LATROBE, Pa. – After posting their best record since 2001 last year, the Bethany College football team, along with Grove City, was predicted to finish fourth in the PAC preseason football poll, which was released at the 2011 Football Media Day at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pa. Voters in the poll were league head coaches, sports information directors and members of the media who attended the event.
The Bison, who will be led by sixth-year head coach Tim Weaver, posted a 5-5 overall record last year, the program’s first .500 season since 2001, and also tied for third place with a 4-3 league mark. Bethany collected 117 points to equal Grove City for the fourth spot in the rankings. The Bison were tied for fourth in the SIDs portion of the balloting with 48 points, ranked fifth among the coaches vote (41) and sixth in the media poll (28).
Three-time defending PAC champion Thomas More was picked to win a fourth straight conference crown, earning 232 overall points and 24 first place votes to place ahead of Washington & Jefferson (200 points, one first place vote), who won an ECAC Bowl last year and Waynesburg (165 points, one first place vote). Following the Bison and Grove City was Geneva (110), Saint Vincent (108), Westminster (78) and Thiel (43).
With 19 starters returning, Bethany opens the new campaign Sept. at Allegheny, who finished 7-3 a season ago, in a 7 p.m. kickoff. The Bison open their home slate the next week against King’s (Pa.) College and then starts PAC action Sept. 17 with a night game against Washington & Jefferson at Bison Stacdium.
2011 PAC Preseason Football Poll
Thomas More (24) 232 points
Washington & Jefferson (1) 200 points
Waynesburg (1) 165 points
Bethany 117 points
Grove City 117 points
Geneva 110 points
Saint Vincent 108 points
Westminster 78 points
Thiel 43 points
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