Despite NCAA restrictions on postseason play for football programs moving into the bowl subdivision, the Missouri State Bears learned late Saturday, Nov. 29 that they would be able to wrap up their season with a bowl game.

Conference USA and Bowl Season, the organization that coordinates bids for all non-playoff bowl games, announced Saturday that the Bears would be able to play in a bowl despite this being their first year in the FBS.  The Bears are 7-5, having finished tied for fourth in their inaugural season with Conference USA.  Because several teams including Auburn, Florida State, Kansas, and Mississippi State failed to pick up their sixth win this weekend, enough spots were available for Missouri State and fellow newcomers Delaware to accept bids.

The Bears finished the regular season with a 42-30 loss at home to Louisiana Tech.  Bowl game matchups will be announced following next weekend’s conference championship games.