RICHMOND, Ky. - This is part one of a two-story preview for the 2012 Eastern Kentucky University football team. Part two will feature the defense, special teams and schedule ...

Expectations always seem to be high for the Eastern Kentucky University football team, but heading into the fall of 2012, the preseason prognosticators are especially high on the Colonels. EKU is the preseason favorite in the Ohio Valley Conference and two national magazines have picked the Colonels as a top-20 program (Lindy’s – No. 9, Athlon – No. 18). Eastern Kentucky hasn’t been this highly ranked in the preseason since 2002.

There are many reasons to believe that 2012 could be a magical year for Eastern Kentucky. The sudden end to the 2011 campaign has the EKU football team yearning for more this fall. The Colonels won a share of the OVC title for the second time in four years under head coach Dean Hood and advanced to the 2011 NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) playoffs. Eastern battled James Madison to the very last play in the opening round of the playoffs before the Dukes prevailed on a 35-yard field goal, 20-17.

Secondly, there is a huge number of returning starters on the roster. Ten offensive starters from 2011 are back as well as seven on the defensive side of the ball. EKU led all OVC teams with 10 preseason all-conference selections, eight of which are seniors. Three Colonels were named preseason All-Americans by The Sports Network – senior offensive tackle Aaron Adams, senior running back Matt Denham and senior offensive tackle Patrick Ford – while Denham was recently named to the Walter Payton Award watch list.

Finally, it’s just feels like the time is right for Eastern Kentucky to return to the national scene at the FCS level. Exactly 30 years ago, EKU was the team to beat in the FCS as the Colonels finished the 1982 season 13-0 overall and captured the program’s second national title. Twenty years ago, Eastern was still a national contender and was in the middle of a four-year stretch where it went 30-1 against OVC competition. And 10 years ago, legendary coach Roy Kidd retired from the EKU sidelines with his 315th career victory.

The Offense
The Eastern Kentucky offense went through a major change in the middle of the 2011 season under first year coordinator Dane Damron. The offense shifted its approach from a spread scheme to a more traditional pro style attack and the results were impressive.

“I think we surprised a lot of teams last year [with the offensive switch,” Hood said. “Teams will be better at defending us this year, but I also think we will be better at running this offense.”

Denham, who took over the starting running back role in game five at Eastern Illinois, averaged 184.5 yards rushing per game in his eight starts to earn third team AP All-America honors. He was one of just two FCS players to reach 200 yards rushing in four games.

Meanwhile, senior quarterback #T.J. Pryor# is closing in on numerous EKU passing records. Pryor needs 622 passing yards and 62 completions to become Eastern Kentucky’s career leader in both of those categories. He tossed 18 touchdown passes last year, his most in three years as quarterback, compared to only eight interceptions, his lowest season total.

At the wide receiver position, senior Tyrone Goard has established himself as an all-conference performer. Goard totaled 11 touchdown receptions as a junior, which was just one shy of the program single-season record. Fellow senior Cameron Bailey is expected to line up at the other wide out position. He caught a huge 60-yard touchdown reception in the 52-48 comeback win over Jacksonville State last year.

The strength of the offense probably lies in the trenches. Four of the five starters from 2011 are returning including the two preseason All-America candidates at tackle – Adams and Ford. Senior #O.J. Enabosi is now in his third season at the center position. Junior Justin Meredith#, who is one of the more versatile linemen, played left guard last year, but is penciled in at right guard heading into preseason camp. The only open position is left guard where junior college transfer Travon Carter could fill the void.