Oct. 29, 2011

SPRINGFIELD - Missouri State turned a key second-quarter turnover into seven points to help the Bears to a 14-9 halftime lead over visiting South Dakota State in a key homecoming game at Plaster Field.

After the Bears built a 7-3 lead early, the Jackrabbits fumbled on their own 29 with 38 seconds left in the opening quarter. On the very next play, Trevor Wooden connected with Matt Thayer from 27 yards out for a quick-strike, one-play scoring drive to put MSU up 14-3.

SDSU rallied with 5:23 left in the first half with a 90-yard scoring drive to make it 14-9. A five-yard TD pass to Aaron Rollin from Austin Sumner capped the nine-play drive. The Jackrabbits went for a two-point conversion, which failed on an incomplete pass from Sumner.

There were seven combined punts in the opening half. SDSU outgained the Bears 235-185.

Wooden was 10-for-16 for 94 yards and a pair of TDs, including a first-quarter strike to Dorian Buford. He also had a game-high 41 yards on 11 carries.

SDSU got 55 ground yards from Zach Zenner, while Sumner was 12-for-21 for 166 yards and a touchdown.

MSU is trying to break up a two-game home losing streak that came on the heels of six straight wins from 2009-10.