(MARYVILLE, TN) - Maryville College, under the direction of third-year Head Coach Mike Rader, was picked in the preseason coaches' poll to defend its USA South Athletic Conference football title in 2014. The preseason poll was released at the annual USA South Football Media Day. The Scots shared last season's title with Methodist University but received the League's automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament with its regular season win over the Monarchs. Last year's crown was the Scots' second USA South title in as many years. Each of the nine Conference head football coaches do not vote for their own teams in the balloting.

Maryville received five of nine first place votes and 60 total points to place first. Following closely behind was Christopher Newport University which garnered three first place votes and 55 total points. Just one point behind in third was defending USA South Co-Champions Methodist with the final remaining first place vote and 54 total points. In fourth place, Huntingdon College totaled 45 points while LaGrange College ranked fifth with 34 points. Rounding out the poll were Ferrum College with 29 points, N.C. Wesleyan College with 22 points, Greensboro College with 16 points and Averett University with nine points.

The 2014 USA South football schedule kicks-off on Saturday, September 6 as all nine Conference teams begin their seasons with non-conference action.

To view an archived broadcast of USA South Media Day, please click HERE.