Missouri State's defensive unit came up with five turnovers and some critical fourth-down stops to earn the upper hand in Friday morning's controlled football scrimmage at Plaster Field. Meanwhile, junior tailback Jonathan Davis was the offensive unit's top threat, accounting for 79 all-purpose yards in the 95-play session.
The Bears' defense was consistently strong, allowing just 4.1 yards per play throughout the morning and used the rain, wind and cold temperatures to its advantage by creating a pair of fumbles, a sack, and three interceptions.
Quarterback Cody Kirby accounted for 138 of the offense's 394 total yards, rushing for 22 yards on six carries and completing 13-of-25 passes for 116 yards. Kirby, a second-team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference quarterback as a sophomore in 2008, connected on eight of his first 10 pass attempts. However, as the rain became more steady, MSU's receivers had greater difficulty making connections, and a diving interception by junior safety Skylar Smith capped a three pick day by the Bears's secondary.
Tyler Horner completed four of his final five passes on the day and finished 6-for-13 for 44 yards and a pair of interceptions. Central Missouri transfer Lyle Cox played a handful of series at quarterback, completing two of his four passes for 15 yards and rushing twice for 40 yards and a touchdown. Cox's 34-yard touchdown run was the longest play of the day by the MSU offense.
Davis was the workhorse for the offense. The Tampa, Fla., native carried 19 times for 72 yards and reeled in three passes for seven yards. Classmate Stephen Johnston carried 14 times for 37 yards, and 2enior Miguel Warren was also busy with 38 yards on eight carries and a six-yard touchdown run.
The top receiver on the day was Jared Emery who collected four receptions for 29 yards. Adrian Taylor had two catches for 29 yards, and All-American tight end Clay Harbor caught two passes for 28 yards.
Kicker Matt Hottelman also made field goal attempts from 41 and 31 yards during the scrimmage.
The Bears begin their third week of spring drills next week and conclude their 15 spring sessions on Saturday, April 25 with the annual Maroon and White Game at Plaster Field, beginning at 1 p.m.
FINAL STATS:
RUSHING (53-217): Jonathan Davis 19-72, Lyle Cox 2-40, Miguel Warren 8-38, Stephen Johnston 14-37, Cody Kirby 6-22, Tyler Horner 4-8.
PASSING (42-21-3, 177): Cody Kirby 25-13-1, 116; Tyler Horner 13-6-2, 44; Lyle Cox 4-2-0, 15.
RECEIVING: Jared Emery 4-29, Jonathan Davis 3-7, Adrian Taylor 2-29, Clay Harbor 2-28, Miguel Warren 2-21, Ian Starnes 2-10, Jermaine Saffold 1-13, Stephen Johnston 1-12, Wes Miller 1-9, Sykler Neale 1-9, Chad Peachey 1-7, Brandon Oliver 1-1.
INTERCEPTIONS: Anthony Lee, Rodney Kelly, Skylar Smith.
FIELD GOALS: Matt Hottleman (made 41, made 31).
SCORING PLAYS: Lyle Cox 34 run, Miguel Warren 6 run.
