Skip To Main Content
Skip To Main Content

Missouri State

Defense

Football MSU Athletics Communications

Defense Shines in Bears' Second Scrimmage

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Missouri State's defense delivered a lockdown performance under the lights at Robert W. Plaster Stadium Wednesday, holding their offensive counterparts in check for most of the evening, while recording seven sacks and allowing just 425 yards in the 93-play intrasquad standoff.

After the Bears' quarterback corps produced a hot start that yielded 309 yards on 19-of-28 passing in the first half of MSU's second scrimmage of the preseason, the defense came through down the stretch by allowing just seven second-half completions in 25 pass attempts for a total of 59 yards. The defense throttled the ground game throughout the night, permitting an average of just 1.4 yards in 40 rush attempts.

Colin Bess spearheaded the defensive charge by registering 2.5 sacks, while fellow freshman defensive lineman Tristan Crowder recorded 2.0 sacks of his own. Junior Colby Isbell added 1.5 sacks, including a takedown of Michael Briggs in the end zone for an early safety.

Quarterback Brodie Lambert provided an early spark for the offense by completing 7-of-8 passes for 141 yards in the opening half. His 55-yard strike to Jalen Esters accounted for the lone first-half score for the offense, and the senior signal-caller finished the night 11-for-15 for 185 passing yards.

Overall, the MSU quarterbacks accounted for 371 yards through the air, despite the sluggish second-half showing. In addition to Esters big catch and run, redshirt freshman Jamison Strange led all MSU receivers with five catches for 64 yards, while seniors Phoenix Johnson and LeMarcus Stewart combined for 56 yards on five receptions.

Nick Mason led the ground game with seven carries for 32 yards, and freshman Richard Nelson's 13-yard scoring run represented the lone second-half touchdown for the offense.

"I saw some good things, some good flashes," head coach Dave Steckel noted. "Deep down I think what was really good is we got them under the lights, because I don't know when the last time we played a night game at home. It was good to get them out here so that we can prepare for the Thursday night game."

The Bears will square off in their final scrimmage of the preseason Sunday (Aug. 21) evening at 5:50 p.m., in anticipation of their Sept. 1 season opener vs. Southwestern (Kan.) College at Plaster Stadium.
Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

LeMarcus Stewart

#1 LeMarcus Stewart

WR
6' 1"
Senior
Brodie Lambert

#9 Brodie Lambert

QB
6' 1"
Senior
Phoenix Johnson

#11 Phoenix Johnson

TB
5' 9"
Senior
Michael Briggs

#13 Michael Briggs

QB
6' 2"
Redshirt Freshman
Colby Isbell

#90 Colby Isbell

DL
6' 3"
Junior
Colin Bess

#97 Colin Bess

DL
6' 5"
Redshirt Freshman
Tristan Crowder

#94 Tristan Crowder

DL
6' 3"
Freshman
Jalen Esters

#81 Jalen Esters

WR
6' 1"
Junior
Richard Nelson

#20 Richard Nelson

TB
6' 2"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

LeMarcus Stewart

#1 LeMarcus Stewart

6' 1"
Senior
WR
Brodie Lambert

#9 Brodie Lambert

6' 1"
Senior
QB
Phoenix Johnson

#11 Phoenix Johnson

5' 9"
Senior
TB
Michael Briggs

#13 Michael Briggs

6' 2"
Redshirt Freshman
QB
Colby Isbell

#90 Colby Isbell

6' 3"
Junior
DL
Colin Bess

#97 Colin Bess

6' 5"
Redshirt Freshman
DL
Tristan Crowder

#94 Tristan Crowder

6' 3"
Freshman
DL
Jalen Esters

#81 Jalen Esters

6' 1"
Junior
WR
Richard Nelson

#20 Richard Nelson

6' 2"
Freshman
TB

Sponsors