Bears Score 17 Points In Final Six Minutes To Beat USD

SPRINGFIELD, Mo.—Missouri State scored 17 unanswered points in the final six minutes including a 33-yard field goal by Austin Witmer as time expired to beat South Dakota 27-24 Saturday at Plaster Field. It was the first win of the season for the Bears (1-6, 1-3 MVFC) while the Coyotes (1-5, 0-3) dropped their fourth game in a row.

Missouri State had 10 points and 164 yards of total offense when Bears quarterback Kierra Harris threw a 60-yard touchdown pass to Julian Burton that cut the lead to 24-17 with 5:27 remaining.

A Coyote fumble gave Missouri State the ball back with three minutes left and Harris hit Eric Christophel with a 25-yard strike that tied the game at 24-24 with 1:45 remaining.

An Anthony Grady sack of Vander Maten helped lead to a USD punt, which Burton returned 30 yards to the Coyote 42. A first down and a defensive pass interference call helped push the ball inside the 20 to set up Witmer’s game-winning kick.

Courtesy:  University of South Dakota