2021 Missouri State Bears football team explained
The 2021 Missouri State Bears football team represented Missouri State University as a member of the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) for the 2021 NCAA Division I FCS football season. They were led by second-year head coach Bobby Petrino, and played their home games at Robert W. Plaster Stadium in Springfield, Missouri. This was the Bears 115th season overall and their 36th season as a member of the Missouri Valley Football Conference. The Bears came off a historic 2020 season which saw them return to the playoffs after a 30-year drought where they last made the playoffs in 1990.[1] Entering the season the team was predicted to finish 6th in the conference. The Bears finished the regular season with an 8–3 record (5–2 in conference play) which was good enough for second place in the Valley and their best finish to a season since 1990. The 2021 team set and matched numerous school records. QB Jason Shelley broke several school records in total offense and passing yards. He broke the single season passing record, total offense in a game, total offense in a season, games with more than 200 passing yards and matched the record for passes completed in a game. WR Ty Scott set school records in receiving yards in a season, matched touchdown receptions in a season, and 100 yard receiving games in a season. Scott was also the first receiver in school history to eclipse a thousand receiving yards in a season. P Grant Burkett set school records in punting average in a game and punting average in a season. The Bears qualified for the playoffs for the second straight year and hosted UT- Martin in the first round. This was the first home playoff game in Springfield since 1990 when Missouri State hosted Idaho.
Offseason
Recruiting
The Bears signed 11 freshman for the 2021 class.[2] They added four players from the state including late addition Kaden McMullen[3] who was the best QB in Missouri and number 5 in the 2021 class according to ESPN.[4] Other highlights include TE Gary Clinton who was 29 overall and the 3rd best TE in Missouri,[5] 3 star QB Hess Horne from Alabama, 3 star OL Brett Harris from Kansas City, and 2 star DL Sterling Smithson from Kansas.
Transfers
Incoming
Missouri State brought in 18 transfers in the 2021 class, who were eligible to play right away. Several players have started right away on offense like Junior QB Jason Shelley from Utah State, Senior OL Sean Fitzgerald from Coastal Carolina, Sophomore WR Ty Scott from Central Michigan, and RS Senior WR Xavier Lane from Western Kentucky. Defensively, Senior LB Dimitri Moore from Vanderbilt, Freshman DB Donovan Clark from Boise State, and Junior CB Javian Smith have all made impacts.
| Name | No. | Pos. | Height | Weight | Year | Hometown | Prev. school |
|---|
| Andrew Cunningham | TBA | RB | 6'1 | 215 | Sophomore | | Iowa Central CC |
| Kendrick Davis | TBA | OL | 6'4 | 300 | Senior | | Fort Hays State |
| Sean Fitzgerald | TBA | OL | 6'2 | 290 | Senior | | |
| Nick Gallo | TBA | OG | 6'3 | 285 | Sophomore | | Independence CC |
| Ryan Suliafu | TBA | OL | 6'0 | 279 | Sophomore | | Riverside CC |
| Jason Shelley | TBA | QB | 5'11 | 190 | Junior | | Utah State |
| TBA | WR | 6'3 | 194 | Sophomore | | |
| Dimitri Moore | TBA | LB | 6'3 | 234 | Senior | | |
| Terique Owens | TBA | WR | 6'3 | 180 | RS Sophomore | | Florida Atlantic |
| Xavier Lane | TBA | WR | 6'4 | 205 | RS Senior | | Western Kentucky |
| Naveon Mitchell | TBA | RB | 5'10 | 175 | RS Freshman | | New Mexico State |
| Donovan Clark | TBA | DB | 6'2 | 194 | Freshman | | |
| Javian Smith | TBA | CB | 6'3 | 193 | Junior | | |
| Jahod Booker | TBA | WR | 5'11 | 182 | RS Junior | | Alabama State |
| Clayton Ingram | TBA | OL | 6'0 | 270 | RS Freshman | | Northern Arizona |
| Trae Thompson | TBA | LB | 6'1 | 235 | Sophomore | | Northeastern Oklahoma CC |
| Jaylen Stewart | TBA | DB | 6'3 | 190 | Somphomore | | El Camino College |
| Jeremiah Carter | TBA | OL | 6'6 | 313 | Sophomore | | | |
Preseason
MVFC Media Poll
The Media picked the Bears to finish in 6th place. This was the highest prediction for the Bears since 2010.
| MVFC media poll[6] |
| 1 | South Dakota State | 454 (24) |
| 2 | North Dakota State | 435 (18) |
| 3 | North Dakota | 357 |
| 4 | Southern Illinois | 345 |
| 5 | Northern Iowa | 311 (1) |
| 6 | Missouri State | 256 |
| 7 | Illinois State | 196 |
| 8 | South Dakota | 163 |
| 9 | Youngstown State | 126 |
| 10 | Indiana State | 112 |
| 11 | Western Illinois | 83 | |
Preseason awards
Missouri State had seven players selected to the 2021 All-MVFC Preseason Team. 5 from the defense, 1 from the offense, and 1 from the specialists. The Bears had one player picked to the first team which was Junior defensive back, Montrae Braswell. 6 players were chosen to the second team.
| Preseason All-MFVC Team[7] |
| Montrae Braswell | First Team | DB | JR |
| Landon Bebee | Second Team | OL | JR |
| Kevin Ellis | Second Team | DL | SR |
| Eric Johnson | Second Team | DL | -SR |
| Kyriq McDonald | Second Team | DB | SR |
| Jose Pizano | Second Team | K | JR |
| Tylar Wiltz | Second Team | LB | SR |
|
Personnel
Coaching staff
Bobby Petrino's coaching staff remained the same from 2020. Ryan Beard remained with the Bears as the defensive coordinator. Nick Petrino remained with the Bears as the offensive coordinator/ quarterbacks coach. Petrino received a pay raise as well following the successful 2020 season.[8] Other members of the coaching staff such as offensive coordinator Nick Petrino, defensive line coach L.D. Scott, running backs coach Ronnie Fouch and defensive coordinator Ryan Beard also earned extensions and raises.[9]
| Head coach | Carroll College (1983) | 2020 |
| Ryan Beard | Defensive coordinator/ Safeties | Western Kentucky (2012) | 2020 |
| Nick Petrino | Offense coordinator / quarterbacks coach | Western Kentucky (2014) | 2020 |
| Wide receivers coach | Purdue (2015) | 2020 |
| Skyler Cassity | Inside linebackers coach | | Auburn (2016) | 2020 |
| Nelson Fishback | Tight ends coach/ co-special teams coordinator | Western Kentucky (2015) | 2020 |
| Running backs coach/ recruiting coordinator/ co-special teams coordinator | Indiana State (2004) | 2020 |
| Max Halpin | Offensive line coach | Western Kentucky (2016) | 2020 |
| Reggie Johnson | Inside Linebackers | Louisville (1996) | 2020 |
| L.D. Scott | Defensive line coach/ run game coordinator | Louisville (2009) | 2020 |
| Tramain Thomas | Defensive backs coach | Arkansas (2013) | 2020 |
| Lynn Mentzer | Director of football operations | Coastal Carolina (2005) | 2018 | |
[10]
Roster
[11] Schedule
The Bears opened the season at Big 12 member Oklahoma State with a night game at Boone Pickens Stadium; where they lost a close matchup, 23–16. The Bears returned home for 2 straight at Plaster Stadium when they faced off with Central Arkansas and their first conference game with South Dakota for family weekend. Missouri State avenged 2 losses to UCA last fall with a 43–34 victory. They also beat South Dakota 31–23 to conclude the homestand. An early bye week split the two home games. Following the South Dakota game the Bears went on the road for two straight. They traveled to Illinois State where they won 41–20. Concluding the road trip was a game at Youngstown State where they lost 41–33. The team returned home for Homecoming against the Indiana State Sycamores where they crushed the Sycamores 37–7. North Dakota State in Fargo awaited Missouri State after Homecoming and the Bears lost 27–20 after leading late. A rematch of the playoff game from last season with North Dakota at home awaited the team and after a frantic 4th quarter comeback they got their revenge and won 32–28. The Bears traveled to Carbondale and beat the #7 Salukis 38–28. For their last home game of the year against Northern Iowa the team scored late to win 34–27. A late non-conference road trip to St. George to new division 1 school Dixie State ended the regular season for the Bears. After qualifying for the FCS Playoffs, Missouri State hosted their first home play off game since 1990. In the regular season, Missouri State had three non conference games, 5 home games and 6 away games.
Game summaries
Regular Season
At Oklahoma State
See also: 2021 Oklahoma State Cowboys football team.
| Statistics | MSU | OSU |
|---|
| First downs | 23 | 16 |
| Total yards | 336 | 369 |
| Rushes/yards | 37/102 | 28/54 |
| Passing yards | 234 | 315 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 24-46-0 | 22-40-1 |
| Time of possession | 35:30 | 24:30 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Missouri State | Passing | Jason Shelley | 23/44, 235 yards, 1 TD |
| Rushing | Kevon Latulas | 6 carries, 45 yards |
| Receiving | Xavier Lane | 8 receptions, 78 yards |
| Oklahoma State | Passing | Shane Illingworth | 22/40, 315 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
| Rushing | L.D. Brown | 15 carries, 30 yards, 1 TD |
| Receiving | | 6 receptions, 107 yards, 1 TD | |
- 19 Central Arkansas
See also: 2021 Central Arkansas Bears football team.
| Statistics | UCA | MSU |
|---|
| First downs | 22 | 24 |
| Total yards | 453 | 378 |
| Rushes/yards | 29/ 121 | 34/ 147 |
| Passing yards | 332 | 231 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 25-38-2 | 18-36-0 |
| Time of possession | 27:43 | 32:17 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Central Arkansas | Passing | Breylin Smith | 25/38, 332 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT |
| Rushing | Trysten Smith | 8 carries, 79 yards, 1 TD |
| Receiving | Lujuan Winningham | 10 catches, 144 yards |
| Missouri State | Passing | Jason Shelley | 18/36, 231 yards, 1 TD |
| Rushing | Kevon Latulas | 10 carries, 98 yards |
| Receiving | Xavier Lane | 9 catches, 148 yards, 1 TD | |
South Dakota
See also: 2021 South Dakota Coyotes football team.
| Statistics | USD | MSU |
|---|
| First downs | 14 | 22 |
| Total yards | 361 | 439 |
| Rushes/yards | 33/ 130 | 46/ 158 |
| Passing yards | 231 | 281 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 12-29-2 | 19-29-0 |
| Time of possession | 24:11 | 35:49 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| South Dakota | Passing | Carson Camp | 12/29, 231 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT |
| Rushing | Nate Thomas | 4 carries, 60 yards |
| Receiving | Carter Bell | 3 catches, 102 yards |
| Missouri State | Passing | Jason Shelley | 19/29, 281 yards, 2 TD |
| Rushing | Tobias Little | 14 carries, 71 yards |
| Receiving | | 7 catches, 111 yards, 1 TD | |
At Illinois State
See also: 2021 Illinois State Redbirds football team.
| Statistics | MSU | ISU |
|---|
| First downs | 26 | 17 |
| Total yards | 513 | 358 |
| Rushes/yards | 38/194 | 31/40 |
| Passing yards | 319 | 318 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 19-27-1 | 19-30-3 |
| Time of possession | 30:50 | 28:26 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Missouri State | Passing | Jason Shelley | 19/27, 319 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT |
| Rushing | Tobias Little | 14 carries, 91 yards, 3 TD |
| Receiving | | 5 catches, 85 yards, 1 TD |
| Illinois State | Passing | Jackson Waring | 19/30, 318 yards, 3 TD, 3 INT |
| Rushing | Pha'leak Brown | 7 carries, 27 yards |
| Receiving | Jabari Khepera | 5 catches, 107 yards, 1 TD | |
At Youngstown State
See also: 2021 Youngstown State Penguins football team.
| Statistics | MSU | YSU |
|---|
| First downs | 30 | 21 |
| Total yards | 503 | 476 |
| Rushes/yards | 27/131 | 50/377 |
| Passing yards | 372 | 99 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 27-49-2 | 10-19-0 |
| Time of possession | 26:47 | 33:13 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Missouri State | Passing | Jason Shelley | 27/48, 372 yards, 4 TD, 2 INT |
| Rushing | Jason Shelley | 11 carries, 93 yards |
| Receiving | Ty Scott | 8 catches, 121 yards, 2 TD |
| Youngstown State | Passing | Demeatric Crenshaw | 10/19, 99 yards, 2 TD |
| Rushing | Demeatric Crenshaw | 22 carries, 202 yards, 1 TD |
| Receiving | Samuel St. Surin | 2 catches, 39 yards, 1 TD | |
Indiana State (homecoming)
See also: 2021 Indiana State Sycamores football team.
| Statistics | ISU | MSU |
|---|
| First downs | 15 | 21 |
| Total yards | 177 | 442 |
| Rushes/yards | 24/84 | 45/190 |
| Passing yards | 177 | 252 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 18-33-1 | 13-25-1 |
| Time of possession | 24:56 | 35:04 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Indiana State | Passing | Anthony Thompson | 18/31, 177 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
| Rushing | Peterson Kerlegrand | 16 carries, 73 yards |
| Receiving | Dante Hendrix | 10 catches, 121 yards, 1 TD |
| Missouri State | Passing | Jason Shelley | 11/21, 225 yards, 3 TD |
| Rushing | Tobias Little | 9 carries, 55 yards |
| Receiving | Ty Scott | 3 catches, 106 yards, 2 TD | |
At #3 North Dakota State
See also: 2021 North Dakota State Bison football team.
| Statistics | MSU | NDSU |
|---|
| First downs | 15 | 16 |
| Total yards | 321 | 333 |
| Rushes/yards | 32/79 | 35/144 |
| Passing yards | 242 | 189 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 16-25-1 | 12-26-1 |
| Time of possession | 30:57 | 29:03 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Missouri State | Passing | Jason Shelley | 16/25, 242 yards, 1 INT |
| Rushing | Tobias Little | 9 carries, 41 yards, 2 TD |
| Receiving | Ty Scott | 6 catches, 104 yards |
| North Dakota State | Passing | | 7/9, 112 yards, 2 TD |
| Rushing | Quincy Patterson | 6 carries, 57 yards, 1 TD |
| Receiving | | 4 catches, 106 yards, 1 TD | |
North Dakota
See also: 2021 North Dakota Fighting Hawks football team.
| Statistics | UND | MSU |
|---|
| First downs | 23 | 26 |
| Total yards | 441 | 468 |
| Rushes/yards | 41/256 | 25/119 |
| Passing yards | 185 | 349 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 14-23-1 | 29-42-1 |
| Time of possession | 32:48 | 27:12 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| North Dakota | Passing | Tommy Schuster | 13/21, 164 yards, 1 INT |
| Rushing | Otis Weah | 21 carries, 165 yards, 3 TD |
| Receiving | Adam Zavainey | 2 catches, 54 yards, 1 TD |
| Missouri State | Passing | Jason Shelley | 29/42, 349 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT |
| Rushing | Tobias Little | 15 carries, 112 yards |
| Receiving | Tyrone Scott | 10 catches, 147 yards, 1 TD | |
At #7 Southern Illinois
See also: 2021 Southern Illinois Salukis football team.
| Statistics | MSU | SIU |
|---|
| First downs | 26 | 18 |
| Total yards | 480 | 298 |
| Rushes/yards | 53/237 | 31/36 |
| Passing yards | 243 | 262 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 16-29-1 | 21-39-0 |
| Time of possession | 37:00 | 27:14 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Missouri State | Passing | Jason Shelley | 16/29, 243 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
| Rushing | Kevon Latulas | 7 carries, 105 yards, 1 TD |
| Receiving | Ty Scott | 5 catches, 83 yards, 1 TD |
| Southern Illinois | Passing | Nic Baker | 21/38, 262 yards, 3 TD |
| Rushing | Donovan Spencer | 11/19, 15 yards |
| Receiving | Landon Lenoir | 7 catches, 100 yards | |
- 20 Northern Iowa
See also: 2021 Northern Iowa Panthers football team.
| Statistics | UNI | MSU |
|---|
| First downs | 22 | 18 |
| Total yards | 360 | 379 |
| Rushes/yards | 33/122 | 32/59 |
| Passing yards | 238 | 320 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 17-30-2 | 22-30-0 |
| Time of possession | 29:28 | 30:32 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Northern Iowa | Passing | | 17/30, 238 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT |
| Rushing | Dom Williams | 16 carries, 83 yards |
| Receiving | Deion McShane | 6 catches, 86 yards, 2 TD |
| Missouri State | Passing | Jason Shelley | 22/33, 320 yards, 1 TD |
| Rushing | Tobias Little | 10 carries, 34 yards |
| Receiving | Naveon Mitchell | 3 catches, 74 yards, 1 TD | |
At Dixie State
See also: 2021 Dixie State Trailblazers football team.
| Statistics | MSU | DSU |
|---|
| First downs | 26 | 21 |
| Total yards | 574 | 382 |
| Rushes/yards | 36/297 | 36/75 |
| Passing yards | 277 | 307 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 15-29-1 | 24-49-1 |
| Time of possession | 28:50 | 31:10 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Missouri State | Passing | Jason Shelley | 13/24, 251 yards, 1 TD |
| Rushing | Kevon Latulas | 8 carries, 162 yards, 2 TD |
| Receiving | Ty Scott | 8 catches, 174 yards |
| Dixie State | Passing | Kobe Tracy | 24/49, 307 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
| Rushing | Drew Kannely-Robles | 22 carries, 78 yards |
| Receiving | Keith Davis | 7 catches, 146 yards | |
FCS Playoffs
- 16 UT Martin
See also: 2021 UT Martin Skyhawks football team.
| Statistics | UTM | MSU |
|---|
| First downs | 19 | 17 |
| Total yards | 361 | 398 |
| Rushes/yards | 35/89 | 30/119 |
| Passing yards | 272 | 279 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 22-43-1 | 22-42-3 |
| Time of possession | 31:44 | 28:16 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| UT Martin | Passing | | 23/43, 272 yards, 2 TD, INT |
| Rushing | | 12 carries, 68 yards, TD |
| Receiving | Donnel Williams | 7 receptions, 178 yards, TD |
| Missouri State | Passing | Jason Shelley | 22/42, 279 yards, 3 TD, 3 INT |
| Rushing | Jason Shelley | 13 carries, 93 yards |
| Receiving | Xavier Lane | 7 receptions, 110 yards, TD | |
Awards and honors
Regular season
Missouri Valley weekly awards
In 2021, the Bears broke the program record of 11 conference weekly awards with 14 honors. QB Jason Shelley paced the team with 5 awards across "Valley Offensive Player of the Week" (2) and "Valley Newcomer of the Week" (3). WR Xavier Lane was the other Bears player to receive multiple awards; winning 1 as the "Valley Offensive Player of the Week" and 1 as the "Valley Newcomer of the Week". OT Landon Bebee was the lone selection as "Valley Offensive Lineman of the Week" while LB Ferrin Manulelua was the only player to be selected as "Valley Defensive Player of the Week". Missouri State had had 3 players chosen as "Special Teams Players of the Week" LB Steven Ward, CB Montrae Braswell, and K Jose Pizano. RB Tobias Little was the other "Valley Offensive Player of the Week", and RB Kevon Latulas won his award as "Newcomer of the Week".
Defensive Player of the Week !style= | Player | style= | Position | style= | Date | style= | Ref. |
|---|
| Ferrin Manulelelua | LB | October 31, 2021 | [12] | |
Newcomer of the Week !style= | Player | style= | Position | style= | Date | style= | Ref. |
|---|
| Jason Shelley | QB | September 5, 2021 | [13] |
| Xavier Lane | WR | September 12, 2021 | [14] |
| Jason Shelley | QB | September 26, 2021 | [15] |
| Jason Shelley | QB | October 31, 2021 | |
| Kevon Latulas | RB | November 1, 2021 | [16] |
|
Offensive Player of the Week !style= | Player | style= | Position | style= | Date | style= | Ref. |
|---|
| Xavier Lane | WR | September 12, 2021 | |
| Tobias Little | RB | October 3, 2021 | [17] |
| Jason Shelley | QB | October 31, 2021 | |
| Jason Shelley | QB | November 14, 2021 | [18] |
|
Offensive Lineman of the Week !style= | Player | style= | Position | style= | Date | style= | Ref. |
|---|
| Landon Bebee | OT | October 4, 2021 | [19] |
|
Special Teams Player of the Week !style= | Player | style= | Position | style= | Date | style= | Ref. |
|---|
| Montrae Braswell | CB | September 12, 2021 | |
| Steven Ward | LB | October 17, 2021 | [20] |
| Jose Pizano | K | November 1, 2021 | | |
Postseason
Missouri Valley Football Conference
Newcomer of the Year!style= | Player | style= | Position | style= | Date | style= | Ref. |
|---|
| Jason Shelley | QB | November 24, 2021 | [21] | |
Offensive Player of the Year!style= | Player | style= | Position | style= | Date | style= | Ref. |
|---|
| Jason Shelley | QB | November 24, 2021 | | |
Notes and References
- Web site: Missouri State earns into FCS Football Playoffs. April 19, 2021. Missourinet.
- Web site: Football Bears Add 18 Players in Early Signing Period. Missouri State.
- Web site: Three-star quarterback Kaden McMullen is joining Missouri State football. Wyatt D.. Wheeler. Springfield News-Leader.
- Web site: Kaden McMullen - Football Recruiting - Player Profiles - ESPN. ESPN.com.
- Web site: Gary Clinton - Football Recruiting - Player Profiles - ESPN. ESPN.com.
- Web site: Missouri Valley Football Announces Preseason Team / Poll. valley-football.org.
- Web site: Seven Bears Earn Preseason All-MVFC Honors.
- Web site: Missouri State football coach Bobby Petrino earned an automatic extension and pay raise with playoff berth. Wyatt D.. Wheeler. Springfield News-Leader.
- Web site: Missouri State extends football coach Bobby Petrino after one season. Wyatt D.. Wheeler. Springfield News-Leader.
- Web site: 2021 Football Coaches. August 8, 2021.
- Web site: 2021 Football Roster. August 8, 2021.
- Web site: Shelley, Manuleleua Honored as Valley Players of the Week. Missouri State.
- Web site: Shelley Earns MVFC Newcomer of the Week Laurels. Missouri State.
- Web site: Lane, Braswell Earn Valley Football Weekly Honors. Missouri State.
- Web site: Shelley Earns MVFC Newcomer of the Week Honors for Second Time. Missouri State.
- Web site: Pizano, Latulas Earn Valley Football Weekly Honors. Missouri State.
- Web site: Valley Honors Go to Bears Running Back. Missouri State.
- Web site: Valley Names Shelley Offensive Player of the Week. Missouri State.
- Web site: Bebee Earns MVFC Offensive Lineman of the Week.
- Web site: Ward Earns Valley Special Teams Honors. Missouri State.
- Web site: Shelley Named Valley Offensive Player of the Year. Missouri State.
