Texas A&M vs. Missouri State: Everything to know about the Bears
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Coming off its first season at the FBS level, the Missouri State Bears will charge into Kyle Field in Bryan-College Station, Texas, on Saturday night, ready to pick a fight with one of the Southeastern Conference's titans.
Former SMU offensive coordinator and football chief of staff Casey Woods enters his first year at the helm in Springfield, after spending the last four years under the Mustangs' head coach Rhett Lashlee. The Tennessee alum had stops with the Vols, Auburn, Arkansas State, UAB and Missouri. Under Woods, SMU was No. 11 in passing efficiency, 27th in scoring offense and 27th in pass completion percentage.
Woods brought in former UTEP OC Mark Cala to come call the plays for the Bears in 2026. In return, Cala brought his quarterback from El Paso, Skyler Locklear, who was recently dubbed Missouri State's starter. The offensive line has just three starters returning this year, but talented newcomers like SMU transfer King Large will look to fill in those gaps and keep the program headed in the right direction in Conference USA.
As Texas A&M prepares to host Missouri State in just three days, here is what the Bears bring to College Station against the Aggies in Week 1:
Missouri State offense
Three players to watch: Skyler Lockyear (QB), Jeron Askren (TE) and King Large (LT)
Tale of the tape: After a successful first season in the FBS, Missouri State's offense is under renovation entering 2026. Cala will be calling the plays for the unit this season and brought his quarterback with him. Locklear threw for 3,001 yards, 23 touchdowns and 17 interceptions over the last two seasons with the Miners.
In the trenches, SMU transfer tackle King Large will be integral for the Bears' new-look offensive line, which must improve pass protection, after ranking 135th in the FBS in sacks allowed. They will look to protect Lockyear and pave the way for the talented duo of Breezy Dubar and Ramone Green Jr., both of whom were listed as Missouri State's starters on the initial depth chart for the season opener.
Missouri State defense
Three players to watch: Jared Lloyd (LB), Joel Kpassou (CB), and J.J. O'Neal (S)
Tale of the tape: The biggest strength of this team rests in the hands of an experienced and extremely talented secondary. Fifth-year J.J. O'Neal has racked up 68 tackles, three interceptions and 10 pass deflections in 37 total appearances for Missouri State over the last four seasons. Duquesne transfer Joel Kpassou earned All-NEC second team honors in 2025, recording 42 total tackles, a tackle for loss and a pass breakup in 12 contests.
While O'Neal and Kpassou anchor the secondary unit, fifth-year linebacker Jared Lloyd will be leading the second level for the Bears. Lloyd led the team with 77 total tackles (33 solo), 4.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. At 6-foot-3 and 240 pounds, Missouri State's leading linebacker has all the tools to be one of the top players at the position in Conference USA again in 2026.
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M vs. Missouri State: Everything to know about the Bears
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