Sophomore tailback Rod Belcher is one of 41 returning letterwinners in 2008.

Springfield, Ohio — The Wittenberg University football program was picked to finish first in both the preseason coaches' and media polls at the 25th annual North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) Football Media Day, held today at Oakhaven Golf Club in Delaware, Ohio.

The Tigers, who have not finished lower than fourth in the final conference standings since joining the NCAC in 1989, return 16 starters from a 2007 squad that finished 8-2 overall and 6-1 in the conference, good for second place in the final standings. The Tigers are favored by a slim margin over defending champion Wabash in what observers believe could be another competitive year atop the conference standings. Four different teams have claimed conference titles since 2001, though only Wittenberg and Wabash earned first-place votes in the polls this year. Click here to view complete polls.

The Tigers, who boast the best winning percentage in NCAC history and the most wins in NCAA Division III history, earned 11 of 24 first-place votes from the media for 227 points and seven of 10 first-place votes from the coaches for 97 points. Just four points separated Wittenberg from Wabash (93) in the coaches' poll, while Wooster (72) followed in third place. In a media day first, however, Wittenberg and Wabash were co-favorites in the media balloting with 227 points apiece. Wooster (171) edged out Allegheny (162) for the third spot.

Wittenberg is 108-25 (.812) during the 12-year tenure of Head Coach Joe Fincham, who has led the Tigers to six league titles and a 74-11 (.871) conference record over that span. Wittenberg returns 41 letterwinners from last year's squad, including a host of all-conference standouts. Among them are wide receiver Patrick Williams, class of 2009 from Plainfield, Ind., who broke the school record for receptions in a season in 2007, quarterback Aaron Huffman, class of 2010 from Newark, Ohio, who has started all 21 games of his collegiate career so far, linebacker Brad McKinley, class of 2011 from Hilliard, Ohio, the 2007 NCAC Newcomer of the Year, and defensive tackle Lance Phillips, class of 2009 from Wellston, Ohio, a first-team 2007 All-NCAC selection.

Wittenberg opens the 2008 season with a home game against Olivet College, last year's champion in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association. The two teams are scheduled for a 7 p.m. kick-off on Saturday, Sept. 6, at Edwards-Maurer Field in Springfield, Ohio.

Related Links: Wittenberg Football Home Page North Coast Athletic Conference