“Learn to battle through life’s adversities with friends by your side.” – Mike Leach GERONIMO
Also, “don’t drink and ride a horse” is written on the same page. Sound advice.
The following is about a young man who Mike Leach once recruited personally. This young man turned down offers out of high school to Memphis, Vanderbilt, Louisiana, Colorado St, Wyoming, Syracuse, Iowa, Connecticut, Cal, Purdue, and the Mike Leach led Washington St Cougars, before signing with P.J. Fleck and Minnesota.
He spent two years with the Golden Gophers before transferring in 2022 to Missouri State University in Springfield, and for three years has been building for a season such as this. The recently elevated from FCS to FBS Missouri St Bears will be led at quarterback one final time by Senior Jacob Clark.
Well son, it’s not all on you, but most of it is.
When speaking to the media after the second day of fall practice, Clark stated that he takes his role as leader seriously. When asked about how he can improve this season he stated, “keep studying film and keep leading the young guys…that’s my focus.” He loves his offense and is getting comfortable with the somewhat new group of receivers. “I’m in an offense that will help me get to the next level and that’s the goal.”
At 6’5″ 220 pounds, he certainly has the frame for the typical pro-style pocket passer. The numbers were there for him last season as he finished with 3600 yards, 26 touchdowns, and a 169 Quarterback Rating (QBR).
“I intend to wear a Bears uniform.”
After the season ending loss to South Dakota St, Clark stated his intentions to stay and not seek the transfer market. After such an amazing season, and with the transfer portal QB’s getting ‘Jean-Claude Killey’ money just for walking in the door to be a backup, it seemed quite conservative to remain in Springfield, MO.
What was it that–after a 45-9 loss to end the season–what was it that Missouri St had that was so attractive to him? Corey Riggs is Director of Broadcasting for Missouri St, and he said in a CUSA YouTube Interview that Clark “turned down offers to see this team into Conference USA for the first time.” This is loyalty and commitment beyond measure. In theory, this is madness in the world of ‘how much are you paying me?’ So, why stay?
I think it’s as simple as this; he wanted to “battle life’s adversities with his friends by his side.” He wanted to finish what he started with teammates and coaches, specifically OC Nick Petrino. Like Jacob said, he’s in an offense that is preparing him for the ‘next level’ and that’s his goal. That offense is schemed by Bobby’s kid, Nick, and that family knows the offensive side of the football like Tarantino knows film direction. Elite on all levels. So, stay and play with a team that knows and loves you and needs you, and has an offense that suits you, or transfer the final season to a bigger school and potentially split time with another equally talented QB that wants the job.
If the goal is to get to the next level, then staying and playing makes the most sense. The fact that there is a bond between himself, the players and the coaches was surely the anchor of the decision to finish things in a ‘Bears uniform.’ Riggs referred to Clark as a “proven winner” and the “undisputed leader” of the team. Perhaps the decision was easier for Mr. Clark than I realize. There is a belief there. I can certainly respect that.
This next chapter for Missouri St will certainly be challenging in the beginning as the weekly opponents will be stronger.
- At Southern Cal
- At Marshall
- SMU at Home
“Playing with the big boys now.”-Steve Martin and Martin Short “Prince of Egypt”
Look Marshall isn’t the “biggest of boys,” but that is a tough first three games to begin the season. Especially since last year’s first three games were:
- Montana
- Ball St
- UT Martin
Not to say for one second that this Missouri St team won’t come into these first three games and completely destroy the competition, but odds are favorable that the Bears begin 0-3 going into their home game with UT Martin. On the bright side, Clark’s 25th birthday falls on the team’s November 1st bye week, so a team pool party at Jacobs house should be in order!
I doubt it. He’s going to be watching film of the Liberty defense on his 25th birthday.
With the sun half in his eyes on the field after practice, Clark said in response to a question about the tougher schedule, “we aren’t going to back down to anybody.”
And–I believe him.
Missouri St @ Southern Cal 8/30 5:30 BTN
O/U 59.5
The Trojans score seven touchdowns and win, but Jacob Clark and the Missouri St Bears do not “back down” and score four touchdowns in the valiant effort inside the LA Coliseum.
USC 49- MO St 29. Over.
Yessir, I do believe him. I also believe the Lincoln Riley led Trojan offense will score on most possessions, so this seems like an oddly low number. Maybe it’s too low and there is something I don’t know. Most Likely. Either way, I see Jacob Clark and all the Missouri St Bears competing and not backing down in the first game as an FBS program.
CONGRATS!
Springfield is quaint when it’s not tornado season. Cashew Chicken is their claim to fame. I suggest the Pump n Pay. They have a hot deli that serves cashew chicken all day long. Made fresh every morning. It’ll remind you of Springfield long after you’ve left it. Like a souvenir, but one you rent. But boy let me tell you, you won’t forget Springfield ever, ever again. Especially if you eat the cashew chicken at the remote gas station just outside of town on the way home from a long day of kayaking in July.
If you want the good stuff, they’ve got it. There are probably more than fifty places that’ll serve hot, fresh Springfield Cashew Chicken if you make the trip. Not in tornado season of course, but for a September 13th home game against SMU, the weather will be all clear and Cashew Chicken will be on every corner.
Find the Humor and Keep on Movin’
Whit W.