No. 5 Missouri State football out for revenge when it hosts No. 14 UT Martin on Thursday night

Watching film in preparation for Thursday night's home opener, Missouri State head coach Bobby Petrino admitted there's a different type of pain in his stomach than when he rewatches other games.

"You always wish you remembered more of the big wins and the big games that made you smile," Petrino said. "But for some reason, you always remember the ones that hurt the most."

Petrino saw his team had a chance to win the program's first playoff game since 1989. Despite five turnovers at the time, the Bears found themselves down one with about a minute and a half remaining and driving into enemy territory. Like so many times the Bears had done before that season, he thought a game-winning drive was inevitable.

When Jason Shelley's quick pass across the middle of the field was tipped and ricocheted up in the air, Petrino saw it fall into the hands of a UT Martin defender.

More: Where Missouri State football needs massive improvement heading into UT Martin rematch

The season was suddenly over as UT Martin danced on the Bears' home turf. For the first time ever, the Skyhawks won a playoff game while one of the great seasons in Missouri State history ended maybe prematurely.

On Thursday night, when the Bears take the field at Plaster Stadium for the first time this season, they'll be out for revenge.

No. 5 Missouri State (1-0) hosts No. 14 UT Martin (1-0) at 7 p.m. in a non-conference rematch of the game that's been on the Bears' minds all offseason.

Revenge becomes a motivator for Missouri State

It's kept the Bears motivated through difficult offseason workouts, long practices and late at night when convincing themselves to watch more game film. Even those who weren't on the team last year know how important this particular game is to everyone in the program and the fans who suffered the same heartache.

"I see the fire in everybody's eyes," said Kansas State transfer running back Jacardia Wright. "Since Day 1 of practice, I feel like I gotta go out there and bring that same energy."

More: Missouri State football is starting to hold itself to a higher standard, as a top 5 team should

Missouri State lost the first-round playoff game 32-31 and finished the game by throwing an interception at UT Martin's 46. The Bears turned the ball over six times which included three fumbles. Shelley, who was named the Missouri Valley Football Conference's Offensive Player of the Year in the days before the game, completed 22 of 42 passes for 279 yards and three interceptions.

UT Martin starting quarterback Dresser Winn, who made his first start of the season and will be behind center for the Skyhawks on Thursday, threw for 272 yards and two touchdowns including the go-ahead 37-yard pass with 3:36 remaining on a one-play drive following a Shelley interception.

During the spring, Shelley admitted the game was something he thought about every single day.

More: Missouri State vs. Central Arkansas football: Five takeaways from Bears' Week 1 win

"It's just one of those things where you go back and figure out ways you can improve," Shelley said. "Even if it's just 1% better or even have a better step here and there. You have to work hard so we can achieve that and don't have that again."

Improvement for the Walter Payton Award candidate was evident in MSU's season-opening 27-14 win at Central Arkansas last week. He completed 18-of-30 passes for 266 yards and a score while showcasing the magic he can still create with his legs. He gained 76 yards on the ground. Ty Scott, his star receiver, caught eight passes for 160 yards and looked like the potential All-American he's touted to be.

The offense still showed that it has plenty of room to improve. Only 43 net yards were gained on the ground from players besides Shelley. Petrino wants to feature his new running back early and often while setting up play-action shots down the field late in games. Improvement along the offensive line will be needed for the Bears to achieve their ultimate goals.

"I felt like it was first game jitters for me and the line," Wright, who rushed for 38 yards on 13 carries, said. "I have a lot of faith in them having played behind them in spring ball and fall camp and seeing them block our defense every day. We just gotta go out there and execute and we'll be successful."

The Bears' defense found plenty of success at UCA by forcing two interceptions and bringing the quarterback down seven times for a sack. Anthony Payne had his best game in an MSU uniform with a pair of sacks while Northern Illinois transfer Dillon Thomas came away with an interception and a memorable sack that sent the UCA quarterback's helmet flying from the massive hit.

UT Martin is coming off a 42-25 victory over MVFC-foe Western Illinois. In the game, Winn passed for 317 yards and a touchdown and the Skyhawks rushed for 260 total yards. Another big game from the Bears' defense will be needed if they are to avenge last season's setback.

"Last year, this team was on its way to doing great things in the playoffs," Thomas said. "That was just a little stain and we know what's at stake. We know what we want and you can't start your season by losing at home. We're trying to start off right."

More: No. 5 Missouri State football victorious in season-opening win at Central Arkansas

How to watch No. 14 UT Martin @ No. 5 Missouri State

When: Thursday, 7 p.m.

Where: Plaster Stadium; Springfield

Watch: ESPN+

Listen: KWTO-FM 101.3

Wyatt D. Wheeler is a reporter and columnist with the Springfield News-Leader. You can contact him at 417-371-6987, by email at wwheeler@news-leader.com or Twitter at @WyattWheeler_NL. He's also the co-host of Sports Talk on Jock Radio weekdays from 4-6 p.m.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Missouri State football ready for revenge on UT Martin Thursday