DES MOINES, IOWA - First-year head coach Chris Creighton will welcome 82 players when the Drake football team opens spring practice this Wednesday in Drake Stadium.

The Bulldogs, who have 31 lettermen back from last year's team which posted a 6-5 record, will conduct 15 practices, capped by a spring game on April 19.

"I am excited as I can be," said Creighton who was named Drake's 25th head football coach during a Dec. 22 news conference. "I honestly couldn't be more pleased with how our winter conditioning has gone.

"The players worked hard. They are hungry. This is a new start and new opportunity to prove that they are better than the 6-5 record they had last year."

Creighton said with half of his coaching staff being new, all players will be given an equal opportunity this spring.

Among the graduation losses are finding a replacement at running back for Scott Phaydavong, a four-time first-team All-Pioneer Football League performer, who set the Drake career rushing mark with 5,830 yards in 925 carries.

Creighton, who constructed a 63-15 record in seven years at Wabash (Ind.) College, said he has four program goals for spring practice.

"We want to continue to build the family," said Creighton. "It isn't just going to be about x's and o's. The coaches and players must continue to get to know each other this spring and become a tight knit unit.

"We also want to continue the momentum from winter conditioning. The third program goal is to teach and learn the program and the scheme. We want to come away from spring ball with the players having an idea of what we're doing offensively, defensively and with special teams. But the players also need to know what the expectations are from an attitude and effort standpoint. Finally we want to get better every day."

Drake will open its 114th season of intercollegiate football playing host to Upper Iowa on Aug. 28.