Springfield, MO hosted its first-ever FBS matchup Saturday.
The Missouri State Bears received a unique opportunity at Robert W. Plaster Stadium. In a historic game for the program, their opponent was a team fresh off an ACC Championship Game and College Football Playoff appearance. The SMU Mustangs traveled north for the matchup at the new FBS school, and Missouri State gave the rising ACC power all it could handle.
The Bears led 10-0 after the first quarter, but SMU put its foot on the gas and drove
to a 28-10 finish. Here are three takeaways from the Mustangs’ bounce-back win in Springfield against the first-year Conference USA program:
Injury bug is impacting SMU
It was only Week 3 of the season, but SMU entered Springfield with an entire scroll of injuries. Wide receiver Jordan Hudson, inside linebacker Alex Kilgore, and edge rusher Aakil Washington were significant absences in the Baylor game, but the Mustangs faced additional adversity down outside linebacker Zakye Barker and strong safety Tyren Polley Jr. at Missouri State.
Down starting linebackers and two rotation staples on defense, SMU struggled to assert its will. Yes, the Mustangs held the Bears to just 10 first quarter points, but Missouri State consistently invaded SMU territory. The new FBS arrival crossed the 50-yard line on seven of its first eight possessions and never was subject to a single three-and-out. The Mustangs instead relied on other ways to produce defensive stops and secured three interceptions in the victory. Jaelyn Davis-Robinson’s jump ball end zone pick in the third quarter was the biggest play of the game, preventing Missouri State from turning a 14-10 deficit into a second half advantage.
But with TCU and a high-powered offense looming, SMU needs to shore up the coverage and tackling amidst all the injuries. The Mustangs generated plenty of pressure with five sacks — something they also did very well vs. Baylor — but when they didn’t get to the quarterback, Missouri State’s aerial attack often made them pay with 275 yards, just one week after Sawyer Robertson threw for 440.
One silver lining to the injury bug is the rapid development of Jalen Cooper. The 4-star true freshman produced 89 receiving yards in Week 2 and a team-high 68 in Week 3, proving to be a focal point of the offense in his first three games out of high school.
Jacob Clark will win ballgames
The FBS life isn’t usually easy for transitioning FCS teams. Ask Kennesaw State or Sam Houston how their debut seasons went, for instance. However, against a preseason Top 25 team fresh off a College Football Playoff spot, Missouri State proved it belongs on the FBS stage. The Bears established an early 10-0 lead and refused to go away until the start of the fourth quarter.
The reason Missouri State will see more success than most year one FBS programs is Jacob Clark. The quarterback threw three interceptions in the defeat, but his fearlessness and ability to move the ball showed Saturday. He got banged up in the first half but fought through nicks and bruises, firing for 275 yards and a touchdown on a 23-of-37 showing. Clark completed seven explosive passing plays spanning 20 yards or greater on the SMU defense as viable competition to the reigning ACC runner-up.
Clark was also the reason Missouri State already has an FBS win. The quarterback posted 359 passing yards and three touchdowns at Marshall in Week 2, spearheading a 13-point second half comeback to secure the Bears’ first FBS win since the jump. When CUSA play commences for Missouri State, don’t be surprised if Clark is routinely attains 300 yards, keeping the Bears competitive in year one.
Ponies’ penalty problem must be quelled
No team racked up more penalty yardage in 2024 than the SMU Mustangs, which finished with over 1,000 yards in an otherwise successful campaign. SMU defeated Missouri State with a significant talent advantage, but one alarming trend in the Mustangs’ first road trip of 2025 was the sheer amount of penalties.
SMU was assessed 12 flags for 130 yards, and yellow laundry was a major reason the Mustangs trailed 10-0 at the end of the first quarter. The Mustangs committed two personal fouls, a block in the back, an offsides to generate 45 penalty yards in the opening frame. They settled for a missed field goal on a drive where three of these flags occurred, squandering a possession that originated in Missouri State territory. SMU ultimately recovered from the slow, flag-infused start, although it accumulated at least 25 penalty yards in all four quarters. But through three contests, the Mustangs’ average 90 penalty yards per game. This talented team must overcome that inhibitor in a quest for another College Football Playoff appearance.
