SPRINGFIELD–Every Bears fan in Plaster Stadium held their collective breath as they watched quarterback Jacob Clark lay on the ground, in obvious pain, after taking a hard hit, stretching for extra yards, late in the second quarter of Missouri State’s 27-22 loss to Western Kentucky in its Conference USA opener.
Clark, who’s listed on the team’s official roster at 6’5, 220 pounds, was met around the 2-yard-line by a Hilltoppers defender, who was trying to deny Clark the chance to extend the ball to the front pylon to score a touchdown. The collision sent a thunderous echo throughout Plaster Stadium. The Bears starting quarterback was on his back, seemingly gasping for air, before being helped to his feet, but needed assistance getting to the bench.
After that play, Clark never played another snap during the game. Instead, he hobbled off the field at halftime, and by the start of the second half, he was dressed in street clothes, on crutches, with a brace around his left leg. The extent of the injury is unknown. Head Coach Ryan Beard only said after the game it’s a lower body issue and further testing is needed…