Saluki Football picked seventh in MVFC Preseason Poll

ST. LOUIS – Southern Illinois has been picked to finish the season seventh in the 2013 Missouri Valley Football Conference Preseason Poll, which was released Monday morning. The poll consists of votes from the coaches, local media and sports information directors of the 10-team conference. Two-time defending national champion North Dakota State is the unanimous pick to win the conference.

MyCole Pruitt led the team with 49 receptions and 577 yards in 2012.

The Salukis finished the 2012 season with a 6-5 overall record and tied for third place in the MVFC with a 5-3 conference mark despite also being picked seventh in last year’s preseason poll.

The MVFC also announced the Preseason Team. Junior tight end MyCole Pruitt earned a spot on the team, and senior punter Austin Pucylowski is an honorable mention.

Pruitt was a first-team All-MVFC selection and third-team All-American following the 2012 season. He led all tight ends in the Valley with 49 receptions, 577 yards and four touchdowns in 2012. Nationally he ranked fourth in receiving yards and sixth in the nation with 4.5 receptions per game. Pruitt has also been named a preseason second-team All-American by The Sports Network and Phil Steele this preseason.

Pucylowski was an All-MVFC honorable mention following the 2012 season. He ranked third in the conference and 20th in the nation in net punting with a 36.7 average. In addition he was second in the conference with 71 punts for 2,855 punting yards and averaged 40.2 yards per punt with 23 punts inside the 20.

SIU will open training camp on Sunday, Aug. 4 and start the season on Saturday, Aug. 31 on the road against Illinois.

2013 Missouri Valley Football Conference Preseason Poll