Edinboro Chosen Fourth in PSAC Football Preseason Poll
August 2, 2007

EDINBORO, PA – The Edinboro University football team was picked fourth in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division Preseason Poll. Voting was conducted among the league’s coaches, with the announcement coming during Thursday’s PSAC Football Media Day in Butler, PA. The Fighting Scots finished fourth a year ago in head coach Scott Browning’s first season as head coach. They were 6-5 overall and 3-3 in PSAC West play.

California(Pa.) is the preseason favorite in the Western Division. The Vulcans finished with an 8-3 record. Indiana(Pa.) and Slippery Rock are tied for second. The Crimson Hawks were 8-2, while The Rock ended the year at 7-4. Following the Fighting Scots, Shippensburg was chosen fifth, followed by Lock Haven and Clarion. California(Pa.) and IUP shared the Western Division crown a year ago.

Edinboro returns 28 letterwinners from last year’s squad, including 14 starters. Nine starters are back on offense, led by record-setting quarterback Trevor Harris. As a redshirt freshman, Harris set school record for attempts (313), completions (192), yards passing (2,547) and total offense (2,493). He was named the PSAC West Rookie of the Year and was a second team all-conference pick. He’ll miss his favorite target, Ryan Valasek, who hauled in a school-record 64 passes.

However, Harris can still call on tight end Kyle Witucki and wide receiver Rich Cerro. Witucki, a 6’3”, 255 lb. senior, was a first team All-PSAC West selection and was also a second team Daktronics All-American and an honorable mention choice by Football Gazette and D2Football.com. He caught 31 passes for 455 yards and 5 TDs. Cerro added 27 catches for 428 yards.

Houston Brown earned second team All-PSAC West recognition despite playing just four games at tailback. The 5’9”, 195 lb. sophomore ran for 414 yards on 85 carries with 7 TDs. Ulysee “Spud” Davis was the leading rusher with 483 yards, also scoring 7 TDs.

The Edinboro defense must replace six starters, including four All-PSAC West performers. That group includes Ben Stroup, who was the PSAC West Defensive Player of the Year. The Fighting Scot defense led the PSAC in rushing defense (70.5 ypg.) and total defense (261.1 ypg.), ranking third in Division II in rushing defense.

Chris Amico leads the defensive group. The 6’0”, 275 lb. senior is a three-time All-PSAC West choice. A year ago he was a first team selection, and in 2005 he was the Defensive Player of the Year. Amico finished with 61 tackles and 4.5 sacks while playing defensive tackle.

Tommy Davidson is a two-time All-PSAC West second team selection at free safety. The senior enters the season ranked second in career interceptions with 14. He had 28 tackles and a pair of interceptions a year ago.

West Chester is the favorite in the Eastern Division. The Golden Rams were 9-4 last season. They are Edinboro’s opening-day opponent, visiting Sox Harrison Stadium on Saturday, September 1.

Bloomsburg, 12-2 a year ago and an NCAA semi-finalist, was picked second. Edinboro visits the Huskies on September 15. East Stroudsburg is third, followed by Millersville and Kutztown. Cheyney rounds out the Eastern Division preseason poll.