Springfield Catholic standout Liam O'Reilly has watched his hometown university for many years have its struggles.
But when Bobby Petrino led Missouri State to its first playoff appearance since 1990, the view of the program changed in his eyes and those around him.
So after O'Reilly stood out during a summer camp at Lindenwood in front of Missouri State coaches, he knew he was going to have an opportunity to play with a program he sees as one as on the rise.
The Missouri State coaching staff quickly got O'Reilly on campus for a visit and Petrino gave him a scholarship offer.