Missouri State Preview – 82 Days Until Kansas Football

The first KU opponent of the season is an FCS school with a coaching change and dynamic running back.

The most anticipated Kansas football season in…a while…kicks off on a Friday night on the first night of September. The Jayhawks will host Missouri State at 7 p.m. on September 1 inside David Booth Memorial Stadium to open the 2023 season as KU looks to build on its six-win season and three-overtime defeat in the Liberty Bowl.

As part of our 100 Days Until Kansas Football countdown, I will be previewing each of KU’s 2023 opponents, so let’s dive in with the first opponent, the Missouri State Bears.

Pre-Game Notes

This is the first meeting between the Bears and Jayhawks since 2002 and only the third meeting ever, which is a bit surprising given the relative close proximity between the two campuses (it’s just 195 miles from Springfield, Mo. to Lawrence). Kansas and Missouri State played in back-to-back seasons in 2001 and 2002, with KU winning both matchups.

Mike Plank Four-Down Scouting Report

First Down

Did you also forget that Bobby Petrino (yes, that Bobby Petrino) was the Bears’ coach last year? Because I sure did. Petrino was hired in 2020 but left this offseason to become the offensive coordinator at Texas A&M. To replace him, Missouri State promoted 33-year-old defensive coordinator Ryan Beard.

Second Down

Last season, Petrino led the Bears to a 5-6 record and a 3-5 record in the Missouri Valley conference, which also has South Dakota State and North Dakota State. Missouri State won its first two games of the year before losing five in a row. The Bears then rebounded and won three of its final four games.

Third Down

The Bears are having to replace senior quarterback Jason Shelley, who threw for 2,600 yards and 16 touchdowns last year while also running for 451 yards, as well as top receiver Tyrone Scott. Scott and cornerback Montrae Braswell both signed free agent contracts with the Kansas City Chiefs this summer. But who Missouri State does have back is Kansas State transfer running back Jacardia Wright. Wright led the team with 711 yards rushing (4.6 yards per rush) and nine rushing TDs last year, while also catching 23 passes out of the backfield.

Missouri Valley brought in some decent players (at least on paper) in the portal, though. This includes offensive lineman Erick Cade, who was a three-star recruit and transferred from Ole Miss. He didn’t play at Ole Miss, but he’s 6-6 and 345 pounds, which plays at this level.

Fourth Down

It’s unclear – at least from what I can find – who will be the starting QB this year. Jordan Pachot only attempted one pass last year but led the winning team at QB in the Bears’ spring game, throwing for 199 yards and two touchdowns. Jordan Clark is the other QB in contention and was the white team’s quarterback in the spring game, throwing for 314 yards. And with Tyrone Scott gone at receiver, a few players stood out in the spring game (take that for what you will). Hunter Wood caught 12 passes for 141 yards and a TD while D'Vontae Key also had a 100-yard receiving game (122 yards).

Matchup On Paper

This is a hard section to predict accurately given the coaching change. It’s not just a new head coach, but it’s going from Petrino, who is very much an offensive mind, to Beard, who specializes on the defensive side of the ball.

The Bears showed a balanced attack last year, averaging 366 yards per game with 247 coming through the air and 119 on the ground. With turnover at quarterback and the No. 1 receiver spot, but Wright at running back, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Missouri State pound the rock on the ground more this year.

On defense, Missouri State gave up an average of 27 points per game and was susceptible in the run game, allowing opponents to rush for 156 yards per game and 4.5 yards per carry. If that doesn’t improve, Kansas could have a heyday on the ground.

Final Whistle

Kansas has won two straight season openers and will be looking to extend that to three against a team it should beat. And this first game is critical for KU to win and look good if it’s going to live up to season expectations, with Illinois looming next.