SPRINGFIELD -- Missouri State University will honor members of its 1978 MIAA Conference championship football team during halftime ceremonies Saturday afternoon at Plaster Stadium.

MSU will host No. 9-ranked Illinois State in the conference opener for both teams Saturday at 2 p.m.

The 40-year reunion of the 1978 team will commemorate the Bears' 8-3 season that culminated in a perfect 6-0 march through the league that saw MSU score 41.8 points per game in MIAA play.

Coach Rich Johanningmeier's squad landed 17 players on the 1978 MIAA all-conference team, including seven first-teamers: Rick Suchenski (OG), Rich Walker (OC), John Gianini (FB), Jan Stahle (K), Mike Murphy (LB), Tim Ries (DB), and Bruce Liliekamp (P). The Bears also broke the school record for rushing yards in a season -- which now ranks fourth in program history -- with 3,069 total yards and 279.0 yard per game.

In addition to the halftime ceremonies, the group will have a private reunion event Saturday evening. For more information, please contact the BearsFund at (417) 836-48917.