RICHMOND, Ky. – The Eastern Kentucky University football team begins the 2010 spring season on Sunday, March 28. The practice season concludes with the annual spring game played on Sunday, April 25 at Roy Kidd Stadium.

The Colonels were one win away from a third straight OVC title in 2009 and should be in the hunt for another conference crown this fall. The signal callers on offense, quarterback #T.J. Pryor#, and defense, safeties Patrick McClellan and Robert Dees, return to give EKU valuable leadership on the field for third year head coach Dean Hood.

Here’s a look at the Colonels before they begin spring drills.

Experience on Defense
Eight of the 11 EKU starters from the 2009 unit are returning for the 2010 campaign, including two first-team All-OVC players – senior defensive lineman Andrew Soucy and junior defensive back Jeremy Caldwell. The Colonel defense, which has been especially good at forcing turnovers in two years under coach Hood, did not force a turnover in the final three games of 2009.

Shuffling on the Offensive Line
The Eastern offensive line will have a brand new look this spring as there will be at least three new starters in this unit. Junior Josh Miller, who started eight games at center before injuring a knee at Kentucky on Nov. 7, is expected to be back on the field. EKU added four mid-year transfers to the offensive line – Derek Moore and Kevin Brown from Hofstra, and Joe Arnason and Bo Faauaa from Eastern Arizona College.

Injury Updates
Senior linebacker Antonio Fredrick, sophomore wide receiver Trey Fairchild and sophomore wide receiver Tyrone Goard will be limited in practice drills due to lingering injuries. Meanwhile, senior wide receiver/quarterback Cody Watts and sophomore defensive lineman Chris Cunningham will not be able to suit up this spring. Senior running back Aaron Bradley, who is recovering from a knee injury suffered last spring, could see some time on the practice field.

Keep an Eye on the Redshirts
There are numerous redshirt freshmen who could have an impact on the field for the Colonels this fall including – punter Jordan Berry, defensive lineman Anthony Brown, defensive lineman David Carter, linebacker Ichiro Chiba, linebacker Zavier Foster, defensive lineman Devin Gainer, defensive back Myer Nolan, defensive lineman Shawn Shupperd and wide receiver Justin Williams.

The schedule
Practice #1 – Sunday, March 28 at 3 p.m.
Practice #2 – Monday, March 29 at 3 p.m.
Practice #3 – Tuesday, March 30 at 3 p.m.
Practice #4 – Thursday, April 1 at 3 p.m.
Practice #5 – Saturday, April 3 at 1 p.m.
Practice #6 – Tuesday, April 6 at 3 p.m.
Practice #7 – Thursday, April 8 at 3 p.m.
Practice #8 – Saturday, April 10 at 2 p.m. (at Hazard H.S.)
Practice #9 – Tuesday, April 13 at 3 p.m.
Practice #10 – Thursday, April 15 at 3 p.m.
Practice #11 – Saturday, April 17 at 1 p.m. (scrimmage)
Practice #12 – Tuesday, April 20 at 3 p.m.
Practice #13 – Thursday, April 22 at 3 p.m.
Practice #14 – Saturday, April 24 at 1 p.m.
Practice #15 – Sunday, April 25 at 4 p.m. (Spring Game)
*All practices are open to the public and will be held at Roy Kidd Stadium unless otherwise noted.