Coming off a pair of tough losses by a combined six points, Illinois State (4-4, 2-3 MVFC) looks to right the ship on the road against Missouri State (3-5, 2-3 MVFC) as the Redbirds and the Bears look to get positive momentum heading into the final third of the 2023 season.
Northern Iowa beat Illinois State 24-21 last Saturday.
The Redbirds (4-4, 2-3 Missouri Valley Football Conference) got within three points on Zack Annexstad's 17-yard TD pass to Cam Grandy with 27 seconds remaining. The ensuing onside kick went out of bounds to the Panthers after a scramble.
Annexstad was 33 of 44 for 292 yards passing, two touchdowns and an interception. Grandy had 11 catches for 122 yards and a score. Daniel Sobkowicz had 81 yards receiving and a TD. The Redbirds rushed for just 45 yards.
Missouri State picked up wins at Western Illinois and at home against Murray State to improve to 3-4 overall and 2-2 in MVFC action, before suffering a 44-28 defeat last week at Youngstown State.
After trailing 38-14 early in the third quarter, the Bears cut the deficit to 10, but could not complete the second-half comeback against the Penguins last week.
The Bears accrued 436 yards of total offense, including a career-high 341 passing yards from quarterback Jordan Pachot who completed 25-of-38 attempts through the air with a pair of touchdowns. The offensive output was aided by Raylen Sharpe, who led all MSU receivers with 8 catches for 109 yards,and running back Jacardia Wright who had 7 carries for 72 yards and scored a pair of touchdowns.
Game time is 2 pm from Springfield, Missouri.
