Sept. 22, 2014 Burton Bio | MVFC Release | Follow the Bears | Tickets for YSU Game
ST. LOUIS - On the heels of earning Missouri Valley Football Conference Offensive Player of the Week honors, Missouri State University wide receiver Julian Burton (Sr., Cordova, Tenn.) has earned College Sporting News All-Star distinction after MSU improved to 3-1 on the season with the Bears' 33-31 win Saturday at Central Arkansas.
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.
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.
Joining Burton on the elite list of College Sporting News All-Starts this week are Eastern Washington running back Quincy Forte, Villanova quarterback John Robertson, Northwestern State safety Adam Jones and North Dakota State kicker Adam Keller.
Missouri State, ranked No. 24 in this week's FCS Coaches Poll, 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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