NEW HAVEN, Conn. – The Southern Connecticut State University football team has cracked the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Coaches' Preseason poll. The Owls check in at No. 24 in the first poll of the year. Earlier this summer, the program also received a preseason ranking from two national publications – Lindy's (No. 14) and The Sporting News (No. 21). Complete AFCA Preseason Poll

Southern Connecticut has also already been selected as the preseason favorite to win the Northeast-10 Conference. The Owls have high aspirations thanks to the return of 20 starters from last year's team that finished with a 9-4 record.

In all, Southern Connecticut returns 57 student-athletes from the 2007 squad. Included in that group are two All-Americans and eight All-Conference honorees.

The Owls qualified for the NCAA playoffs for the third consecutive season in 2007. They also recorded the first NCAA win in program history, a 45-28 win over Bryant at Jess Dow Field.

Southern Connecticut opens the 2008 season on Aug. 30 with a road game at West Virginia Wesleyan.