Missouri State Falls Short in Thrilling Xbox Bowl Debut Despite Fourth-Quarter Comeback
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Missouri State University’s historic first foray into a major bowl game ended in a narrow 34-28 defeat against Arkansas State in the inaugural Xbox Bowl on Thursday in Frisco, Texas. A remarkable fourth-quarter rally, fueled by quarterback Jacob Clark’s stellar performance, wasn’t enough to overcome a significant early deficit and a late on-side kick recovery by the Red Wolves.
Bears Mount Furious Comeback After Slow Start
Arkansas State dominated the first half, building a commanding 24-7 lead at the intermission. The Red Wolves’ offense, led by quarterback Jaylen Raynor, capitalized on early opportunities, including a controversial play where a potential fumble by Arkansas State was ruled an incomplete pass. This pivotal call allowed Arkansas State to extend their lead with a 71-yard touchdown pass to Corey Rucker.
However, the Bears refused to concede. “I was really proud of the team in how they came out in the second half,” said interim head coach Nick Petrino. “It’s kind of been the story of this team all year. We never give up and are never out of a fight.”
Clark Shines in Final Collegiate Game
Trailing 31-7 in the third quarter, Missouri State ignited a dramatic comeback spearheaded by Clark, who finished his collegiate career with a flourish. The Bears’ signal-caller threw for 349 yards and four touchdowns, three of which came in the final period. A 90-yard touchdown drive late in the third, capped by a 15-yard strike to Ramone Green Jr., and a successful two-point conversion ignited the Missouri State offense.
Dash Luke proved to be Clark’s favorite target, hauling in a game-high seven receptions for 169 yards and two touchdowns, setting a new career high. Shomari Lawrence also made history, surpassing 1,000 rushing yards for the season – the first Bear to achieve the feat since 2010. Lawrence finished the game with 57 yards on 16 carries.
Late-Game Drama Falls Short
Missouri State continued to chip away at the deficit. A 47-yard touchdown pass to Luke brought the score to 34-21, but a failed two-point conversion attempt kept the Bears within striking distance. A muffed punt by Missouri State briefly stalled their momentum, but the defense held strong, forcing a missed field goal attempt by Arkansas State.
Clark then orchestrated another impressive drive, connecting with Jmariyae Robinson for a 16-yard touchdown with 1:54 remaining, narrowing the gap to 34-28. The Bears attempted an on-side kick, but Arkansas State secured possession at the Missouri State 46, effectively sealing the victory.
Statistical Highlights and Looking Ahead
Arkansas State’s Jaylen Raynor completed 17 of 31 passes for 288 yards and three touchdowns, while Corey Rucker was named the game’s offensive MVP with six receptions for 166 yards and a score. Kyle Taylor of Arkansas State earned defensive MVP honors with a game-high 10 tackles.
Missouri State outgained Arkansas State 183-58 in the fourth quarter and 233-133 in the second half, demonstrating their resilience. The Bears finished the game with 23 first downs, 396 total yards, and 39 minutes of possession time.
Clark concluded his Missouri State career with impressive statistics, completing 585 of 865 passes for 7,936 yards and 63 touchdowns. He also set a school record with 22 games with over 200 passing yards and 12 games with over 300 passing yards.
Despite the loss, the Bears concluded their first season at the FBS level and in Conference USA with a winning record and bowl eligibility, marking a significant milestone for the program. The 2025 season promises to be a memorable one for Missouri State’s dedicated fan base.
