Missouri

Missouri State granted eligibility to play first bowl game in CUSA era

Published

4 months ago

December 1, 2025

Missouri State granted eligibility to play first bowl game in CUSA era

Missouri State has officially earned a spot in a bowl game.

At the end of the college football regular season Nov. 29, Bowl Season — which coordinates the NCAA’s Football Bowl Subdivision’s 82 postseason teams — announced the eligibility.

The Bears finished the season with a 7-5 record under head coach Ryan Beard, who served as the defensive coordinator for Missouri State before moving into the top job in 2022.

In mid-November, athletic director Patrick Ransdell announced Missouri State was petitioning the NCAA for a postseason waiver to participate in a bowl game.

Because of MSU’s recent transition to Conference USA, they were ineligible for postseason play under NCAA rules.

Missouri lawmakers, including U.S. Sen. Eric Schmitt and U.S. Rep. Eric Burlison added their support, calling on the NCAA to grant the waiver request.

“The university has done everything asked of it and more. Its student athletes have earned their place on the field and a chance to compete in the postseason through performance, not administrative technicalities,” Schmitt wrote, in part.

“The NCAA must not deny these student-athletes the postseason opportunity they have earned based on an arbitrary, outdated regulation that no longer reflects the current realities. I strongly urge the NCAA to approve Missouri State University’s waiver request and allow these student-athletes to compete for the postseason recognition their hard work and on-field success have earned.”

Burlison added: “With 82 postseason slots available this season, Missouri State University deserves equal consideration. These student-athletes have earned their opportunity on the field and should not be sidelined by an outdated rule alone.”

The NCAA waivers have been granted in the past.

In addition to Missouri State, fellow Conference USA newcomer Delaware was also granted eligibility.

Bowl pairings, dates and locations will be announced at a later date. The official Bowl Selection Show is Sunday, Dec. 7.

Missouri State fans who are interested in attending the bowl game can fill out an “intent form” to obtain ticket information as soon as a bowl destination is known.

In their inaugural season in Conference USA and the FBS ranks, the Bears are 7-5 overall and finished 5-3 in the CUSA standings to tie for fourth place in the 12-team league.

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Missouri

Extended closure of I-70 Drive Southeast in Columbia to begin Monday

Published

6 hours ago

March 22, 2026

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Extended closure of I-70 Drive Southeast in Columbia to begin Monday

The Missouri Department of Transportation announced a segment of I-70 Drive Southeast from Woodridge to Glenstone Drive in Columbia will close beginning Monday after being delayed for 14 days.

The entrance to Woodridge Drive from I-70 Drive Southeast will also be closed. The closure is set to last 300 days and aims to be completed in January 2027, according to a news release from MoDOT.

The closure will enable crews to shift traffic on I-70 to construct two new bridges on I-70. This will allow the construction of the new underpass connecting Hanover Boulevard to I-70 Drive Southeast.

All businesses will remain accessible during the closure. Motorists will be directed around the closure via Keene Street and St. Charles Road, according to the news release.

The closure was originally set for March 9. According to past KOMU 8 reporting, MoDOT postponed the project due to weather and crew availability.

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Missouri

Versailles man seriously injured in motorcycle crash in Morgan County

Published

18 hours ago

March 22, 2026

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Versailles man seriously injured in motorcycle crash in Morgan County

A 29-year-old man was seriously injured in a Friday night motorcycle crash in Morgan County.

The crash happened around 7:50 p.m. on Old Five Road north of Leatherman Road, according to a Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report.

A Ford Explorer crossed the center of the roadway while heading southbound and struck a Kawasaki motorcycle heading northbound, according to the crash report.

The 29-year-old man was airlifted to University Hospital with serious injuries, according to the crash report.

The motorcyclist was not wearing a helmet. The driver of the Ford Explorer had no reported injuries and was wearing a seatbelt, according to the crash report.

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Missouri

Road work to begin on Rogers Street and Forum Boulevard this week

Published

1 day ago

March 21, 2026

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The city of Columbia Public Works Department plans to close a lane on Rogers Street and shift lanes on Forum Boulevard this week.

Rogers Street

The city of Columbia Public Works Street Division crews will begin road work on Rogers Street in front of Jefferson Middle School 7 a.m. on Monday.

One lane will be closed, and a flagger will help direct traffic through the work zone, according to a Columbia Public Works news release.

Crews plan to replace a section of failed concrete pavement in the eastbound lane, according to the news release.

Work will include removing deteriorated concrete and pouring a new concrete panel, according to the news release.

Rogers Street is expected to fully reopen by 5 p.m. on Monday, weather permitting.

Forum Boulevard

Crews also plan for road work beginning at 7 a.m., Thursday on Forum Boulevard near the intersection of Crestwood Lane, according to the news release.

Crews will replace a collapsed section of pavement, according to the news release.

No full lane closures are planned, but northbound traffic will shift lanes through the work area. Southbound traffic is expected to move normally, according to the news release.

Traffic message boards will be in place to remind travelers of the road work.

All lanes are expected to reopen by 5 p.m. on Thursday, weather permitting, according to the news release.

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