Missouri State University has dismissed starting quarterback Trevor Wooden from its football program due to violations of team rules, head coach Terry Allen announced Thursday (May 10).
Wooden, from High Springs, Fla., was expected to be the Bears’ starter again this fall after leading the Missouri Valley Football Conference in total offense last season.
“This is obviously a very difficult situation, and it’s never easy to make a call like this,” said Allen. “But based on the circumstances, I feel it is in the best interest of our program to make a clean break and start moving forward.”
Director of Athletics Kyle Moats said he supports Allen’s decision and noted the behavioral expectations of every MSU student-athlete are clearly defined.
“We expect Missouri State student-athletes to abide by the rules set forth by the University, the athletic department and their respective teams,” Moats said. “When they fail to meet those obligations and responsibilities, there are consequences.
“I know there were a lot of people counting on Trevor to be a leader on this team and be the face of our program this fall. However, our coaches have to enforce the rules consistently regardless of whether a player is a starter or a role player. That’s the right thing to do, and I support our coaches when they have to make tough calls like this.”
On Aug. 25, 2011, Allen suspended Wooden for one game at the onset of his sophomore season for a separate violation of team rules. Wooden served the suspension during the 2011 season opener at Arkansas but went on to start the remaining 10 games.
He compiled a conference-best 2,420 yards of total offense in his only season as MSU starting quarterback. He also ranked 14th nationally among all Division I FCS signal callers in pass efficiency and earned All-MVFC honorable mention honors. As a redshirt freshman wide receiver in 2010, Wooden played in 11 games, started 10 contests and collected 21 receptions for 284 yards.
Story courtesy of Missouri State Athletics
