July 30, 2007

Duquesne University is the team to beat once again this season in the MAAC Football League, according to a preseason poll of the league's four head coaches released today.

The Dukes, who earned a share of their 10th MAAC Football League title in 12 seasons last year with an overall record of 7-3 and a 3-1 mark in league play, have won the past eight league championships. Marist, which finished tied with DU atop the MAAC standings with a 3-1 record (4-7 overall) in 2006, was picked to finish second.

Duquesne accumulated 15 points, including three first-place votes. Marist finished in second with 10 points, while Iona College (nine points) and La Salle University (six points) rounded out the poll.

In addition to the team recognition, Duquesne senior wide receiver Bruce Hocker and senior linebacker John Simmons were named the 2007 MAAC Football League Preseason Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year, respectively.

Hocker, a 6-foot-4, 205-pound wide receiver from Upper Marlboro, Md. (Eleanor Roosevelt) caught 61 passes for 1,070 yards and a school record-tying 16 touchdowns last season. Hocker led the nation in receiving yards per game (107.0) and touchdown receptions in 2006. His 17.8 career yards per reception average is the best among all returning receivers in the Footbal Championship Subdivision.

Simmons, a 6-foot-1, 215-pound linebacker from Pittsburgh, Pa. (Plum), earned a spot on the 2006 MAAC Football League First Team Defense after finishing last season with 53 tackles (26 solo) in 10 games for the Dukes. He also registered eight tackles for a loss (34 yards), five passed defended and two fumble recoveries last season.

Duquesne begins Fall camp on Thursday, August 9 in preparation of the Sept. 1 season-opener at home versus Bucknell (6:00 p.m. EDT).

2007 MAAC Football League Preseason Poll
Points in parentheses

1. DUQUESNE (15)
2. Marist (10)
3. Iona (9)
4. La Salle (6)