Missouri State football coach Ryan Beard on CUSA roster management, Jacob Clark's health

Despite not being eligible to qualify for the FCS postseason, it wasn't a surprise Missouri State head football coach Ryan Beard preached that the Bears still have plenty to play for.

Heading into the 2024 season, the first of two transitional years the Bears won't be eligible for a playoff or bowl game ahead of the school's move to FBS play and Conference USA in 2025, the second-year head coach preached his team's competitiveness during the Missouri Valley Football Conference's annual preseason media teleconference.

"We need to compete every single day to make sure you're putting out the best film you possibly can for each other and win games," Beard said. "You have pride in yourself, your school and getting the film you need to try and move on to the next level.

"In the grand scheme, you can win or at least and compete in the best conference in the FCS, by far. That's a lot to play for when you're playing perennial national champions and guys that in the playoffs year in and year out."

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It will be an uphill climb for the Bears who were picked to finish ninth in the MVFC entering the season. The Bears' lone preseason First Team All-MVFC selection is its punter.

Here are some notables from Beard's 12-minute session on Wednesday morning.

Starting quarterback Jacob Clark will be on a pitch count after shoulder surgery

Much of the Bears' success in 2024 will surround the health of starting quarterback Jacob Clark after he started four games last year before requiring season-ending shoulder surgery.

The 6-foot-5, 220-pound transfer from Minnesota was trending toward school passing records but had trouble staying healthy, even in the four games he played. Backup quarterback Jordan Pachot was as good as the Bears could have hoped for in relief but is out of the picture after transferring to Southern Utah.

A lot will be on Clark's recently repaired shoulder.

"Jacob looks good," Beard said. "He's done a good job throughout the spring and moving into fall camp. We're going to put him on a little bit of a pitch count so he continues to progress. You want your quarterback to want to take every throw and every rep at practice but that's just not what we're going to do in the first few weeks at camp to make sure he continues to progress and so he's ready to go for Montana in our opener."

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Beard said the offseason has done Clark well in trying to build up his durability, so it's not a question whether he'll be good to go for the next game, as was constantly a question through the first few weeks last season.

"He's stronger in his lower body and he's done some things with his core to make sure he's structurally sound moving into the season," Beard said.

Missouri State's roster management heading into Conference USA won't make much of an impact this season

Beard said recruiting for the 2024 roster wasn't impacted too much by the Bears' upcoming shift to Conference USA. He noted that he's like what the Bears have done while trying to attract players to a league as strong as the MVFC.

However, Beard said the Bears won't do too much this year when managing its roster ahead of the move. With the Bears eligible for a Missouri Valley Football Conference regular season title this year while not being eligible for a CUSA or bowl appearance next year, Beard said it's more likely the Bears will try to preserve redshirts next year and build more toward having its most competitive roster come 2026.

"Hosting a trophy at the end of this year matters," Beard said. "I think we'll have a lot more conversations about his next year in regards to how we play guys and how we sit guys because there is no conference title or bowl game possibility at all. I think that will transition throughout the coming months."

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Early returns on transfer defensive linemen Davon Townely Jr. and Ryan Williams have been positive

Missouri State's defensive front will be a focus in 2024 after struggling to get after the quarterback last season. Beard thinks the Bears have taken some steps, noting a pair of FBS transfers who should contribute immediately.

Penn State transfer Davon Townley Jr. may be the most notable name the Bears have landed since their move to Conference USA became official. He's a raw 6-6, 275-pound defensive end with a high ceiling. Notably, he was a four-star prospect out of high school and ranked as the No. 19 defensive end in his class.

"He's a great-looking young man and he does everything you ask him to do," Beard said. "I think he still has room to grow with the understanding that you have to be able to play within the scheme as well as be able to get after the quarterback on third down."

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Ryan Williams is a 6-4, 270-pound defensive lineman from Western Kentucky — Beard's alma mater and a Conference USA program — who has played in 16 games between his one season at WKU and two years at Colorado. He was ranked as the No. 113 defensive tackle in his class.

"In this league, you have to be successful at stopping the run," Beard said. "If you're not, the good teams will run it down your throat. It all started fixing up the defensive line."

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Missouri State football coach Ryan Beard on CUSA roster management, Jacob Clark's health