FOREST, Va. --- Randolph-Macon College's run as the favorite in conference preseason predictions continues for a fifth straight edition as the Yellow Jackets sit perched atop the 2023 ODAC Football Preseason Poll. R-MC has earned top billing in the league's annual head coaches survey since 2018 when they shared the podium with Washington and Lee University.

Randolph-Macon earned a conference-best 49 points powered by seven first place votes. Bridgewater College garnered the remaining top nod on the way to 39 markes to sit second. Washington and Lee University rounds out the top-three with 31 tallies.

In the sections below, we look back to what we saw during the 2022 campaign and take a look at what to expect entering the new season.

2022-23 SEASON RECAP -- ODAC Standings | NCAA Bracket

• Randolph-Macon put together a stellar campaign on the way to a 10-0 regular season record to claim its ODAC record 13th league crown. The Yellow Jackets then went 1-1 in NCAA play for the second time in as many playoff appearances.
• R-MC scored 35 or more points in their first 11 games, up just short of that mark in their season-ending 39-32 loss at Delaware Valley University in the second round.
• Bridgewater and Shenandoah both featured in the final regional rankings published by the Division III Football Championship Committee following their strong seasons.
• Bridgewater's final game was in the second Neptune Bowl against Newport News Apprentice; the Builders posted a 38-28 win in that contest.
• Randolph-Macon, in addition to out-scoring ODAC teams, 307-to-102, collected a home playoff win over Cortland State, 35-28, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
• Randolph-Macon finished 2022 ranked 16th by the D3football.com and 12th by the AFCA. Bridgewater was receiving votes (2) towards the D3football.com final listing.

NOT HERE JUST YET, BUT COMING SOON

• Averett University joined the ODAC prior to the 2022-23 academic year as a new full-time member. The league's football ranks will increase by one yet again...just not this year.
• Roanoke College announced on June 1 that it would be adding football as well as programs for cheerleading and marching band. The Maroons football team will start as a club program for the 2024 season and continue into varsity status for 2025. Read about it here.

NATIONAL SCENE ENTERING 2023

• D3football.com published its annual Preseason Top-25 Poll as well as its lists of Preseason All-Americans over the past few weeks.
• Randolph-Macon opens the year as the 15th ranked team in the country with Bridgewater (2) and Shenandoah (1) both receiving votes towards the poll.
• Three ODAC stars appear on the D3football.com Preseason All-America Third Team; Randolph-Macon defensive tackle Wade Grubbs and Hampden-Sydney safety Will Pickren should be two of the best defensive players ODAC teams feature this season, while Bridgewater kicker Jack Hendren is 18-of-24 on field goals and has made 63 PATs in his first two seasons at BC.

RETURNING STATISTICAL LEADERS -- 2022-23 Statistics
The athletes listed below represent the top-3 returning statistical leaders for each category from the 2022-23 season.

   PASSING | Minimum: 15 pass attempts/game (comp. pct.)

• Yards -- 2,681 - Bailey Baker, GC | 2,274 - Drew Campanale, RMC | 2,147 - Steven Hugney, SU
• Comp. Pct. -- 78.1 (143-of-183) - Drew Campanale, RMC | 62.1 (113-of-182) - Malcolm Anderson, BC | 59.4 (186-of-313) - Steven Hugney, SU
• Touchdowns -- 23 - Drew Campanale, RMC | 21 - Bailey Baker, GC | 19 - Steven Hugney, SU

   RUSHING | Minimum: 8 rushes/game (yards/rush)

• Yards -- 943 - Melik Frost, HSC | 865 - Kwesi Clarke, RMC | 864 - Nick Hale, RMC
• Yards/Rush -- 6.4 - Kwesi Clarke, RMC | 6.1 - Markell Jackson, SU | 6.0 - Stephen Murrin, W&L
• Long -- 75 - Malcolm Anderson, BC | 67 - Kwesi Clark, RMC and Melik Frost, HSC
• Touchdowns -- 12 - Melik Frost, HSC | 11 - Nick Hale, RMC | 8 - Malcolm Anderson, BC

   RECEIVING | Minimum: 3 receptions/game (yards/rec.)

• Receptions -- 60 - Austin Fernandez, HSC | 59 - Mason Cunningham, HSC | 41 - David Wallis, RMC
• Yards -- 1,189 - David Wallis, RMC | 775 - Austin Fernandez, HSC | 660 - Mason Cunningham, HSC
• Yards/Rec. -- 29.0 - David Wallis, RMC | 14.4 - Andrew Jackson, SU | 12.9 - Austin Fernandez, HSC
• Long -- 78 - David Wallis, RMC | 74 - Austin Fernandez, HSC | 72 - Jamahdia Whitby
• Touchdowns -- 13 - David Wallis, RMC | 7 - Jamahdia Whitby, HSC | 6 - Mason Cunningham and Austin Fernandez, HSC

   ALL-PURPOSE / SCORING

• All-Purpose Yards -- 1,358 - David Wallis, RMC | 1,179 - Melik Frost, HSC | 1,117 - Kwesi Clarke, RMC
• Scoring (Pts.) -- 78 - Melik Frost, HSC, and David Wallis, RMC | 67 - Jack Hendren, BC
• Touchdowns -- 13 - Melik Frost, HSC, and David Wallis, RMC | 11 - Nick Hale, RMC

   DEFENSE

• Tackles -- 123 - Will Pickren, HSC | 98 - James-Ryan Salvi, HSC | 84 - Nick Iannone, GC
• Solo -- 60 - Aaron Moore, BC | 58 - Nick Iannone, GC | 51 - Adam Lacy, GC
• Tackles for Loss -- 13.0 - Wade Grubbs, RMC | 12.0 - Aaron Nice, BC | 10.5 - Jahlin Russell, AU
• Sacks -- 10.5 - Wade Grubbs, RMC | 10.0 - Aaron Nice, BC | 4.5 - Ethan Brown, SU, and Jackson Deaver, RMC
• Interceptions -- 5 - Keyshawn Wilder, SU | Tristan Bailey, GC | 3 - Avion Smith, AU, Adam Lacy, GC, and Aaron Moore, BC
• Pass Breakups -- 9 - Isaiah Sharper, AU, and Noah Hines and Aaron Moore, BC

   SPECIAL TEAMS | Minimum: 3.6 punts/game (yard/punt) / 1.2 kick returns/game (kick return avg.) / 1.2 punt returns/game (punt return avg.)

• PAT Made | 36-of-36 - Arturo Ramirez, W&L | 33-of-35 - Seth Deaton, FC | 28-of-32 - Will Caviness, AU
• FG Made | 10-of-16 - Will Caviness, AU | 9-of-14 - Seth Deaton, FC | 9-of-12 - Jackson Hendren, BC
• Yards/Punt -- 38.4 - Mason Smith, AU | 34.0 - Joshua Kirby, SU
• Punts Inside 20 -- 11 - Mason Smith, AU | 7 - Joshua Kirby, SU
• Kick Return Yards -- 410 - Brendan Robinson, BC | 282 - Brice Wilson, HSC | 217 - Burke Cigelske, W&L
• Kick Return Avg. -- 31.5 - Brendan Robinson, BC | 23.5 - Brice Wilson, HSC
• Punt Return Yards -- N/A
• Punt Return Avg. -- N/A
• Return TDs -- Brendan Robinson, BC - Kickoff, 88 yards

RETURNING ALL-ODAC TALENT -- 2022-23 ALL-ODAC Football Awards
ODAC rosters will be dotted with 43 returning all-conference honorees from a season ago. The split of returners slightly favors defense with 23 All-ODAC stars back on that side of the ball, although only four award winners among defensive lineman return compared to 10 returning honorees in 2022. Defensive back makes up the difference with all 11 second-level standouts set to return.

Three ODAC special award winners are back, including five-time ODAC Coach of the Year Pedro Arruza from R-MC. Yellow Jackets quarterback Drew Campanale set records for his efficiency while also being prolific in his first season under center on the way to J. Stokely Fulton Offensive Player of the Year laurels. H-SC all-purpose threat Mason Cunningham earned ODAC Rookie of the Year honors last year.

Below we take a look at those returning in 2023-24.

   BACKS, RECEIVERS, AND TIGHT ENDS (9)

• Viante Tucker: WR, Bridgewater (3rd Team)
• Mason Cunningham: APB, Hampden-Sydney (2nd Team - ROY)
• Austin Fernandez: WR, Hampden-Sydney (2nd Team)
• Melik Frost: RB, Hampden-Sydney (1st Team)
• Drew Campanale: QB, Randolph-Macon (1st Team - O-POY)
• Kwesi Clarke: RB, Randolph-Macon (2nd Team)
• Nick Hale: RB, Randolph-Macon (1st Team)
• David Wallis: WR, Randolph-Macon (1st Team)
• Steven Hugney: QB, Shenandoah (3rd Team)

   OFFENSIVE LINEMEN (9)

• Matthew Isom: Averett (2nd Team)
• TJ Minter: Bridgewater (1st Team)
• Glory Nseka: Bridgewater (2nd Team)
• Matt Hale: Randolph-Macon (2nd Team)
• Storm James: Randolph-Macon (3rd Team)
• Nehemiah Nixon: Randolph-Macon (1st Team)
• Dominic Gulli: Shenandoah (2nd Team)
• David Munoz: Shenandoah (2nd Team)
• Tyler Halliday: Washington and Lee (1st Team)

   DEFENSIVE LINEMEN (4)

• Tucker Harris: Bridgewater (1st Team)
• Wade Grubbs: Randolph-Macon (1st Team)
• T.J. James: Randolph-Macon (3rd Team)
• Ethan Brown: Shenandoah (2nd Team)

   LINEBACKERS (7)

• Lamar Horner: Averett (2nd Team)
• Shawn Harris: Bridgewater (1st Team)
• Aaron Nice: Bridgewater (2nd Team)
• Nick Iannone: Guilford (3rd Team)
• Jackson Deaver: Randolph-Macon (1st Team)
• Matt Conroy: Shenandoah (3rd Team)
• Uno Christopher: Washington and Lee (2nd Team)

   DEFENSIVE BACKS (11)

• Isaiah Sharper: Averett (3rd Team)
• Aaron Moore: Bridgewater (1st Team)
• Val West: Bridgewater (3rd Team)
• Avion Smith: Ferrum (2nd Team)
• Adam Lacy: Guilford (2nd Team)
• Will Pickren: Hampden-Sydney (1st Team)
• James-Ryan Salvi: Hampden-Sydney (2nd Team)
• Cade Jones: Randolph-Macon (1st Team)
• Quante Redd: Shenandoah (3rd Team)
• Kayshawn Wilder: Shenandoah (1st Team)
• Ronny Williams: Washington and Lee (2nd Team)

   SPECIALISTS (3)

• Mason Smith: P, Averett (2nd Team)
• Jack Hendren: PK, Bridgewater (1st Team)
• Scott Martin: PK, Shenandoah (2nd Team)

ODAC HEAD COACHES
Some of the best coaches in the business lead ODAC teams in all sports. Hampden-Sydney head coach Marty Favret announced on Sunday night that the 2023 campaign will be his last on the Tigers' sideline. The five-time ODAC Coach of the Year chases his sixth ODAC title this season.

Below we take a look at the career records and tenures for the league's football coaches entering the 2023 campaign.

• Patrick Henry (AU) -- Overall: 9-15-0 (.375)/3 | at AU: 9-15-0 (.375)/3
• Scott Lemn (BC) -- Overall: 13-8-0 (.619)/2 | at BC: 13-8-0 (.619)/2
• Cleive Adams (FC) -- Overall: 39-45-0 (.464)/9 | at FC: 9-16-0 (.360)/3
• Brad Davis (GC) -- Overall: 3-19-0 (.136)/3 | at GC: 3-19-0 (.136)/3
• Marty Favret (H-SC) -- Overall: 145-86-0 (.628)/23 | at H-SC: 145-86-0 (.628)/23
  • 5x ODAC COY (2003, 07, 09, 11, 13)
• Pedro Arruza (R-MC) -- Overall: 124-68-0 (.646)/19 | at R-MC: 124-68-0 (.646)/19
  • 5x ODAC COY (2008, 16, 18, 21 spring, 22)
• Scott Yoder (SU) -- Overall: 51-44-0 (.537)/10 | at SU: 51-44-0 (.537)/10
• Garrett LeRose (W&L) -- Overall: 24-16-0 (.600)/4 | at W&L: 24-16-0 (.600)/4
  • 1x ODAC COY (2021 fall)

THE SCHEDULE, NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP, AND CHESAPEAKE CHALLENGE BOWL SERIES

• The ODAC's eight-team contingent is slated for a seven-game conference schedule and three non-league fixtures for a 10-game season played over an 11-week period for each squad; the first Saturday of the season is set for Saturday, September 2
• One week of the non-conference slate was reserved for an opponent from the USA South Athletic Conference as part of the ODAC-USA South scheduling agreement.
• The top team in the league standings (ODAC games only) will be declared the ODAC champion and earn the league's automatic entry into the NCAA Division III Tournament.
• The 32-team bracket for the NCAA field will be determined and announced on Sunday, November 12; the tournament is five rounds long including the 50th Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl; the Stagg Bowl returns to Salem, Va., its home for 25 straight years, on Friday night, December 15.
• The 2023 season marks the first year of a four-year agreement with new NCAA football sponsor Landmark Conference in a two-game bowl series; the Chesapeake Challenge will feature both the Cape Henry Bowl and Cape Charles Bowl and will feature the next two highest ranked teams (by standings) that do not earn a bid into the NCAA bracket.
• Assuming both leagues receive just one entry to the NCAA Tournament, in 2023 and 2025 the Cape Henry Bowl will feature the ODAC's #3 team at the Landmark's #2 team, while the Cape Charles Bowl will see the Landmark's #3 team travel to the ODAC's #2 team; in 2024 and 2026, both bowl games will be hosted in either league's footprint at a neutral location; both the rotation and sites are TBD.

For more information on ODAC football, visit the websites of any of the participating schools, or go to the ODAC's home on the Internet at odaconline.com.  Don't forget to become a fan of the ODAC on Facebook and follow @odacathletics on Twitter and Instagram.
 

2023 ODAC FOOTBALL PRESEASON POLL (#) denotes 1st place votes
1	Randolph-Macon College (7)	49 pts.
2	Bridgewater College (1)	39 pts.
3	Washington and Lee University	37 pts.
4	Shenandoah University	31 pts.
5	Hampden-Sydney College	29 pts.
6	Averett University	15 pts.
7	Ferrum College	12 pts.
7	Guilford College	12 pts.