RICHMOND, Ky. – The Eastern Kentucky University football team hit the field very early Saturday morning for its first preseason scrimmage. The offense took on the defense in four 15-minute quarters featuring a wide variety of situational football.

Sophomore quarterback Jared McClain provided the first highlight with a 30-yard bootleg that nearly went the distance for a touchdown. Just a few minutes later, junior defensive lineman Anthony Shoemaker broke through the line for a key fourth-down sack.

On the offense’s next possession, senior wide receiver Cameron Bailey took a hand-off around the left side for a nifty 25-yard run. However, the defense later held on that drive and forced a field goal attempt.

Late in the first quarter, sophomore wide receiver #Ja’Tyuan Landing# made an impressive one-handed catch on third down, which resulted in another set of downs for the offense.

McClain made the play of the day very early in the second quarter. Facing a third-and-long, the quarterback called his own number for a 63-yard scoring run right through the middle of the defense. After resetting the ball for a red-zone situation, junior running back Zavier Foster forced his way into the end zone for a five-yard touchdown.

The defense bounced back at the end of the second quarter to hold the offense to a 25-yard field goal in another red zone situation. Senior defensive back Cejay Ceniza kept the offense out of the end zone by deflecting a fade pass to senior wide out Tyrone Goard.

Following a brief intermission, newcomer Ike Ariguzo provided some cheers from the offense with a tough 36-yard reception down the left sideline from McClain.

The first and second stringers wrapped up the scrimmage with two consecutive two-minute situations. Both times the defense won the battle. On the first possession, senior quarterback #T.J. Pryor#’s pass attempt was tipped by sophomore defensive back Brandon Stanley and then intercepted by senior linebacker Kevin Hamlin. Hamlin led all EKU players with four interceptions last fall.

The next possession saw the defense force a turnover on downs just over the midfield stripe.

Senior running back Matt Denham, a Walter Payton Award preseason candidate, saw very little action. Most of the running back duties went to Foster and fellow junior Deshaun Sands. McClain took the majority of snaps at quarterback for the offense.

EKU kicks off the 2012 schedule on Sept. 1 at Purdue. The season opener will be televised by the Big Ten Network beginning at 3:30 p.m. The Colonels’ home opener is scheduled for Sept. 8 against Morehead State at 6 p.m. Fans can reserve 2012 season tickets by contacting the EKU athletics ticket office at 859-622-2122.