WESTERVILLE, Ohio — Marietta College was selected to finish third in the Ohio Athletic Conference Football Preseason Coaches Poll released Friday (August 16) morning by the league office. The Pioneers posted an 8-2 record last fall and finished with a 7-2 OAC record.
 
Perennial powerhouse Mount Union is once again the preseason favorite to win the league championship. The Purple Raiders earned eight first place votes and 80 total points. John Carroll received the other two first place votes and 74 total points to get second place. Marietta, who only lost to Mount Union and John Carroll last year, received 63 points to place third in the preseason rankings. The rest of the top five includes Baldwin Wallace at No. 4 with 59 points, and Heidelberg (47 points).
 
"Preseason polls are mostly about last year's team," said Marietta Head Football coach Andy Waddell.  "We have a special group of young men are ready to start the season."
 
Muskingum (41 points) was sixth with Ohio Northern (35 points) seventh and Capital (19 points) eighth. Otterbein and Wilmington (16 points) tied to receive ninth place in the poll.
 
Marietta will be led this fall by returning All-OAC performers and team captains Connor Vierstra (Thornville, Ohio/Lakewood) and Chance Knight (Bridgeport, Ohio/Linsly School).
 
Vierstra led an invigorated Pioneer passing attack that saw him throw for over 2200 yards and  20 touchdown passes last year. His 70.8% completion percentage was third-best in the OAC. Knight is the reigning Ohio Athletic Conference Paul Hoernemann Defensive Lineman of the Year and was named to the D3football.com All-America second team. He collected 60 tackles during the season, including 14 tackles for loss. He was also second in the OAC with 8.5 sacks.
 
Marietta opens the season on the road as they travel to St. John Fisher on September 7th.  Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. After a week off, the Pioneers then hit the road again to open the OAC season at Otterbein University, scheduled for a 2 p.m. kickoff (September 21st). The Pioneers' home opener will be September 28th when they welcome in Capital University, for a 1:30 p.m. kickoff.  The remainder of the home schedule includes Ohio Northern (Oct. 5), Baldwin Wallace (Oct. 26), and Wilmington (Nov. 2).
 
The complete poll is below. First place votes are in parenthesis.
 
OAC Football Preseason Coaches Poll:
1. Mount Union — 80 (8)
2. John Carroll — 74 (2)
3. Marietta — 63
4. Baldwin Wallace — 59
5. Heidelberg — 47
6. Muskingum — 41
7. Ohio Northern — 35
8. Capital — 19
T9. Otterbein — 16
T9. Wilmington — 16