Having won three of their last four games overall and two straight Missouri Valley Football Conference contests, Missouri State returns home this Saturday to take on league rival Southern Illinois.  

The Bears defeated Illinois State, 34-28, on the road last week, claiming their second straight league win for the first time since 2001 and their first road win in the conference since 2004. Trailing 26-14 at the start of the fourth quarter, Cody Kirby brought the Bears back, engineering three consecutive touchdown drives in the fourth quarter to ensure a 34-28 win by the Bears. Kirby tallied 313 yards total offense and accounted for four touchdowns, including matching a career high with three rushing touchdowns and surpassing his career best in rushing yards with a 59-yard effort. His 254 passing yards marked the third 200-yard game of the season and sixth of his career. Kingjack Washington led the Bears’ rushing attack with 17 carries for 85 yards, while Clay Harbor made the most of his return trip to his home state with six catches for 66 yards, extending his consecutive games with at least one reception to 17 in a row. Justin Fuselier had the game-winning touchdown, a 77-yard catch and run from Kirby that resulted in the team’s longest play of the season, and gave the Bears and eight point lead with 4:50 remaining. 

Southern Illinois (4-2, 3-1) defeated Youngstown State, 33-0, last Saturday to claim its first-ever road shutout in MVFC play. Larry Warner led the Salukis with 147 rushing yards on 22 carries as SIU picked up its fourth win of the season.

Missouri State leads the all-time series, 16-14, with the Salukis winning the last five meetings, including a 45-10 decision last season in Carbondale. The Bears are 9-6 at home against SIU.
 
Story courtesy of missouristatebears.com