SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Missouri State displayed balanced production on both sides of the line of scrimmage in its opening preseason intrasquad scrimmage Saturday morning at Robert W. Plaster Stadium. The Bears amassed over 500 yards of total offense, while the MSU defense logged four sacks and a Jared Beshore interception to highlight the 90-play scrimmage.
 

Five MSU signal-callers combined to complete 24 passes to a total of 15 different receivers, while Jason Randall led a Bears rushing attack that totaled 260 yards and five touchdowns on the ground. Randall set the tone early, breaking off a 61-yard scoring run in the opening moments of the scrimmage.

Aaron Denson added a five-yard rush to reach the end zone, and three MSU newcomers—Alan Worsham, Donovan Daniels and Jeremiah Wilson—rushed for TDs as well. Another new face—freshman tight end Jordan Murray—came up with a key catch late in the day, hauling in a 52-yard pass from Anthony Monken to set up Wilson's one-yard scoring run during the two-minute portion of the scrimmage.

Freshman kickers Parker Lacina and Nick Williams also turned in consistent performances for the MSU special teams. Lacina converted all three of his field goal attempts, including a 44-yard boot, while Williams was successful on all three of his PAT tries.

The MSU defense registered a solid morning as well, getting quarterback sacks from Matt McClellan, Kylin Washington, E.J. Sutton and Gody Coleus to help derail drives. Beshore stepped in front of a Dalton Hill pass near midfield and returned the interception 17 yards for the lone turnover of the contest.

The Bears will open the 2018 season Aug. 30, with a 7 p.m. game at Oklahoma State in Stillwater.