LEXINGTON, Va. - The Washington and Lee University football team was predicted to finish second in the annual Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) preseason poll which is voted upon by the leagues’ eight head coaches, the conference announced on Tuesday afternoon.

Following an 8-3 record during their campaign and a second place finish in the conference, the Generals received one first place vote and 43 total points. Tenth-ranked Randolph-Macon are the preseason favorites for the sixth-straight year, receiving six of the eight first place votes and 48 points.

Bridgewater was voted third with 33 points while Hampden-Sydney reeled in the final first place vote and 31 points to sit in fourth. Shenandoah rounded out the top-five, receiving 26 points.

2024 FOOTBALL PRESEASON POLL

1. Randolph-Macon (6) | 48 pts.
2. Washington and Lee (1) | 43 pts.
3. Bridgewater | 33 pts.
4. Hampden-Sydney (1) | 31 pts.
5. Shenandoah | 26 pts.
6. Averett | 22 pts.
7. Guilford | 11 pts.
8. Ferrum | 10 pts.

NATIONAL POLL

The first Division III football national poll of the season was released in late July by D3football.com. National Runner-up, North Central College (Ill.), topped the preseason poll entering the 2024 season after receiving 14 of the 25 first place votes. After securing their first National Championship in program history, SUNY Cortland enters the season as the second ranked team in the country, receiving 11 first place votes. UW-Whitewater was ranked third by the organization after finishing the season with an 11-2 record and reaching the NCAA Quarterfinals. 

Wartburg College checks in at No. 4 in the preseason poll after reaching the National Semifinals for the second consecutive season while Mount Union rounds out the top five teams after an 11-1 record in 2023. ODAC foe Randolph-Macon College enters the season as the tenth-best team in the nation following the most successful season in program history, reaching the NCAA Semifinals for the first time.

The entire D3football.com Preseason Top-25 can be found HERE.

SCHEDULE PREVIEW

The Washington and Lee University football team is set for an exciting 2024 season, beginning with an away game on September 7th against Salisbury University in Maryland at 1 p.m. The following week, on September 14th, the Generals return home to Wilson Field for Young Alumni Weeked, squaring off with  Newport News Apprentice School at 2 p.m.

On September 21st, the Blue and White travels to Texas for a noon matchup against 13th-ranked Trinity University (Texas). The Generals have a two-game homestand following the bye week, hosting Averett University at 5 p.m. on October 5th for Parents Weekend before Hampden-Sydney comes to Wilson Field on October 12th at 1 p.m. for Hall of Fame Weekend.

The latter half of October sees Washington and Lee on the road, with games against Guilford College in Greensboro, N.C., on October 19th at 4 p.m., and Ferrum College in Ferrum, Va., on October 26th at 2 p.m.

November starts with a home game against tenth-ranked Randolph-Macon College on November 2nd at 3 p.m., followed by an away contest at Bridgewater College on November 9th at 2 p.m. The regular season concludes on November 16th with a home game against Shenandoah University at 1 p.m, the Blue and White will honor their 23 senior members prior to kickoff.

Should they qualify, the Generals will enter the NCAA Division III Playoffs, beginning on November 23. The playoffs could lead them through several rounds, culminating in the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl on January 4th, 2025, in Houston, Texas. All playoff game times are yet to be announced.

KEY RETURNERS

The Blue and White return their entire offensive line from last season, including 2023 All-ODAC selections Tucker Jacobsen and Harrison Donovan. Jacobsen, Donovan, Colton Baumann, Cailen Graham, and Michael Dangler helped pave the way for the fourth-best rushing offense in Division III last season. The Generals' multi-faceted, run-heavy offense scored 30 or more points in five games, averaging 288.4 yards on the ground. The unit ranked third in Division III in sacks allowed, surrendering only four sacks throughout the entire season.

ODAC and Virginia Sports Information Directors (VaSID) Rookie of the Year, Anthony Crawford, returns to the backfield this season for the Generals. The Swarthmore, Pa. native ranked third in rushing last season, carrying the ball 110 times for 409 yards and a team-high ten touchdowns. Dryden Duggins stands out in the receiving corps after a solid sophomore campaign for the Blue and White. The Baton Rouge, La. native led the Generals with 23 catches for 234 yards and one touchdown, averaging 10.17 yards per reception.

On the defensive side, the Blue and White return First Team All-ODAC selection Will Mahmud. The Downingtown, Pa. native had a breakout sophomore season, recording 54 tackles while leading the team in tackles for loss (11) and sacks (5.5). Mahmud and the Generals' defense ranked second in the ODAC in total defense, only allowing 304.9 yards per game while limiting opponents' rushing attacks to 98.8 yards per game. The Generals' front seven doubled their sack total from the 2022 season, getting to the quarterback 33 times in 2023 while registering 77 tackles for loss and forcing 12 turnovers.

Charlie Fleming and Jack Johnson are two key returners in the Generals' secondary this season. Fleming, a Third Team All-ODAC selection, registered 34 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss last season. Johnson's 67 tackles ranked second on the team and earned him Second Team All-ODAC honors. Both Fleming and Johnson recorded two interceptions last season, with Johnson leading the team with six pass breakups.

MEET THE CAPTAINS

NEW FACES ON STAFF

Coach LeRose welcomed Andrew Kirkland to the Generals' staff this off-season following a departure. Kirkland comes to W&L from Monmouth University where he helped guide the Hawks to three FCS playoff appearances, including their first in 2017. Kirkland coached six linebackers to all-conference honors and mentored All-America selection Mike Basile in 2015. Kirkland has had stints at Colgate University, Wesleyan University, King's College (Pa.) and served as a game charter for the Cleveland Browns in 2013.