BOLIVAR, Mo. -- The SBU Bearcat football team is winding down preseason camp and is looking forward to getting the 2010 season underway. The Bearcats will have a final team scrimmage Friday, August 20, beginning at 6:30 p.m. from Plaster Stadium. Admission is free and is open to the public.

The Bearcats open their 2010 regular season on Saturday, August 28 when they host Central Missouri at 6 p.m. For tickets call 417-328-1787 or visit the ticket office on the second floor of the Meyer Wellness and Sports Center. The ticket office is open Monday-Friday 9 a.m to 3 p.m.

Head coach Keith Allen recently shared his thoughts on the upcoming season.

A POINT TO PROVE
The SBU Bearcats enter 2010 with a point to prove. Coming off their first winning season in eight years, fourth year coach Keith Allen's squad is out to prove that last season wasn't a fluke. “We challenged our kids -- let's show these people that we're getting better every year. The product on and off the field has been improving since 2007,” he said. In Allen's first season as interim head coach, the Bearcats went 0-11 but improved to 5-6 in their first independent schedule in 2008. After starting 0-4 in 2009 playing one of the toughest opening stretches in Division II, the Bearcats won six of their final seven games.
   
Allen added that the kids on their roster have a chip on their shoulder. “Everybody thought they should be at a bigger school so everybody has a point to prove,” he said. “Fortunately in the game of football, the only place you can prove that point is on Saturdays for the 3.5 hours during a game. We have eleven opportunities to prove that we are a good football team, we are improving, and the talent we have is a lot better than what some people think SBU is. Last year we talked about believing and now we have a team full of guys that believe. The next step is to prove it.”
   
The point to prove theme extends into the coaching staff.  Among their full-time coaches and graduate assistants, the Bearcats retained the same staff from last year, which builds continuity. “Our kids now don't have to learn a new way,” said Allen. “They know what to expect of me and the other coaches. There's a level of comfort where the players don't have learn what impresses the coaches, but rather to work on improving what the coaches taught them. In traditional successful programs, they don't have a lot of coaching turnover. Each of our coaches chose to stay despite other job opportunities because they all have a point to prove.”

QUARTERBACKS
As has been the case the last few seasons, the centerpiece of the Bearcat attack is quarterback Steve Gachette. Gachette holds 16 school records including single game, season and career marks for attempts, completions, passing yards, touchdown passes, and total offense. Gachette was named the D2football.com All-Independents Offensive Player of the Year, Football Gazette's All-Super Region Four Third Team and was a regional finalist for the Harlon Hill Award, which honors the nation's top Division II football player. In 2009, Gachette completed 61.6% of his passes for 3015 yards and a school record 28 touchdowns, while he ran for 975 net yards and eight touchdowns on the season. His 3990 total offensive yards easily surpassed his previous school record of 3360 yards, set in 2008. He's also led the Bearcat offense to a national ranking of fifth in total offense.
   
Allen has high praise for his senior leader. “The biggest thing with Steve Gachette is that he wants it more than anybody I've ever seen. He's becoming more of a vocal leader who's taken charge of this football team to an even higher level. If somebody wasn't here doing what they needed to do or wasn't acting right, on or off the field, he was handling it. You couldn't ask for a better leader. He knows all about us and what our expectations are, in now what is his fifth year. He's doing everything in his power to get it done. He's a one-of-a-kind player.” Junior Justin French and a pair of freshmen (Jarred Moylan and Alex Demczak) will serve as backups at quarterback.

RUNNING BACKS
Allen is confident that the SBU running game is going to be better. Junior Thad Everson was second to Gachette with 659 yards on 133 carries and six touchdowns. Everson is being pushed by sophomore Justin Duhaney, who ran for 323 yards on 66 carries. “When you have two guys that are relatively equal, the competition rises,” added Allen. “Duhaney has figured it out, Thad has someone to push him and Tiras (Harris) knows he's in the hunt. Harris, who saw limited action last year, and freshman Chris Culbreth are next on the tailback depth chart.

WIDE RECEIVERS
With the Bearcats' no-huddle spread offense, the receiving corps continues as a strength. Allen says that it's a position they recruit very little in. Quality receivers now seek out the Bearcats, looking to play in an explosive offense. Though the Bearcats have to replace several wideouts from last year (Johnnie King – 51 catches, 730 yards, 8 TDs; John Austin – 50 catches, 602 yards, 4 TDs; Elon Paige – 29 catches, 349 yards, 3 TDs), Allen is confident in their replacements. Junior Charles “CJ” Johnson led the team with 766 yards and tied with King with 51 grabs and eight scores. Seniors Sean Kelley and Derrick Foster provide experience and depth, while senior Randall Russell hopes to return from injury. Allen commented, “We feel really good with our junior college transfers and are gaining some marquee players like DA Allen, Chuck Mason and Curtis Calvin. It doesn't matter who teams double or roll their coverage to, we have a guy just as good. Each guy is unique with specific abilities. CJ is the big play guy. Randall is a big body. Foster is a versatile back. DA signed a D-I scholarship out of high school and can fly around. Kelley has continually outworked his competition to earn playing time. All of them have a point to prove.”

OFFENSIVE LINE
The Bearcats must replace two four-year starting linemen in Andrew Lindeman and Scott Crain. There is some concern from Allen with the newness of the offensive line, at least in the backups. “If we lined up today, everybody that would start was with us last year. Michael Wormley and Derrick Okafor are really good at the tackle spots.” Caleb Butler filled in at center as a freshman and the Bearcats may look to get him time at a guard spot. Eric Mateos mans the center position while Zak Lally missed last year and spring ball due to injury. “Five guys return for us and we signed several juco transfers that we expect to come in and compete immediately led by Ivory Watson.” Shane Lanteigne will also see time as a tight end or blocker up front.

SPECIAL TEAMS
On special teams, the Cats signed some quality players and walk-ons that can punt and kick. “We have better depth at the kicking spots. Freshman Andrew Kocurek has taken the lead on kickoffs and PATs, while the punter spot is still up for grabs. JT Brown has solidified himself as the long snapper. We expect our junior college guys like Chris Muhammad to provide competition at the returner spots as well, joining Kelley, Foster and Clayton Davis from last year.”

DEFENSIVE LINE
Allen is confident at defensive end spot with returnees Will Ramirez and Casey Smith. The Bearcats added depth by signing Jarvis Pierce and Ben Tautolo. Tautolo will line up beside his cousin, Ino Vitale. Vitale was a disrupting force at defensive tackle for the Bearcats in 2009 and returns along with Tyler Grapp and Alain Pierre. The 'Cats also signed several freshmen who will compete at tackle for time.

LINEBACKERS
A big void for the Bearcats comes at the linebacker spots.  Jarred Schumpert was a four-year starter at linebacker and SBU's all-time leading tackler. SBU also lost two key players in Jordan Jackson and Shawn Kilduff. “Losing Schump, Kilduff and Jackson was tough, but the guys we have are strong and provide different skills,” said Allen.  The Bearcats looked to address the void by moving senior Jameson Manuma to the defensive side. “Jameson could play a third of the time on offense or start on defense. He's one of our best athletes and an aggressive football player.” Chris Tejeda is also back for the Cats after recovering from injuries. Newcomers Neil Issa and Ezra Smith will compete for time at the linebacker positions. Sophomores Austin Otwell, Andre Hicks and Shaquille Shedd saw action last season and have stepped up in camp due to injury.

SECONDARY
“Our strength is in the secondary, where I believe we'll be really talented,” said Allen.  At cornerback, Anthony Wiggins is back for his third year and Allen expects him to be a player. Wiggins is the top returning tackler with 62 stops. Two players that were redshirted last year look to make contributions in Gerard Anderson and Karre Wallace. Transfers Chris Hawkins and Chris Muhammad are competing for time at the high safety position along with returner Clayton Davis. Senior Jack Montinar will also see time. “There's less experience but it's a strong recruiting class -- one of the best groups in recent Bearcat history. Rodney Watson has a chance to come in and play. Jarvis Motte has improved while Jhrvonte Minnifield was a medical redshirt last season. You don't really replace a Tyrin Holt, Lavarus Rue or Willie Johnson, but we have some guys to fill the spots.”

OUTLOOK
Allen believes his team has improved, from their first winning season in eight years. “Athletically we're a better football team across the board versus 2009. Everything is looking positive for us. Our theme is 'A Point to Prove' but our main goal is to be 1-0. Then it's to be 1-0 the next week. Every day you come to work, you have a point to prove. Every day you've got to get better. Every day you have to compete.”