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SPRINGFIELD – Junior Aaron Denson accounted for two of Missouri State's three touchdowns, while the MSU defense put forth a stellar effort in the red zone here Saturday to highlight the Bears' final preseason scrimmage.
 
Denson's 55-yard touchdown run 30 minutes into the 74-play intrasquad skirmish got the scoring started. Moments later, he tacked on another score on a 24-yard TD pass from J.T. Granato.
 
Missouri State's offense would convert just one more touchdown the remainder of the morning, capitalizing on a short field and a two-yard run to paydirt by newcomer Donovan Daniels to wrap the key plays. Daniels' score was set up by a 23-yard pass from Granato to Kendall Stewart two plays earlier.
 
But the Bears' defense stepped up time and time again in the red zone, forcing six field goal attempts on the seven drives that started from the 19- and 25-yard lines. Redshirt freshman Edd Becton also stepped up in that span with the only sack of the session for the white-clad defense.
 
"I wanted to see some guys communicate better and see some guys step up," said head coach Dave Steckel. "I also wanted to see how we competed and how we finished. What I really liked is how our defense came back strong and finished strong after the offense started fast this morning."
 
For the day, the Bears covered 213 yards through the air with the club's five quarterbacks combining to complete 28-of-41 passes with no interceptions. Peyton Huslig completed his first nine attempts while Dalton Hill also connected on seven straight attempts at one point in the scrimmage. Granato had the only TD pass for the offense despite 17 different pass receivers getting involved in the game plan.
 
On the ground, MSU carried 39 times for 154 yards and a pair of scores. Denson's one attempt made him the club's top gainer, while Nick Masoner compiled 33 yards.
 
Kickers Parker Lacina and Nick Williams combined to convert 4-of-6 field goals – each booting 2-of-3 attempts – including a game-long 44-yarder by Williams.
 
The Bears break preseason camp with 12 days to prepare for the team's Aug. 30 opener at Oklahoma State. University classes and the team's regular-season practice regimen begin Monday.
 
After practice, Steckel – with a little help from the Greene County Sherriff's Department -- surprised sophomore walk-on Darrius Montgomery with the announcement a scholarship for the defensive lineman for the upcoming season.