Northwestern State Demons @ Missouri State Bears
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NWST | 0 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 23 |
MOST | 0 | 7 | 10 | 0 | 17 |
Northwestern State beats Missouri State 23-17
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Zach Adkins' 51-yard touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter snapped a tie to lift Northwestern State to a 23-17 victory over Missouri State Thursday night in the season opener for both teams.
Adkins was 24-for-37 for 233 yards and rushed for a touchdown late in the third quarter to tie the score at 17. Shakeir Ryan's game-winning TD catch from Adkins was one of his six receptions in the contest.
Demons' coach Jay Thomas made a good first impression in his debut, leading the Southland Conference school to its first road-win since 2011.
The Bears' Kierra Harris rushed for a touchdown early in the third quarter to give the Missouri Valley Conference representative the lead. Austin Witmer's 42-yard field goal stretched the Bears' advantage to 17-10, but it would be their last score.
This is the first time the Demons and Bears have played each other in 24 years.
Game Information
Springfield, MO
2025 Standings
| Southland Conference | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| Stephen F. Austin | 8-0 | 11-3 |
| SE Louisiana | 7-1 | 9-4 |
| Lamar | 5-3 | 8-5 |
| UT Rio Grande Valley | 5-3 | 9-3 |
| Nicholls | 4-4 | 4-8 |
| McNeese | 4-4 | 5-7 |
| East Texas A&M | 3-5 | 3-9 |
| Incarnate Word | 3-5 | 5-7 |
| Houston Christian | 1-7 | 2-10 |
| Northwestern State | 0-8 | 1-11 |
| Conference USA | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| Kennesaw State | 7-1 | 10-4 |
| Jacksonville State | 7-1 | 9-5 |
| Western Kentucky | 6-2 | 9-4 |
| Louisiana Tech | 5-3 | 8-5 |
| Missouri State | 5-3 | 7-6 |
| Florida International | 5-3 | 7-6 |
| Delaware | 4-4 | 7-6 |
| Liberty | 3-5 | 4-8 |
| Middle Tennessee | 2-6 | 3-9 |
| New Mexico State | 2-6 | 4-8 |
| UTEP | 1-7 | 2-10 |
| Sam Houston | 1-7 | 2-10 |
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