Friday’s Missouri State football practice at Plaster Field ended prematurely with a shocking surprise.
After a few periods of position drills, head coach Terry Allen brought out the PAT/field goal units, called the team together and made a special announcement.
“We rewarded them with a little time in the pool,” Allen explained. “It has been a hot camp, and our team has worked hard. I don’t think they saw this one coming.”
That was evident from the vocal roar that erupted after Allen’s announcement. A competitive, yet friendly field goal battle between Jordan Chiles and Austin Witmer wrapped up a short practice, followed by a series of 100-yard conditioning sprints.
The team then walked to Hammons Student Center for some time in the indoor pool with some down time to get ready for Saturday’s final day of fall camp – a 10 a.m. scrimmage at Plaster Field.
It didn’t take long for the stadium to clear after conditioning, but one person who always seems to stay late is new outside linebackers coach Wayne Chambers, a Kansas City native and Oklahoma product. He says he is adjusting well to his new role with the Bears, and with two returning starters in Michael Keck (Jr., LB, Harrisonville, Mo.) and Terian Washington (Sr., LB, Pine Bluff, Ark.), Chambers said the experience factor is key for his unit.
Keck earned a spot on the MVFC All-Newcomer team last year after transferring from Missouri and turning in 65 tackles with 11 starts. Washington notched 49 tackles, including seven for loss, and eclipsed the century mark in career stops last season, also starting 11 games.
“We have a lot of veteran guys who know the system and know what they are doing,” Chambers said. “We are looking for two guys to be leaders on every down, and we need all of our guys to be more vocal, but I feel pretty good about where we are.”
Backing up the returning starters are two fifth-year veterans Kolby Hurt (Sr., LB, Boonville, Mo.) and Sam Block (Sr., LB, Ozark, Mo.). Chambers says that depth and the addition of talented newcomers like Nick Canavan (Fr., LB, Norman, Okla.) have kept him smiling.
“We have to break a few bad habits, but I am pleased with where we are right now, especially with depth,” he said. “Canavan is coming along very nicely and is going to be a great player. He is very explosive.”
Missouri State brings camp to a close Saturday and will begin preparation for the Sept. 2 opener against Eastern Kentucky on Monday afternoon. Tickets are available for that game by calling (417) 836-7678 or on-line at www.MissouriStateTix.com.
