RICHMOND, Ky. – The Eastern Kentucky University football team begins its 2009 schedule Thursday night at Big Ten foe Indiana. The game will be televised nationally by the Big Ten Network beginning at 8 p.m.

Eastern Kentucky (0-0, 0-0 OVC), the 2008 Ohio Valley Conference champion, will have plenty of new faces in the starting line-up against the Hoosiers. The most noticeable change will be at quarterback where junior Cody Watts is expected to replace the former signal caller and 2007 OVC Offensive Player of the Year, Allan Holland. Watts will have a veteran offensive line to work behind as four of the five starters from one year ago are back including preseason All-American Derek Hardman.

On defense, the Colonels are extremely young with only two seniors in the projected starting line-up. One of the seniors, Chris Hall, is a preseason All-OVC pick after leading the team in sacks (six) and tackles for loss (13) in 2008. At safety, sophomore Patrick McClellan and junior Robert Dees, have big shoes to fill. The duo has to replace a pair of 2008 All-OVC selections in Brandon Gathof and Zach Denton.

Indiana (0-0, 0-0 Big Ten) kicks off its 125th year of football Thursday against EKU. The Hoosiers switched to the ‘Pistol’ offense this past spring after visiting with the Nevada coaching staff. In the ‘Pistol’ offense, the quarterback lines up four yards behind the center and the running back lines up three yards behind the quarterback. The running back receives the ball deeper in the backfield which enables more ‘downhill’ running and play-action pass.

The Indiana defense features a pair of All-American candidates at defensive end – Jammie Kirlew and Greg Middleton. The duo own 36.5 career sacks, the highest total for a tandem in the country.

This will be the first meeting between EKU and Indiana. In fact, this will be Eastern’s first-ever game against a Big Ten opponent. This is the fourth straight year the Colonels have started their schedule against an FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision) opponent.

Following Thursday night’s game, the Colonels have an off week before beginning their home schedule against Tennessee Tech on Sept. 19.

GAMEDAY INFORMATION

Game Notes
--Click here for game notes!

Television
--Big Ten Network (Directv – ch. 610, Dish – ch. 439). Colonel fans can also watch the game live at Gillum’s in the Richmond Mall.

Live Audio
--Saturday’s game can be heard locally on WCYO 100.7 FM. Click here for live radio broadcast!

Live Stats
--Click here for live stats!

Tickets
--Tickets are available by calling the IU ticket office at 1-866-487-7678

Directions
--Click here for directions to Indiana University. Click here for pre- and postgame traffic directions around the stadium.

Weather
--Thursday’s forecast in Bloomington calls for sunny skies and a high of 78 degrees. Sunset is slated for 8:13 p.m., with temperatures dipping down to the upper 50s at night.

Storylines
-- Eastern Kentucky is 4-13 against NCAA FBS programs since 1978 when the Colonels joined the ranks of NCAA FCS. EKU’s last win against an FBS school happened in 1985 thanks to a 45-21 victory at Louisville.

-- Eastern Kentucky was one of two OVC teams to earn a ranking in the initial Sports Network NCAA Division I FCS poll. The Colonels were placed 24th, three spots below Jacksonville State.

-- In 2008, Eastern Kentucky tied for sixth among all 118 Division I FCS programs in turnover margin at +14. The Colonels forced five turnovers in victories over Jacksonville State and UT Martin last year.