Rochester, NY – Salisbury University received seven first place votes on the way to 49 total poll points to lead the 2012 Empire 8 Football Preseason Poll. The top of the rankings are tightly packed, with St. John Fisher College clipping at Salisbury’s heels with 43 tallies including a first place nod. Alfred University rounds out the top three with 37 points from the annual coaches survey.
The path to the 2012 Empire 8 championship will be tougher for all teams in the league as Buffalo State opens conference play for the first time, keeping the league’s football membership at eight schools. Buffalo State, previously a member of the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC), joins the Empire 8 while Springfield College leaves the conference to head to the Liberty League.
Salisbury University (11-2 overall, 7-0 in the Empire 8 in 2011) made a statement in its first season as an affiliate member of the Empire 8. The Sea Gulls won the conference with an undefeated record and advanced to the NCAA quarterfinals. Salisbury University will try to defend its title and will look to 2011 Empire 8 Offensive Player of the Year, quarterback Dan Griffin (2115 yds, 20 TDs rushing; 15 TDs passing) to guide the way. The Sea Gulls defense should be a team strength with linebacker Matt McMurdo (73 tackles, 5 sacks, 1 TD) and defensive back Andre Carter (36 tackles, 7 INTs, 1 TD) leading the charge.
Fisher (10-3, 6-1 Empire 8) enters the season ranked No. 11 in the d3football.com national poll and optimism is high as the Cardinals return several key players from last year's postseason run. The Cardinals returns four of their five starters on the offensive line from last year, as well as quarterback Ryan Kramer (2383 yds, 13 TD’s passing; 12 TD’s rushing). He’s supported by tailback Cody Miller (949 yds, 4 TDs). Defensively, Troy Sant picked off seven interceptions and lineman Mason Judd totaled 46 tackles.
Alfred University (8-3, 4-3 Empire 8) will look for newcomers and young returning players to fill the void left by 13 starters due to graduation. The Saxons will find some comfort in two-time All-American defensive linemen Mike Raplee (68 tkl, 4.5 sacks) and free safety Jon Jackson (37 tkl, 4 INTs). On offense, Alfred will rely heavily on tailbacks Austin Dwyer (981 yds, 9 TDs) and Tyler DeRosa (643 yds) and tight end Adam Schutz (38 for 437 yds, 7 TDs).
Ithaca College (4-6, 2-5 Empire 8) features standouts on both sides of the ball, led by wide receiver Joesph Ingrao (48 for 639 yds, 3 TDs) and center Nathaniel Hemingway. The defense is led by free safety Josh Liemer (61 tkl, 4 INTs, 3 FR) and defensive end Skyler Schlenker (25 tkls, 2 sacks).
Buffalo State joins the Empire 8 after a 5-5 season in 2011, marking the first time since 2000 the program has reached the .500 mark. Running back Rich Pete was the NJAC Offensive Rookie of the year (753 rushing yds, 9 TDs rushing, 13 for 182 yds, 2 TDs passing). Casey Kacz (1532 yds passing, 11 TDS; 359 yds rushing, 6 TDs) earned the starting quarterback job in the fifth week of the season and led the Bengals to a 4-2 record from that post. Linebacker Pasquale Vacchio, ranked in the top-10 in the NJAC in tackles (81), sacks (5.0), tackles for loss (13.0) and interceptions (3).
Utica College (5-5, 2-5 Empire 8) is coming off its second best win total in program history. The Pioneers return first team all-conference sections tight end Matt Dunn (48 for 602 yds), and wide receiver Anthony Acevedo (1395 yds, 7 TDs). On the defensive side, Michael Herberger returns to line where he totaled 58 tackles and five sacks.
Frostburg University (4-6, 3-4 Empire 8) is bolstered by the return of 2011 Empire 8 Rookie of the Year, running back JD Hook (1107 yds, 6 TDs). Hook is supported by wide receiver Anthony Young (72 for 819 yds, 5 TDs) and offensive lineman Darius Arrington. Arrington was a first team All-Conference selection and earned ECAC North All-Star honors after starting all 10 games.
Hartwick College (2-8, 0-7 Empire 8) completes the coaches’ poll. Linebacker Bryan Schweitzer paced the Hawks a year ago with 98 tackles and forced three fumbles and wide receiver Frankie Molina (32 for 475 yds, 2 TDs) will be a target after ranking second on the team in receptions.
The 2012 football season begins on Saturday, September 1, with seven of the eight Empire 8 schools in action. For more information, visit any of the participating schools' websites or go to the Empire 8 homepage on the Internet at
www.empire8.com. Don't forget to become a fan of the Empire 8 on
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@Empire8 on Twitter.
2012 Empire 8 Football Preseason Coaches Poll
|
1. Salisbury University (7 first place votes) |
49 pts |
|
2. St. John Fisher College (1) |
43 |
|
3. Alfred University |
37 |
|
4. Ithaca College |
28 |
|
5. Buffalo State |
22 |
|
6. Utica College |
21 |
|
7. Frostburg University |
17 |
|
8. Hartwick College |
7 |