RICHMOND, Ky. - Sophomore quarterback Gary Gumm, who served the '98 season as backup to '99 Heisman candidate Chris Redman at the University of Louisville, enrolled at Eastern Wednesday morning for the fall semester classes, which started just two days ago, and then began practice Wednesday afternoon at EKU.

"He's got a lot of work to do to learn our system. We're anxious to see what he can do," said EKU head coach Roy Kidd who has begun his 36^th season at the helm of the Eastern Kentucky football program this year.

Gumm played his high school football at Doss High School in Louisville where he finished his high school career with the third highest number of passing yards (7,722) in Kentucky high school football history. Ranked ahead of him are former UK and now Cleveland Browns quarterback, Tim Couch, and Breathitt County High School's quarterback Kyle Moore.

Gumm is eligible to play this season for Eastern under the NCAA transfer rule regarding immediate eligibility for Division I transfers who step down to I-AA, II or III schools.

Eastern is just a week away from opening the '99 season. Kentucky State will provide the opposition Thursday night, Sept. 2, at Roy Kidd Stadium at 7:00 p.m.

Tickets to EKU's five-game home schedule are available by visiting the EKU Athletics Ticket Office in Room 126 of Alumni Coliseum or by phoning the ticket office at (606) 622-2122 or 1-800-262-7493.