Grizzlies Ranked 25th In USA Today Sports Weekly Pre-Season Poll
July 1, 2008 (Franklin Release)
FRANKLIN, IN- Franklin College is ranked No. 25 in the USA Today Sports Weekly magazine pre-season Division III football poll for 2008.
The recognition marks the first time the Grizzlies program has been included in the national publication's Division III pre-season ranking.
Franklin returns 16 starters from last year's historic team that posted a 9-2 overall record, won its first Heartland Conference championship and earned its first berth in the NCAA Division III playoffs.
The Grizzlies will be led by senior HCAC Co-Offensive MVP and All-America Third Team quarterback Chad Rupp (Evansville, Ind./Memorial H.S.) on offense and senior two-time All-HCAC First Team defensive lineman Dan McManus (Cincinnati, Ohio/Roger Bacon H.S.) on defense.
Franklin opens its 2008 season Sept. 6 at home with Baldwin-Wallace College of the Ohio Athletic Conference. Kickoff at Stewart "Red" Faught Stadium is at 1:30 p.m. Franklin begins its HCAC schedule Oct. 4 at Defiance College.