Eastern Kentucky University opens its football season tonight in Ypsilanti against Eastern Michigan. A week ago, not a player on the roster would have predicted Coach Walt Wells would not be right in the midst of the action. But, the third-year head coach suffered a cardiac episode last Sunday morning.
Tucker Schroeder is a senior lineman from Florida. He admitted Coach Wells’ message will still ring in players’ ears.
“You know he speaks a lot on adversity and this is just another little piece of adversity and if we didn’t stand up to this and go up there and play the same way that he would want us to, then he’d be the same one getting upset with us,” said Schroeder.
Schroeder said players may have an extra chip on their shoulders this evening. Senior Defensive Lineman Shane Burks said Tuesday game prep carried some extra incentive.
“Guys have been working hard. Guys have been putting their best foot forward. I think that Coach Wells and the staff has put us in the perfect position. And I think that we’re going to work really hard and go out and give it our all, especially for Coach Wells this week,” said Burks
Taking over as acting head coach for the Colonels is Garry McPeek, who is chief of staff on the football team. The last time the two teams met in 1971, the game ended in a zero-zero tie. Kickoff is at seven o clock.
