photo courtesy of Mark Campbell

BALTIMORE -- The University of Delaware football squad, looking to rebound from last year’s uncharacteristic 4-8 mark, was picked to finish fourth in the Colonial Athletic Association South Division in a vote of head coaches and media members.

The pre-season poll was just one of the announcements made at the annual Colonial Athletic Association Football Media Day held Wednesday at the ESPN Zone at Baltimore’s Inner Harbor.

Delaware head coach K.C. Keeler and All-American safety Charles Graves were on hand for the Blue Hens at the event, which included the announcements of the pre-season poll, all-conference team, and the 2009 television schedule, interview sessions with media members and representatives of the 12 CAA schools, and an address from CAA Commissioner Tom Yeager.

Graves, who earned first team All-CAA and second team Associated Press All-American honors a year ago, and senior linebacker Matt Marcorelle (at right), a 2007 All-American and a two-time All-CAA pick, were named to the pre-season All-CAA team.

“We have never paid too much attention to where we have been picked in the pre-season polls so it doesn’t bother me,” said Keeler, who will enter his eighth season at the helm of his alma mater this fall. “In the CAA, if you overlook anyone, it’s going to come back to get you and everyone knows that. There is a sense of urgency for us this season and we have made grade strides in the off-season. I’ve been very pleased with what I have seen so far and we are excited to start camp. We have a special defense and if we can be good enough on the offensive side of the ball, we will not be far off from where we want to be.”

Delaware will return 10 starters from last year’s team that struggled to a 4-8 mark, the highest loss total in school history. But the Blue Hens return one of the league’s best defensive units, highlighted by one of the nation’s most exciting defensive secondaries that features four returning starters. Offensively, the Hens are excited about the addition of offensive coordinator Jim Hofher and junior quarterback Pat Devlin, a first-year member of the squad who was the top backup at Penn State the last two seasons.

Defending national champion Richmond and 2008 NCAA Tournament quarterfinalist Villanova were selected as pre-season favorites to capture the overall league title. Richmond and Villanova each earned nine first place votes to share the South Division co-favorite label. James Madison was picked third with one first place vote followed by Delaware, William & Mary, and Towson.

In the North Division, 2009 NCAA quarterfinalist New Hampshire was the pre-season favorite with 12 first place votes while Massachusetts was second with seven first place votes. Maine was third followed by Hofstra, Northeastern, and Rhode Island.

Graves, a senior from Raleigh, N.C. (Southeast Raleigh HS), led the Blue Hens tackles last year with 78 while also snaring a team-high five interceptions and two fumble recoveries. He also broke up five passes and had two sacks on his way to All-American honors.

Marcorelle, a senior from Ft. Pierce, Fla. (John Carroll HS), returns for his fifth season and hopes to finally withstand an injury-free campaign this fall. Although he was selected by CAA coaches and media members as a pre-season All-CAA pick on the defensive line, he will move to outside linebacker this season. He posted 32 tackles to go with three sacks a year ago despite missing three games with injuries.

New Hampshire junior quarterback R.J. Toman was selected as pre-season Offensive Player of the Year while Richmond junior linebacker Eric McBride and William & Mary senior defensive end Adrian Tracy were tabbed as Co-Defensive Players of the Year.

Delaware will open pre-season camp August 8 in preparation for the 2009 opener Sept. 4 vs. West Chester at Delaware Stadium.

AGATE:

Colonial Athletic Association Pre-Season Media/Coaches Poll:

Overall: Richmond & Villanova

South Division - 1. Richmond (9 1st place votes); 1. Villanova (9); 3. James Madison (1); 4. Delaware; 5. William & Mary; 6. Towson

North Division - 1. New Hampshire (12); 2. Massachusetts (7); 3. Maine; 4. Hofstra; 5. Northeastern; 6. Rhode Island

Offensive Player of the Year: QB R.J. Toman (New Hampshire)
Defensive Co-Players of the Year: DL Adrian Tracy (Wm. & Mary); LB Eric McBride (Richmond)

All-CAA Teams:

Offense: QB - R.J. Toman (New Hampshire); RB - Jonathan Grimes (Wm. & Mary), Tony Nelson (UMass); FB - Jared Turcotte (Maine); WR - Victor Cruz (UMass), Kevin Grayson (Richmond), Matt Sczur (Villanova); TE - Scott Sicko (New Hampshire); OL - Dorian Brooks (JMU), Vladimir Ducasse (UMass), Ben Ijalana (Villanova), Mat McCracken (Richmond)

Defense: DL - Matt Marcorelle (Delaware), Adrian Tracy (Wm. & Mary), Tim Kukucka (Villanova), Arthur Moats (JMU); LB - Eric McBride (Richmond), Luke Bonus (Hofstra), Josh Jennings (UMass), Osaye Osundi (Villanova); S - Charles Graves (Delaware), Jeromy Miles (UMass); CB - Justin Rogers (Villanova), Dino Vasso (New Hampshire).

Special Teams: K - Brian Pate (Wm. & Mary), P - David Miller (William & Mary); KR - Scotty McGee (JMU).