SMU beat Missouri State 34-24 on Saturday after the teams ended each of the first three quarters with the same score as in 2025: Missouri State led 10-0 after one, before SMU went ahead 14-10 at halftime and 21-10 entering the fourth.
Missouri State had a chance to take the lead in the fourth quarter, but SMU forced a quick punt. The Bears outscored SMU 14-13 in the final quarter; in 2025, SMU won that quarter 7-0 and the game 28-10.
SMU also committed exactly 12 penalties for more than 110 yards in both games, had a minus-one turnover margin and outgained Missouri State by more than 200 yards each time. In 2026, Kevin Jennings passed for 464 yards and three touchdowns, compared with 281 yards and one touchdown in 2025; Yamir Knight had 164 receiving yards and Jalen Cooper had 125.
