My take: Who would have thought that Missouri State would have more wins on Oct. 1st than Mizzou?  After a rough first season for Dave Steckel, his team is playing some great ball.

Great game by QB Brodie Lambert.  Last year’s starter is getting a second chance at Breck Ruddick was suspended for an animal abuse investigation.  

Missouri State spoiled No. 24 Indiana State’s homecoming with a 45-24 victory Saturday at Memorial Stadium. Malik Earl hauled in a career-high 11 receptions for 161 yards and two touchdowns, while Dylan Cole sparked a resurgent MSU defense to pave the way to the Bears’ first win over a ranked opponent since 2013.

The Bears improve to 3-1 on the year, after going 1-10 last year in Dave Steckel’s first year.

Missouri State’s offense rolled up a season-high 473 yards, while the Bears’ defense limited ISU’s high-powered offense to 116 second-half yards while forcing a trio of crucial turnovers in the fourth quarter.

Brodie Lambert turned in a career performance for the Bears as well, completing 24-of-35 passes for 279 yards and three touchdowns, including the go-ahead eight-yard scoring toss to Earl with 1:44 to play in the third quarter. Earl’s 11 receptions on the day matched two former Bears—Jason Cannon and Clay Harbor—for the second-best single-game total in program history.

The Bears return home next Saturday for a 2 p.m. MVFC contest against No. 1 North Dakota State, during which Missouri State will honor its 1966 MIAA championship squad.

Story-Missouri State Athletics