WESTERVILLE, Ohio — Marietta College was selected to finish fourth in the Ohio Athletic Conference Football Preseason Coaches Poll released Wednesday (August 18) morning by the league office. The Pioneers posted a 3-2 record in the COVID-shortened spring 2021 season.

"We have worked extremely hard to elevate our program in the conference standings and have made a lot of progress. But we still have work to do," Pioneer head coach Andy Waddle said. "Taking that next step in the OAC means beating some of the best teams in Division III. We had a good spring season and we return talented, experienced players at every position. So we are really looking forward to this season."

Mount Union, winners of the last four OAC titles, is the preseason favorite to win its 32nd league championship. The Purple Raiders earned nine first place votes and 81 total points. The other first place vote went to John Carroll, who is ranked second with 73 points.

The rest of the top five includes Heidelberg at No. 3 with 64 points, followed by Marietta (52 points) and Ohio Northern (48 points).

Baldwin Wallace (43 points) was sixth with Wilmington (35 points) seventh. Muskingum and Otterbein tied for eighth with 22 points each, while Capital (10 points) is tenth.

Marietta returns a wealth of experience on both sides of the football with 30 seniors on the roster, including eight fifth-year players who are taking advantage of the extra season of eligibility grated by the NCAA due to COVID-19.

All-American defensive lineman Kyle Gallagher (Chesterland, Ohio/West Geauga) and Drake Neuberger (Norwalk, Ohio/Norwalk) will anchor the Pioneer defense. Bryce Agnew (Cleveland, Ohio/Berea-Midpark), who led the OAC in rushing in the spring, returns as Marietta's primary offensive weapon.

Marietta opens the season at the University of Dubuque (Iowa) on September 4th. The Pioneers' home opener is two weeks later when rival Muskingum visits Don Drumm Stadium for a battle under the lights. Kickoff against the Muskies is set for 7 p.m. A pregame concert will be held outside the stadium and there will be fireworks following the game.

The complete poll is below. First place votes are in parenthesis.

OAC Football Preseason Coaches Poll:
1. Mount Union (9) — 81 points
2. John Carroll (1) — 73
3. Heidelberg — 64
4. Marietta — 52
5. Ohio Northern — 48
6. Baldwin Wallace — 43
7. Wilmington — 35
8. Muskingum — 22
8. Otterbein — 22
10. Capital — 10