Sept. 21, 2014
Burton Bio | Jones Bio | MVFC Release | Follow the Bears | Tickets for YSU Game
ST. LOUIS - After Missouri State's thrilling walk-off road win over Central Arkansas on Saturday night, a pair of Bears' standouts were recognized by the Missouri Valley Football Conference on Sunday (Sept. 21).
Wide receiver Julian Burton (Sr., Cordova, Tenn.) earned MVFC Offensive Player of the Week distinction, and inside linebacker Alexz Jones (Fr., Defiance, Mo.) received MVFC Newcomer of the Week laurels after MSU improved to 3-1 on the season with the 33-31 win.
Coach Terry Allen's Bears got a career-long 53-yard field goal by junior Marcelo Bonani as time expired to seal the victory Saturday in Conway, Ark. Missouri State led UCA the entire second half until the home club rallied with the go-ahead touchdown with 59 seconds to play to cap a 76-yard drive. However, led by Burton and quarterback Kierra Harris - who threw for a career-high 342 yards -- the Bears netted 43 yards on the final possession of the night to get within Bonani's range for the game-winning kick.
Burton posted career highs 10 receptions and 194 yards to help Missouri State to the thrilling win and help MSU to its first 3-1 start since 2007. The senior saved his best for last as he accounted for 44 yards on the game-winning drive, culminating with a 29-yard catch and run to the UCA 31 that would help set up the game-winning field goal. Burton also had five receptions in the fourth quarter along with eight catches for 10+ yards, four receptions for 20+ yards, and a pair of grabs for 30+ yards.
This is the first MFVC honor of Burton's career. The native of Cordova, Tenn., also registered a game-high 261 all-purpose yards on the day, including a 21-yard kickoff return, and used his speed to account 65 yards after the catch to his pass-receiving stats. His performance marked MSU's first 10-reception game since 2009 (Clay Harbor) and the most yards by a Bears' receiver since Jermaine Saffold in 2011.
Burton is now tied for seventh (113) on MSU's career receptions list and eighth (1,632) on the Bears' all-time receiving yardage list. He ranks fifth nationally and first in the MVFC in receiving yards (412) and 14th nationally in receiving yards per game (103.0) this season.
Jones, MSU's true freshman linebacker, came off the bench to register 7 tackles, including 5 solo stops, as part of a remarkable defensive effort by Missouri State at UCA. One of Jones' biggest contributions on the night was a forced fumble at the goal line late in the first quarter to keep UCA out of the end zone and kept the game tied 7-7 at the time. The fumble was recovered by fellow MSU inside linebacker Andrew Beisel.
Jones was also a key contributor on special teams for Missouri State, which is off to a 3-1 start for the first time since 2007. The Bears' have also claimed a pair of road non-conference wins for the first time since 1996.
Joining the MSU tandem on the list of Valley award winners this week are South Dakota defensive end Drew Iddings (Defensive Player of the Week) and North Dakota State kicker Adam Keller (Special Teams Player of the Week).
Missouri State will have its only off week of the 2014 season this week before returning to Robert W. Plaster Stadium on Sept. 27 to take on MVFC rival Youngstown State in the league opener for both clubs.
Tickets for the YSU game are on sale now at MissouriStateBears.com/tickets or by calling the MSU Athletics Box Office in JQH Arena during regular office hours at (417) 836-7678. BearFest Village space may be reserved by calling Missouri State Sports Properties at (417) 836-5001.
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