Aug. 13, 2015 Meet the Bears: Mario Verduzco
Throughout the course of the Bears' preseason training camp, we'll take a sneak peek at each position group in anticipation of the 2015 season. Today's profile will examine MSU's competition at the quarterback position that includes a pair of returners and two newcomers seeking to take the reins of the Bears' offense under the direction of new offensive coordinator/quarterback coach Mario Verduzco.
Verduzco and the Bears' offensive coaching staff will be tasked with the challenge of prepping a new point man following the graduation of four-year starter Kierra Harris, who wrapped up his Missouri State career ranked among the program's all-time leaders in both passing yards (4,284) and touchdown passes (33). The Bears will also be seeking a more consistent attack than the one that ranked next-to-last among all Missouri Valley Football Conference teams in scoring offense last season with an average output of just 22.9 points per contest.
But grooming successful quarterbacks just happens to be the forte of MSU's new offensive coordinator, who comes to Springfield after spending 14 years on the staff of MVFC power UNI, including the last seven as co-offensive coordinator. During Verduzco's time in Cedar Falls, he helped the Panthers claim six Valley titles and make eight NCAA Division I FCS postseason appearances, while mentoring seven different UNI signal-callers who earned all-conference recognition at total of 13 times under his watchful eye.
"In observing Missouri State offenses in the past, they've always appeared to be well-disciplined and knew what they were doing," Verduzco commented. "Championships are often won off the field--in the weight room, in the locker room, both from a physical development standpoint, as well as in building camaraderie. It all comes back to the fundamentals and skill development, though."
The two returners who figure to get the first crack at leading the Bears' offense -- Brodie Lambert and Breck Ruddick -- have impressed their new mentor during spring practice and offseason workouts. Nevertheless, Verduzco emphasizes the necessity for continuous development in all phases of the game.
"In terms of the quarterbacks, they're learning everything right now--the verbiage, the nomenclature, building the skills necessary to compete in this offense," Verduzco said. "The fundamentals are critical for them right now. They're an extension of the entire offense, so that's true for the whole unit. That said, there's no doubt that how rapidly they can feel comfortable with the fundamentals and execute them during games is going to be critical to our success."
Lambert, the lone returning quarterback with game experience at the Division I level, saw action as the Bears' signal-caller in five games over the last two seasons and will look to compete for the top spot on MSU's depth chart after serving as Harris's back-up last year. A fourth-year junior, the Arlington, Texas product enjoyed a strong spring camp, throwing for 120 yards on 12 completions in the Bears' annual Maroon and White Game. Ruddick, a redshirt freshman, also showed promise in his initial spring campaign working with Verduzco. The Marion, Ark., native completed 13-of-22 passes for 186 yards and two touchdowns--including a 75-yard strike--in MSU's spring game and entered preseason camp No. 1 on the Bears' two-deep QB chart.
True freshman Michael Briggs was one of the first commitments for new MSU head coach Dave Steckel this past winter and the Lee's Summit, Mo., native hopes to push the Bears two returning quarterbacks for playing time in his first collegiate campaign. Briggs passed for 2,212 yards and 22 touchdowns, while rushing for 356 yards and 13 scores as a prep senior last fall at Kansas City's Archbishop O'Hara High. Another newcomer from the Kansas City area, Danten Consentino, joined the Bears as a transfer this summer after throwing for nearly 1,500 yards and 12 touchdowns in just nine games last year as a freshman at Highland (Kan.) Community College.
"From day one, we've seen that these guys will compete, and that's awesome," Verduzco added.
2015 Missouri State Quarterbacks
Michael Briggs (6-2, 205, Fr., Lee's Summit, Mo.)
Danten Consentino (5-11, 177, So., Leawood, Kan.)
Brodie Lambert (6-1, 211, Jr., Arlington, Texas)
Breck Ruddick (6-4, 197, RFr., Marion, Ark.)
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