After beating the odds and enough opponents to earn a bowl bid in its first FBS season, Missouri State finds itself searching for a new coach and trying to beat Arkansas State in the Xbox Bowl on Thursday in Frisco, Texas.
The Bears’ surprising 7-5 season came with a price. Ryan Beard departed last week to take the Coastal Carolina job after the Conway, S.C., school fired Tim Beck following a 6-6 season and three-game losing streak to end the year.
Missouri State started 1-2 with expected early-season thumpings at Southern California and at home against SMU. However, the Bears came together and won six of seven before regular-season-ending losses to Kennesaw State and Louisiana Tech cost them a shot at a possible Conference USA title.
Nick Petrino will be Missouri State’s interim coach for the bowl game. The son of Bobby Petrino has been the Bears’ offensive coordinator since 2020.
He has overseen a unit that is averaging 273.9 passing yards per game behind senior quarterback Jacob Clark. He will leave the program with school records for completion percentage and most touchdown passes.
Athletic director Patrick Ransdell said Petrino could be a candidate for the permanent coaching job but that the two wouldn’t talk about it until after the bowl game.
“We’re going to go out and do it as efficiently as possible while still trying to get the right person,” Ransdell said. “The transfer portal opens up in January and we need to be ready to go to make sure we give ourselves the best chance of being successful.”
While Missouri State tries to balance finding its new coach with winning a bowl game, Arkansas State (6-6) earned its third straight bowl bid by nipping Appalachian State 30-29 on Nov. 29 in its regular-season finale.
The Red Wolves cut it as close as a team can, not taking the lead for good until 42 seconds remained in the game on a 1-yard run by Kenyon Clay and Clune Van Andel’s subsequent PAT kick.
Quarterback Jaylen Raynor led the way on offense, completing 32 of 47 passes for 363 yards and three touchdowns with one interception. He has 49 TD throws, the fourth most in program history. Raynor has thrown for 8,406 yards in three seasons as the Red Wolves’ starter, third on the school’s all-time list.
Raynor’s favorite targets have been Corey Rucker and Chauncey Cobb, who each caught 69 passes this year. Devin Spencer and Clay combined for 993 rushing yards at running back, with Raynor adding 434 despite significant yardage lost due to sacks.
“We are extremely proud of being just one of 17 Group of Six programs to play in three or more consecutive bowl games,” Arkansas State coach Butch Jones said. “We’ve very excited for this opportunity and the challenges that present themselves in playing a very good opponent.”
The Red Wolves own a 5-7 record in 12 FBS bowl contests, including a 38-31 victory over Bowling Green last year in the 68 Ventures Bowl. Arkansas State boasts a 3-1 lead in the all-time series vs. Missouri State.
