Wednesday’s Missouri State practice covered a little over two hours at Plaster Field.
The mid-afternoon workout in full pads covered a number of team 11-on-11 situations, including two-minute drills and move-the-chains series. Coach Terry Allen said the squad’s 16th practice of camp was a little flat, but progress continues to be made on both sides of the ball.
“We were a little stale today,” Allen said. “At this point in camp, we are two weeks from our first game, so we have to fight our way through it. Football is not easy. It requires mental toughness, and that is what we are working through.”
In just 15 days, the Bears open the 2010 campaign against Eastern Kentucky at Plaster Field (Sept. 2). The 6:05 p.m. game will put the Bears against a traditional Ohio Valley Conference front-runner in hopes of a break-through season.
One of the key areas to ensure that success is the offensive line. Allen says the front five are critical.
“It all starts up front,” Allen explained. “We have five guys up there who have started a bunch, and our returnees are pretty good.”
David Arkin (Sr., OT, Wichita, Kan.) is regarded by some ratings services as the top offensive lineman in the Division I FCS. He has started 33 straight games and is a preseason All-American by numerous publications and web services.
Fellow returnees Erik Dahl (Sr., OC, Olathe, Kan.) and Jake Duron (Sr., OT, Springdale, Ark.) started all 11 games a year ago, while Bob Shapel (Sr., OG, Iola, Kan.) earned eight starts before his season was cut short with an injury. Travis Simmons (Jr., OG, Mexico, Mo.) started the final three games of 2009 in Shapel’s absence and rounds out an impressive front five.
“Our starters have played a lot of football,” said Bears’ offensive line coach Sean Coughlin. “They have a lot of experience and time on the field, and more importantly they have all played together and developed that chemistry.”
Coughlin says there is talent behind the front five as well, but having everyone healthy will be a key part of the upcoming campaign.
“We have three guys who have missed significant time this fall with injuries, and we need them back,” Coughlin said. “We have made good strides behind our starters with guys like Kurt Kutter (RFr., OG, O’Fallon, Mo.) who has a lot of tools with his strength and good speed. Charlie Thompson (Jr., OT, St. Louis, Mo.) is back from his injury, and is really doing a great job too.”
The three players missing time this fall with a variety of injuries are 2008 starter Brent Chojnacki (Sr., OC, Florissant, Mo.), Harrison Menke (So., OC, Joplin, Mo.) and Kyle Hahn (RFr., OT, O’Fallon, Mo.). Coughlin said some of the new personnel are also making a difference early.
Zack Cooley (Fr., Lebanon, Mo.) and Jordan Rainey (Fr., Joplin, Mo.) show the most promise early, according to Coughlin with a number of other guys progressing each day.
“If we are going to run a spread offense, we need to be able to throw the ball and be able to pass protect,” Coughlin explained. “We need to get better in our run blocking, but if we can pass protect, we give our quarterback a chance to be successful.”
The Bears will have their opportunity to show how the guys “up front” have improved since 2009 when they take the field on Sept. 2. Single-game and season tickets are currently available by calling (417) 836-7678 or on-line at www.MissouriStateTix.com.
MSU will conduct two practices Thursday – a morning session at 8:10 at Plaster Field before a 3:45 p.m. session on the grass.
A week from today (August 25) is also Meet the Bears Night at Plaster Field for fans to meet the Missouri State players and coaches. The event runs 5:30-7 p.m. and includes free Hiland Dairy ice cream and a chance to meet the football, soccer, volleyball and field hockey squads as well as the MSU spirit squads and mascot teams.
