First Day of Camp In The Books for EMU Football

Photo Gallery.

Post Practice Interview with Coach Creighton.

YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — The 2015 Eastern Michigan football campaign got underway today, Aug. 10, when the Eagles held their first practice of the season. Due to inclement weather in the area, the apprioximately two-hour practice was moved into the Indoor Practice Facility.

Head Coach Chris Creighton, in his second year at the helm, guided the Eagles through the workout as they prepare for the 2015 season opener Saturday, Sept. 5, when EMU hosts Old Dominion University.

This practice was the first of the three-day acclimation period where the players can only wear helmets, before donning shoulder pads on the fourth day, and finally full pads on the fifth day. Following the first five days, the team can then have its first double session of practice. The Eagles will have their first double session on Saturday, Aug. 15.

Throughout the session, Coach Creighton and his staff kept the intensity at a high level as the players worked through their respective drills. The day began with individual position workouts before the offense and defense lined up for multiple plays against each other.

A point of emphasis for both sides of the ball was winning the turnover battle. Each time the defense came up with a fumble or interception, each player of the defense would tap the helmet of the player that came up with the turnover. This was called "tap the hat" and at the end of day one, the defense had won the battle three to zero.

"Our first day we are much further along than last year," Creighton said. "Defensively taking the ball away is something we need to do a better job of. We need to take care of the ball better, and take it away better, and it was a great start with the defense." Full audio of Coach Creighton can be found above.

Practice continues tomorrow for the Green and White, where the team hopes the weather clears up so they can workout on the "EMU Gray" Field Turf of Rynearson Stadium.

The Eagles will open their 124th season on the gridiron with a non-conference home game against Old Dominion Saturday, Sept. 5, in Rynearson Stadium. Single game and season tickets are now on sale online at EMUEagles.com, by calling 734.487.2282 or by visiting the EMU Ticket Office daily between 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Single game ticket prices start at just $20 for adults and $8 for youth 12-and-under.

Eastern Michigan Athletics

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