March 11, 2015
Printable Schedule | Season Ticket Information | Football Alumni Reunion
SPRINGFIELD - Missouri State University head football coach Dave "Stec" Steckel has put the final pieces in place for the Bears' 2015 schedule and has also solidified plans for his squad to play the University of Missouri in 2017, the University announced Wednesday.
Steckel, who was introduced as MSU's 20th head football coach on Dec. 14, came to MSU after 14 seasons at Mizzou, including the last five years as defensive coordinator for the Tigers.
"It's fun and exciting for us to get to play at Mizzou in 2017," Steckel said. "Our alums have been asking for a game like this, and I'm really happy we were able to do this for them and for all football fans in the state of Missouri.
"I want to thank our Athletic Director Kyle Moats as well as (executive associate athletic director) Bryan Maggard and (head coach) Gary Pinkel at Missouri for working so hard to pull this together."
The Bears and Tigers will meet for the first time since 1923 when they clash at Faurot Field in Columbia on Sept. 2, 2017 at a time to be determined.
For his inaugural season in Springfield, Stec will open up the 2015 campaign at the University of Memphis on Sept. 5, before the Bears entertain Chadron State at Robert W. Plaster Stadium in the home opener Sept. 12 as part of MSU's Family Weekend festivities. Missouri State will then travel to Arkansas State on Sept. 19 to take wrap up the non-conference portion of its schedule against the Red Wolves. Both Memphis and Arkansas State played in bowl games last season with the Tigers capping a memorable 10-3 campaign with a win over BYU in the Miami Beach Bowl, and A-State falling to Toledo in the GoDaddy.com Bowl to finish 7-6.
After an open date on Sept. 26, the Bears open Missouri Valley Football Conference play at home against Indiana State on Oct. 3 as the first of four home league games against 2014 FCS playoff qualifiers. MSU will also host defending Division I FCS runners-up Illinois State on Oct. 17 as part of Homecoming week before pairing up with South Dakota State on Oct. 31 and Northern Iowa on the team's senior day at Plaster Stadium, Nov. 14.
Road conference games for the upcoming season include an Oct. 10 matchup at rival Southern Illinois, an Oct. 24 trip to South Dakota, the Bears' first journey to Youngstown State since 2011 on Nov. 7, and the regular-season finale at four-time defending FCS champion North Dakota State on Nov. 21 in Fargo.
"I really appreciate all of Kyle Moats' tireless efforts to get this year's schedule finished up," Steckel said. "I know he has been working very hard to get that done, and it's a great home schedule for our fans. Our season starts with spring practice Monday (March 16), and we'll start preparing for Memphis and the season ahead of us right away."
Moats noted that the Missouri State's efforts to create an attractive schedule for fans and enhance the program's visibility around the state were two key factors in completing the 2015 schedule and future FBS games like the one at Missouri.
"The game at Missouri is important for our fans and alumni, and I know it is something that Stec really wanted to do," Moats said. "We're grateful to Mike Alden and the administration at Missouri for helping make it a reality. We're also really excited about the immediate future of our program and finalizing a very solid schedule for this fall. Our fans will get to see us play two solid FBS opponents this season and two more nationally-prominent programs the next two seasons."
Missouri State's 2016 FBS opponent will be Kansas State, a game that will take place on Sept. 3 in Manhattan.
The Bears will begin spring workouts next week and conclude with the squad's annual Maroon and White spring game on April 11 at Plaster Stadium, starting at Noon.
MSU football alumni weekend activities are also being planned for April 10-11 with details available by contacting Mike Panko (Michael.panko@yahoo.com) or Doug Howard (dhoward22@sbcglobal.net).
Season ticket renewal information for the 2015 season will be mailed to current ticket holders soon. New season ticket applications are available online or by contacting Duane Miller (duanemiller@missouristate.edu) in MSU Ticketing Services at (417) 836-8899.
#MSUBears
