RICHMOND, Ky. – The Eastern Kentucky University football team concluded its preseason schedule with its third and final scrimmage Saturday afternoon at Roy Kidd Stadium. The scrimmage was scripted with 54 plays for the offense and 54 plays for the defense.

Head coach Dean Hood split up the team into the starters and the rest of the travel squad against the futures to get a true ‘game day’ feeling.

“I like how we’ve practiced all through camp, but I thought today was sloppy and we’ve got to get a lot of things cleaned up,” Hood said. “

Most of the highlight plays took place very early in the scrimmage. Senior wide receiver Cameron Bailey returned the opening kick-off 56 yards.

The starting offense then took the field and had to start its drive from its own three-yard line. Sophomore quarterback Jared McClain was unfazed and hit Bailey for an 87-yard pass down the left sideline on the first play. McClain went on to throw two touchdown passes of at least 50 yards, including one to senior wide receiver Tyrone Goard. One of his final passes was a six-yard touchdown strike to junior tight end Matt Lengel.

On the defense’s first venture onto the field, senior safety Brooklyn Fox came down with an interception in the left corner of the end zone.

“I think we are ready for game week,” Hood said. “[The players] are tired of hitting each other. They are ready to get into a true game week mode.”

EKU kicks off its 2012 schedule this Saturday, 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.