SPRINGFIELD -- The Missouri State University football team begins spring practice Tuesday at 3:15 p.m. as the Bears begin preparations for the 2009 season with the spring seasons' initial session at Plaster Field.  

 

The Bears return 42 lettermen, 23 additional squad members, and 10 starters from last season’s 4-7 squad that matched its most conference victories since 1993 and equaled the program’s most road wins since 1996.

 

“It should be an exciting spring, and we have a lot of new faces that should be able to contribute,” said fourth-year head coach Terry Allen said. “We’re anxious to see what they can do and to see how our returning players respond.”

 

The Bears will practice 15 times this spring, culminating in the annual Maroon and White Game at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 25.  The complete spring practice schedule is as follows and is subject to change due to weather and other considerations:  March 31, April 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 18, 21, 23, and 25.

 

Season tickets for the 2009 season, which will include six home games at Plaster Field, will go on sale in mid-April at the Missouri State Athletics Box Office in JQH Arena and by phone at (417) 836-7678 or (888) 476-7849.

 

2009 Missouri State University Schedule

Sept. 5 at Arkansas (game in Little Rock), 6 p.m.

SEPT. 12 vs. UT MARTIN, 6 p.m.

SEPT. 19 vs. MURRAY STATE, 6 p.m.

SEPT. 26 vs. NORTHERN IOWA, 1 p.m.

Oct. 3 at Youngstown State, 5 p.m.

OCT. 10 SOUTH DAKOTA STATE, 2 p.m.

Oct. 17 at Western Illinois, 3 p.m.

Oct. 24 at North Dakota State, 6 p.m.

OCT. 31 vs. ILLINOIS STATE (HC), 1 p.m.

NOV. 7 vs. INDIANA STATE, 1 p.m.

Nov. 14 at Southern Illinois, 1 p.m.