ITHACA, N.Y. -- When Cornell spring football practice opens on Tuesday, April 6, Big Red head coach Kent Austin and his new staff will have their first opportunity to make an impression on the returning players and get a leg up in installing the team's offensive and defensive systems. With just 11 practices over four weeks in preparation for the annual Red-White Spring Game on Saturday, May 1 at 1 p.m. at Schoellkopf Field, there will be plenty of work to be done.

Cornell will practice from 6:30-9 a.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturday's during the four weeks, with conditioning, team lifts and meetings included in the schedule.

Austin, who was hired in January to become the 26th head coach in school history, will have several veterans ready to lead the way for the Big Red.

Among the returners expected to play major roles in 2010 on defense are safeties Anthony Ambrosi, Ben Heller and Dempsey Quinn, defensive back Emani Fenton and linebacker Brandon Lainhart, all rising seniors, and defensive back Rashad Campbell, a rising junior.

Ambrosi finished fourth on the team with 61 tackles. He added 9.5 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, 2 interceptions, four pass breakups, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. Heller notched 57 tackles and a team-high three interceptions. Quinn posted 92 tackles, good for second on the squad, and added 3.5 tackles for loss and three forced fumbles. Fenton made 36 tackles and broke up nine passes, while Lainhart was third on the team with 86 tackles and 5.5 tackles for loss and second with two interceptions. Campbell started all 10 games at corner, recording 42 tackles, 10 pass breakups, an interception, a fumble recovery and 2.0 tackles for loss during the season.

Offensively, starting offensive center Paul Ostick returns, as does talented running back Marcus Hendren, both rising seniors. Juniors Shane Savage at receiver and tight end Ryan Houska will also be big-play type pass-catchers.

Ostick started all 10 games in front of the quarterback, while Hendren averaged 6.0 yards per carry in posting 229 yards rushing. He will be expected to carry a much bigger role as a senior. Savage ranked second on the team in receptions (42), yards (371) and touchdowns (two). Houska averaged better than 10 yards per catch while hauling in 13 passes for 132 yards.

The Big Red will open the Kent Austin era in Ithaca when the team travels to face Wagner on Saturday, Sept. 18 on Staten Island, N.Y. Cornell's home opener is scheduled to come in his first Ivy contest with Yale coming to town the following weekend.