MSU secures bowl game

The Missouri State University Bears football team has secured a bowl game spot.

MSU, which finished 7-5 overall in its inaugural season with the Conference USA and Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, received the decision on the bowl game this weekend, according to a news release.

"Bowl Season, which is the organization that secures the 82 postseason bowl teams, notified Missouri State on Saturday night that it would be granted one of the spots, based on meeting the minimum win total and needing to fill out the remaining number of required bowl eligible teams," said Rick Kindhart, MSU director of athletic communications and associate director of athletics, via email. "Missouri State and fellow Conference USA newcomer Delaware were granted bowl bids to fill the final two spots in the 2025 bowl field."

MSU had petitioned the NCAA for a postseason waiver on behalf of its football program, and multiple Missouri politicians had lobbied for inclusion, according to past Springfield Business Journal reporting. MSU was previously ineligible amid a transition to the FBS from the Football Championship Subdivision. 

Teams need at least six regular-season wins to be eligible for a bowl game, counting only one FCS opponent, according to the NCAA.

The Bowl Season's selection show is scheduled Dec. 7, when bowl pairings, dates and locations are slated to be announced, according to the release.