Photo Gallery

RICHMOND, Ky. – Everyone knows running back Dy'Shawn Mobley, the 2014 All-American and Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year, but even All-Americans need a breather.  Mobley accounted for 258 of the team's 618 rushes last season.
 
So, who will carry the ball when Mobley doesn't?
 
Redshirt junior Jared Sanders and redshirt sophomore Kentayvus Hopkins both have collegiate experience.  Sanders has carried the ball 131 times in his two seasons, and has scored three touchdowns.  However, he is lining up in the slot position during preseason camp.  Hopkins played in seven games and had 10 carries a year ago.
 
"We're out here working hard," Hopkins said.  "I just need to hold myself accountable and get in the playbook a little more.  I need to be able to get it and move fast."
 
Any of the backfield newcomers – Bryan Green, Raynaldy Gustave, Ralph Patton, Ethan Thomas and Stefan Turrentine – could be a factor as well.  Green, a transfer from Akron, and Thomas, a true freshman, are seeing quality reps in practice.
 
The Colonel running backs are coached by longtime assistant, and "eternal Colonel" John Revere. 
 
"These guys are excellent athletes," Revere said.  "We did a real good job of researching these guys mentally and physically.  Kentayvus is the most experienced guy so we are hoping to utilize his talent on the field.  Bryan Green and Ethan Thomas both have a load of talent.  I'm excited about them and what they are going to mean to the program."
 
Revere came to EKU as a student-athlete in 1972, caught 95 passes for 1,501 yards, and then returned to Eastern in 1997 as an assistant coach.
 
"The ability to take pride in what you are doing here was instilled in all of us players by coach Roy Kidd," Revere said.  "There's a lot of blood and sweat that has taken place out here on this field and every kid that steps on this field understands the importance of that and the importance of the pride that goes behind it.  Our kids know one thing when they come here as an EKU player, they're going to play with a sense of pride, dignity and honor."
 
When Mobley does take the hand off, the Colonels will be riding the legs of a senior that ran for 1,491 yards and scored 20 times on the ground in 2014.  He also caught 33 passes, third most on the team, for 309 yards and a touchdown.  A finalist for the Walter Payton Award last season, the Powell, Tennessee native ranked sixth in the nation in touchdowns, 12th in yards and 14th in yards per game (114.7).
 
The transfer from the University of Kentucky is a preseason All-American by STATS and one of 22 players from across the nation on the STATS FCS Offensive Player of the Year Watch List.  He was also selected preseason All-OVC and Preseason OVC Offensive Player of the Year by the conference's coaches and media relations directors and was chosen Preseason OVC Offensive Player of the Year by the media as well.
 
The team will be back at Roy Kidd Stadium for practice number eight on Wednesday at 7:30 a.m.
 
Eastern begins the 2015 campaign at home against Valparaiso on Sept. 3 at 7 p.m.  Season tickets for 2015 are on sale now.  To purchase season tickets, please call the EKU Ticket Office at 859-622-2122. 
  
Preseason Camp Schedule
(Note: dates and times are subject to change)
Day 8         Wed        Aug. 12       Practice             7:30 a.m.
Day 9         Thur        Aug. 13       Practice             7:30 a.m.
Day 10        Fri           Aug. 14       Practice             7:30 a.m.
Day 11        Sat           Aug. 15       Scrimmage        7:30 a.m.
Day 12        Sun          Aug. 16       Off
Day 13        Mon        Aug. 17       Practice             7:30 a.m.
Day 14        Tue          Aug. 18       Practice             7:30 a.m.
Day 15        Wed        Aug. 19       Practice             7:30 a.m.
Day 16        Thur        Aug. 20       Practice             7:30 a.m.
Day 17        Fri           Aug. 21       Practice             7:30 a.m.
Day 18        Sat        Aug. 22          Scrimmage        7:30 a.m.