ST. LOUIS -- Missouri State was tabbed seventh in the Missouri Valley Football Conference preseason poll, the nine-member league announced at its annual Media Day festivities Tuesday.  Conference newcomer North Dakota State earned 13 of the 35 first-place votes and 289 total points overall in the preseason poll which was voted on by conference coaches, sports information directors and media.

Defending league champion Northern Iowa (275 points) received more first-place votes with 15, but finished second in the poll, while Youngstown State (209) was third.  Western Illinois (202), Southern Illinois (201) and fellow newcomer South Dakota State (149) rounded out the top six.  Following Missouri State, which had 105 points, were Illinois State (104) and Indiana State (41).

Bears’ sophomore quarterback Cody Kirby (Rogers, Ark.), junior tight end Clay Harbor (Dwight, Ill.) and sophomore guard David Arkin (Wichita, Kan.) were named to the preseason all-conference team.  Kirby was named to the All-Newcomer Team by the conference formerly known as the Gateway Football Conference in 2007. Harbor was a first-team all-league selection in 2007, while Arkin earned second-team all-conference honors a year ago.

Missouri State finished the 2007 campaign with a 6-5 overall record and was fifth in the Gateway at 2-4.  The Bears open their 2008 season at Plaster Field in Springfield on Thursday, September 4 against Washburn University at 7:05 p.m.  Missouri State season tickets are currently available by calling (417) 836-7678.