The Missouri State Bears wrap up the home portion of their schedule, dropping a 48-27 decision to the #25 North Dakota State Bison in a Missouri Valley Conference match-up on a cold and windy day before 3,920 frozen fans at Plaster Field on the campus of Missouri State University.
The Bears took advantage of a North Dakota State fumble on the opening kickoff, taking possession at the Bison 29 yard line. Matt Hottelman booted a 44 yard field goal to give the Bears the early 3-0 lead.
The Bison quickly tied the score as they control following the kickoff. Shawn Bibeau kicked a 29 yard field goal to make the score Missouri State 3, North Dakota State 3.
North Dakota State’s next possession ended with Bibeau’s second field goal of the day, this one from 23 yards out to make the score Bison 6, Bears 3. That’s how the 1st quarter ended.
The Bears took the lead early in the 2nd quarter as quarterback Cody Kirby ran it in from 5 yards out to cap a 6 play, 55 yard drive. Hottelman’s extra point made it MSU 10, NDSU 6.
Not to be outdone, NDSU quarterback Nick Mertens scored a touchdown of his own as he took it in from a yard out to cap an 8 play, 66 yard drive. Bibeau’s PAT made it North Dakota State 13, Missouri State 10.
The next score in this back and forth battle came off the foot of Matt Hottelman as he sliced the uprights with a 22 yard field goal to tie the score at 13. The half ended with the teams tied.
North Dakota State scored twice in the 3rd quarter on turnovers. The first was an interception turned into a 6 yard touchdown run by Tyler Roehl to make the store 20-13 in favor of the Bison.
The second score of the quarter came when Joe Lardinois ripped the ball away from quarterback Cody Kirby and took it into the end zone. Bibeau’s PAT made it Bison 27, Bears 13.
Quarterback Cody Kirby scored his second TD of the day as he took it in from a yard out to cap a 13 play, 86 yard drive. Hottelman’s conversion brought the Bears to within 6 points at 27-20.
A 12 yard TD pass from Martens to Thor Brown just prior to the end of the 3rd quarter and Bibeau’s extra point made it NDSU 34, MSU 20 as the teams changed ends of the field.
The Bears narrowed the score thanks to a turnover in Bison terriroty. Kirby tossed a 15 yard TD pass to Chris Geisz. Hottelman’s extra point made it NDSU 34, MSU 27.
Tyler Roehl got back those points on North Dakota State’s next offensive play as he ran 80 yards for the major. Bibeau’s PAT put the Bison on top 41-27.
North Dakota State scored once more as Matt Voigtlander ran for a 1 yard touchdown with 2:05 remaining in the 4th quarter. Bibeau’s extra point made the final score NDSU 48, MSU 27.
The Bears (3-7) wrap up the 2008 season next Saturday against Indiana State University at Terre Haute, Indiana.
