Eastern Kentucky University opens its 2019 football season this Thursday night against Valparaiso University in Roy Kidd Stadium.
Players and the head coach are optimistic about the upcoming fall football campaign.
A warm, late summer evening Saturday gave fans a chance to see fall sports players up close at a fan day event. EKU Football Coach Mark Elder is in his fourth year. Last year’s team won its last four games, finishing 7-4.
“We’ve got the most talented team, the deepest team, the most experienced team that we’ve had and certainly the most aligned team. We are very confident in the direction that we’re going,” said Elder.
Elder said there is a positive vibe from finishing well last year. Senior defensive back TJ Comstock said he played quarterback growing up, but he likes his defensive position better. He said receivers seem to move faster each year. “You know, it changes. People get faster so. I’d say the only thing that’s changed is speed, but fundamentals has always been the same,” noted Comstock.
Senior running back Daryl McCleskey said hard work season after season pays off, and not just on the football field. “After we are done, we’re going to have to go work a job and have a family. In football we’ve got to communicate just like you’ve got to communicate in the job field. It definitely carries on in life. It’s is just teaching through a game, a sport,” noted McCleskey.
After opening at home against Valparaiso, the Colonels head west to take on Louisville on Sept. 7.
EKU Head Coach Mark Elder talked with Stu Johnson Saturday Afternoon:
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