SPRINGFIELD -- The Missouri State football Bears will conclude spring drills this Saturday (April 16) at Plaster Field with their annual Maroon and White Game, starting at 1 p.m.

Admission and parking for the event are free, and basic stadium services -- such as restrooms and basic concessions -- will be available.

The Bears had 15 spring workouts, including three controlled Saturday scrimmages to date. Sophomore quarterback Trevor Wooden has accumulated 385 yards of total offense in that span, including a 24-for-41 effort through the air for 283 yards and three touchdowns. He is also the club's top rusher in spring action, carrying 31 times for 102 yards.

He is joined in the backfield by a host of talented backs, three of whom have starting experience -- Chris Douglas, Stephen Johnston and Mikael Cooper-Falls. Douglas is coming off a 1,000-yard season in 2010 in which he earned just one start. He has 1,376 yards over a two-year span, while Johnston has 752 yards in 10 starts a year ago. Cooper-Falls was the Bears' top rusher as a true freshman in 2009 with 424 yards in two starts but missed the entire 2010 season with an injuy.

Head coach Terry Allen, who will begin his sixth season at the helm of the Bears, returns 9 starters, 35 lettermen and 63 total squad members from a 2010 team that finished 5-6 overall and tied for third (4-4) in the Missouri Valley Football Conference.

Missouri State will open its 2011 slate at Arkansas on Sept. 3, followed by non-conference games at Eastern Kentucky (Sept. 10) and Oregon (Sept. 17). The Bears will play their home opener on Oct. 1 against defending MVFC champion Northern Iowa. Season ticket information is available by calling (417) 836-7678.