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Missouri State football news
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Missouri State lost 50-0 at No. 8 Texas A&M in its ESPN debut.
The lopsided loss still gave the FBS newcomer its biggest TV audience yet.
Background
Missouri State is in its second season in Conference USA and the FBS ranks, having moved up in 2025 partly to market the school on national television. Its first ESPN appearance came in a season-opening road game against a top-10 opponent, and the reported 1.57 million viewers far exceeded its earlier FBS-era broadcasts on Big 10 Network (235,000) and ESPN2 (338,000). The Bears were held to 67 yards of total offense in the loss.
How it unfolded
- Sep 5, 2026No. 8 Texas A&M beat Missouri State 50-0 before 107,782 fans at Kyle Field, limiting the Bears to 67 total yards.
- Sep 5, 2026Missouri State played on ESPN for the first time; Skyler Locklear went 8-of-17 for 30 yards in his first start, Dubar rushed 7 times for 20 yards, and Jmariyae Robinson caught 4 passes for 14 yards.
- Sep 5, 2026The ESPN debut drew a reported 1.57 million viewers.
- Sep 9, 2026Missouri State announced 2026 Plaster Stadium fan updates, including cashless game-day parking, $15 reserved parking, Bear Walk changes, a Bear Rewards student program and a postgame smash tradition.
- Sep 10, 2026Lindenwood previewed its in-state showdown at Missouri State.
- Sep 11, 2026Missouri State (0-1) was set to host Lindenwood (1-1) Saturday at 6 p.m. on ESPN+.
- Sep 12, 2026Missouri State was scheduled to host Lindenwood at 6 p.m. at Robert W. Plaster Stadium.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- Head coach Casey Woods said he is hopeful the stands will be packed Saturday to support the Bears in their home opener.