McPherson, Kan. – The McPherson College football team is 12th in the preseason NAIA Football Coaches’ Top 25 poll, marking its highest preseason ranking since 2004 when it was 16th.
McPherson returns all but three starters (two offensive and one defensive) from last year’s 9-2 team which made the programs first NAIA Football Championship Series appearance and closed the season ranked 12th, its highest mark of the year.
Key returners for the Bulldogs include NAIA All-Americans Aaron Lafitte and Shelton Thigpen. Lafitte rushed for 1,030 yards, while leading the nation in both scoring per game and total scoring. The 5-9 powerful runner totaled 23 touchdowns in 11 games. Thigpen led the team with a career-high six interceptions, while tallying 42 tackles from the cornerback position.
The Bulldogs open the season on Sept. 4 against Haskell Indian Nations University at McPherson Stadium. Following the matchup against Haskell, MC faces its two toughest tests of the season on the road against No. 15 Friends University and then back at home against No. 8 Ottawa.
MC looks to improve on a record book 2009 campaign with a strong showing in 2010. At the annual KCAC Football Media day, the Bulldogs were picked third by both the conference coaches and the media.
2010 NAIA Football Coaches’ Preseason Top 25 Poll
(First Place votes in parentheses and total points following the dash)
1. University of Sioux Falls (11) – 334
2. Lindenwood University (3) – 328
3. Carroll College – 318
4. Saint Xavier University (1) – 303
5. Morningside College – 286
6. MidAmerica Nazarene University – 268
7. Lambuth University – 255
8. McKendree University – 241
9. Ottawa University – 239
10. Missouri Valley College – 224
11. University of the Cumberlands (Ky.) – 217
12. McPherson College – 192
13. Hastings College – 179
14. Minot State University – 162
15. Friends University – 160
16. Walsh University – 149
17. University of Saint Francis – 135
18. Dickinson State University – 113
19. Langston University – 100
20. Grand View University – 96
21. Eastern Oregon University – 74
22. Taylor University – 66
23. Northwestern College – 52
24. Baker University – 41
25. Northwestern Oklahoma State University – 30
Others Receiving Votes: Georgetown College 12; Saint Ambrose University 5; Shorter College 4; Campbellsville University 3; Benedictine College 1; Montana Tech 1; Sterling College 1; Peru State College 1