Football Selected 17th in AFCA Preseason Coaches' Poll

WORCESTER, Mass. - Assumption College Football is ranked 17th in the American Football Coaches Association Preseason Coaches' Poll, as announced by the AFCA on Tuesday.

The Hounds earned 292 total points for the program's highest AFCA preseason ranking in school history. Reigning DII Champions Texas A&M-Commerce took the top spot with 748 points and 13 first place votes while DII runner-up West Florida was second with 721 points, including 14 first place votes. Overall, three other Super Region One teams earned national rankings, in Indiana (Pa.) (No. 4), Shepherd (No. 16) and Findlay (No. 25).

Assumption is coming off the most successful season in program history, going 11-2 overall and reaching the NCAA Division II Quarterfinals in 2017. The Hounds fell by just five points to Indiana (Pa.) in the contest and concluded the year ranked ninth in the AFCA National Poll. As a team, the Hounds were dominant throughout the year, averaging a school-record 43.4 points per game while allowing just 15.5 points per game. They finished the year as the nation's leaders in interceptions (26), punt return average (23.3), turnovers gained (39) and turnover margin (1.77), as well as special teams touchdowns (9). The team also returns 11 NE10 All-Conference performers, including a pair of All-Region selections in 2018.

The Hounds open their 2018 campaign when they host Kutztown on Sept. 1 at 1 p.m. in Multi-Sport Stadium.

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