ST. LOUIS — Missouri State freshman Steven Ward was named Missouri Valley Football Conference Special Teams Player of the Week on Sunday for his efforts in leading the Bears to a 37-7 homecoming win over visiting Indiana State this week.
Ward ignited a 21-0 MSU run in the final three minutes of the first half as he forced Indiana State fumbles on back-to-back kickoffs. The first forced fumble set the Bears up at the ISU 24 with 2:10 left in the half and led to an MSU touchdown three plays later. On the ensuing kickoff, Ward again forced a Sycamore fumble, which the Bears recovered at the ISU 20. Two plays later, the Bears scored again in a momentum-shifting swing that made it a 24-0 game at the half.
A local product from Nixa (Mo.) High School, Ward also had two special teams tackles in the game.
Ward is the eighth Missouri State player to be honored by the conference this season, but just the Bears’ second Special Teams Player of the Week, joining Montrae Braswell (Sept. 12).
Also earning MVFC honors this week were Isaiah Smith of North Dakota (Offense), Jack Cochrane of South Dakota (Defense) and Quincy Patterson of North Dakota State (Newcomer).
The Bears are back in action this week at North Dakota State (2:30 p.m.) before returning to Plaster Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 30 for a showdown against North Dakota at 2 p.m.
