Football | 8/3/2011 3:38:00 PM
McPherson, Kan. – Fresh off the program’s first conference championship in 58 years, the McPherson College football team has been projected to finish second by the coaches and third by the media in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference’s annual preseason polls. Votes were tallied following a presentation from all 10 conference coaches at the KCAC Football Media Day at the Salina Country Club in Salina, Kan.
The Bulldogs received two first place votes in each poll, while earning 78 points from the coaches and 124 points by the media, respectively.
“Second and third is about where I expected to be selected after last year’s performance,” said McPherson head coach Joe Bettasso. “It’s always fun to get together with the conference coaches and see where the media believes we will fall. We are excited to get rolling and see what type of football team we will have this fall.”
Ottawa University was chosen as the favorite to win the KCAC in both polls with eight first place votes and 89 points by the coaches and 13 first place votes and 155 points by the media.
Friends University edged MC in the media poll with 125 points to take second position, while Sterling College (115 points) and Kansas Wesleyan University (94 points) rounded out the top five.
In the coaches’ poll, Kansas Wesleyan was third with 73 points, while Friends (66 points) took fourth and Sterling (64 points) fifth.
The Bulldogs open the season on Saturday, Sept. 3 when they travel to Missouri Valley College. Kickoff for that game is scheduled for 6 p.m.
2011 KCAC Football Coaches' Poll (10 total ballots)
1. Ottawa University (8) - 89 points
2. McPherson College (2) - 78 points
3. Kansas Wesleyan University - 73 points
4. Friends University - 66 points
5. Sterling College - 64 points
6. Tabor College - 49 points
7. Bethany College - 40 points
8. Southwestern College - 32 points
9. University of Saint Mary - 31 points
10. Bethel College - 18 points
2011 KCAC Football Media Poll (16 total ballots)
1. Ottawa University (13) - 155 points
2. Friends University (1) - 125 points
3. McPherson College (2) - 124 points
4. Sterling College - 115 points
5. Kansas Wesleyan University - 94 points
6. Bethany College - 90 points
7. Tabor College - 70 points
8. Southwestern College - 46 points
9. University of Saint Mary - 31 points
10. Bethel College - 21 points
