The Missouri St. Bears are playing one of the toughest schedules in the NCAA Division I-AA this season and are keeping their heads well above water, despite some setbacks. For their efforts, they have climbed to 30th in the national rankings this week.

MSU upset then-7th-ranked Northern Iowa 24-21 at Plaster Field in Springfield Saturday. UNI fell to 14th after the loss.

On September 17, the Bears lost to top-ranked Southern Illinois 23-20 in overtime in Carbondale. They also played Arkansas and lost 49-17 in their season opener.

The Bears (3-2) road gets no easier for Missouri St. They’ll face the number three team in the nation, Western Kentucky, this week in Bowling Green, Kentucky