Aug. 16, 2014 Final Stats
Final Stats | Roster | Ticket Information | Fall Camp Central
SPRINGFIELD -- The Missouri State football Bears officially closed out preseason camp Saturday morning at Robert W. Plaster Stadium with the club's second preseason intrasquad scrimmage.
Starting quarterback Kierra Harris and senior receiver Julian Burton stole the show on many fronts as Harris completed 14-of-21 passes for 202 yards and three scores. Burton was on the receiving end of all three Harris TD passes - each at least 29 yards - and finished with seven receptions for 146 yards on the day.
The 90-minute session included 118 official plays, in addition to a number of situational snaps, including breaks for kickoff and punt work in the first half.
"We came away with only one minor injury, and the offense executed very well and stayed away from turnovers," ninth-year head coach Terry Allen said. "The defense has some work to do in some areas, but we were able to get some push up front with our veteran offensive line, and that helps when you can rush the football and take pressure off the quarterback."
Harris got the scoring started with a 14-yard rush from scrimmage on the third drive of the morning to cap a seven-play, 80-yard possession.
Second-string quarterback Brodie Lambert later added some excitement with a 63-yard strike to freshman Malik Earl who made some athletic moves to find the end zone and put the finishing touches on a five-play drive that consumed 70 yards.
Phoenix Johnson put the club's second of three rushing touchdowns on the board with a 29-yard carry with the first team, giving the sophomore three touchdowns in the Bears' two preseason scrimmages.
The Harris-to-Burton show took hold late in the session with the senior tandem hooking up for scoring passes of 30, 29 and 33 yards. The last TD capped a 68-yard scoring drive that took six plays in a two-minute drill situation and included a key 17-yard pass to Maddy Johnson.
Nick Masoner led all MSU rushers with 73 yards on 17 carries, while fellow freshman Jason Randall tacked on a 2-yard rushing score. MSU finished with 316 yards on 72 carries with Phoenix Johnson contributing 67 yards, Randall adding 55, and redshirt freshman Calan Crowder tacking on 46.
Burton led 15 pass receivers with his 146-yard effort, while freshman Deion Holliman added 4 catches for 25 yards. LeMarcus Stewart and Maddy Johnson also contributed 32 yards on three catches each. Kyren Watts' 24-yard TD pass from freshman Blayne Armstrong accounted for the other passing score for the Bears.
Marcelo Bonani also stood out on special teams, knocking through both field goal attempts he attempted, including a long of 37, while converting all four of his PAT attempts.
Defensively, the Bears registered four sacks and had some key stops in a day otherwise dominated by a dynamic MSU offense. But defensive coordinator D.J. Vokolek said the team will continue to improve, particularly with preparations beginning Monday for the club's Aug. 28 season opener at Northwestern State.
"We tried to emphasize being more physical, not missing tackles and not making assignment mistakes this week," said defensive coordinator D.J. Vokolek. "Now it's about getting back to work to correct some things. It's a learning process. We have some talented veteran players, and as a unit we'll learn from our mistakes and keep bringing our younger guys along."
After a pair of road games to start the year, the Bears will christen the newly-renovated Plaster Stadium on Sept. 13 when MSU hosts North Dakota at 6 p.m. Tickets for the home opener, as well as 2014 season ticket information, are available at MissouriStateBears.com/tickets.
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Team Notes:
I'm the Captain Now: Missouri State seniors Kierra Harris, Caleb Schaffitzel, Zack Cooley and Andrew Beisel, as well as junior Robert Booker, were announced Saturday as the Bears' team captains for the 2014 season, as selected by their teammates.
Welcome to Springfield: UAB transfer Vashon Landers was in uniform for Saturday's scrimmage after arriving on campus late this week. The junior finished fourth on the Blazers' squad in total tackles in 2013 with 39 stops, despite missing four games. He also played in 10 contests as a freshman at UAB. The product of Opelika (Ala.) High brings immediate help to a young MSU cornerback corps. He will wear No. 13.
Six-Headed Monster: Missouri State's depth at running back was evident again Saturday as the club's three freshmen tailbacks - Nick Masoner, Jason Randall and Calan Crowder - combined for 174 yards on 35 carries (5.0 ypc). Returners Phoenix Johnson, Ryan Heaston and Cedric Miller teamed up to carry 26 times for 135 yards (5.2 ypc). Last week, MSU's running backs carried 66 times for 328 yards (5.0 ypc).
Women's Clinic: MSU is hosting a fun evening of football this Wednesday with a women's football clinic at Plaster Stadium and Forsythe Athletics Center. Registration is just $20 and includes unlimited food and beverages, team tshirt, group photo and a night of football fun with Coach Allen and his staff. See MissouriStateBears.com/football for registration details.
