The light at the end of the tunnel for the football Bears continues to get larger as Missouri State conducted its final two-a-day practices Thursday.
“We had a pretty good day,” head coach Terry Allen explained. “We have a lot of seniors leading the way, and they bounced around today and did some good things. We just have to get through tomorrow and a scrimmage Saturday.”
The Bears’ 17th and 18th practices of the preseason included a 20-period workout on the turf at Plaster Field this morning in full pads before a similar 20-period session mid-afternoon on the grass practice fields in half packs.
On Friday, the team will practice once at 2:45 p.m. before Saturday’s 9:45 a.m. scrimmage, both at Plaster Field. The end of fall camp will usher in a day off Sunday before classes start Monday, and game preparations begin for the Sept. 2 opener against Eastern Kentucky.
Working through the grind of two-a-days is never easy for any player, but for the hard working men in the trenches, the grind takes on new meaning. Few work harder than Missouri State’s defensive linemen.
“Camp has been physical,” said assistant coach Courtney Sanders who handles the Bears’ defensive line unit. “We are emphasizing effort and team work. Our guys get hit in the mouth on every play, so it has definitely been physical.”
Sanders’ emphasis has been heard loud and clear by the nine men he works with on a daily basis up front. Not only do returning starters Levi Moore (Sr., DE, Mountain View, Mo.) and Waylon Richardet (Sr., DE, Perryville, Mo.) lead by example in the trenches, but returning lettermen like Mikel Ruder (Jr., DT, Lawrence, Kan.), Tevan Ferguson (So., DT, Nashville, Tenn.) and Joe Day (So., DE, O’Fallon, Mo.) are following suit with the competition at the three line positions.
“All our guys bring their hard hat to work every day,” Sanders said. “They come to play and work as one unit, not as individuals, which is what we emphasize.”
Rounding out the group are Chris Earnhardt (Jr., DE, Springfield, Mo.), a transfer from Missouri, along with Anthony Grady (RFr., DE, Texarkana, Ark.), Eric Pearce (Fr., DT, Springdale, Ark.) and Martin Montgomery (Fr., DE, Pine Bluff, Ark.). Sanders says the depth of the unit is a good problem to have, but his three freshmen will have to be ready to contribute.
“Our three freshmen will have to play, and so far they have all done everything we have asked,” Sanders said.
He also noted the growth of players like Ruder and Moore who are expected to lead the first team, along with preseason All-MVFC selection Richardet.
“A lot of people don’t know about Mikel Ruder or Levi Moore,” Sanders explained. “They have been here, but people really don’t know what they are capable of. If they have the kind of breakout season like I think they can have, it will really make us a strong unit up front,”
Getting nine defensive linemen through the physical demands of preseason camp has not been easy, according to Sanders, but says the secret to survival is easy.
“Prayer,” he said. “But just as important is taking care of their bodies, eating right and making sure they get treatment every day to stay in top physical condition.”
The Bears’ final two days of preseason camp will bring to a close a solid two-and-half weeks of practice and conditioning. Fans will get a second chance to see the team scrimmage Saturday at 9:45 a.m. at Plaster Field. Admission is free and open to the public.
Single-game and season ticket packages are available now by calling (417) 836-7678 or on-line at www.MissouriStateTix.com.
