive: 2 plays, 44 yards, 00:36; YSU 6-0) Second Quarter (10:56) YSU - Colt McFadden 45 yard field goal (Drive: 13 plays, 72 yards, 05:47; YSU 9-0) (07:06) MSU - Jose Pizano 36 yard field goal (Drive: 9 plays, 56 yards, 03:50; YSU 9-3) (00:12) YSU - Jorge Portorreal 8 yard pass from Demeatric Crenshaw, 2pt conversion good (Drive: 11 plays, 66 yards, 03:53; YSU 17-3) Third Quarter (11:47) MSU - Ty Scott 21 yard pass from Jason Shelley, Jose Pizano kick (Drive: 7 plays, 82 yards, 03:08; YSU 17-10) (03:16) YSU - Colt McFadden 28 yard field goal (Drive: 10 plays, 56 yards, 05:51; YSU 20-10) Fourth Quarter (10:02) MSU - Jose Pizano 32 yard field goal (Drive: 8 plays, 65 yards, 02:43; YSU 20-13) (04:38) MSU - Ron Tiavaasue 7 yard pass from Jason Shelley, Jose Pizano kick (Drive: 11 plays, 71 yards, 03:58; TIED 20-20) (04:17) YSU - Jaleel McLaughlin 22 yard run, Colt McFadden kick (Drive: 1 play, 22 yards, 00:06; YSU 27-20) (02:08) YSU - Jaleel McLaughlin 60 yard run, Colt McFadden kick (Drive: 2 plays, 75 yards, 00:49; YSU 34-20) (01:06) MSU - Ty Scott 27 yard pass from Jason Shelley, Jose Pizano kick (Drives: 6 plays, 68 yards, 00:56 YSU 34-27) (00:40) YSU - Demeatric Crenshaw 73 yard run, Colt McFadden kick (Drive: 3 plays, 80 yards, 00:24; YSU 41-27) (00:00) MSU - Cairo Payne 12 yard pass from Jason Shelley, No PAT (Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 00:40; YSU 41-33)

Game Five: #16 Missouri State Bears (3–1) at Youngstown State Penguins (1–3)

at Stambaugh Stadium • Youngstown, OH

• Date: Saturday, October 9, 2021
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: 64 °F (18 °C), Winds W 10 mph; Sunny
• Game attendance: 12,444
• Referee: Art Brown • Umpire: Joel Schult • Linesman: Frank Spryszak • Line judge: Brett Carpenter • Back judge: Chris Curry • Field judge: Marcus Cameron • Side judge: Jared Flesch
• TV announcers (ESPN+): Drae Smith and Chris Sammarone
• Box Score

Statistics	MSU	YSU
First downs	30	21
Total yards	503	476
Rushes/yards	27/131	50/377
Passing yards	372	99
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	27-49-2	10-19-0
Time of possession	26:47	33:13

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Missouri State	Passing	Jason Shelley	27/48, 372 yards, 4 TD, 2 INT
	Rushing	Jason Shelley	11 carries, 93 yards
	Receiving	Ty Scott	8 catches, 121 yards, 2 TD
Youngstown State	Passing	Demeatric Crenshaw	10/19, 99 yards, 2 TD
	Rushing	Demeatric Crenshaw	22 carries, 202 yards, 1 TD
	Receiving	Samuel St. Surin	2 catches, 39 yards, 1 TD

Youngstown State	Missouri State
Game Five Uniforms

Indiana State (homecoming)

See also: 2021 Indiana State Sycamores football team

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Indiana State	0	0	0	7	7
No. 20 Missouri State	3	21	10	3	37

Game information

First Quarter (06:16) MSU - Jose Pizano 38 yard field goal (Drive: 12 plays, 59 yards, 6:08; MSU 3-0) Second Quarter (02:19) MSU - Xavier Lane 45 yard pass from Jason Shelley, Jose Pizano kick (Drive: 6 plays, 68 yards, 03:17; MSU 10-0) (01:18) MSU - Jason Shelley 3 yard run, Jose Pizano kick (Drive: 3 plays, 24 yards, 00:52; MSU 17-0) (00:40) MSU - Ty Scott 26 yard pass from Jason Shelley, Jose Pizano kick (Drive: 2 plays, 35 yards, 00:31; MSU 24-0) Third Quarter (09:18) MSU - Ty Scott 59 yard pass from Jason Shelley, Jose Pizano kick (Drive: 4 plays, 80 yards, 02:03; MSU 31-0) (04:02) MSU - Jose Pizano 33 yard field goal (Drive: 7 plays, 57 yards, 02:58; MSU 34-0) Fourth Quarter (11:31) MSU - Jose Pizano 35 yard field goal (Drive: 12 plays, 67 yards, 05:44; MSU 37-0) (06:08) ISU - Dante Hendrix 19 yard pass from Anthony Thompson, Alan Selzer kick (Drive: 12 plays, 75 yards, 05:23; MSU 37-7)

Game Six: Indiana State Sycamores (3–3) at #20 Missouri State Bears (3–2)

at Plaster Stadium • Springfield, MO

• Date: Saturday, October 16, 2021
• Game time: 2:05 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: 63 °F (17 °C), Winds NW 14 mph; Sunny
• Game attendance: 14336
• Referee: Rick Warne • Umpire: Steve Flanagan • Linesman: Matthew Banks • Line judge: Grant Henderson • Back judge: Devin Aller • Field judge: Phil Ayeni • Side judge: Harlan Bizzell
• TV announcers (ESPN+): Don West and Corey Riggs
• Box Score

Statistics	ISU	MSU
First downs	15	21
Total yards	177	442
Rushes/yards	24/84	45/190
Passing yards	177	252
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	18-33-1	13-25-1
Time of possession	24:56	35:04

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Indiana State	Passing	Anthony Thompson	18/31, 177 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
	Rushing	Peterson Kerlegrand	16 carries, 73 yards
	Receiving	Dante Hendrix	10 catches, 121 yards, 1 TD
Missouri State	Passing	Jason Shelley	11/21, 225 yards, 3 TD
	Rushing	Tobias Little	9 carries, 55 yards
	Receiving	Ty Scott	3 catches, 106 yards, 2 TD

Missouri State	Indiana State
Game Six Uniforms

At #3 North Dakota State

See also: 2021 North Dakota State Bison football team

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 17 Missouri State	10	3	7	0	20
No. 3 North Dakota State	0	10	3	14	27

Game information

First Quarter (12:56) MSU - Jose Pizano 47 yard field goal (Drive: 4 plays, 7 yards, 1:55; MSU 0-3) (09:07) MSU - Tobias Little 11 yard run, Jose Pizano kick (Drive: 3 plays, 61 yards, 1:28; MSU 0-10) Second Quarter (12:09) NDSU - Quincy Patterson 15 yard run, Jake Reinholz kick (Drive: 1 play, 15 yards, 0:07; NDSU 7-10) (01:13) MSU - Jose Pizano 25 yard field goal (Drive: 11 plays, 84 yards, 5:44; MSU 7-13) (00:00) NDSU - Jake Reinholz 46 yard field goal (Drive: 9 plays, 42 yards, 1:09; MSU 10-13) Third Quarter (12:20) NDSU - Jake Reinholz 41 yard field goal (Drive: 5 plays, 52 yards, 2:40; TIED 13-13) (09:08) MSU - Tobias Little 5 yard run, Jose Pizano kick (Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 3:06; MSU 13-20) Fourth Quarter (13:40) NDSU - Phoenix Sproles 29 yard pass from Cam Miller, Jake Reinholz kick (Drive: 4 plays, 59 yards, 1:37; TIED 20-20) (04:57) NDSU - Christian Watson 24 yard pass from Cam Miller, Jake Reinholz kick (Drive: 12 plays, 62 yards, 7:06; NDSU 27-20)

Game Seven: #17 Missouri State Bears (4–2) at #3 North Dakota State Bison (6–0)

at Fargodome • Fargo, ND

• Date: Saturday, October 23, 2021
• Game time: 2:30 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: 70 °F (21 °C), Winds none; Indoor
• Game attendance: 15,559
• Referee: Andrew Speciale • Umpire: Scott Jones • Linesman: Frank Bullock • Line judge: Mike Lowenberg • Back judge: Damon Wilcox • Field judge: Paul Winglewich • Side judge: Ken Cloud
• TV announcers (ESPN+): Dom Izzo and Kyle Emanuel
• Box score

Statistics	MSU	NDSU
First downs	15	16
Total yards	321	333
Rushes/yards	32/79	35/144
Passing yards	242	189
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	16-25-1	12-26-1
Time of possession	30:57	29:03

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Missouri State	Passing	Jason Shelley	16/25, 242 yards, 1 INT
	Rushing	Tobias Little	9 carries, 41 yards, 2 TD
	Receiving	Ty Scott	6 catches, 104 yards
North Dakota State	Passing	Cam Miller	7/9, 112 yards, 2 TD
	Rushing	Quincy Patterson	6 carries, 57 yards, 1 TD
	Receiving	Christian Watson	4 catches, 106 yards, 1 TD

North Dakota State	Missouri State
Game Seven Uniforms

North Dakota

See also: 2021 North Dakota Fighting Hawks football team

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
North Dakota	0	7	14	7	28
No. 17 Missouri State	7	3	7	15	32

Game information

First Quarter (08:25) MSU - Tyrone Scott 6 yard pass from Jason Shelley, Jose Pizano kick (Drive: 13 plays, 75 yards, 06:35; MSU 7-0) Second Quarter (02:21) UND - Adam Zavalney 21 yard pass from Quincy Vaughn, Brady Stevens kick (Drive: 11 plays, 63 yards, 05:22; TIED 7-7) (00:36) MSU - Jose Pizano 27 yard field goal (Drive: 10 plays, 55 yards, 01:45; MSU 10-7) Third Quarter (11:12) UND - Otis Weah 3 yard run, Brady Stevens kick (Drive: 8 plays, 73 yards, 03:41; UND 10-14) (08:46) MSU - Jordan Murray 20 yard pass from Jason Shelley, Jose Pizano kick (Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 02:26; MSU 17-14) (06:26) UND - Otis Weah 1 yard run, Brady Stevens kick (Drive: 5 plays, 65 yards, 02:20 UND 17-21) Fourth Quarter (13:16) UND - Otis Weah 11 yard run, Brady Stevens kick (Drive: 8 plays, 78 yards, 03:50; UND 17-28) (04:33) MSU - Jason Shelley 12 yard run, 2 PT Conversion good Xavier Lane pass (Drive: 6 plays, 63 yards, 02:03; UND 25-28) (00:15) MSU - Isaac Smith 2 yard pass from Jason Shelley, Jose Pizano kick (Drive: 8 plays, 76 yards, 01:24; MSU 32-28)

Game Eight: North Dakota Fighting Hawks (3–4) at # 17 Missouri State Bears (4–3)

at Plaster Stadium • Springfield, MO

• Date: Saturday, October 30, 2021
• Game time: 2:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: 57 °F (14 °C), Winds NW 7 mph; Sunny
• Game attendance: 8,372
• Referee: Matt Packowski • Umpire: Adam McClurg • Linesman: Todd Skaggs • Line judge: AJ Haduch • Back judge: Martin Birr • Field judge: Phil Ayeni • Side judge: Travis Evans
• TV announcers (ESPN+): Don West and Dan Lucy
• Box Score

Statistics	UND	MSU
First downs	23	26
Total yards	441	468
Rushes/yards	41/256	25/119
Passing yards	185	349
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	14-23-1	29-42-1
Time of possession	32:48	27:12

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
North Dakota	Passing	Tommy Schuster	13/21, 164 yards, 1 INT
	Rushing	Otis Weah	21 carries, 165 yards, 3 TD
	Receiving	Adam Zavainey	2 catches, 54 yards, 1 TD
Missouri State	Passing	Jason Shelley	29/42, 349 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT
	Rushing	Tobias Little	15 carries, 112 yards
	Receiving	Tyrone Scott	10 catches, 147 yards, 1 TD

View of the Plaster Stadium West side during the 2021 North Dakota game.

Missouri State	North Dakota
Game Eight Uniforms

At #7 Southern Illinois

See also: 2021 Southern Illinois Salukis football team

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 17 Missouri State	10	0	7	21	38
No. 7 Southern Illinois	7	6	0	15	28

Game information

First Quarter (09:48) MSU - Jason Shelley 20 yard run, Jose Pizano kick (Drive: 10 plays, 82 yards, 05:09; MSU 0-7) (08:37) SIU - Nic Baker 17 yard run ,Nico Gualdoni kick (Drive: 1 play, 17 yards, 00:05; TIED 7-7) (00:45) MSU - Jose Pizano 51 yard field goal (Drive: 10 plays, 35 yards, 05:37; MSU 7-10) Second Quarter (12:24) SIU - Nico Gualdoni 50 yard field goal (Drive: 9 plays, 42 yards, 02:36; TIED 10-10) (00:01) SIU - Nico Gualdoni 55 yard field goal (Drive: 4 plays, 21 yards, 00:17; SIU 13-7) Third Quarter (03:14) MSU - Jason Shelley 14 yard run, Jose Pizano kick (Drive: 11 plays, 58 yards, 04:37; MSU 13-17) Fourth Quarter (14:27) MSU - Tobias Little 1 yard run, Jose Pizano kick (Drive: 8 plays, 65 yards, 02:12; MSU 13-24) (12:03) MSU - Kevon Latulas 87 yard run, Jose Pizano kick (Drive: 2 plays, 96 yards,00:47; MSU 13-31) (10:26) SIU - Izaiah Hartrup 19 yard pass from Nic Baker, Nico Gualdoni kick (Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 01:37; MSU 20-31) (06:37) MSU - Ty Scott, 31 yard pass from Jason Shelley, Jose Pizano kick (Drive: 4 plays, 35 yards, 01:39; MSU 20-38) (04:06) SIU - Tyce Daniel 11 yard pass from Nic Baker, 2 PT Conversion Good, Izaiah Hartrup rush (Drive: 8 plays, 76 yards, 02:24; MSU 28-38)

Game Nine: #17 Missouri State Bears (5–3) at #7 Southern Illinois Salukis (6–2)

at Saluki Stadium • Carbondale, IL

• Date: Saturday, November 6, 2021
• Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: 65 °F (18 °C); Sunny
• Game attendance: 7,176
• Referee: Art Brown • Umpire: Joel Schult • Linesman: Frank Spryszak • Line judge: Brett Carpenter • Back judge: Cleo Miller • Field judge: Marcus Cameron • Side judge: Jared Flesch
• TV announcers (ESPN+): Scott Warmann and Danan Hughes
• Box Score

Statistics	MSU	SIU
First downs	26	18
Total yards	480	298
Rushes/yards	53/237	31/36
Passing yards	243	262
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	16-29-1	21-39-0
Time of possession	37:00	27:14

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Missouri State	Passing	Jason Shelley	16/29, 243 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
	Rushing	Kevon Latulas	7 carries, 105 yards, 1 TD
	Receiving	Ty Scott	5 catches, 83 yards, 1 TD
Southern Illinois	Passing	Nic Baker	21/38, 262 yards, 3 TD
	Rushing	Donovan Spencer	11/19, 15 yards
	Receiving	Landon Lenoir	7 catches, 100 yards

Southern Illinois	Missouri State
Game Nine Uniforms

#20 Northern Iowa

See also: 2021 Northern Iowa Panthers football team

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 20 Northern Iowa	3	3	7	14	27
No. 16 Missouri State	6	7	7	14	34

Game information

First Quarter (10:14) MSU - Jose Pizano 30 yard field goal (Drive: 6 plays, 18 yards, 02:44; MSU 3-0) (04:55) UNI - Matthew Cook 27 yard field goal (Drive: 9 plays, 66 yards, 05:11; TIED 3-3) (01:03) MSU - Jose Pizano38 yard field goal (Drive: 9 plays, 35 yards, 03:44; MSU 6-3) Second Quarter (12:54) UNI - Matthew Cook 47 yard field goal (Drive: 7 plays, 45 yards, 03:09; TIED 6-6) (05:21) MSU - Tobias Little 1 yard run, Jose Pizano kick (Drive: 13 plays, 75 yards, 07:33; MSU 13-6) Third Quarter (12:44) MSU - Jason Shelley 3 yard run, Jose Pizano Kick (Drive: 4 plays, 75 yards, 0:10; MSU 20-6) (06:10) UNI - Tyler Hoosman 2 yard run, Matthew Cook kick (Drive: 12 plays, 73 yards, 06:25; MSU 20-13) Fourth Quarter (13:01) MSU - Jason Shelley 8 yard run, Jose Pizano kick (Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 03:54; MSU 27-13) (05:11) UNI - Deion McShane 8 yard pass from Theo Day, Matthew Cook kick (Drive: 8 plays, 77 yards, 02:02; MSU 27-20) (02:14) UNI - Deion McShane 18 yard pass from Theo Day, Matthew Cook, kick (Drive: 5 plays, 32 yards, 01:41; TIED 27-27) (00:58) MSU - Naveon Mitchell 55 yard pass from Jason Shelley, Jose Pizano kick (Drive: 4 plays, 75 yards, 01:16; MSU 34-27)

Game Ten: #20 Northern Iowa Panthers (5–4) at #16 Missouri State Bears (6–3)

at Plaster Stadium • Springfield, MO

• Date: Saturday, November 13, 2021
• Game time: 2:05 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: 45 °F (7 °C), Winds W 7 mph; Sunny
• Game attendance: 9,173
• Referee: Aaron Adams • Umpire: Keith Wohlers • Linesman: Gordon Hanson • Line judge: Scott Lively • Back judge: Kurt Dingmann • Field judge: Brad Brunet • Side judge: Leanne Surmin
• TV announcers (ESPN+): Don West and Corey Riggs
• Box Score

Statistics	UNI	MSU
First downs	22	18
Total yards	360	379
Rushes/yards	33/122	32/59
Passing yards	238	320
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	17-30-2	22-30-0
Time of possession	29:28	30:32

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Northern Iowa	Passing	Theo Day	17/30, 238 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
	Rushing	Dom Williams	16 carries, 83 yards
	Receiving	Deion McShane	6 catches, 86 yards, 2 TD
Missouri State	Passing	Jason Shelley	22/33, 320 yards, 1 TD
	Rushing	Tobias Little	10 carries, 34 yards
	Receiving	Naveon Mitchell	3 catches, 74 yards, 1 TD

View from the West side during the game against Northern Iowa in 2021.

Missouri State	Northern Iowa
Game Ten Uniforms

At Dixie State

See also: 2021 Dixie State Trailblazers football team

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 14 Missouri State	3	24	14	14	55
Dixie State	3	0	7	14	24

Game information

First Quarter (13:01) MSU - Jose Pizano 39 yard field goal (Drive: 6 plays, 53 yards, 1:59; MSU 0-3) (08:18) DSU - Connor Brooksby 45 yard field goal (Drive: 12 plays, 47 yards, 4:43; TIED 3-3) Second Quarter (12:38) MSU - Tobias Little 7 yard run, Jose Pizano kick (Drive: 13 plays, 70 yards, 5:03; MSU 3-10) (09:58) MSU - Jose Pizano 25 yard field goal (Drive: 5 plays, 63 yards, 1:20; MSU 3-13) (08:18) MSU - Kevon Latulas 68 yard run, Jose Pizano kick (Drive: 1 play, 68 yards, 0:14; MSU 3-20) (06:50) MSU - Kevon Latulas 7 yard run, Jose Pizano kick (Drive: 3 plays, 50 yards, 0:34; MSU 3-27) Third Quarter (06:18) MSU - Jason Shelley 12 yard run, Jose Pizano kick (Drive: 9 plays, 68 yards, 4:57; MSU 3-34) (05:57) MSU - Lemondre Joe 38 yard interception return, Jose Pizano kick (MSU 3-41) (01:41) DSU - Kobe Tracy 4 yard run, Andrew Day kick (Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 4:16; MSU 10-41) Fourth Quarter (06:32) DSU - Cade Veach 13 yard pass from Kobe Tracy, Andrew Day kick (Drive: 12 plays, 92 yards, 3:30; MSU 17-48) (03:19) DSU - Devyn Perkins 95 yard interception return, Andrew Day kick (MSU 24-48) (03:14) MSU - Steven Ward 57 yard kickoff return, Jose Pizano kick (MSU 24-55)

Game Eleven: #14 Missouri State Bears (7–3) at Dixie State Trailblazers (1–9)

at Greater Zion Stadium • St. George, UT

• Date: Saturday, November 20, 2021
• Game time: 8:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: 57 °F (14 °C), Breezy; Clear, crisp
• Game attendance: 2,794
• Referee: Marcus Thorton • Umpire: Scott Johnson • Linesman: Jeremy Jolles • Line judge: Keith Laurant • Back judge: Joe Wise • Field judge: Tom Drzazgowski • Side judge: Patrick Herron
• TV announcers (ESPN+): Devin Dixon and Andy Thompson
• Box Score

Statistics	MSU	DSU
First downs	26	21
Total yards	574	382
Rushes/yards	36/297	36/75
Passing yards	277	307
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	15-29-1	24-49-1
Time of possession	28:50	31:10

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Missouri State	Passing	Jason Shelley	13/24, 251 yards, 1 TD
	Rushing	Kevon Latulas	8 carries, 162 yards, 2 TD
	Receiving	Ty Scott	8 catches, 174 yards
Dixie State	Passing	Kobe Tracy	24/49, 307 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
	Rushing	Drew Kannely-Robles	22 carries, 78 yards
	Receiving	Keith Davis	7 catches, 146 yards

Dixie State	Missouri State
Game Eleven Uniforms

FCS Playoffs

#16 UT Martin

See also: 2021 UT Martin Skyhawks football team

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 16 UT Martin	3	16	7	6	32
No. 12 Missouri State	7	10	14	0	31

Game information

First Quarter (4:15) UTM - Tyler Larco 33 yard field goal (Drive: 9 plays, 58 yards, 3:53; UTM 0-3) (2:17) MSU - Ron Tiavaasue 4 yard pass from Jason Shelley, Jose Pizano kick (Drive: 4 plays, 75 yards, 1:58; MSU 7-3) Second Quarter (14:48) UTM - Zoe Roberts 6 yard pass from Dresser Winn, PAT FAILED (Drive: 3 plays, 5 yards, 1:02; UTM 7-9) (07:14) MSU - Tobias Little 2 yard run, Jose Pizano kick (Drive: 10 plays, 40 yards, 4:06; MSU 14-9) (01:52) UTM - Peyton Logan 14 yard run, Tyler Larco kick (Drive: 6 plays, 61 yards, 3:04; UTM 14-16) (00:55) UTM - Tyler Larco 26 yard field goal (Drive: 5 plays, 27 yards, 0:51; UTM 14-19) (00:00) MSU - Jose Pizano 47 yard field goal (Drive: 5 plays, 16 yards, 0:28; UTM 17-19) Third Quarter (05:48) MSU - Kevon Latulas 4 yard pass from Jason Shelley, Jose Pizano kick (Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 2:45; MSU 24-19) (03:15) UTM - Zak Wallace, 14 yard run, Tyler Larco kick (Drive: 6 plays, 88 yards, 2:27; UTM 24-26) (00:18) MSU - Xavier Lane 29 yard pass from Jason Shelley, Jose Pizano kick (Drive: 7 plays, 67 yards, 2:55; MSU 31-26) Fourth Quarter (03:36) UTM - Donnel Williams 37 yard pass from Dresser Winn, 2 Pt. Conversion FAILED (Drive: 1 plays, 37 yards, 0:08; UTM 31-32)

Game Twelve: #16 UT Martin Skyhawks (10–1) at #12 Missouri State Bears (8–3)

at Plaster Stadium • Springfield, MO

• Date: Saturday, November 27, 2021
• Game time: 3:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: 63 °F (17 °C), Winds W 11mph, Sunny
• Game attendance: 5,072
• Referee: Todd Boyd
• TV announcers (ESPN+): Connor Onion and Barrett Brooks

Statistics	UTM	MSU
First downs	19	17
Total yards	361	398
Rushes/yards	35/89	30/119
Passing yards	272	279
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	22-43-1	22-42-3
Time of possession	31:44	28:16

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
UT Martin	Passing	Dresser Winn	23/43, 272 yards, 2 TD, INT
	Rushing	Peyton Logan	12 carries, 68 yards, TD
	Receiving	Donnel Williams	7 receptions, 178 yards, TD
Missouri State	Passing	Jason Shelley	22/42, 279 yards, 3 TD, 3 INT
	Rushing	Jason Shelley	13 carries, 93 yards
	Receiving	Xavier Lane	7 receptions, 110 yards, TD

Missouri State	UT Martin
Game Ten Uniforms

Awards and honors

Regular season

Missouri Valley weekly awards

In 2021, the Bears broke the program record of 11 conference weekly awards with 14 honors. QB Jason Shelley paced the team with 5 awards across "Valley Offensive Player of the Week" (2) and "Valley Newcomer of the Week" (3). WR Xavier Lane was the other Bears player to receive multiple awards; winning 1 as the "Valley Offensive Player of the Week" and 1 as the "Valley Newcomer of the Week". OT Landon Bebee was the lone selection as "Valley Offensive Lineman of the Week" while LB Ferrin Manulelua was the only player to be selected as "Valley Defensive Player of the Week". Missouri State had had 3 players chosen as "Special Teams Players of the Week" LB Steven Ward, CB Montrae Braswell, and K Jose Pizano. RB Tobias Little was the other "Valley Offensive Player of the Week", and RB Kevon Latulas won his award as "Newcomer of the Week".

Defensive Player of the Week

Player	Position	Date	Ref.
Ferrin Manulelelua	LB	October 31, 2021	[12]

Newcomer of the Week

Player	Position	Date	Ref.
Jason Shelley	QB	September 5, 2021	[13]
Xavier Lane	WR	September 12, 2021	[14]
Jason Shelley	QB	September 26, 2021	[15]
Jason Shelley	QB	October 31, 2021	[12]
Kevon Latulas	RB	November 1, 2021	[16]

Offensive Player of the Week

Player	Position	Date	Ref.
Xavier Lane	WR	September 12, 2021	[14]
Tobias Little	RB	October 3, 2021	[17]
Jason Shelley	QB	October 31, 2021	[12]
Jason Shelley	QB	November 14, 2021	[18]

Offensive Lineman of the Week

Player	Position	Date	Ref.
Landon Bebee	OT	October 4, 2021	[19]

Special Teams Player of the Week

Player	Position	Date	Ref.
Montrae Braswell	CB	September 12, 2021	[14]
Steven Ward	LB	October 17, 2021	[20]
Jose Pizano	K	November 1, 2021	[16]

Postseason

Missouri Valley Football Conference

Newcomer of the Year

Player	Position	Date	Ref.
Jason Shelley	QB	November 24, 2021	[21]

Offensive Player of the Year

Player	Position	Date	Ref.
Jason Shelley	QB	November 24, 2021	[21]

Rankings

Further information: 2021 NCAA Division I FCS football rankings

Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
RV = Received votes

	Week
Poll	Pre	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	Final
STATS FCS	24	23	17	18	16	16	20	17	17	17	16	14	12	14
Coaches	RV	25	19	18	16	16	23	18	20	20	14	14	10	14
Athlon Power Poll	25	22	16	16	14	14	19	11	18	17	13	10	10

Last updated: November 17, 2021.
Source:

References

1. "Missouri State earns bearth [sic] into FCS Football Playoffs". Missourinet. April 19, 2021.
2. "Football Bears Add 18 Players in Early Signing Period". Missouri State.
3. Wheeler, Wyatt D. "Three-star quarterback Kaden McMullen is joining Missouri State football". Springfield News-Leader.
4. "Kaden McMullen - Football Recruiting - Player Profiles - ESPN". ESPN.com.
5. "Gary Clinton - Football Recruiting - Player Profiles - ESPN". ESPN.com.
6. "Missouri Valley Football Announces Preseason Team / Poll". valley-football.org.
7. "Seven Bears Earn Preseason All-MVFC Honors".
8. Wheeler, Wyatt D. "Missouri State football coach Bobby Petrino earned an automatic extension and pay raise with playoff berth". Springfield News-Leader.
9. Wheeler, Wyatt D. "Missouri State extends football coach Bobby Petrino after one season". Springfield News-Leader.
10. "2021 Football Coaches". Retrieved August 8, 2021.
11. "2021 Football Roster". Retrieved August 8, 2021.
12. "Shelley, Manuleleua Honored as Valley Players of the Week". Missouri State.
13. "Shelley Earns MVFC Newcomer of the Week Laurels". Missouri State.
14. "Lane, Braswell Earn Valley Football Weekly Honors". Missouri State.
15. "Shelley Earns MVFC Newcomer of the Week Honors for Second Time". Missouri State.
16. "Pizano, Latulas Earn Valley Football Weekly Honors". Missouri State.
17. "Valley Honors Go to Bears Running Back". Missouri State.
18. "Valley Names Shelley Offensive Player of the Week". Missouri State.
19. "Bebee Earns MVFC Offensive Lineman of the Week".
20. "Ward Earns Valley Special Teams Honors". Missouri State.
21. "Shelley Named Valley Offensive Player of the Year". Missouri State.