Marietta College’s Brady McManaway (22) and Harley Hopkins (10) chase down an Ohio Northern ball-carrier during a game last season at Don Drumm Stadium. (Photo by Jordan Holland)

WESTERVILLE — Marietta College was selected to finish third in the Ohio Athletic Conference Football Preseason Coaches Poll released Friday afternoon by the league office. The Pioneers posted an 8-3 record last fall and finished with a 7-2 OAC record.

Mount Union is once again the preseason favorite to win the league championship. The Purple Raiders earned eight first place votes and 64 total points. Baldwin Wallace totaled 55 points to be placed second in the poll. The Pioneers are third receiving the other first place vote and 49 total points. The rest of the top five includes Heidelberg at No. 4 with 41 points, and Ohio Northern (40 points).

“We’re excited about this season, and we’re excited to get out there and earn our outcomes,” said first-year Marietta head football coach Tom Kaufman. “The OAC is a tremendous football conference and we know every single week is going to be a battle.”

Muskingum (30 points) was sixth with Capital (20 points) seventh and Wilmington (13 points) eighth. Otterbein (12 points) was in ninth place in the poll.

Marietta opens the season on the road with the same team that they finished the 2024 season. The Pioneers travel to Westminster College on Thursday, September 4th, with kickoff set for 7 p.m.

The Pioneers’ home opener will be September 13th when they welcome Otterbein University for a 7 p.m. kickoff. The remainder of the home schedule includes Heidelberg (Oct. 11), Muskingum (Oct. 18), Mount Union (Nov. 8), and Bluffton (Nov. 15).

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OAC Preseason Coaches Poll

No. School — Pts (1st votes)

1. Mount Union — 64 (8)

2. Baldwin Wallace — 55

3. Marietta — 49 (1)

4. Heidelberg — 41

5. Ohio Northern — 40

6. Muskingum — 30

7. Capital — 20

8. Wilmington — 13

9. Otterbein — 12