ST. LOUIS — Missouri State quarterback Jacob Clark (Sr., Rockwall, Texas) has been named Missouri Valley Football Conference Offensive Player of the Week for his efforts in the Bears’ victory over Youngstown State on Saturday.
Clark led Missouri State to its third straight victory Saturday, completing 21-of-29 passes for 325 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions. He was also MSU’s top rusher, carrying seven times for 63 yards, giving him 388 yards of total offense in the win.
The standout signal caller completed his first 10 passes of the game and was 10-of-11 in the first half as MSU scored on all four first-half possessions. Ultimately, his five-yard touchdown pass to Lance Mason with eight seconds left in the game proved to be the game-winner as Clark marched the Bears 53 yards on five plays in the game’s final minute. The march included a back-breaking 38-yard rush by Clark on a third-and-two play from the YSU 45 that pushed the Bears inside the 10 with 18 seconds to play.
For the game, he completed six passes of 20 or more yards and four of 30+ yards. It marked Clark’s fifth 200-yard passing game of the season and third 300-yard game. Likewise, Clark tossed his 20th career TD pass in the victory and eclipsed 2,500 career passing yards.
Clark was also announced Monday as an honorable mention pick for Stats Perform FCS National Offensive Player of the Week.
This week’s Valley award is Clark’s third career Valley weekly honor. He was also named MVFC Offensive Player of the Week on Sept. 16 after MSU’s win over Lindenwood and previously this distinction after the 2023 home opener against Utah Tech.
Also recognized by the MVFC this week are: DT Eli Mostaert of North Dakota State (Defensive Player of the Week); DB Tyler Erkman of North Dakota (Newcomer of the Week); and RB CharMar Brown of North Dakota State (Special Teams Player of the Week).
Missouri State is idle this week before traveling to Illinois State on Sept. 12. The Bears return to Plaster Stadium on Sept. 19 for a homecoming showdown against Indiana State at 2 p.m.