The magazine picked three-time defending champion Appalachian State University, which defeated the Fightin' Blue Hens in the 2007 title game, as the preseason No. 1 team. Including Delaware, six Colonial Athletic Association teams appeared in the Top 25.
Delaware, which will open preseason camp in early August, is coming off one of the best seasons in school history when the Blue Hens posted an 11-4 record and advanced to the championship game. Along the way, Delaware recorded playoff victories over Delaware State, Northern Iowa and Southern Illinois.
The Sporting News also recognized UD junior kicker Jon Striefsky on the preseason All-America team and named junior quarterback Rob Schoenhoft the CAA's newcomer of the year.
Appalachian State was followed in the poll by James Madison, Northern Iowa, Eastern Washington, Delaware, Montana, Richmond, North Dakota State, Youngstown State and Cal Poly.
Massachusetts was picked No. 11 and was followed by Elon, Wofford, McNeese State, Western Illinois, Eastern Illinois, Villanova, Northern Arizona, Montana State, Harvard, Southern Illinois, The Citadel, New Hampshire, Delaware State and Fordham. James Madison, Richmond, Massachusetts, Villanova and New Hampshire are all CAA members.
Earlier this summer, Delaware was picked No. 9 in the Lindy's college football preview magazine with the Blue Hens one of five CAA teams in the top 25. In addition, Striefsky, senior center Kheon Hendricks and junior defensive end Matt Marcorelle were named preseason All-Americans, with Marcorelle selected the preseason CAA defensive player of the year and Schoenhoft the national newcomer of the year.
Striefsky was named a first team All-American honors by the Sports Network and by the Associated Press in 2007 after converting 21 of 24 field goals and 64 of 67 extra point attempts. The first team All-CAA selection set school records for field goals, extra points and kicking points in a season.
Schoenhoft, a junior transfer from Ohio State, will battle with redshirt freshman Lou Ritacco to take over the Blue Hens' starting quarterback spot with the loss of All-American and Baltimore Ravens first round draft pick Joe Flacco to graduation. Schoenhoft played in seven games for Ohio State last season and threw for 129 yards.
Delaware, led by seventh-year Head Coach K.C. Keeler, will open its 2008 season Aug. 30 at Atlantic Coast Conference contender the University of Maryland.
For more information on UD athletics, see [www.udel.edu/sportsinfo].
