Missouri State University has finalized its 2016 football schedule, head coach Dave "Stec" Steckel announced today. The 11-game slate will feature five home games, a visit from national champion North Dakota State and a trip to Big 12 power Kansas State.
The Bears will kick off the season on Thursday, Sept. 1 for a battle against Southwestern (Kan.) College under the lights at Robert W. Plaster Stadium. The Moundbuilders, who compete in the NAIA's Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference, were 3-8 last season. This will be the sixth meeting between the two teams who met most-recently in 1947.
Missouri State then embarks on a three-game road swing that begins at Murray State on Sept. 10. The Racers, from the Ohio Valley Conference, are coming off a 3-8 campaign. The two clubs have met nine times previously and are also slated to meet in Springfield in 2017. This will also be the fifth meeting between the Bears and Racers since 2009.
After an open date on Sept. 17, the Bears will travel to Kansas State on Sept. 24. Coach Bill Snyder's squad was 6-7 last year after falling to Arkansas in the Liberty Bowl. The Wildcats and Bears are meeting in Manhattan for the fourth time — all since 2007.
Missouri State then begins Missouri Valley Football Conference play at Indiana State on Oct. 1 before returning to Springfield on Oct. 8 to take on five-time defending Division I FCS national champion North Dakota State.
After a two-year hiatus from the Bears' schedule, Western Illinois returns to Plaster on Oct. 15 for a Homecoming clash. The Leathernecks were 7-6 last season after advancing to the second round of the FCS playoffs.
The Bears conclude the month of October with a road game at Northern Iowa — a 2015 FCS quarterfinalist — on Oct. 22, and a home matchup against rival Southern Illinois on Oct. 29 at Plaster.
Steckel's team will play two of its three November games on the road, starting with a trip to 2015 playoff qualifier South Dakota State on Nov. 5 and then a trip to Normal to take on Illinois State on Nov. 12. The Redbirds were also an FCS playoff contender a year ago, advancing to the national quarterfinals.
MSU wraps the regular season at home on Nov. 19 to take on Youngstown State on senior day at Plaster Stadium. The Bears also begin a two-year cycle without South Dakota on their league schedule.
"I'm excited the schedule has been finalized and released," Stec said. "Obviously we have a lot of work to do between now and then. I can't help but visualize a packed house on a Thursday night this September for the home opener."
Start times for the upcoming season will be announced at a later date.
The Bears will begin spring workouts on March 20 and conclude with the squad's annual Maroon and White spring game on April 23 at Plaster Stadium, starting at Noon.
Season ticket renewal information for the 2016 season will be mailed to current ticket holders soon. New season ticket applications are available by contacting Duane Miller (duanemiller@missouristate.edu) in MSU Ticketing Services at (417) 836-8899.
Steckel and his staff will host a Signing Day Party at Springfield Brew Company on Feb. 3, starting at 5:30 p.m. Admission for the event is free and open to the public.
