Missouri State (3-5, 2-3 in CUSA) has struggled to find winning plays on the road this season. The Bears‘ road woes continued against FIU (4-5, 2-3) on Saturday, Nov. 7.
FIU defeated Missouri State 23-20 on a last-second field goal. With the goal of bowl eligibility at the top of everyone’s mind, a win was imperative against the Panthers. Missouri State’s offense was not up to snuff, failing to score a touchdown in the defeat.
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The Bears are now 0-5 on the road this season.
“We are not combining our effort with execution,” Bears coach Casey Woods said. “They are not going to cancel all of our road games. Missed opportunity, we have got to find a way to do it better. We don’t have time to pout about it.”
Missouri State: Bears lose to FIU football on last-second field goal
DALLAS, TEXAS – SEPTEMBER 26: Casey Woods of the Missouri State Bears reacts during the second half against the SMU Mustangs at Gerald J. Ford Stadium on September 26, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
Missouri State kicker Yousef Obeid hit four field goals, a career high. Linebacker Jashawn Cooper picked up a fumble and returned it to the end zone for a 51-yard scoop-and-score, off a J.J. O’Neal sack.
The Bears had five chances in the red zone. It finished with three field goals, an interception and a turnover on downs. FIU’s front contained chunk running plays, while the secondary shined in defending contested passes.
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“Credit to FIU, they made the plays and we didn’t,” Woods said. “This whole game was a missed opportunity.”
While Cooper’s touchdown was the team’s major highlight, Missouri State’s defense was gashed consistently in the run game. FIU ran for 277 yards. Running back Devonte Lyons carried the ball for 216 yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback J.J. Kohl found daylight for a 27-yard rush on the final possession. It set up FIU’s chip shot for the win.
In previous road games, Missouri State were outmatched by Delaware’s passing attack and Western Kentucky’s impressive run game.
Against FIU, Missouri State had its best chance to snag a road win. FIU was lower in the standings and had similar stats to the Bears. When the game needed big plays, the Panthers provided them, while Missouri State couldn’t execute.
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“Make one good play and then it followed by a bad play,” Woods said. “That’s both sides of the ball.”
High school football: Breaking down Springfield area district semifinal action
Missouri State hosts Sam Houston in a Conference USA clash inside Plaster Stadium on Tuesday, Oct. 27.
Missouri State quarterback Henry Belin finished with 225 yards on 19-for-35 passing and one interception. Jmariyae Robinson led the team with 93 yards off six catches.
Robinson continues to chase Missouri State’s triple crown. He is now nine yards shy of becoming the program’s all-time leader in receiving yards. Robinson is also one touchdown away from tying the record, and he already owns the record for most receptions.
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The running game was disappointing for the Bears. The team ran for 87 total yards, with Connor Lair taking the bulk of the work with 68 yards.
Missouri State closes the season with three extremely difficult games. The Bears will host New Mexico State on Saturday, Nov. 14, then face the top two teams in Conference USA. The Bears will go on the road to Jacksonville State before ending the year at home against Liberty.
It doesn’t get any easier for Missouri State.
Liam Keating covers high school sports and Missouri State athletics for The Springfield News-Leader. Send stats or information to him at Lkeating@usatodayco.com
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Missouri State football fails to combine ‘effort with execution’ in loss to FIU
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