Rocky Mount, N.C. - The USA South's 2014 Football Media Day was held Monday, July 28th, at Maryville College. Each of the Conference's nine football coaches addressed the media and gave their thoughts on the upcoming season. The USA South preseason poll was also unveiled at the beginning of the event, with the Battling Bishops earning a 7th-place billing.

Wesleyan's 2014 squad is looking to rebound from a 2-8 season a year ago, and second-year head coach Jeff Filkovski hopes his 60 returners are poised to restore the success that has seen NCWC post a 42-27 mark versus USA South competition since the program's inception. Among those returners are nine offensive and seven defensive starters, led by First Team All-Conference selections Jacques Alston in the backfield and Travonne Marshall at defensive back.

"It's a great time to be at North Carolina Wesleyan College," said Filkovski. "Moving into my second year, I'm very excited about some of the things we should be able to do offensively. We're still young defensively, but I'm pleased with how our players have developed in the offseason."

He concluded, "The character of our football team will lie in the offensive and defensive lines."

Topping the poll was Maryville College, which was picked to defend its 2013 title with five first-place votes and 60 total points. The Scots were followed by Christopher Newport with a trio of first-place votes and 55 points, while Methodist University earned a third-place billing with 54 points and the remaining first-place tally.

Following the press conference, each coach offered remarks about a potential "Impact Player" for the 2014 season. Filkovski spoke briefly about Alston, who is less than 300 yards away from becoming the program's all-time leading rusher. That video can be viewed HERE.

In preparation for Monday's press conference, the league also released its 2014 Football Media Guide, which previews the upcoming seasons of all nine USA South football institutions. The guide can be found HERE or by visiting the football page of the USA South website, which also houses the complete preseason coaches poll, as well as photos and video from the event.

The 2014 USA South football schedule kicks-off on Saturday, September 6th, as all nine Conference teams will begin their seasons with non-conference action. The Bishops will host their first home night game in program history that evening versus Stevenson University at 7:00pm. All home games will once again be played at Rocky Mount Athletic Stadium.