Wittenberg Football Picked To Finish Second In 2007 North Coast Athletic Conference Title Chase

The Wittenberg University football program was picked to finish second in both the preseason coaches' and media polls at the 24th annual North Coast Athletic Conference Football Media Day, held today at Granville Golf Course in Granville, Ohio.

August 2, 2007

Aaron Huffman

Springfield, Ohio — The Wittenberg University football program was picked to finish second in both the preseason coaches' and media polls at the 24th annual North Coast Athletic Conference Football Media Day, held today at Granville Golf Course in Granville, Ohio. NCAC News Release With Polls

The Tigers, who have not finished lower than fourth in the final conference standings since joining the NCAC in 1989, return 11 starters from a 2006 squad that finished 7-4 overall and 6-1 in the conference, good for a share of the title with Wabash and a bid to the NCAA Division III Tournament. However, the Little Giants emerged as the overwhelming 2007 favorite in both polls, despite widespread agreement amongst those in attendance that a very competitive conference title chase is about to take shape. Four different teams have claimed the title since 2001, though only Wittenberg and Wabash earned first-place votes in the polls this year.

The Little Giants, who compiled an 8-2 overall record last season, earned 29 of 32 first-place votes from the media for 317 points and seven of ten first-place votes from the coaches for 97 points. Just six points separated Wittenberg (91) in the coaches' poll, while Allegheny (76) followed in third place. The media and the coaches agreed on the first two picks, with Wittenberg was second to Wabash with 281 points and three first place votes in the media poll, while Wooster (228) edged out Allegheny (222) for the third spot.

Wittenberg is 100-23 (.813) during the 11-year tenure of Head Coach Joe Fincham, who has led the Tigers to six league titles and a 68-10 (.872) conference record over that span. Wittenberg returns 34 letterwinners from last year's squad, led by two-time All-NCAC fullback Andy Vanover, class of 2008 from Tipp City, Ohio, and 2006 NCAC Newcomer of the Year Aaron Huffman, class of 2010 from Newark, Ohio. Huffman threw for nearly 1,300 yards in his first year as the Tigers' quarterback.

Wittenberg opens the 2007 season with a home game against 12th-ranked Capital University, the runner-up in the powerhouse Ohio Athletic Conference a year ago. The two teams are scheduled for a 7 p.m. kick-off on Saturday, Sept. 1, on Edwards-Maurer Field in Springfield, Ohio.

Written By: John Strawn

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