Bloomsburg and Gannon Picked First in PSAC Coaches’ Preseason Poll
Lock Haven, Pa- Eastern Division Bloomsburg University and Western Division Gannon University have each been selected to win their respective divisions in the 2015 PSAC Preseason Football Poll, as selected by the head football coaches in the league.
Bloomsburg looks to improve upon its 2014 NCAA Division II Quarterfinals run. The Huskies advanced to their sixth quarterfinal game by defeating Virginia State in the NCAA Division II second round game by a score of 35-14.
The Golden Knights enter the 2015 campaign after finishing the 2014 season with a 9-2 record and a share of the PSAC West Division Championship with eventual PSAC Champion Slippery Rock. Returning for his senior year is running back Brock Jones who helped lead the Golden Knights offense to a number one ranking in rushing (239.6) in the Western Division.
West Chester comes into the season ranked number two after finishing second in the PSAC East division last year. The Golden Rams finished the 2014 season with an 11-2 record, while also advancing to the NCAA Second Round.
Tied for the third spot in this year’s preseason poll is East Stroudsburg and Shippensburg. Coming back from injury for the Warriors is two-time Harlon Hill candidate, Matt Soltes. Soltes ranks eighth in PSAC history in career total offense (9,928) entering his final season with the Warriors.
The Red Raiders look to improve upon their 6-5 record with the return of three All-PSAC players: wide receiver Sheldon Mayer, return specialist Andrew Smith, and East Freshman of the Yeary Chavez Cheatham.
Earning the fifth spot is Kutztown where they look to improve their record 6-5 under second year head coach Jim Clement.
Rounding out the East is Lock Haven and Millersville tied for No. 6 and Cheyney coming in at No. 8.
Second in the PSAC West is the 2014 PSAC Champions Slippery Rock. Returning to The Rock is 2014 PSAC West Freshman of the Year Marcus Martin. Slippery Rock is also returning a total of twenty one starters from last year’s Championship team.
Mercyhurst stays at the number three spot in the PSAC preseason rankings after finishing third in PSAC West division last season. The Vulcans followed the Lakers with the fourth place ranking.
IUP comes into the 2015 season ranked No. 5 in the Preseason Poll. The Crimson Hawks return six All-PSAC players, along with ten starters from the second best defense from 2014 season.
Seton Hill comes in at No. 6, Edinboro at No. 7, and rounding out the West is Clarion at No. 8.
The results of the coaches' poll are listed below.
Eastern Division
1. Bloomsburg
2. West Chester
T-3. East Stroudsburg
T-3. Shippensburg
5. Kutztown
T-6. Lock Haven
T-6. Millersville
8. Cheyney
Western Division
1. Gannon
2. Slippery Rock
3. Mercyhurst
4. California
5. IUP
6. Seton Hill
7. Edinboro
8. Clarion