LOCK HAVEN, Pa. - The football coaches of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) have released the results of their 2025 preseason poll. Millersville was picked to finish eighth in the PSAC Eastern Division.

Millersville returns 25 letterwinners and starters at 13 positions--six on offense, four on defense and three specialists. While the 2024 team finished 1-10, it was far more competitive than the record indicated, as five losses came by two scores or fewer, and the team held the lead or was tied at halftime in seven of 11 games. 

"For us, it is about closing games out," said head coach J.C. Morgan. "We have to use these experiences to turn those close games into wins. We will use the experience from last year to gain the momentum we once had."

The addition of three new coordinators has brought new voices and ideas to the program. Brian Ferguson takes over on offense, Ralph Clark returns for his second stint as a defensive coordinator at Millersville, and Gerard Wilcher takes over special teams. All three previously served as collegiate head coaches, bringing invaluable experience to the program. 

"That experience is a tremendous help to the program," said Morgan. "They are great men. They can relate to our young men. That is a big plus. They have a lot of knowledge with X's and O's, and they've done a good job adapting their schemes to what we've done well the last few years. It has been a really big part of what we are trying to do."

Ferguson built one of the top offenses in Division II as the OC at Concord, and he returns a quarterback who excelled in the passing game in the final five weeks of the 2024 season. Ryan Zeltt threw nine touchdown passes in his final five starts, including six touchdowns, 310.5 yards per game and just one interception in the final two weeks. He leads an offense that returns a bevvy of veteran skill players like wide receivers Kam Taylor and Isaac Sines and tight end Brady Russell. Despite losing its top two rushers, Millersville's running back room is in excellent shape with transfers JQ Brown (725 yards, six touchdowns at Concord in 2024) and Isaiah Emmanuel (823 yards and 10 touchdowns at Post in 2024). 

Linebacker Bryce Beutler and safety Nick Romano paced Millersville in tackles in 2024, and both return to lead Clark's defense. The unit also returns team captain Max Hostetter on the defensive line, linebackers Ryan Aument, Christopher Pierce, Kahlen Watt and Siddiq Small, who all played key roles in 2024. Trent McDowell is back for his third season as the team's top specialist. He drilled 11 field goals and was 8 for 9 over the final seven games while also handling punting duties. 

"We had a tremendous spring, getting to know each other more, establishing our values and our culture for the fall," said Morgan. "We totally understand what we are trying to do in terms of getting our program turned around, and we have the right young men to do it. They are great young men. They work hard and they fly around the field. I'm excited to see them in action. 

2025 PSAC Football Preseason Polls (first place votes)
EAST
1. Kutztown (7)
2. East Stroudsburg (1)
3. West Chester
4. Shepherd
5. Bloomsburg
6. Lock Haven
7. Shippensburg
8. Millersville
 
WEST
1. Slippery Rock (4)
2. IUP (3)
3. California
4. Gannon
5. Seton Hill
6. Edinboro
7. Clarion