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3:10 p.m., July 31, 2003--The University of Delaware is picked to finish second in the Atlantic 10 Football Conference, according to a poll of coaches and select media, announced Thursday, July 31.

Northeastern University, the defending Atlantic 10 champion, is picked to finish first.

The Huskies are ranked No. 1 in NCAA Division I-AA in the Street & Smith’s 2003 College Football Preview, which recently hit newsstands.

UD, which is ranked No. 15 in Street & Smith’s, will take on Northeastern on Saturday, Nov. 8, in Boston.

UD is followed in the Atlantic 10 poll by the University of Massachusetts, which was picked to finish third; the University of Maine, fourth; and Villanova University, fifth. Northeastern, Maine and Villanova received invitations to the 2003 NCAA Division I-AA tournament, and Massachusetts returns 18 starters.

Massachusetts is ranked No. 8 and Villanova No. 22 in Street & Smith’s. The Hens will host Massachusetts on Saturday, Nov. 15, and will travel to Villanova on Saturday, Nov. 22.

Rounding out the conference poll are Hofstra University, which is picked to finish sixth; the College of William and Mary, seventh; James Madison University, eighth; the University of Richmond, ninth; the University of New Hampshire, 10th; and the University of Rhode Island, 11th.

Also Thursday, the Atlantic 10 announced its preseason All-Conference selections. Two UD players, offensive lineman Jason Nerys and defensive back Sidney Haugabrook, were named to the first team.

Four Blue Hens were named to the second team. They are quarterback Andy Hall, tight end Rick Lavelle, defensive lineman Chris Mooney and defensive back Mike Adams.