Missouri State Bears Blog

The Missouri State Bears wrapped up their 2010 preseason camp Saturday morning with a 70-play scrimmage at Plaster Field.

The Bears’ defense outperformed the offense for most of the event. The first-team defenders held the first-team offense to just three plays on the first two possessions. The second-team offense was pinned in on its first play from scrimmage resulting in a safety on a drive the started on its own two.

The defense also recorded three sacks, snagged a pair of interceptions, and broke up four more passes with great athletic plays in the secondary. In the end, the offense averaged just under 2.5 yards per play.

Head coach Terry Allen assessed the morning with a positive outlook.

“The defense did really well, and that’s a good thing,” Allen said. “You have to give them credit. On offense, we can’t drop the ball and have to make plays when we have a chance. Overall, nobody was hurt, and we can come back next week and start getting ready for Eastern Kentucky.”

First-string quarterback Cody Kirby connected with senior receiver Justin Fuselier on the offense’s final play of the day, a 48-yard touchdown pass in a two-minute situational play. Kirby finished with 82 passing yards on just four completions, while backup Trevor Wooden got most of the offense’s snaps, splitting time with the first team and second-team units.

“Trevor got lots snaps with the ones and made some good plays,” Allen said.

The Bears now begin a regular practice regimen as they prepare for the opener on Thursday, Sept. 2 against Eastern Kentucky, a 6 p.m. start at Plaster Field. Season and individual game tickets are available by calling (417) 836-7678 or on-line at www.MissouriStateTix.com. Special group and family rates are also available, and children 12 and under are always free.

Also this week, the Bears will be part of a Meet the Bears Night at Plaster Field on Wednesday, starting at 5:30 p.m. and featuring free Hiland Dairy Ice Cream for fans, as well as interactive games, spirit squads, autograph stations and promotional give-aways.

MSU will also play a simulated game Thursday night at 8 p.m. to get some experience under the new lights at Plaster Sports Complex.

Scrimmage Statistics:

Rushing (35-38): Trevor Wooden 7-18, Stephen Johnston 8-13, Chris Douglas 7-11, Vernon Scott 9-8, Mitchell Jenkins 3-(-5), Tim Williams 1-(-7).

Passing 32-11-2, 136: Cody Kirby 10-4-0, 82; Trevor Wooden 14-5-1, 30; Tim Williams 4-1-0, 23; Mitchell Jenkins 4-1-1, 1.

Receiving: Ian Starnes 3-36, Jermaine Saffold 3-28, Trevor Wooden 2-18, Justin Fuselier 1-48, Stephen Johnston 1-5, Julian Burton 1-1.

Field Goals (5-6). Jordan Chiles 3-3 (41, 19, 37); Austin Witmer 2-3 (26, 24, missed 41).

Interceptions: Anthony Lee, Rodney Kelly.

Scoring Plays:
Team Safety
Jordan Chiles 41-yard field goal
Austin Witmer 26-yard field goal
Ian Starnes 23-yard TD pass from Tim Williams (Chiles kick)
Jordan Chiles 19-yard field goal
Austin Witmer 24-yard field goal
Justin Fuselier 48-yard pass from Cody Kirby (no PAT)
Jordan Chiles 37-yard field goal

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.

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.

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.

Practice No. 15 of the preseason for the Missouri State Bears was unlike any other. The practice regimen itself was very similar to previous workout sessions, but the difference was literally in the air.

“I thought we had a little more pop today,” said head coach Terry Allen of the mid-80-degree practice. “I think the weather had more to do with that than anything else.”

The cooler-than-usual afternoon at Plaster Sports Complex saw the Bears practice about two-and-a-half hours in full pads. The first-team offense again had a great drive in the two-minute offense as Cody Kirby engineered a 40-yard drive to the red zone to set up a 45-yard field goal attempt by Jordan Chiles. Kirby was 4-for-5 on the series for 36 yards.

The second-team offense was led by Trevor Wooden who was 1-for-2 through the air and was sacked twice despite a nice six-yard carry in the two-minute drills.

Wooden’s skills as a passer, receiver and runner only serve notice daily that he brings a lot to the table regardless of what position he fills. But, his speed and power in the offensive backfield should only complement the regular MSU running backs who are turning heads on their own.

“We have a good group of guys,” said new Bears’ running backs coach Gerald Davis. “They all run hard and have no problem sticking their nose in there. These guys are all like brothers, and having experienced players makes my job easier. ”

The experienced players in the running back corps, include Chris Douglas (Jr., Lawrenceville, Ga.), Stephen Johnston (Jr., Mansfield, Texas) and Mikael Cooper-Falls (So., Springfield, Mo.), along with Jonathan Davis (Sr., Tampa, Fla.) who remains suspended under team rules.

Cooper-Falls led the 2009 squad in rushing, despite starting just two games, and accumulated 424 yards on a team-best 92 carries to earn MVFC All-Newcomer Team honors. However, he is expected to miss most of the upcoming season while recovering from a spring ACL injury. Douglas started the final game of the season and put on an impressive performance at Southern Illinois to finish the campaign with four touchdowns and 325 yards.

Davis got the starting call six times in 2009 and finished with 284 yards on 77 carries with three touchdowns. He has yet to practice this season, but time off has not slowed teammate Johnston who missed the entire 2009 campaign with a knee injury. Johnston owns a 5.6 yard-per-carry average in his first two seasons, including a 354-yard effort in just eight games in 2008.

Transfers Drew Temple (So., Kansas City, Mo.) and Vernon Scott (RFr., Muskogee, Okla.) are currently third and fourth, respectively, on the depth chart, and redshirt freshman Joey Mendel (Springfield, Mo.) is trying to get healthy after a history of knee issues. However, coach Davis says he really has no pecking order with so many capable backs ready to perform at any moment.

“I like our depth,” coach Davis said. “Each guy brings something different to the table. Our guys are still battling it out on the depth chart, and each of them gets time with the first string. It is good for them to run behind different offensive linemen so they get to know what each of them does.”

Emulating a Missouri State great like coach Davis is also a good addition for the Bears’ rushers. “Turbo” broke the MSU touchdown standard in 2007 with 19 scores and posted a five-touchdown game against Indiana State as a senior. Having a young RB coach with a proven track record in charge, the Missouri State running game looks to be in good hands for years to come.

A slight schedule change has the Bears practicing just once on Wednesday and twice Thursday. The Wednesday afternoon session at Plaster Field is slated to start around 2:30 p.m. with Thursday practices at 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. The team also has a 3 p.m. practice Friday before closing out camp on Saturday with a 9:50 a.m. scrimmage which is free and open to the public.

As the final week of preseason camp for the Missouri State Bears got underway, Monday’s two practices seemed to cover the full range of emotions.

Head coach Terry Allen said after the afternoon session that his team needs to pick up the pace down the stretch.

“We had a good morning practice,” Allen said. “But overall, we are not at the tempo I would like to see. We have to stay on it and get better with that.”

A 20-period morning session in full pads at Plaster Field was followed by a later afternoon practice on grass, covering 21 periods in shorts.

The highlight of the afternoon practice was the first-team offense’s execution in the two-minute offense. First-team quarterback Cody Kirby was 4-for-5 for 40 yards, while Stephen Johnston carried twice for 13 yards. Johnston also had two receptions for 10 yards on the drive, and tight end Wes Miller had the rest of the receiving yards. A 26-yard field goal by Jordan Chiles capped the drive.

The first-team offense seemed to carry the momentum from Saturday’s impressive scrimmage performance into Monday afternoon. Wide receivers coach Mike Chandler said late Monday that the entire offense is working hard.

“It starts up front,” Chandler said. “The offensive line did a great job. Jermaine Saffold and Cadarrius Dotson made plays, and things really fell into place.”

Chandler said Dotson has taken his game to the next level for his sophomore year and set the bar high for freshmen like newcomer Julian Burton.

“Cadarrius is vastly improved over last year,” he said. “Especially with his run blocking, he has stepped up. Young guys like Julian Burton, who is going to be a special player, and Dan Reichert, who plays fast and hard, have someone to emulate.”

He said the depth at receiver has really made a difference this fall in helping players learn, develop and push each other. The second-year assistant noted that Saffold has worked harder than any receiver in the off-season. With him leading the way, the Bears have the ability to reload on every down.

“There are easily seven or eight guys who can play with the first team,” Chandler said. “You have guys like Willie White, Adrian Taylor and a big-play guy in Trevor Wooden on one side, and guys like Saffold, Justin Fuselier and Ian Starnes on the other side. Returners like Saffold, Dotson and Adrian Williams are always going to be in the mix. Depth is always a good thing, but we can’t sit back and relax, we have to continue to get better.”

A host of talent at the wideout positions should make for some entertaining Saturdays this fall, especially with fourth-year starting quarterback Cody Kirby walking with a little extra swagger this week.

The Bears will practice at 3:20 on Tuesday at Plaster Field in their 15th of 20 preseason camp workouts.

It was an offensive type of the day for the Bears in the team’s 12^th practice of fall camp, as Cody Kirby (Sr., QB, Rogers, Ark.) and Chris Douglas (Jr., TB, Lawrenceville, Ga.) led the first-team ‘O’ to scoring drives on all five possessions , four touchdowns and a field goal, in the morning scrimmage.

Moving the scrimmage from the afternoon to the morning period suited Kirby and his mates just fine. The senior leader did a little bit of everything for the Bears, including completing a pass to himself, albeit off a deflection and for a six-yard loss. Kirby finished the day 10-14 passing for 114 yards and a touchdown, while rushing for 38 yards on eight carries. Douglas provided the exclamation points on three drives, scoring touchdowns from seven, one and four yards out. In all, he rushed 12 times for 44 yards with the three TDs. But it was Kirby who stole the show.

“He didn’t put the ball in jeopardy, and that is what we have been harping on all the time” head coach Terry Allen said. “He threw the ball accurately. He could not have been much better.”

Kirby, Douglas and others put up the numbers, but perhaps the most impressive performances came from the veteran, first-team offensive line. In addition to creating daylight for Douglas, the line provided plenty of time for Kirby to spread the ball around to five different receivers, including himself. There were no sacks, and only two pass deflections at the line. The five men in the middle were also able to make room when it mattered most, converting first-down rushes on a third and two and a fourth and one, as well as leading Douglas into the end zone on two goal–line situations, on a third and goal from the one and a four-yard scamper on second down.

“I think that we have to be better rushing the football, but we were able to do a little bit of that today,” Allen said. “But that is a solid group. I feel very comfortable with them, with David Arkin (Sr., LT, Wichita, Kan. ) and Jake Duron (Sr., RT, Springdale, Ark.) is a solid player. I feel good about Erik Dahl (Sr., C, Olathe, Kan.) and Bob Shapel (Sr., RG, Iola, Kan.), and Travis Simmons (Jr., LG, Mexico, Mo.) has done a good job so far.”

The first drive of the day set the tone for the scrimmage. The first-team offense started at its own 25-yard line and went 75 yards in 13 plays. It was mainly the pass that moved the ball for the Bears, with Kirby gaining big chunks of yards via completions to Trevor Wooden (12 yards), Jermaine Saffold (two for 28 yards) and Cadarrius Dotson (eight yards). The only two incompletions came on a jump ball in the end zone to Wooden that he got his fingertips on but could not make the acrobatic catch, and on a throw away thanks to excellent coverage in the secondary. The aerial assault put the Bears first and goal from the four and even a fumbled option pitch on first down could not derail the Bears. After a fortuitous bounce put the ball out of bounds on the seven, Douglas took a handoff up the middle and bounced it outside, beating the defense to the left corner pylon for six.

The second first-team series brought more of the same. The passing game was just as lethal, with a 15-yard completion to Saffold and a big third-and-eight hook up to Dotson for 13 yards and a conversion. The ground game took it from there. Kirby rushed for six yards and after an incompletion intended for Wooden, it was all Douglas. He carried five straight times from the 10 yard-line, picking up a fourth and one on his second carry, and his second touchdown on his final carry of the drive.

Good things came from the passing offense even when throws weren’t completed. Dotson drew a 15-yard pass interference call on the second drive, and match-up nightmare Willie White did the same on the third drive, this one coming on a deep ball in the end zone. Saffold led the way with four receptions for 51 yards, and Dotson followed close behind with three for 39 yards.

“They (the young receivers) are growing up,” Allen said. “Saffold has had a good preseason. It was good to see Cadarrius make some plays. Julian Burton is going to be a good player for us. He is going to play and play a bunch.”

After settling for a 34-yard field goal from Jordan Chiles on its third drive, the first-team offense scored on two straight situational possessions. They needed only two plays to score on drives starting at the twenty and five yard-lines. The wide receivers did most of the heavy lifting for the day, but it was tight end Matt Thayer who caught the scrimmage’s only touchdown pass when he brought in a Kirby throw at the two and walked in for an 18-yard touchdown reception, his only catch of the day. It was big to see Thayer step up as a red zone target.

The final first-team drive ended with Douglas’ third touchdown of the day, from four yards away.

And while it was the first-team offense that provided the fireworks for most of the day, the scrimmage ended on a defensive highlight. The second-team defense completed a dominating performance when Byron Hightower, Jr., (Sr., LB, Raytown, Mo.) scooped up a fumbled center-quarterback exchange and rumbled 95 yards for a touchdown, despite the efforts of running back Vernon Scott (RFr., TB/WR, Muskogee, Okla.) who chased from behind. The big linebacker showed some quicks in eluding Scott, as he sent the fans home on a rousing note.

Friday’s Missouri State football practice was moved to 9 a.m. to give the Bears a better chance to work out at full speed before the heat took hold. 

The squad’s 11^th practice of fall camp lasted just over two hours (25 periods) and saw the team go through some of its familiar drills in helmets, shoulder pads and shorts.

The two-minute and red-zone drills were particularly exciting to watch with a number of spectacular plays on both sides of the ball.

The team’s depth and array of talent at receiver is starting to emerge as a regular practice highlight, but equally impressive has been the work of the defensive secondary. With those two units going head-to-head on a regular basis, defensive backs coach Rob Bolks says his group is getting pushed every day.

“We are making good reads and making a lot of plays against some great receivers,” Bolks said. “We have a little interception derby going with all the DBs, and we had two really good ones today.”

Picks by Skylar Smith (Sr., SS, Springfield, Mo.) and Mike Crutcher (Fr., DB, Wentzville, Mo.) on Friday morning added some spark to those already-intense drills.

Bolks has three returning starters under his wing this fall and a talented group of returnees and newcomers. Strong safety Smith and free safety Derek Miller (Sr., Olathe, Kan.) combined for 164 tackles, four interceptions and 10 break-ups last season and will anchor the safeties. Cornerback Jimmie Strong (Jr., Texarkana, Texas) was in the starting rotation all 11 games a year ago and knocked down five passes with 42 tackles.

“Our senior safeties and Jimmie Strong are very solid players,” Bolks added. “Our newcomers are also doing a great job – like Isaac Umesi (Fr., CB, North Richland Hills, Texas) and Brian Berry (Fr., CB, Camden, Ark.). Crutcher and Schaffitzel (Fr., DB, Fair Grove, Mo.) are also going to be nice players.”

Bolks also noted that the return of injured corner Andre Anderson (So., Muskogee, Okla.) from injury will be key to putting the final piece of the puzzle in place in the secondary. Currently, redshirt freshman Howard Scarborough (Tulsa, Okla.) is holding down the starting corner spot opposite Strong, but Anderson’s return would provide some healthy competition.

“We are waiting for Andre to get healthy,” said Bolks of the sophomore recovering from a knee injury. “We need him and Howard to have some healthy competition for that other corner spot.”

Bears fans will have their first opportunity to see the defensive secondary in action on Saturday morning with the team’s first scrimmage slated for 10:45 a.m. at Plaster Field. The scrimmage is free and open to the public. The event is expected to conclude around Noon.

The team will be off Sunday before starting its final week of fall camp on Monday at 4 p.m.

As Missouri State’s preseason football camp reached its halfway point Thursday, it was obvious the Bears are working through adversity like champions.

The difficulty of working through August weather and the bumps and bruises of the squad’s first 10 practices has given several players a chance to step up.

“We worked really hard today, which is all we can do,” said head coach Terry Allen. “We just have to be consistent. I think our defense is ahead of our offense at this point, but we had some good plays from guys like (wide receivers) Julian Burton, Jermaine Saffold and Willie White who have a chance to be very special players for us.”

The team’s second of four “two-a-day” practices saw a 19-period morning session at the stadium, followed by a 20-period practice in shorts on the grass practice field next to Glass Hall late in the afternoon. Each period covers five minutes of practice time.

The performance of guys like Burton, Saffold and White may be necessary to maintain the Bears’ passing threat in the spread offense. With the departure of All-America tight end Clay Harbor to the Philadelphia Eagles and the graduation of receiver Jared Emery, MSU will have to find ways to account for the 83 catches the pair snagged in 2009.

Tight ends coach Bob Montgomery says replacing a guy like Harbor at tight end is the first step in freeing up the receivers, but his unit has four capable bodies ready to step up in his “tight end by committee” approach.

“Wes Miller (Sr., TE, St. Joseph, Mo.) has worked his tail off all summer, and he has done what a senior should do,” said Montgomery. “I feel 100 percent like he can step up and be the physically and mentally tough tight end we need him to be. He just gets better every day.”

Montgomery also said juco transfer Matt Thayer (So., TE, Bellevue, Neb.), who was with the team this spring, will play a lot this season, and Garett Wade (So., TE, Lebanon, Mo.) will provide the bulk. Intelligent receiver turned tight end Matt Swan (RFr., TE, Springfield, Mo.) rounds out the group.

“Matt Thayer is a very smart football player, and he gets better every day,” Montgomery added. “Garett Wade is a bruiser, and is one of the best blockers on the team. Swan could teach the position today. He understands football and is a tough kid willing to pick up details very quickly.”

As for the preseason favorite to fill Harbor’s shoes in the starting lineup, it looks like the front runner is Miller. He ran crisp, strong routes Thursday and found the ball in a couple of tough spots during team drills. Montgomery says Miller has all the tools and the intelligence to be a great player.

“Wes has improved his strength and speed in the off-season,” Montgomery added. “He puts himself in good spots to be successful on the field.”

The Bears have moved their Friday practice time and location to beat the heat. The team’s 11th practice of 2010 camp will begin at 9 a.m., once again on the grass practice field.

Wednesday afternoon’s two-hour practice on the grass at Missouri State concluded with the offense and defense competing head to head during two-minute drills.

The two-minute offense showed signs of brilliance at times. First-team quarterback Cody Kirby was just 3-for-7 on a drive that started at his unit’s own 25-yard line. However, a 25-yard completion early in the drive got the ball across midfield and set up a 35-yard field goal by Jordan Chiles.

The second-team offense had better fortune as redshirt freshman quarterback Trevor Wooden completed a 50-yard pass to Adrian Taylor on the second unit’s first play. He followed that with a 10-yard strike to Dan Reichert, eventually setting up a short field goal attempt.

The final, clock-management drills were the highlight for the offense during the 24-period practice. The defense forced several turnovers and capitalized on offensive mistakes, giving head coach Terry Allen reason to call the offense’s execution “a little sloppy.”

On the other side of the coin sits a solid defensive squad that has shown early indications it intends to take another giant leap forward this season. Nine of the 11 starters and 21 lettermen return to a Bears’ defense that improved by nearly 120 yards per game in 2009.

Defensive coordinator D.J. Vokolek says leadership and experience are the keys for his personnel this season.

“The thing that is different this season is we are showing leadership and communication,” Vokolek explained. “We have a lot of guys who have played, and we are trying to expand what they do in year two of our (3-4) defense. Right now, everything looks very positive.”

Vokolek coaches the team’s inside linebackers where he has five solid returnees to rotate into two positions. Starters Antoine Wilkinson (Sr., Magnolia, Miss.) and Adam Beauchamp (Sr., Prescott Valley, Ariz.) combined for 193 total tackles last season and look to regain their starting spots. However, fifth year senior Byron Hightower (Raytown, Mo.), fourth-year squad member David Ingram (Jr., Siloam Springs, Ark.), and sophomore Ryan Callendar (So., Dallas, Texas) are more than capable reserves who can’t wait to see action.

“Our guys have worked hard, and we ask them to do a lot,” said Vokolek. “We have some older guys who have played a lot, and they will have a chance to make some plays for us this season. Our depth will definitely be a strength.”

The team will have its ninth and 10th practices Thursday as it reaches the midway point in fall camp. An 8:15 a.m. practice at Plaster Field will be followed by a 4 p.m. session on the grass practice fields next to Glass Hall. Thursday is the second of four “two-a-day” practice sessions planned in the preseason.