Jacob Clark appeared determined — perhaps too determined — to give Missouri State a halftime lead against an annual Conference USA contender.
Missouri State’s prized quarterback used his 6-foot-5, 215-pound frame to welcome contact from Western Kentucky linebacker Jaylen Wester late in the second quarter on Saturday at Plaster Stadium as he made his way toward the pylon on a third-and-goal run.
Two yards shy of the end zone, Wester made what appeared to be helmet-to-helmet contact with Clark as he attempted to rumble forward, knocking the seventh-year graduate senior out of bounds.
Clark, who opted to take on the hard-hitting defender, appeared shaken up by the collision. Lester also needed help getting back on his feet.
Trailing by four, Missouri State’s sideline pleaded for a targeting call that would have given the Bears a fresh set of downs. It never came.
Clark wouldn’t return, and MSU dropped an eventual 27-22 decision to the Hilltoppers (4-1, 2-0), a Conference USA debut for the Bears (2-3, 0-1) marred by the uncertain future of one of the best players in program history.
Bears quarterback Jacob Clark throws a pass across the field on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, in Springfield. (Photo by Ellie Frysztak)
The 2024 Walter Payton Award finalist and recent Conference USA preseason watch list talent was using crutches in the second half and was in a leg brace.
MSU head coach Ryan Beard couldn’t speak to the severity of the injury after the game Saturday night.
“Lower extremity,” Beard said when asked what Clark’s specific injury was. “I really have no idea what that looks like until we can get some testing done. Obviously, he was on crutches and not able to come back into the game, so we’ll see where that goes.”
Clark, who missed most of the 2023 season with a shoulder injury, had been taking hits all season, including 19 sacks — among the most in the Football Bowl Subdivision.
When Clark went down on Saturday, it initially appeared to be an upper-body injury due to the point of contact.
“I think I made it pretty well-known (during the game) how the play should have been officiated,” Beard said.
Still, Missouri State put itself in a position to win without the three-year face of its offense.
True freshman QB steps up
Bears quarterback Deuce Bailey scrambles for yards on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, in Springfield. (Photo by Ellie Frysztak)
Six months ago, Deuce Bailey was a high school student in Bowling Green, Kentucky, the home of Western Kentucky University.
On Saturday, the shifty 6-foot dual-threat registered his first meaningful college snaps against the Hilltoppers after being thrust into action.
Bailey’s first two plays were carries of three and 10 yards, helping move the chains for a Yousef Obeid field goal attempt that just missed by bouncing off an upright at the halftime buzzer when MSU trailed 10-9.
Senior center Cash Hudson reminded the 18-year-old talent — one of the most highly touted quarterback recruits to sign with MSU — he was trusted with the offense.
“I said, ‘Look at me. This is your team now,’” Hudson said.
Bailey completed 7 of 16 passes for 57 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 61 yards on eight carries.
Bears wide receiver Dash Luke catches a pass on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, in Springfield. (Photo by Ellie Frysztak)
MSU took a brief lead with Bailey behind center when running back Shomari Lawrence ripped off a 32-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter to put MSU ahead 16-10.
WKU proceeded to answer with three straight scoring drives, including two touchdown runs by La’Vell Wright, to give the Hilltoppers a 27-16 lead.
Bailey’s first career touchdown pass was to fellow true freshman Tristian Gardner to cut WKU’s lead to 27-22 with 4:13 left. The Bears wouldn’t get the ball back.
Bailey’s teammates were impressed with the aplomb.
“I told him I was really proud how he stepped up when his number was called,” Hudson said. “There’s a lot of people who can’t do that as a true freshman. He took over like it was second nature to him.”
With six fewer years of college football than Clark and a contrasting style of play, Beard wanted to keep the playbook simple on Saturday for Bailey.
“I think we need to do a good job in the following weeks — and obviously depending on how Jacob’s (injury status) is doing — catering the menu to what (Bailey) does well. I think he’ll continue to get better,” Beard said.
Bailey had been behind redshirt sophomore Cole Feuerbacher on the quarterback depth chart, but Beard had previously mentioned the No. 2 spot behind Clark was a perpetual competition and different opportunities could come for the back-ups based on the matchup.
Hilltoppers as advertised
Bears running back Shomari Lawrence runs for a touchdown that was later waived off due to a penalty on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, in Springfield. (Photo by Ellie Frysztak)
Western Kentucky has qualified for nine bowl games over the past 10 years and is the most consistent Conference USA winner in that span.
The Hilltoppers’ pass defense ranked 29th in the FBS (171 yards per game) heading into Saturday and mostly looked the part at Plaster Stadium.
Before Clark’s exit, he was held to 8 of 15 passing for 143 yards with nary a touchdown. Bailey completed 7 of 16 passes for 57 yards and a touchdown.
Bears wide receiver Jmariyae Robinson reaches for a pass on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, in Springfield. (Photo by Ellie Frysztak)
WKU quarterback Maverick McIvor, ranked ninth in the FBS in passing yards last week, completed 26 of 39 passes for 317 yards, a touchdown and no interceptions.
“That’s a high-quality football team,” Beard said.
Outside of a 39-yard flea-flicker touchdown pass in the second quarter from McIvor to tight end Noah Meyers, most of WKU’s explosive plays were limited.
But WKU moved the ball when mattered.
“They kept finding holes in our defense, so it comes down to detail,” said MSU linebacker Kanye Young, who had a team-high eight tackles, a sack and a batted-down pass.
WKU also rushed for nearly 100 yards in the fourth quarter, including several on a clock-eating drive by Wright that prevented MSU from getting the ball back in the final minutes, trailing 27-22.
The Hilltoppers were held 10 points below their 37 points-per-game average.
“Overall, I thought we had a solid night,” Beard said about his defense, which forced five punts and a turnover on downs.
Issues resurface for Missouri State
Postgame Western Kentucky: Ryan Beard pic.twitter.com/Uz5BDqzCjs
— Ryan W. Collingwood (@rwcollingwood) September 28, 2025
Missouri State is averaging eight penalties and 75 penalty yards per game, but Western Kentucky drew even more flags on the field Saturday.
WKU was called on nine penalties for 94 yards and Missouri State had eight for 70, including two that called back lengthy touchdowns runs by Lawrence and Ramone Green.
Third down has also been a problem.
Postgame Western Kentucky: Kanye Young and Cash Hudson pic.twitter.com/ORcUpgvOLL
— Ryan W. Collingwood (@rwcollingwood) September 28, 2025
Two weeks after going 0 for 12 on conversions in a home loss to SMU, the Bears went 2 for 12 against the Hilltoppers. It led to kicker Yousef Obeid getting four first-half field goal opportunities, hitting three attempts at 49, 22 and 19 yards, respectively.
“We have to do better on our third downs,” Hudson said.
Playing WKU a ‘surreal’ experience
Beard, defensive backs coach Chris Franklin, offensive line coach Max Halpin, running backs coach Ace Wales and offensive quality control Drew Zaubi all played football at Western Kentucky during their college days.
Beard also graduated from Bowling Green High School before earning two degrees at WKU, where he played safety and cut his teeth as a graduate assistant coach.
“It was a surreal moment,” Beard said. “Had family and friends in town on both sides. One of the reasons our team loves to compete is because I love to compete. We can all be friends outside of those lines, I’m OK with that.”
Facing WKU as a 36-year-old FBS head coach, Beard enjoyed seeing it all come full circle.
Up next: Wednesday night football
A bye week of sorts is on deck for MSU before pivoting to an unusual schedule.
Its next three games are on Wednesday nights in October, a Conference USA effort to get more eyeballs on the league’s teams.
MSU travels to Middle Tennessee State (1-4) on Oct. 8 for Bears football’s ESPN2 debut before traveling to New Mexico State on Oct. 22. The Bears host Florida International on Oct. 29 to end the Wednesday games.
Ryan Collingwood covers college and high school sports in the Springfield metropolitan area for the Daily Citizen. Have a story idea or gripe? Send an email to rcollingwood@sgfcitizen.org, call or 417-837-3660, or follow Ryan on social media at X.com/rwcollingwood. More by Ryan Collingwood