Defensive end Matt Maidlow (49) and linebacker Brad McKinley (21) are among nine returning defensive starters for Wittenberg in 2008.

Springfield, Ohio — The Wittenberg University football team, which returns 16 starters from last year's 8-2 team, once again has experts believing it has the talent to make a run at a national championship. The publishers of Lindy's 2008 College Football Preview and Street and Smith's ranked the Tigers 11th in their 2008 NCAA Division III preseason polls.

With the most wins in NCAA Division III history, Wittenberg is no stranger to preseason or postseason accolades, and expectations are at their customarily lofty levels heading into the 2008 season. A year ago, the Tigers lost two games to nationally ranked opponents by a combined total of just 20 points, including a heartbreaking 24-17 road loss at North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) rival Wabash.

The pieces may well be in place for Wittenberg to get over the hump and back into the NCAA Division III Tournament in 2008, starting with quarterback Aaron Huffman, class of 2010 from Newark, Ohio, who has started every game in his first two years in the Red & White. His favorite targets are wide receiver Patrick Williams, class of 2009 from Plainfield, Ind., who set the school record for receptions in a season in 2007, and tight end Mat Guida, class of 2010 from LaGrange, Ky., who caught five touchdowns passes a year ago.

Defensively, Wittenberg allowed just 13.1 points per game in 2007 and nine starters are back in the fold, led by linebacker Brad McKinley, class of 2011 from Hilliard, Ohio, last year's NCAC Newcomer of the Year and the leading freshman tackler in all of NCAA Division III. He is joined by eight of the nine players in a solid defensive line rotation, including all-conference tackle Lance Phillips, class of 2009 from Wellston, Ohio, and three returning starters in the secondary, including all-conference cornerback Brandyn Brown, class of 2010 from Louisville, Ky.

Wittenberg is seeking a ninth conference title in its 19 years as a member of the NCAC. The Tigers open the 2008 season on Saturday, Sept. 6, against Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association contender Olivet. Kick-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Wittenberg's Edwards-Maurer Field.

Related Links: Wittenberg Football Home Page