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| Mike Genslinger earned preseason praise |
The UW-Platteville football team is one to watch in 2007, according to the 67th annual Street&Smith College Football Preview.
The magazine selected a top 25 and then 21 teams as the "Best of the Rest," with the Pioneers being included in the latter category. Defending national champion Mount Union was ranked number one, while UW-Whitewater was fourth and UW-La Crosse 20th. UW-Platteville was the only other Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference team mentioned.
The preview magazine makes special mention of junior running back Mike Genslinger, who is coming off a 1,028-yard season that included 11 touchdowns in 10 games.
Coach Mike Emendorfer's club returns 16 starters from last year's 5-5 team. Besides Genslinger, all-WIAC performers back include offensive linemen Corey Darmody and Marcis Davidson, noseguard Chris Booze and linebacker Matt Eastlick.
"It's nice for the players and for the the program to receive the recognition," Emendorfer said. "Coaches as a whole are leery of preseason rankings. There are legitimate reasons for us to be considered with 16 starters returning. We anticipate having a good season, and we're inspiring to have a great season, but being good in this league, you can still sometimes finish 5-5. Great teams in this league are 7-3, 8-2 or better. We have the whole season ahead of us to try and go from good to great."
The Pioneers report to camp Aug. 18, a week later than normal because they do not open until Sept. 8. The Pioneers face a St. Ambrose team coming off a 10-1 season.
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