'Necks can't finish off Bears
Missouri State converts a game-winning field goal to defeat Western Illinois 17-16 at Hanson Field
Bill Welt
Issue date: 10/19/09 Section: Sports
The 'Necks' offense relied heavily on the ground game with senior running back Dre Gibbs getting 39 carries for 170 yards and one touchdown in support of redshirt freshman quarterback Wil Lunt.Lunt went 8-of-13 for 105 yards in the contest.
Missouri State did not score its second touchdown until the fourth quarter after the 'Necks failed to capitalize on fourth and one at the Bears' eight-yard line.
Kirby led the Bears near the goal line after a 28-yard completion to Harbor to put Missouri State at the two-yard line.
Douglas punched the ball into the end zone on the following play to bring the Bears within two with 5:42 left in the contest.
"What happened earlier on the game was just stupid mental mistakes," Harbor said. "We knew that we got everything together and just didn't make mistakes."
Harbor ended the contest with eight receptions for 171 yards.
A critical mistake on the 'Necks' following drive proved costly for Western. Lunt hit sophomore wide receiver Terrium Crump for a 42-yard touchdown reception but was called back due to an ineligible receiver downfield penalty against the 'Necks.
Western was later forced to punt at midfield, which eventually led to Missouri State's game-winning drive with 2:24 left in the game.
The 'Necks' offense drove down midfield with seven seconds remaining and allowed Western one last heave, which fell incomplete to end the game.
"It was really hard," Stoudamire said. "It was in the last couple minutes. It was real hard on the team. It would just be real big to get a win. We practiced hard all week. But we just made some minor errors on the defense's part. It's tough to lose like this."
Missouri State did not score its second touchdown until the fourth quarter after the 'Necks failed to capitalize on fourth and one at the Bears' eight-yard line.
Kirby led the Bears near the goal line after a 28-yard completion to Harbor to put Missouri State at the two-yard line.
Douglas punched the ball into the end zone on the following play to bring the Bears within two with 5:42 left in the contest.
"What happened earlier on the game was just stupid mental mistakes," Harbor said. "We knew that we got everything together and just didn't make mistakes."
Harbor ended the contest with eight receptions for 171 yards.
A critical mistake on the 'Necks' following drive proved costly for Western. Lunt hit sophomore wide receiver Terrium Crump for a 42-yard touchdown reception but was called back due to an ineligible receiver downfield penalty against the 'Necks.
Western was later forced to punt at midfield, which eventually led to Missouri State's game-winning drive with 2:24 left in the game.
The 'Necks' offense drove down midfield with seven seconds remaining and allowed Western one last heave, which fell incomplete to end the game.
"It was really hard," Stoudamire said. "It was in the last couple minutes. It was real hard on the team. It would just be real big to get a win. We practiced hard all week. But we just made some minor errors on the defense's part. It's tough to lose like this."
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