August 11, 2003


FURMAN RANKED NO. 8 IN SPORTS
NETWORK PRESEASON POLL

GREENVILLE, S.C. -- The Furman Paladins are ranked No. 8 in the Sports Network NCAA I-AA Preseason Poll, which was released today.

The Paladins went 8-4 and finished the 2002 campaign ranked No. 9 in the organization's poll, which has been the NCAA I-AA poll of record since 1993.

Furman opens the season Aug. 30 when it hosts new Southern Conference member Elon in a 7:00 p.m. game at Paladin Stadium.

The Sports Network 2003 Preseason I-AA College Football Poll

Team (First-place votes) 2002 Record Points 2002 Final Rank

1.  McNeese State (25)      13-2     1,905 2
2.  Georgia Southern (16)   11-3     1,832        3
3.  Western Illinois (15)   11-2     1,733        5
4.  Montana (5)             11-3     1,729        7
5.  Western Kentucky (17)   12-3     1,532        1
6.  Northeastern            10-3     1,270        11
7.  Grambling State (2)     11-2     1,208        8
8.  Furman                   8-4     1,194        9
9.  Appalachian State        8-4     1,161        10
10. Bethune-Cookman         11-2     1,001        15
11. Idaho State              8-3     926          18
12. Villanova               11-4     908          4
13. Fordham                 10-3     890          12
14. Massachusetts            8-4     779          NR
15. Montana State            7-6     773          19
16. Maine                   11-3     745          6
17. Delaware                 6-6     741          NR
18. Eastern Illinois         8-4     584          13
19. Wofford                  9-3     576          14
20. Southeast Missouri       8-4     508          24
21. Pennsylvania             9-1     503          17
22. Northwestern State       9-4     403          16
23. Nicholls State           7-4     350          23
24. Stephen F. Austin        6-5     274          NR
25. Eastern Kentucky         8-4     237          21