Last-minute field goal propels Missouri State past Western Illinois 17-16

Missouri State edges Western Illinois 17-16

MACOMB, Ill. — Matt Hottelman kicked a 37-yard field goal with 36 seconds left to push Missouri State past Western Illinois 17-16 Saturday.

The kick gave Missouri State (4-3, 2-2 Missouri Valley) its only lead. The Bears, who trailed 16-0 in the second quarter, knocked down a pass at the 10-yard line as time expired to secure the win.

Cody Kirby fired a 33-yard touchdown pass to Jermaine Saffold, and Chris Douglas ran in from 2 yards before Hottelman’s kick.

Kirby finished 18 of 32 for a career-high 341 yards. Clay Harbor caught eight passes for 171 yards, also a career high.

Western Illinois (1-5, 0-3) got a safety before Dre Gibbs rushed 8 yards for a touchdown, part of his season-best 39-carry, 162-yard effort. Then Kyle Glazier forced a fumble, and Patrick Stoudamire picked up the ball and ran it back 88 yards for his first career touchdown.