Photo Courtesy of Mark Campbell

PHILADELPHIA -- For the second straight day, the University of Delaware was recognized in a major pre-season football poll.

The Blue Hens, who earned votes in the Collegiate Commissioner’s Association pre-season coaches poll announced Tuesday, received 202 votes in The Sports Network pre-season media poll released on Wednesday.

Delaware, which is looking to rebound from a 4-8 mark a year ago, was one of 10 Colonial Athletic Association teams to earn votes, including four teams in the top 10 and seven in the top 20. No other conference in the country had as many teams mentioned.

Appalachian State, which won three consecutive national titles in 2005-07, was the pre-season favorite, earning 79 of the 160 first place votes. Defending national champion Richmond was at No. 2 with 72 first place votes followed by Montana, Northern Iowa, and Villanova in the top five, each of whom earned two first place votes.

Blue Hen rival James Madison was at No. 6 with one first place vote followed by Southern Illinois, New Hampshire, Weber State, and Wofford in the top 10. Elon was at No. 11 followed by Cal Poly, Central Arkansas, William & Mary, McNeese State, South Carolina State, Massachusetts, Eastern Washington, Maine, Texas State, Jacksonville State, South Dakota State, Harvard, Eastern Kentucky, Grambling, and Holy Cross.

Among other teams earning votes, Hofstra sixth with 206 votes followed by Delaware with 202 votes. CAA member Towson also received votes.

Delaware will face six of the teams listed in the pre-season Top 25, including a home game vs. Richmond on Sept. 12 at Delaware Stadium. The Hens will open the campaign Sept. 4 at home vs. West Chester. Tickets can be purchased on-line at www.bluehens.com, via TicketMaster by phone, and in person at the Bob Carpenter Center Box Office.

The Blue Hens will feature one of the top defensive units in the CAA this fall led by a defensive secondary that features All-American safety Charles Graves and two-year starter Anthony Walters (at right) as well as All-American defensive end turned linebacker Matt Marcorelle. The much-improved UD offense is led by junior quarterback Pat Devlin, a first-year transfer from Penn State.

AGATE:

The Sports Network Pre-Season NCAA Division FCS Football Poll: 1. Appalachian State (79 first place votes); 2. Richmond (72); 3. Montana (2); 4. Northern Iowa (2); 5. Villanova (2); 6. James Madison (1); 7. Southern Illinois; 8. New Hampshire; 9. Weber State (1); 10. Wofford; 11. Elon; 12. Cal Poly; 13. Central Arkansas; 14. William & Mary; 15. McNeese State; 16. South Carolina State (1); 17. Massachusetts; 18. Eastern Washington; 19. Maine; 20. Texas State; 21. Jacksonville State; 22. South Dakota State; 23. Harvard; 24. Eastern Kentucky; 25. Grambling, Holy Cross.

Others receiving votes: Georgia Southern 335, Liberty 330, Colgate 319, North Dakota State 252, Montana State 217, Hofstra 206, Delaware 202, Florida A&M 194, Tennessee-Martin 192, Furman 171, Northern Arizona 169, Youngstown State 145, Eastern Illinois 93, Albany 64, UC Davis 63, Western Illinois 61, Penn 56, Coastal Carolina 52, Prairie View A&M 52, Samford 49, Tennessee State 47, Jackson State 46, Southern 39, Hampton 38, Bethune-Cookman 37, Brown 32, Northwestern State 30, San Diego 20, Lafayette 17, Delaware State 16, Jacksonville 16, Lehigh 16, Arkansas-Pine Bluff 15, Western Carolina 14, Charleston Southern 12, North Dakota 12, Fordham 10, Norfolk State 10, Stony Brook 10, The Citadel 10, Towson 10, Morgan State. 8, Monmouth 5, Yale 4, Alabama A&M 2, Illinois State 2, Missouri State 2, Murray State 2, Presbyterian 2, Gardner-Webb 1, Portland State 1, Robert Morris 1, Southeastern Louisiana 1.