* Day one photo gallery

ITHACA, N.Y. – The day David Archer '05 has been waiting for has finally arrived. Though he has been in the office as Cornell's Roger J. Weiss '61 Head Coach of Football for three months, today is the day he steps out on the field with his team. Today is the day he begins teaching football in his favorite classroom – a 360x160 foot rectangle on one of the most historic spots on the Ivy League campus.

An offseason of change and excitement comes to a head this week when the returning players set to compete for the 2013 Big Red football team step onto the field for the first time with Archer directing the program. Cornell will begin spring practice this afternoon on Schoellkopf Field. The squad's 12 practices will lead into the Spring Game on Saturday, April 27. The time is yet to be determined.

Spring football is already a time to solidify position changes, adjust schemes and continue skill development. New players have an opportunity to shine in new roles and fresh eyes will have an opportunity to evaluate players without preconceived notions. It's a time of great learning for both players and coaches and a springboard into the fall.

Opportunity will be the key word over the next three weeks.

The offense, under the direction of first-year offensive coordinator Jason Houghtaling, will begin working toward balancing a pass-heavy attack and will largely rely on the veteran skills of record-breaking All-American quarterback Jeff Mathews, wide receiver Grant Gellatly and running back Luke Hagy. Key losses to first-team All-Ivy selection JC Tretter, a likely 2013 NFL Draft pick on the offensive line, and wide receivers Kurt Ondash, Shane Savage and Luke Tasker will create opportunities for others at those positions.

The defense has moved from a 4-3 to a 3-4 scheme under new defensive coordinator Jared Backus and will play to the strengths of the Big Red, as the team's leading returning tacklers will line up right up the middle, including linebackers Brett Buehler and Taylor Betros and safeties Rush Imhotep and Andrew Nelson.

Though several players expected to play key roles will miss portions of the spring while recovering from injuries, one missing player expected to return in the fall is fifth-year senior Michael Hernandez, an emotional playmaker and defensive captain. He is one of four returning captains, joining Buehler, Mathews and defensive lineman Tre' Minor.