Missouri State football's fall camp scrimmage ended in a thrilling 21-20 victory for the Bears on Saturday, Aug. 15.
Skyler Locklear, the fifth-year senior transfer from UTEP, played the most snaps and went 13-for-21 passing throughout the scrimmage. He showcased his skills with big plays, including a 55-yard pass to star wideout Jmariyae Robinson, whose feet did most of the yardage gain.
Locklear's on-time delivery was key, as head coach Bobby Woods noted, "I think our guys rally around him and believe in him." However, he struggled with consistency, particularly when the ball was set inside the two-yard line, where Missouri State rarely earned a first down.
Henry Belin IV, the other quarterback competing for the starting role, played a majority of the scrimmage with the second unit and went 3-for-6. He was forced to sit out the final 45 minutes due to shoulder soreness, which will impact the team's decision on the starting quarterback.
Another key absence during the scrimmage was running back Breezy Dubar, who has been nursing some soreness and things. In his place, Ramone Green Jr. played alongside Locklear and showcased his skills.
The Missouri State defense was humming, with players like linebacker Jared Lloyd and Iowa State defensive end transfer Markell Chapman making an impact. Special teams were utilized often, with starting kicker Yusef Obeid hitting field goals of 41 and 44 yards with ease.
Obeid was unable to go perfect throughout the scrimmage, as Logan-Rogersville's J.J. O'Neal was able to fight through the line and block one of the kicks. However, he nailed a 57-yard field goal to give the offense the win.
Michael Osei-Bonsu, the basketball star-turned-first-year football player, took another step forward in his football career. He made an impact as a third-team defensive end and played as the team's right tackle during field goals.
The scrimmage highlighted areas where the team needs improvement, particularly in the red zone and two-minute offense drills. However, it also showed promise for the upcoming season, with players like Locklear and Green Jr. showcasing their skills.
The Bears will continue to work on their weaknesses before the first game of the season. They will need to see where Henry Belin IV's shoulder soreness takes him in the short and long term future, which will impact the team's decision on the starting quarterback.
Source: Yahoo Sports