MACOMB, Ill. - Western Illinois University officially opened its 2005 football season with the first practice session of fall camp in sunny, mid-80 degree conditions Saturday afternoon.?What I saw in today?s practice was a team of enthusiastic players,? said seventh-year head coach Don Patterson. ?They came into camp well prepared and their attitude is in the right spot. I was definitely pleased with what I saw.?Eighty-six players, including 34 newcomers, reported to Macomb yesterday as camp kicked off with an orientation meeting. University President Dr. Al Goldfarb greeted the players and opened the meeting which involved other university staff and coaches.After a morning conditioning check of 24 55-yard sprints, this afternoon?s helmets-only workout consisted of the offense and defense running drills on separate practice fields.?Looking at this morning?s conditioning check it?s quite apparent that these guys paid a price over the summer,? said Patterson. ?I?ve never seen a team in better shape. It?s almost as if (the returners) came in with a chip on their shoulders.?The Leathernecks? upcoming schedule includes afternoon practices on Sunday and Monday at 2:15. The team will hold its annual media/photo day activities Monday morning beginning and 10:30 on Hanson Field.New facesOf the 34 players participating in their first Leatherneck practice, 21 are true freshman - three more than opened camp a year ago. The 34 newcomers are comprised of 17 defensive players, 15 offensive players and a pair of true freshman kickers. Also reporting to camp were four I-A transfers - sophomore linebacker Jerome Bennett (6-1, 235, Miami (Ohio)), redshirt-freshman quarterback Will Ducey (6-6, 200, Mississippi), senior defensive lineman Piana Lukabu (6-3, 250, Rutgers) and sophomore defensive lineman Joe Thomas (6-7, 280, Northern Illinois).Four coaches worked their first practice session as members of the Leatherneck staff. Defensive coordinator Tom Casey and running backs coach Thad Ward were both hired during the offseason and former Leatherneck Lee Russell officially began his duties as a graduate assistant.