Iowa Wesleyan picked last in preseason poll

MT. PLEASANT — The Iowa Wesleyan football team received some bulletin board material on Tuesday when the North Star Athletic Association released its 2021 preseason coaches poll for the upcoming football season.

The Tigers, who will be making their return to NAIA football this fall after moving away from NCAA Division III were picked last out of the seven teams entering the year.

Iowa Wesleyan received just eight points in the coaches poll. That was three points behind Presentation, which had 11.

Dickinson State is the favorite coming into the year. The Blue Hawks went 9-0 in conference play last season to take the title and finished the season ranked No. 11 in the NAIA.

Dickinson State received six of the seven first-place votes. Valley City State, which finished second last season, had one and sits comfortably second in the preseason rankings.

2021 NSAA FOOTBALL COACHES PRESEASON POLL

1. Dickinson State 36 (6)

2. Valley City State 31 (1)

3. Waldorf 25

4. Dakota State 22

5. Mayville State 14

6. Presentation 11

7 Iowa Wesleyan 8

2021 IOWA WESLEYAN FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Aug. 28 at St. Ambrose University

Sept. 4 vs. Missouri Baptist University

Sept. 11 at Quincy University

Sept. 18 vs. Trinity International University

Sept. 25 at Valley City State University*

Oct. 2 vs. Crown College (homecoming)

Oct. 16 at Dickinson State University*

Oct. 23 at Dakota State University*

Oct. 30 vs. Presentation College*

Nov. 6 vs. Waldorf University*

Nov. 13 at Mayville State University*

* = conference game