NEC RELEASE

LORETTO, Pa. (August 2, 2012) – The Northeast Conference announced its preseason football poll Thursday with Saint Francis University picked ninth.
 
The Red Flash returns 19-starters from its offensive and defensive units after posting a 2-9 record in 2011 with a 1-7 conference mark. The Saint Francis ranked fourth in the NEC in scoring offense and first in the league in red zone offense. SFU also boasted the second-best rush offense in the league last season led by the second leading rusher in the NEC Kyle Harbridge (Easton, Pa./Easton Area). Saint Francis' defense, which at time featured eight freshmen, struggled in 2011 and ranked ninth in the NEC in several categories but did boast the NEC's leading tackler in Anthony Bowman (Damascus, Md./Our Lady of Good Counsel).   
 
Albany earned the top spot in the poll with six first-place votes in the poll. Duquesne, 2011 co-champion, earned second-place in the poll ahead of Bryant, who enters their first full season Division I post season eligibility. Central Connecticut State came in fourth in the poll after being picked to win the league in 2011. Monmouth sits fifth in the poll ahead of 2010 conference champion Robert Morris. Wagner came in sixth in the poll followed by Sacred Heart and the Red Flash.
 
NEC COACHS' PRESEASON POLL
(First-place votes)
1. Albany (6)
2. Duquesne (1)
3. Bryant (2)
4. Central Connecticut State
5. Monmouth
6. Robert Morris
7. Wagner
8. Sacred Heart
9. SAINT FRANCIS