SPRINGFIELD – In a senior day game that featured seven lead changes, it was Missouri State that struck last to win it, using a 92-yard scoring drive in the fourth quarter to top visiting Youngstown State, 25-22, here Saturday in a thrilling Missouri Valley Football Conference showdown.
Jason Shelley’s nine-yard touchdown pass to Ty Scott with 8:23 remaining proved to be the game-winning score, securing Shelley’s sixth fourth-quarter comeback in two seasons. The drive included four third-down conversions, including a third-and-18 completion to Raylen Sharpe for 23 yards to the MSU 38. Later, Terique Owens snagged a 22-yard reception on third-and-10 to get the ball into YSU territory before Celdon Manning broke off a 28-yard run from scrimmage to the 12. Three plays later, the two All-Americans – Shelley and Scott – connected for their 13th touchdown play together as Bears.
Shelley then tacked on a two-point conversion pass to Kevon Latulas to give the Bears a 25-22 cushion with 8:23 remaining.
From there, Missouri State’s defense took charge, holding YSU to a three-and-out on its next possession with standout running back Jaleel McLaughlin stuffed after two short gains.
MSU punted it back to the Penguins with 5:06 to go, but other than a 10-yard pickup by quarterback Mitch Davidson on third-and-10, McLaughlin and YSU could not rally in the clutch. On fourth-and-eight from their own 42, the Penguins turned it over on downs with MSU’s Devin Goree sacking Davidson for the first time on the afternoon.
McLaughlin finished with 227 yards on 28 carries to lead all players. He also surpassed Mount Union’s Nate Krnic as the NCAA’s all-time rushing leader (all classifications) with 8,082 career ground yards.
Ironically, it was MSU’s seniors who stood out for the home side. Shelley passed for 221 yards – his record-setting 19th career 200-yard passing game – while extending his run to 15 consecutive games with a TD pass. He was 19-of-37 for 221 yards with one passing score and one rushing score.
Multi-position senior Latulas made the most of his start at running back, racking up a team-high 78 ground yards, 5.6 yards per carry, and scoring a key, go-ahead touchdown in the third quarter. Scott had a game-high 5 receptions for 58 yards and the game-winning score.
On the defensive side, senior linebacker Ferrin Manuleleua racked up a career-high 15 tackles, also a game-high, to lead an MSU defense that finished with 5 tackles for loss and 6 pass breakups while surrendering just 381 total yards.
MSU led 7-6 at the half, but the lead changed hands three times in the third quarter. Latulas’ 35-yard rushing score with 11:02 to go in the period gave the Bears a 14-13 advantage at the time. The teams then exchanged field goals with MSU’s Jose Pizano booting a season-long 47-yarder early in the fourth quarter to push the home side back on top 17-16.
McLaughlin’s 65-yard touchdown dash with 12:53 left in the fourth gave YSU a 22-17 lead as its two-point conversion try failed, ultimately setting up Shelley and the Bears for a come-from-behind winning score four-and-a-half minutes later.
In the first half, a 56-yard kickoff return from Montrae Braswell set the home side up with a short field and a chance to take the lead. Trailing 6-0 and starting from the YSU 37, the Bears took just six plays to take the early lead. On second-and-goal at the five, Shelley kept it himself around the right end and scrambled into the end zone for his fourth rushing score of the season.
Missouri State kept its 7-6 advantage headed into the intermission, with the Penguins owning a slight 173-151 yardage advantage.
MSU recognized 16 seniors during pregame ceremonies, including Braswell, Latulas, Manuleleua, Pizano, Scott and Shelley.
The Bears close out the 2022 season next Saturday when they travel to Indiana State for a Noon (Central) kickoff at Memorial Stadium in Terre Haute.
