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RICHMOND, Ky. – With a few interruptions by the weather, the Eastern Kentucky football team held its first two preseason practices of fall camp on Thursday and Friday.
 
Thursday's first practice was interrupted after the first hour due to lightning in the area.  The team returned to the field for about 10 minutes before another round of storms passed through the area.  With more storms expected Friday afternoon, the team held a complete, uninterrupted second practice Friday morning beginning at 6 a.m.
 
"Unfortunately on day one we had some lightning and we had to come in off the field after six or seven periods," Head Coach Mark Elder said.  "We changed the schedule up on the guys and they had to adjust and adapt quickly.  The guys had treatment at 5 a.m. and we blew the horn at six o'clock.  What was really exciting to see is, when I said that in the team meeting yesterday, they didn't even flinch.  They adapted and were ready to go."
 
"The guys came out flying today," said Elder.  "There were a ton of mistakes, but the enthusiasm and effort was there.  Jon-Michael did a great job this summer getting the guys in great shape.  You expect mistakes early.  We have to keep that enthusiasm and effort throughout camp and get better every day."
 
The Colonels will open their 2017 season at Western Kentucky on Sept. 2 at 7 p.m. ET.  Eastern's first home game is slated for Sept. 23 against Tennessee Tech.  For season ticket information, contact the EKU Athletics Ticket Office at 844-3-GOBIGE.
 
Changes to NCAA rules has allowed teams to begin preseason practice a week earlier than in the past.  Teams are no longer to have two-a-day practices.
 
All practices are scheduled to be held at Roy Kidd Stadium and are open to the public.  Those who attend are asked to sit in the stadium seats.  Scrimmages are scheduled for August 5, August 12 and August 19. 
 
The Eastern Kentucky University football program has won two national championships, 21 conference titles and has made 21 playoff appearances.  No other Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) team has won at least two FCS national titles and 20 or more conference championships.
 
Preseason Camp Schedule
(Note: dates and times are subject to change)
Practice 3          Saturday            July 29              3:45 p.m.
Practice 4          Sunday              July 30              3:45 p.m.
                          Monday             July 31              OFF
Practice 5          Tuesday            August 1           2:30 p.m.
                          Wednesday       August 2           OFF
Practice 6          Thursday           August 3           2:30 p.m.
                          Friday                August 4           OFF
Practice 7          Saturday           August 5           3:45 p.m.           (Scrimmage)
Practice 8          Sunday             August 6           3:45 p.m.
                          Monday             August 7           OFF
Practice 9          Tuesday            August 8           2:30 p.m.
                          Wednesday      August 9           OFF
Practice 10         Thursday         August 10         2:30 p.m.
                           Friday              August 11         OFF    
Practice 11         Saturday          August 12         3:45 p.m.           (Scrimmage)
Practice 12         Sunday            August 13         3:45 p.m.
Practice 13         Monday           August 14         3:45 p.m.
Practice 14         Tuesday          August 15         3:45 p.m.
                           Wednesday     August 16         OFF
Practice 15         Thursday         August 17         3:45 p.m.
Practice 16         Friday              August 18         3:45 p.m.
Practice 17         Saturday          August 19         3:45 p.m.           (Scrimmage)
Practice 18         Sunday            August 20         3:45 p.m.