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Aug. 5, 2024MARYVILLE, Mo.

Bearcats open fall camp with "a lot to prove"

Northwest Missouri State opened football practice Monday morning.

Northwest Missouri State opened football practice Monday morning.


After a long offseason, Northwest Missouri State football returned to Bearcat Stadium for the first practice of the 2024 fall camp Monday morning.

Donning helmets, jerseys and shorts, the team ran through individual drills, 11-on-11 reps, and mixed in some special teams, too. Despite the heat on day one, there was a noticeable excitement, from the upperclassmen especially, to be back on the field.

"You saw a bounce in their step," head coach Rich Wright said. "They're excited to get back out here, get out of the weightroom and start doing what they do."

Northwest enters the season with an eyeing a return to the top of the MIAA.

The Bearcats missed the playoffs last fall for the first time in 19 years despite finishing with a winning record and five victories in their final six games.

Cahleel Smith, a three-time First Team All-MIAA selection and leader on defense, believes Northwest is getting overlooked by teams around the conference and the country. The feeling of being an underdog isn't a normal one for the Bearcats, and it's giving them more juice in practice.

"We've got a lot to prove," Smith said. "There are a lot of people doubting us now. A lot of people don't think we're that team to beat anymore, so we just want to prove a lot of people wrong."

"It brings a lot of energy to the team. I like it a lot."

To reach their full potential and prove the naysayers wrong, the Bearcats are focusing on themselves.

Wright's message to his team after completing the first practice of 2024 was about daily improvement. The rest will take care of itself when the season begins later this month.

"The preseason is the preseason. What we're going to be is going to get proven out here for the next four weeks of practice leading up into Mankato State and how we improve each and every day. Like I told (the team) after practice, 'here's our floor.' Now it's about getting better each and every day."

Northwest will elevate to padded practices later this week. The season opener is August 29 at home against Minnesota State.