Spokane, Wash. -- Whitworth University football officially opens the 2009 season Monday afternoon when 85 players put on a Pirate helmet for the first practice of the season.
The players check in Sunday, picking up equipment and going through physicals. The first practice will be Monday at 3:30 p.m. Whitworth returns eight offensive and eight defensive starters this season from a team that finished 6-3 overall and 4-2 (third place) in the Northwest Conference in 2008. The Pirates are picked third in the 2009 NWC preseason coaches poll. Once again the Pirate offense will be led by two-time NWC Offensive Player of the Year Adam Anderson (Sr., RB, Elk, Wash. - Riverside/Univ. of Idaho), who led the nation in all-purpose yards and scored 25 touchdowns last season. He will run behind a big and experienced offensive line anchored by First Team All-NWC tackle Jeff Kintner (Sr., OL, Wenatchee, Wash.). Brandon Martin (Sr., DT, Sweet Home, Ore.) returns as a First Team All-NWC honoree on the defensive line. Whitworth opens the season in Abilene, Texas on September 5th at 5th-ranked Hardin-Simmons University. Kick off is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. in Texas (11:00 a.m. PST) and will be heard on KSBN 1230am with Bob Castle calling the action.
2009 Pirate Practice Schedule: |
