RICHMOND, Ky. - The first full-scale scrimmage of the 1999 fall camp is on tap Wednesday for the Eastern Kentucky University football team.

Kidd says his troops have been battling the heat and a few injuries that have slowed the progress of the Colonels as they continue to prepare for EKU's season opener Sept. 2 against Kentucky State University at Roy Kidd Stadium.

"We need more work on technique and consistency, especially with our younger players," said EKU head coach Roy Kidd who is beginning his 36^th season at the helm of the Colonels' football program. "I look out there and see a very young football team. Sure we have some experience here and there, but overall we're very young."

Despite his team's youth and the problems with players heating up and having to miss practice, Kidd likes the attitude of his '99 Colonels.

"We have a group of young men who are trying to do what's right on the practice field. So, as a coach, that makes you feel better that the effort is there. I feel a sense of togetherness on this football team."

Quarterbacks Waylon Chapman and Chad Collins are continuing to battle for the starting quarterback spot with no clear-cut favorite having won the position yet. Chapman, a junior, has played a backup role the past two years, although he did start the season's finale last year and led EKU to a come-from-behind, last-minute 28-24 victory over Eastern Illinois. Collins, also a junior, was redshirted last season.

"We're looking for consistency at quarterback. Right now, both players will have one good play, then a bad play, then a good play and then a bad play. We have two weeks to go. I'm sure both quarterbacks will start playing better," Kidd added.

In addition to working on technique and fundamentals, Kidd says he wants his team to be more aggressive.

"Right now, our offensive line is not coming off the ball and knocking people back. One of the things I liked about spring practice was how much more aggressive we were. I know it's early in two-a-days, but I want to see us get that aggressiveness back that we showed in the spring," Kidd noted.

In addition to heat-related problems that hit several of the Eastern linebackers forcing them to miss practice, some Colonels have missed fall drills because of injuries. These include junior tailback-fullback Corey Crume (knee and ankle); senior center Chris Holder (hamstring); sophomore defensive end Randy Lawrence (knee); and senior roverback Scooter Asel (thigh).

Tickets to Eastern's five-game home schedule can be purchased weekdays 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 (inside Kentucky).