Missouri State Opens Second FBS Season at No. 8 Texas A&M

Missouri State football begins its second season at the FBS level with a challenging road test Saturday, Sept. 5, at 6 m. CT against No. 8 Texas A&M at Kyle Field. The game marks the first meeting in history between the two programs, as the Bears make their debut under new head coach Casey Woods.

Fans can watch the matchup on ESPN or stream it on Watch ESPN, with radio coverage available on the Missouri State Radio Network at 101.3 KWTO.

Both teams enter the season with momentum from strong 2025 campaigns. Missouri State finished 7-6 overall and 5-3 in conference play, while Texas A&M posted an 11-2 record and a 7-1 mark in conference action. The Aggies, coming off that standout season, have national title ambitions as they prepare for the opener.

The Bears are expected to be heavy underdogs at Kyle Field, with one prediction favoring Texas A&M by a 52-24 margin. Despite the odds, the game offers Missouri State an early-season opportunity to test itself against one of the nation's top programs in front of what is expected to be a crowd exceeding 100,000 fans.

Skyler Locklear, Quarterback

A focal point of the Missouri State offense will be quarterback Skyler Locklear, who was recently named the starter. The dual-threat signal-caller showed his playmaking ability during his time at UTEP, where he set a single-season record for rushing touchdowns. He is known for extending plays and completing passes on the move, traits that will challenge Texas A&M's defense throughout the game.

Locklear's aggressive style comes with risk, however. Last season at UTEP, he threw 11 interceptions and lost one fumble. That tendency has not gone unnoticed by Texas A&M, whose defense has emphasized creating turnovers during its preparation this week.

For Missouri State to keep the game competitive, Locklear will need to balance his big-play ability with careful decision-making against an Aggies defensive front that includes edge rushers Anto Sako and Marco Jones.

Jeron Askren, Tight End

Another key weapon for Missouri State is tight end Jeron Askren, who enters the season on the Mackey Award watch list, given annually to the nation's top tight end. Askren recorded five touchdowns last season and figures to be a primary target for Locklear in the passing game.

As a security blanket over the middle and a red-zone threat, Askren could play a significant role in helping the Bears move the chains and finish drives against a Texas A&M defense that will look to pressure the quarterback and force mistakes.

Texas A&M's Defensive Approach

The Aggies' defense has been emphasizing turnover creation in practice, and Locklear's history of turnovers could present an opportunity. Texas A&M's recent track record against early-season opponents, however, shows some vulnerability — the Aggies have allowed 20 points or more to Group of Five opponents in three of their last four such matchups.

Still, Texas A&M enters the contest with significant firepower on offense, led by quarterback Marcel Reed, who is considered a Heisman Trophy hopeful. The Aggies' balanced attack and home-field advantage make them heavy favorites in this first-ever meeting between the programs.

For Missouri State, the game represents a measuring stick in its early FBS tenure, with Woods leading the Bears into a hostile environment in his head-coaching debut. The outcome may be uncertain, but the stage is set for a defining early-season test.