Missouri Valley scored just before the half to take the lead, but they were shut out in the second half by Peru State, as the Vikings fell 16-8 on Saturday, Sept. 13 in southeastern Nebraska.
Valley fell behind early in the second quarter when Peru State netted field goals of 28 and 32 yards, but driving punts by Ben Bullock pinned the Bobcats deep in their territory three times in the first half. Valley’s first points came on a punt, when a Peru State snap sailed over their punter’s head and out of the back of the end zone, resulting in a safety. The drive on the ensuing free kick provide fruitful for the Vikings, as quarterback Tomele Staples found Adonis Whitley in the endzone for an 11-yard touchdown. The point-after attempt was no good, resulting in a halftime lead of 8-6.
Peru State would retake the lead with the first drive of the second half, going 69 yards in 11 plays and booting a third field goal, this one from 22 yards. Valley would struggle to generate offense the rest of the game, as the Bobcats would add a touchdown after receiving generous field possession early in the final quarter. The Vikings attempted to close the gap, but a 40-yard field goal attempt was no-good, and a final drive stalled near midfield, allowing Peru State to run out the clock.
Staples finished the game 16-for-29 with 171 passing yards and one touchdown, as well as 45 yards on the ground. Silas Morton was the top receiver with 67 yards, including a 55-yard pass play that set up Mo Valley’s only touchdown. Octavious Griffin and Jayden Maggert each recorded eight tackles to keep Missouri Valley in striking distance of the Bobcats.
Valley fall to 1-1 on the season. They will visit Canton next Saturday to face Culver-Stockton, with kickoff at 6 p.m.
Other Heart of America scores Saturday:
Central Methodist 38, at St Ambrose 20
William Penn 24, at Baker 13
at Benedictine 52, Graceland 29
MidAmerica Nazarene 51, at Clarke 26
at Grand View 49, Missouri Baptist 17
Culver-Stockton 38, at William Woods 36
Missouri State unable to hold lead against ACC’s Southern Methodist in FBS Home Debut
Missouri State showed early promise in their first-ever home Football Bowl Subdivision game Saturday in Springfield, but the Bears could not maintain a lead against Southern Methodist, as the Mustangs galloped to a 28-10 win.
The Bears took advantage of two SMU turnovers in the first quarter, converting the first into a 38-yard field goal by Yousef Obeid. SMU attempted to do the same after intercepting Jacob Clark on the next drive, but missed a 43-yard field goal. Missouri State would then extend the lead with their only touchdown, a nine-yard pass from Clark to Dash Luke.
SMU regrouped in the second quarter, avoiding costly penalties that doomed their previous drives. The Mustangs scored on their final two possessions of the half to take a 14-10 lead, then picked off Clark in the end zone to quell Missouri State’s momentum. The Mustangs would score on back to back drives late in the third quarter to put the game away, as Clark threw his third interception with 47 seconds remaining in the contest.
Clark wrapped up the day 23-for-37 with 275 yards and one touchdown. He was sacked five times. Luke had five catches for 80 yards, while Shomari Lawrence added 13 carries on the ground for 44 yards.
Saturday’s game also marked the final play-by-play broadcast for the longtime voice of the Missouri State Bears and Marshall native, Art Hains.
Missouri State fall to 1-2 on the season. They will host Tennessee-Martin next Saturday at 6 p.m.
Other scores involving Missouri colleges Saturday include:
Lindenwood 35, at Charleston Southern 28
at North Dakota State 41, Southeast Missouri 14
(Thursday) Colorado State-Pueblo 29, at Central Missouri 24
at Missouri Western 27, Missouri S&T 10
at Northwest Missouri 49, Texas A&M-Kingsville 20
Southwest Baptist 40, at Roosevelt (Ill.) 34
at Truman State 28, Davenport 27
at William Jewell 48, Kentucky Wesleyan 21