Missouri State Football Scares No. 3 Montana in Opener But Ultimately Falls

Despite a Valiant Effort, Bears Drop Close One to FCS Powerhouse

Key Takeaways

* Missouri State football put up a spirited fight against No. 3-ranked Montana in its season opener. * The Bears showed resilience by trailing by 14 points and coming within 3. * In the end, Montana's experience and depth proved to be the difference.

In a thrilling season opener, Missouri State football gave No. 3-ranked Montana all it could handle but ultimately fell short, losing 31-26. Despite trailing by 14 points in the second half, the Bears rallied to make it a nail-biter in the final quarter.

Missouri State's offense was led by QB Jason Shelley, who threw for 281 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Wide receiver Hunter Woodfin hauled in both of Shelley's TD passes, finishing with 110 yards receiving.

Defensively, the Bears were led by linebacker Tylar Wiltz, who recorded 10 tackles, including 2.5 for a loss. Defensive back Montrae Braswell also had a solid performance with eight tackles and an interception.

Montana's Experience Shines Through

While Missouri State gave a valiant effort, Montana's experience and depth ultimately proved to be too much to overcome. The Grizzlies have appeared in the FCS playoffs 16 times since 2000 and won two national championships.

Montana's offense was paced by quarterback Kris Brown, who threw for 243 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Nick Ostmo was also a key contributor with 102 yards on the ground and a touchdown.

Missouri State head coach Bobby Petrino was proud of his team's effort but acknowledged the need for improvement. "We showed a lot of grit and determination tonight," Petrino said. "We just need to continue to work and get better in all phases of the game.

Looking Ahead

Missouri State will have a tough test next week when it travels to face FBS opponent Arkansas. The Razorbacks are coming off a 44-17 victory over South Carolina in their season opener.

Despite the disappointing outcome against Montana, Missouri State showed that it has the potential to be a competitive team this season. With a young and talented roster, the Bears should continue to improve as the season progresses.