TOWSON, Md. – The Wilkes University football team was selected third out of seven teams in the 2025 Landmark Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll, as announced at the conference's Media Day hosted by Susquehanna University Wednesday afternoon.

The Colonels reached the Chesapeake Bowl Challenge for the second consecutive year in 2024, finishing the year 7-4 overall and 5-1 in Landmark play in head coach David Biever's first season. The team received 24 points in this year's poll, placing one spot higher than they did in 2024.

The defending Landmark Football champion Susquehanna University River Hawks were predicted to once again finish first, receiving 36 points and six first-place votes. Moravian University, who defeated Shenandoah University in the 2024 Cape Charles Bowl, was predicted to finish second with 31 points and one first-place vote, with Wilkes third on 24 points.

Landmark football newcomers Western Connecticut State were selected fourth on 21 points, ahead of their first season as an associate member of the conference. Lycoming College was selected fifth on 15 points, followed closely by Catholic University in sixth on 14 points. Juniata College rounded out the poll collecting six points.

Wilkes opens the 2025 season with the 29^th annual Mayor's Cup game against cross-town rival King's College on Thursday, September 4 at 7:00 p.m. Landmark Conference play begins on Saturday, October 4 at 12:00 p.m.