The Anderson University football team was picked to finish fourth in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference pre-season coaches poll on Tuesday.
Two-time defending champion Franklin was selected first with 61.5 points, followed by Mt. St. Joseph (50), Rose-Hulman (47.5), Anderson (39), Manchester (30), Defiance (28), Hanover (19) and Bluffton (13).
Anderson returns 12 starters from last season, including seven on the offense, where they ranked third in scoring (27.4) and yards per game (385.5). They also return 2008 All-HCAC players Darryl Stott (Jr.), Chris Russell (Jr.), Tristan Cork (Jr.) and Ryan Hildenbrand (Jr.) in addition to the HCAC Offensive Freshman of the Year in quarterback Nick Sharp, who transfered from Hanover this fall.
The Ravens finished 5-5 overall last year, including a 4-3 mark in the HCAC – good for third place. AU opens the 2009 season at arch-rival Taylor University on Sept. 5 at 1 p.m.
