Clark-to-Gardner in last minute rallies Missouri State past Liberty 21-17
AP
Nov 08, 2025
LYNCHBURG, Va. (AP) Jacob Clark threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to Tristian Gardner with 27 seconds to play to lift Missouri State Bears to a 21-17 win over Liberty Flames on Saturday.
The Bears went 70 yards in a minute with Clark completing passes of 22, 20 and 15 yards before the winner.
The Flames had a holding penalty and three incompletions before Jordan Dunbar's interception with four seconds left wrapped it up.
Evan Dickens, who had 127 yards on 28 carries, scored on a 1-yard push to cap the game-opening drive, and Jay Billingsley had a 38-yard field goal on the last play of the half to give Liberty a 10-0 lead.
Clark threw a 28-yard touchdown pass to Jmariyae Robinson to cap a 60-yard drive in the third quarter and scored on a 1-yard plunge to close an 80-yard drive to put the Bears (6-3, 4-1 Conference USA) on top early in the fourth.
Quarterback Ethan Vasko scored on a 3-yard run for a 17-14 lead for Liberty (4-5, 3-2) with 8:10 to play, but the Flames never got past midfield on their last three possessions.
Clark was 20-of-33 passing for 286 yards. Vasko was 18 of 35 for 196 and an interception.
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Key Players
J. Clark
12 QB
286 PaYds, 2 PaTDs, -15 RuYds, RuTD
(15:00 - 1st) Y.Obeid kicks 64 yards from MOSU 35 to the LIB 1. J.Monteiro returns the kickoff. Tackled by A.Yelder at LIB 25.
+8 YD
1 & 10 - LIB 25
(14:52 - 1st) E.Dickens rushed for 8 yards. Tackled by M.Neal at LIB 33.
+4 YD
2 & 2 - LIB 33
(14:24 - 1st) E.Vasko pass complete. Catch made by D.Lee for 4 yards. Tackled by J.Dunbar at LIB 37.
+18 YD
1 & 10 - LIB 37
(13:52 - 1st) V.Blue rushed for 18 yards. Tackled by T.Anderson at MOSU 45.
+30 YD
1 & 10 - MOST 45
(13:16 - 1st) E.Vasko pass complete. Catch made by D.Lee for 30 yards. Pushed out of bounds by J.Dunbar at MOSU 15.
+8 YD
1 & 10 - MOST 15
(12:45 - 1st) E.Dickens rushed for 8 yards. Tackled by D.Dixson at MOSU 7.
+6 YD
2 & 2 - MOST 7
(12:04 - 1st) E.Dickens rushed for 6 yards. Tackled by J.Lloyd at MOSU 1.
+1 YD
1 & Goal - MOST 1
(11:29 - 1st) E.Dickens rushed for 1 yards. TOUCHDOWN.
PAT Good
(11:23 - 1st) J.Billingsley extra point is good.
MOSU
Bears
- Punt (7 plays, 25 yards, 4:45 poss)
Result
Play
Kickoff
(11:23 - 1st) M.Morgan kicks 65 yards from LIB 35 to the MOSU End Zone. D.Luke returns the kickoff. Tackled by B.Jennings at MOSU 19.
+17 YD
1 & 10 - MOST 19
(11:17 - 1st) S.Lawrence rushed for 17 yards. Pushed out of bounds by D.Harmon at MOSU 36.
+4 YD
1 & 10 - MOST 36
(10:46 - 1st) J.Clark rushed for 4 yards. Pushed out of bounds by C.Bazile at MOSU 40.
+1 YD
2 & 6 - MOST 40
(10:08 - 1st) S.Lawrence rushed for 1 yards. Tackled by C.Bazile at MOSU 41.
+5 YD
3 & 5 - MOST 41
(9:17 - 1st) J.Clark pass complete. Catch made by J.BlackStrain for 4 yards. Tackled by A.Jones at MOSU 45. The Replay Official reviewed the first down and the play was overturned. J.Clark pass complete. Catch made by J.BlackStrain for 5 yards. Tackled by A.Jones at MOSU 46.
+5 YD
1 & 10 - MOST 46
(8:32 - 1st) J.Clark pass complete. Catch made by T.Gardner for 5 yards. Tackled by A.Williams at LIB 49.
No Gain
2 & 5 - LIB 49
(7:53 - 1st) J.Clark steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for J.Askren.
Sack
3 & 5 - LIB 49
(7:49 - 1st) J.Clark steps back to pass. Sacked at MOSU 44 for -7 yards (C.Bodnar).
Punt
4 & 12 - MOST 44
(7:14 - 1st) S.McDonald punts 46 yards to LIB 10 Center-M.Weisenborn. Out of bounds.
LIB
Flames
- Punt (10 plays, 43 yards, 6:38 poss)
Result
Play
-3 YD
1 & 10 - LIB 10
(6:38 - 1st) E.Vasko pass complete. Catch made by J.Coleman for 1 yards. Tackled by D.Dixson at LIB 11. The Replay Official reviewed the runner was down by contact and the play was overturned. E.Vasko pass complete. Catch made by J.Coleman for -3 yards. Tackled by MOSU at LIB 7.
+5 YD
2 & 13 - LIB 7
(6:17 - 1st) E.Vasko pass complete. Catch made by J.Jenkins for 5 yards. Tackled by K.Young at LIB 12.
+12 YD
3 & 8 - LIB 12
(5:43 - 1st) E.Vasko pass complete. Catch made by R.Smith for 12 yards. Pushed out of bounds by C.Ford at LIB 24.
No Gain
1 & 10 - LIB 24
(5:08 - 1st) E.Dickens rushed for 0 yards. Tackled by K.Young at LIB 24.
+16 YD
2 & 10 - LIB 24
(4:34 - 1st) E.Vasko pass complete. Catch made by T.Mobley for 16 yards. T.Mobley ran out of bounds.
+3 YD
1 & 10 - LIB 40
(4:08 - 1st) E.Dickens rushed for 3 yards. Tackled by A.Poole; T.Brantley at LIB 43.
+15 YD
2 & 7 - LIB 43
(3:30 - 1st) E.Vasko pass complete. Catch made by J.Jenkins for 15 yards. Tackled by C.Roy at MOSU 42.
No Gain
1 & 10 - MOST 42
(2:57 - 1st) E.Dickens rushed for yards. Pushed out of bounds by T.Anderson at MOSU 50. PENALTY on LIB-E.Vasko Illegal Blindside Block 15 yards accepted. No Play.
+2 YD
1 & 25 - LIB 43
(2:28 - 1st) E.Dickens rushed for 2 yards. Tackled by C.Dietlin at LIB 45.
Penalty
2 & 23 - LIB 45
(1:47 - 1st) E.Vasko pass complete. Catch made by E.Dickens for 0 yards. E.Dickens ran out of bounds. PENALTY on LIB-D.Geth Offensive Holding 10 yards accepted. No Play.
No Gain
2 & 33 - LIB 35
(1:26 - 1st) E.Dickens rushed for 0 yards. Tackled by C.Dietlin at LIB 35.
(0:36 - 1st) E.Vasko pass complete. Catch made by R.Smith for 13 yards. Pushed out of bounds by J.Brooks at MOSU 47.
Punt
4 & 15 - MOST 47
(0:03 - 1st) M.Morgan punts 47 yards to MOSU End Zone Center-R.Manis. Touchback.
MOSU
Bears
- Missed FG (8 plays, 50 yards, 3:54 poss)
Result
Play
+4 YD
1 & 10 - MOST 20
(15:00 - 2nd) S.Lawrence rushed for 4 yards. Tackled by D.Harmon at MOSU 24.
+12 YD
2 & 6 - MOST 24
(14:24 - 2nd) J.Clark pass complete. Catch made by D.Luke for 12 yards. Tackled by A.Vaughan at MOSU 36.
Penalty
1 & 10 - MOST 46
(13:50 - 2nd) J.Clark steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for T.Gardner. PENALTY on LIB-A.Williams Defensive Holding 10 yards accepted. No Play.
+2 YD
1 & 10 - MOST 46
(13:46 - 2nd) R.Green rushed for 2 yards. Tackled by B.Williams at MOSU 48.
+18 YD
2 & 8 - MOST 48
(12:58 - 2nd) J.Clark pass complete. Catch made by J.BlackStrain for 18 yards. Tackled by A.Vaughan at LIB 34.
No Gain
1 & 10 - MOST 34
(12:25 - 2nd) J.Clark steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for J.Askren.
Sack
2 & 10 - LIB 34
(12:21 - 2nd) J.Clark steps back to pass. Sacked at LIB 41 for -7 yards (B.Williams).
+11 YD
3 & 17 - LIB 41
(11:47 - 2nd) J.Clark pass complete. Catch made by T.Gardner for 11 yards. Tackled by D.Harmon at LIB 30.
No Good
4 & 6 - LIB 37
(11:10 - 2nd) Y.Obeid 47 yard field goal attempt is no good Center-M.Weisenborn Holder-S.McDonald.
LIB
Flames
- Punt (6 plays, 15 yards, 2:42 poss)
Result
Play
No Gain
1 & 10 - LIB 30
(11:06 - 2nd) E.Vasko steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for C.Ryan.
+8 YD
2 & 10 - LIB 30
(11:01 - 2nd) J.Coleman rushed for 8 yards. Tackled by J.Brooks at LIB 38.
+2 YD
3 & 2 - LIB 38
(10:24 - 2nd) E.Dickens rushed for 2 yards. Tackled by J.Brooks at LIB 40.
-4 YD
1 & 10 - LIB 40
(9:57 - 2nd) E.Dickens rushed for -4 yards. Tackled by A.Poole at LIB 36.
No Gain
2 & 14 - LIB 36
(9:15 - 2nd) E.Vasko steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for D.Lee.
(13:28 - 3rd) J.Clark steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for J.BlackStrain.
Punt
4 & 6 - MOST 33
(13:22 - 3rd) S.McDonald punts 40 yards to LIB 27 Center-MOSU. R.Smith returned punt from the LIB 27. Tackled by M.Weisenborn at LIB 35.
LIB
Flames
- Punt (3 plays, -8 yards, 1:23 poss)
Result
Play
-10 YD
1 & 10 - LIB 35
(13:11 - 3rd) V.Blue rushed for -10 yards. Pushed out of bounds by J.Dunbar at LIB 25.
+2 YD
2 & 20 - LIB 25
(12:41 - 3rd) E.Vasko pass complete. Catch made by V.Blue for 2 yards. Tackled by J.Lloyd at LIB 27.
No Gain
3 & 18 - LIB 27
(12:02 - 3rd) E.Vasko steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for J.Person.
Punt
4 & 18 - LIB 27
(11:56 - 3rd) M.Morgan punts 47 yards to MOSU 26 Center-LIB. Fair catch by D.Luke.
MOSU
Bears
- Punt (7 plays, 30 yards, 2:44 poss)
Result
Play
No Gain
1 & 10 - MOST 26
(11:48 - 3rd) J.Clark steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for D.Luke.
+13 YD
2 & 10 - MOST 26
(11:42 - 3rd) R.Green rushed for 13 yards. Tackled by B.Green at MOSU 39.
+2 YD
1 & 10 - MOST 39
(10:59 - 3rd) J.Clark rushed for 2 yards. Tackled by N.Pirolli at MOSU 41.
No Gain
2 & 8 - MOST 41
(10:19 - 3rd) J.Clark steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for J.Robinson.
Penalty
3 & 8 - MOST 41
(10:05 - 3rd) J.Clark steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for J.Robinson. PENALTY on LIB-A.Williams Defensive Pass Interference 15 yards accepted. No Play.
No Gain
1 & 10 - LIB 44
(10:05 - 3rd) J.Clark pass complete. Catch made by J.Robinson for 0 yards. Tackled by D.Henderson at LIB 44.
No Gain
2 & 10 - LIB 44
(9:45 - 3rd) J.Clark steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for M.Cope.
No Gain
3 & 10 - LIB 44
(9:17 - 3rd) J.Clark steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for M.Cope.
Punt
4 & 10 - LIB 44
(9:11 - 3rd) S.McDonald punts 44 yards to LIB End Zone Center-MOSU. Touchback.
LIB
Flames
- Punt (5 plays, 18 yards, 2:10 poss)
Result
Play
+9 YD
1 & 10 - LIB 20
(9:04 - 3rd) J.Coleman rushed for 9 yards. Tackled by M.Neal at LIB 29.
+5 YD
2 & 1 - LIB 29
(8:28 - 3rd) E.Dickens rushed for 5 yards. Tackled by D.Dixson at LIB 34.
+4 YD
1 & 10 - LIB 34
(8:01 - 3rd) E.Dickens rushed for 4 yards. Tackled by D.Wesolak at LIB 38.
No Gain
2 & 6 - LIB 38
(7:29 - 3rd) E.Vasko steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for D.Lee.
No Gain
3 & 6 - LIB 38
(7:21 - 3rd) E.Vasko steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for T.Mobley.
Punt
4 & 6 - LIB 38
(7:11 - 3rd) M.Morgan punts 44 yards to MOSU 18 Center-LIB. D.Luke returned punt from the MOSU 18. Tackled by A.Jones at MOSU 40.
MOSU
Bears
- Touchdown (6 plays, 60 yards, 2:07 poss)
Result
Play
+1 YD
1 & 10 - MOST 40
(6:54 - 3rd) S.Lawrence rushed for 1 yards. Tackled by A.Vaughan at MOSU 41.
No Gain
2 & 9 - MOST 41
(6:13 - 3rd) J.Clark steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for R.Johnson.
(6:08 - 3rd) J.Clark pass complete. Catch made by T.Gardner for 31 yards. Tackled by A.Jones at LIB 33.
+5 YD
1 & 10 - LIB 33
(5:36 - 3rd) J.Clark pass complete. Catch made by J.Robinson for 5 yards. Pushed out of bounds by A.Jones at LIB 28.
No Gain
2 & 5 - LIB 28
(4:59 - 3rd) J.Clark steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for J.Robinson.
+28 YD
3 & 5 - LIB 28
(4:55 - 3rd) J.Clark pass complete. Catch made by J.Robinson for 28 yards. TOUCHDOWN.
PAT Good
(4:47 - 3rd) Y.Obeid extra point is good.
LIB
Flames
- Punt (7 plays, 34 yards, 3:46 poss)
Result
Play
Kickoff
(4:47 - 3rd) Y.Obeid kicks 65 yards from MOSU 35 to the LIB End Zone. Touchback.
No Gain
1 & 10 - LIB 25
(4:47 - 3rd) E.Vasko steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for J.Coleman.
+1 YD
2 & 10 - LIB 25
(4:43 - 3rd) E.Dickens rushed for 1 yards. Tackled by S.Smithson at LIB 26.
+23 YD
3 & 9 - LIB 26
(4:08 - 3rd) E.Vasko pass complete. Catch made by D.Lee for 23 yards. Tackled by MOSU at LIB 49.
+12 YD
1 & 10 - LIB 49
(3:41 - 3rd) E.Dickens rushed for 12 yards. Tackled by T.Anderson at MOSU 39.
No Gain
1 & 10 - MOST 39
(3:13 - 3rd) E.Dickens rushed for 0 yards. Tackled by S.Smithson at MOSU 39.
+3 YD
2 & 10 - MOST 39
(2:36 - 3rd) E.Dickens rushed for 3 yards. Tackled by D.Wesolak at MOSU 36.
Sack
3 & 7 - MOST 36
(1:54 - 3rd) E.Vasko steps back to pass. Sacked at MOSU 41 for -5 yards (C.Dietlin).
Punt
4 & 12 - MOST 41
(1:15 - 3rd) M.Morgan punts 21 yards to MOSU 20 Center-LIB. Downed by A.Jones.
MOSU
Bears
- Touchdown (8 plays, 80 yards, 4:07 poss)
Result
Play
+9 YD
1 & 10 - MOST 20
(1:01 - 3rd) S.Lawrence rushed for 9 yards. Tackled by K.Cullins at MOSU 29.
+2 YD
2 & 1 - MOST 29
(0:33 - 3rd) S.Lawrence rushed for 2 yards. Tackled by K.Cullins at MOSU 31.
+16 YD
1 & 10 - MOST 31
(14:57 - 4th) J.Clark pass complete. Catch made by R.Green for 16 yards. Tackled by A.Vaughan at MOSU 47.
Penalty
1 & 10 - MOST 47
(14:23 - 4th) J.Clark steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for J.Robinson. PENALTY on LIB-D.Ricks Defensive Pass Interference 12 yards accepted. No Play.
+12 YD
1 & 10 - LIB 41
(14:18 - 4th) S.Lawrence rushed for 12 yards. Tackled by A.Vaughan at LIB 29.
No Gain
1 & 10 - LIB 29
(13:39 - 4th) J.Clark steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for J.Robinson.
+24 YD
2 & 10 - LIB 29
(13:32 - 4th) J.Clark pass complete. Catch made by R.Green for 24 yards. Tackled by LIB at LIB 5.
+4 YD
1 & Goal - LIB 5
(12:49 - 4th) S.Lawrence rushed for 4 yards. Tackled by N.Pirolli at LIB 1.
+1 YD
2 & Goal - LIB 1
(12:00 - 4th) J.Clark rushed for 1 yards. TOUCHDOWN.
PAT Good
(11:54 - 4th) Y.Obeid extra point is good.
LIB
Flames
- Touchdown (8 plays, 73 yards, 3:44 poss)
Result
Play
Kickoff
(11:54 - 4th) Y.Obeid kicks 65 yards from MOSU 35 to the LIB End Zone. Touchback.
+22 YD
1 & 10 - LIB 25
(11:54 - 4th) V.Blue rushed for 22 yards. Tackled by K.Young at LIB 47.
+9 YD
1 & 10 - LIB 47
(11:19 - 4th) E.Vasko pass complete. Catch made by J.Person for 9 yards. Tackled by C.Ford at MOSU 44.
+3 YD
2 & 1 - MOST 44
(10:52 - 4th) E.Dickens rushed for 3 yards. Tackled by D.Dixson at MOSU 41.
+5 YD
1 & 10 - MOST 41
(10:38 - 4th) E.Dickens rushed for 5 yards. Tackled by A.Poole at MOSU 36.
+23 YD
2 & 5 - MOST 36
(9:42 - 4th) J.Coleman rushed for 23 yards. Pushed out of bounds by M.Neal at MOSU 13.
+3 YD
1 & 10 - MOST 13
(9:16 - 4th) E.Dickens rushed for 3 yards. Tackled by K.Young at MOSU 10.
+5 YD
2 & 7 - MOST 10
(8:37 - 4th) E.Smith rushed for 5 yards. Tackled by T.Anderson at MOSU 5. PENALTY on MOSU-R.Williams Illegal Use of Hands / Defense 0 yards accepted.
+3 YD
1 & Goal - MOST 3
(8:15 - 4th) E.Vasko rushed for 3 yards. TOUCHDOWN.
PAT Good
(8:10 - 4th) J.Billingsley extra point is good.
MOSU
Bears
- Punt (5 plays, 23 yards, 2:46 poss)
Result
Play
Kickoff
(8:10 - 4th) M.Morgan kicks 65 yards from LIB 35 to the MOSU End Zone. Touchback.
-1 YD
1 & 10 - MOST 25
(8:10 - 4th) S.Lawrence rushed for -1 yards. Tackled by LIB at MOSU 24.
+21 YD
2 & 11 - MOST 24
(7:37 - 4th) J.Clark pass complete. Catch made by M.Cope for 21 yards. Tackled by M.Pollard at MOSU 45.
+6 YD
1 & 10 - MOST 45
(6:55 - 4th) J.Clark pass complete. Catch made by J.Askren for 6 yards. Tackled by D.Harmon at LIB 49.
-3 YD
2 & 4 - LIB 49
(6:20 - 4th) S.Lawrence rushed for -3 yards. Tackled by D.Dozier at MOSU 48.
No Gain
3 & 7 - MOST 48
(5:33 - 4th) J.Clark steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for D.Luke.
Punt
4 & 7 - MOST 48
(5:30 - 4th) S.McDonald punts 35 yards to LIB 17 Center-MOSU. Fair catch by R.Smith.
LIB
Flames
- Fumble (6 plays, 19 yards, 3:37 poss)
Result
Play
+2 YD
1 & 10 - LIB 17
(5:24 - 4th) V.Blue rushed for 2 yards. Tackled by D.Wesolak at LIB 19.
+7 YD
2 & 8 - LIB 19
(4:44 - 4th) E.Vasko rushed for 7 yards. Tackled by J.Lloyd at LIB 26.
+20 YD
3 & 1 - LIB 26
(4:08 - 4th) E.Dickens rushed for 20 yards. Tackled by T.Anderson at LIB 46.
+7 YD
1 & 10 - LIB 46
(3:23 - 4th) E.Dickens rushed for 7 yards. Tackled by D.Dixson at MOSU 47.
No Gain
2 & 3 - MOST 47
(2:42 - 4th) E.Dickens rushed for 0 yards. Tackled by J.Brooks at MOSU 47.
-17 YD
3 & 3 - MOST 47
(1:59 - 4th) E.Vasko rushed for -17 yards. E.Vasko FUMBLES forced by MOSU. Fumble RECOVERED by MOSU-D.Wesolak at LIB 36. D.Wesolak FUMBLES forced by C.Ryan. Fumble RECOVERED by LIB-E.Vasko at LIB End Zone. Tackled by MOSU at LIB End Zone. Touchback.
LIB
Flames
- Punt (3 plays, 4 yards, 0:26 poss)
Result
Play
+4 YD
1 & 10 - LIB 20
(1:47 - 4th) E.Dickens rushed for 4 yards. Tackled by J.Brooks at LIB 24.
+3 YD
2 & 6 - LIB 24
(1:44 - 4th) E.Dickens rushed for 3 yards. Tackled by J.Lloyd at LIB 27.
+2 YD
3 & 3 - LIB 27
(1:35 - 4th) E.Vasko pass complete. Catch made by J.Jenkins for 2 yards. Tackled by K.Anderson at LIB 29.