HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – In a stunning upset, the Missouri State Bears secured their first-ever Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) victory, defeating Marshall University 21-20 at Edwards Stadium on Saturday night. The Bears' quarterback, Jacob Clark, delivered a stellar performance, throwing for 359 yards and three touchdowns, leading his team to a memorable win.
After falling behind with Marshall taking a 20-7 lead in the second quarter, Missouri State demonstrated resilience and determination. The Thundering Herd were unable to add any further points, while the Bears rallied with two crucial touchdowns to snatch the victory. The game-winning drive, a nine-play, 80-yard march down the field, culminated in an 8-yard touchdown pass from Clark to Jeron Askren with just over two minutes remaining.
Marshall's offense struggled in the second half, with quarterback Zion Turner completing 13 of 24 passes for 83 yards. Despite a strong second quarter where they scored 17 points, the Thundering Herd ultimately fell short. The loss drops Marshall's record to 0-2 for the season. They will be looking to bounce back next Saturday when they host Eastern Kentucky.
Clark's performance was particularly noteworthy, surpassing 5,000 career passing yards. His connection with Jmariyae Robinson for a 52-yard touchdown in the third quarter brought Missouri State within striking distance, while a 57-yard touchdown pass to Ramone Green Jr. earlier in the game gave the Bears an initial lead.
This victory marked the end of Marshall's impressive nine-game home winning streak and their 15th consecutive home-opening win. It was also the first-ever meeting between the two programs. The Bears' defense held strong in the final minutes, forcing a turnover on downs and securing the historic win.
The Missouri State Bears have etched their name in the history books with this momentous victory, signaling a promising start to their FBS journey.