Clark has 4 TDs, Wright has 2, Missouri State wins 5th straight 46-21 over Indiana State
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. — Jason Clark threw for four touchdowns and ran for another, and Missouri State won its fifth straight game, 46-21 over Indiana State on Saturday.
The Bears (5-3, 4-0 Missouri Valley) took control early, scoring the game’s first 21 points, and they never trailed against the Sycamores (2-6, 1-3). Missouri State scored at least 40 points for the third consecutive game.
Clark was 13 of 24 for 272 yards with an interception and a career-high 118 yards rushing, while also catching one pass for 9 yards.
Tyrek Wright added two touchdowns, one on a 23-yard reception from Clark and the other on a 10-yard run. Wright finished with seven catches for 135 yards. His long reception of the day went for 76 yards and came after a long punt return from receiver James Ivory, who caught seven passes for 135 yards.
“This week, the guys were super focused and we took care of business and had a good game,” Clark said. “Everybody stepped up, did their part, and it was a fun day to be out here.
“James made a great punt return and it got us great field position, then we made the most of it,” Clark added. “Our offensive line gave me time to throw, our receivers got open and Tyrek did a great job of running after the catch. I was seeing it well and threw the ball on time. It’s hard to make it look easy, and they did that.”
The Bears finished with a 359-236 edge in total yards. The defense was outstanding, limiting the Sycamores to 61 rushing yards.
“That is the Missouri State defense, flying around, doing things well and making it very tough on our offense to be able to sustain drives and really establish some tempo,” Indiana State coach Curt Mallory said.
“Their execution on both sides of the ball is fantastic,” Mallory added. “And it seems like every week, it just continues to get better.”
Indiana State scored 21 points in the final 8 minutes, including an 8-yard touchdown run by Gavin Owens to cut the Bears’ lead to 39-21 with 2:12 remaining. Owens, who missed the previous four games because of a broken hand, carried eight times for 30 yards. But he also threw three interceptions. One pick by Missouri State’s Kaden Hennecke in the end zone was followed by the Bears’ eighth touchdown of the day. That scoring drive featured Tylar Cook’s third catch, and Clark’s final touchdown of the game — his 21st on the season.
Indiana State quarterback Jay Lenon went 11 of 21 for 136 yards, while Isaiah Fife-Whitted rushed for 63 yards on eight carries.
Missouri State entered the game leading the Missouri Valley in rushing (184.7 yards per game) and total offense (483.0). They were 24th in the FCS.
Indiana State came into the contest as the Missouri Valley’s last-ranked team in total defense, allowing an average of 454.7 yards per game.
