RICHMOND, Ky. – Fans have seen the defensive unit for the Eastern Kentucky football team show steady improvement over the last three seasons.  In 2018, the group was second in the Ohio Valley Conference in total defense and points allowed.
 
Now, defensive coordinator Kurt Mattix says, it's time to become a championship level defensive unit.
 
"The next step for us as a program is a conference championship.  That's where we've set our standards. Those are our goals and they won't change.  I really believe this team had a taste of what it was like to be a seven-win team and how close we were to making the playoffs.  In a couple of games, we didn't play our best defensively.  We are constantly reminding them of those games to remind them this is what we're playing for – the opportunity to play in the playoffs and get a chance for a conference championship."
 
Wednesday's spring practice was the 10th of 14 leading up to the annual Maroon & White game at 2 p.m. on April 6.
 
"With the amount of returners we have the installations have been smooth and we've had a lot of fun so far," Mattix said.
 
Of the 23 players listed on the season-ending defensive depth chart, 20 are back for the 2019 season including eight starters.  All that returning experience means a better understanding of how things are done and the culture that has been established.  Just as important, it means there will be a lot of competition for playing time.  That constant reminder that there is someone ready to take a spot means everyone's performance is elevated.
 
In addition to being among the top-2 in the conference defensively in 2018, the Colonels were among the nation's leaders in creating turnovers.  EKU was fifth in the country with 19 interceptions and fourth with a total of 30 turnovers gained.  It's too early to tell if the 2019 team can match that total for picks, but the Colonels will get the ball back any way they can.
 
"One thing that we do every day, and [head] coach [Mark] Elder emphasizes it as a program, as an offense we have to secure the ball and as a defense we have to get the ball back," said Mattix.  "The culture of our team is we want to get the ball back for our offense.  Every day we celebrate it, we praise the people who are doing those things, and we put emphasis on it every day.  In individuals we have a turnover circuit where we emphasize those things.  The most important thing is you have to have awareness for it.  To match 19 interceptions, I think that would be awesome and amazing, but the most important thing is to get that ball back any way we can."
 
Mattix has been impressed with the attitude the defensive players have shown this spring both on and off the field.  He likes the way they are attacking practice, responding to evaluation during review of film and how they like to compete.
 
EKU ended the 2018 season with four straight wins and was in the conversation for a playoff spot.  Eastern Kentucky finished 7-4 overall and third in the Ohio Valley Conference with a 5-2 mark.  The Colonels will begin the 2019 season having won 10 of its last 16 games.
 
The 2019 season begins at home for EKU on August 29 when Valparaiso visits Roy Kidd Stadium.

Fans can get a head start on the 2019 season by placing a non-refundable $50 deposit on season tickets that will be included in the overall price of the package.  For questions or to place your deposit, call Alex Harrison at (859) 358-9272 or the EKUSports ticket office at 844-3-GOBIGE.
 
EKU Football Spring Practice Schedule
March 30           1:00 p.m.
April 1               7:45 a.m.
April 3               7:45 a.m.
April 5               7:45 a.m.
April 6               2:00 p.m. (MAROON & WHITE GAME)