The 2021 Missouri State Bears football team represented Missouri State University as a member of the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) during the 2021 NCAA Division I FCS football season. They were led by second-year head coach Bobby Petrino, the Bears compiled an overall record of 8âÂÂ4 with a mark of 6âÂÂ2 in conference playing, placing second in the MVFC. For the second consecutive season, Missouri State advanced to the NCAA Division I Football Championship playoffs, where the Bears lost in the first round to UT Martin. The team played home games at Robert W. Plaster Stadium in Springfield, Missouri.
The 2021 team set and matched numerous school records. Quarterback Jason Shelley broke several school records in total offense and passing yards. He broke the single season passing record, total offense in a game, total offense in a season, games with more than 200 passing yards and matched the record for passes completed in a game. Wide receiver Ty Scott set school records in receiving yards in a season, matched touchdown receptions in a season, and 100 yard receiving games in a season. Scott was also the first receiver in school history to eclipse a thousand receiving yards in a season. P Grant Burkett set school records in punting average in a game and punting average in a season.
The Media picked the Bears to finish in sixth place.
Missouri Valley weekly awards
In 2021, the Bears broke the program record of 11 conference weekly awards with 14 honors. QB Jason Shelley paced the team with 5 awards across "Valley Offensive Player of the Week" (2) and "Valley Newcomer of the Week" (3). WR Xavier Lane was the other Bears player to receive multiple awards; winning 1 as the "Valley Offensive Player of the Week" and 1 as the "Valley Newcomer of the Week". OT Landon Bebee was the lone selection as "Valley Offensive Lineman of the Week" while LB Ferrin Manulelua was the only player to be selected as "Valley Defensive Player of the Week". Missouri State had had 3 players chosen as "Special Teams Players of the Week" LB Steven Ward, CB Montrae Braswell, and K Jose Pizano. RB Tobias Little was the other "Valley Offensive Player of the Week", and RB Kevon Latulas won his award as "Newcomer of the Week".
Missouri Valley Football Conference
Bobby Petrino's coaching staff remained the same from 2020. Ryan Beard remained with the Bears as the defensive coordinator and Nick Petrino stayed on as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Petrino received a pay raise following the successful 2020 season. Other members of the coaching staff such as Beard, Nick Petrino, defensive line coach L. D. Scott, and running backs coach Ronnie Fouch.
The Bears signed 11 freshman for the 2021 class. They added four players from the state including late addition Kaden McMullen who was the best QB in Missouri and number 5 in the 2021 class according to ESPN. Other highlights include TE Gary Clinton who was 29 overall and the 3rd best TE in Missouri, 3 star QB Hess Horne from Alabama, 3 star OL Brett Harris from Kansas City, and 2 star DL Sterling Smithson from Kansas.
Incoming
Missouri State brought in 18 transfers in the 2021 class, who were eligible to play right away. Several players have started right away on offense like Junior QB Jason Shelley from Utah State, Senior OL Sean Fitzgerald from Coastal Carolina, Sophomore WR Ty Scott from Central Michigan, and RS Senior WR Xavier Lane from Western Kentucky. Defensively, Senior LB Dimitri Moore from Vanderbilt, Freshman DB Donovan Clark from Boise State, and Junior CB Javian Smith have all made impacts.