Olivet picked fifth in 2006 MIAA preseason football poll

OLIVET, Mich. -- The Olivet College football team was picked fifth in the 2006 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association preseason poll released today at the annual MIAA Fall Sports Press Day at Adrian College. In voting by the coaches and media, the Comets received 75 total points. Adrian was picked as the preseason favorite with 30 points, followed by Albion (31), Hope (55) and Alma (57) colleges.

Olivet welcomes back 52 letterwinners, including 12 starters, from last year's team, which had a 5-5 overall record and tied for third-place in the MIAA with a 4-3 mark. Head Coach Dominic Livedoti is entering his seventh season and has an overall record of 26-26-3.

Leading the way for Olivet will be captains Ryan Adams (Middleville/Thornapple Kellogg), Jeff Iciek (Allegan/Hopkins), Marcus Robinson (Albion), Rod Sanders (Detroit/H.W. Notre Dame) and DeRan Thomas (Detroit/H.W. Notre Dame).

The Comets will begin the 2006 season when they travel to play Illinois Wesleyan University on Sept. 9 at 1 p.m. CT. Olivet will then host Manchester (Ind.) College in its home opener Thursday, Sept. 14 at 7 p.m. at the Cutler Athletic Complex.