Edited: 8/4/04

WITTENBERG, WOOSTER EMERGE AS PRESEASON FAVORITES AS NCAC PREPS FOR 21ST FOOTBALL SEASON

GRANVILLE, Ohio -- Wittenberg University and the College of Wooster emerged as the preseason favorites in balloting by the media and North Coast Athletic Conference coaches at the NCAC's 21st annual Football Media Day today at Granville Golf Course in Granville, OH.

The Tigers, who finished in a three-way tie with Wabash and Oberlin for second place last season, earned 11 first-place votes from the media on their way to 241 points. Wittenberg topped the Fighting Scots, who received 14 first-place nods to compile 239 points. Wabash (213), Allegheny (178) and Ohio Wesleyan (157) rounded out the media's top five picks. The defending champion Gators received the final available first-place vote.

Wittenberg is 81-11 (.880) during head coach Joe Fincham's eight-year tenure. The Tigers return 43 letterwinners and 17 starters from last fall's runner-up squad.

The Fighting Scots, who compiled a 7-3 regular season and finished fifth in the conference last season, earned five of ten first-place votes from the coaches to total 92 points. Wooster edged second-place Wittenberg by a single point. Wabash (85), defending league champion Allegheny (70) and Ohio Wesleyan (56) were picked third through fifth, respectively. The Tigers picked up two first-place votes from league skippers, while the Little Giants received the remaining three nods.

Wooster is 62-28 (.689) during the 10-year period head coach Mike Schmitz has been involved as a coach. Prior to earning the head coaching job in 2000, Schmitz served as the Scots' offensive coordinator. In his four years at the helm, he has led Wooster to a 25-15 (.625) record. The Fighting Scots return 18 letterwinners and 17 starters from last year's squad.


MEDIA POLL
(first-place votes in parentheses)

1. Wittenberg (11) 241
2. Wooster (14) 239
3. Wabash 213
4. Allegheny (1) 178
5. Ohio Wesleyan 157
6. Oberlin 129
7. Denison 92
8. Earlham 78
9. Hiram 57
10.Kenyon 47

COACHES POLL
(first-place votes in parentheses)

1. Wooster (5) 92
2. Wittenberg (2) 91
3. Wabash (3) 85
4. Allegheny 70
5. Ohio Wesleyan 56
6. Oberlin 45
7. Earlham 39
8. Denison 38
9. Kenyon 19
10. Hiram 15

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