Owensboro, Ky. – The Kentucky Wesleyan football team has been picked to finish tenth in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference, as announced by the league office on Tuesday afternoon. In head coach Tyrone Young's first three seasons, the Panthers were picked seventh twice, in 2022 and 2023, and eighth in 2024.
"We embrace [the underdog mentality]. Being labeled as the underdog only fuels our fire. At Kentucky Wesleyan, we know respect is earned, not given, and that's exactly what we're working toward every single day," Coach Young said. "We're building this program brick by brick, rep by rep, and game by game. The underdog role doesn't intimidate us - it motivates us. It reminds us that the only way to change the narrative is to put in the work and show it on Saturdays."
Wesleyan has a tough schedule ahead of them, with the standard eight G-MAC games being preceded by challenging non-conference games vs. West Florida and at William Jewell.
"We don't run from tough schedules - we run at them. Our players understand that every challenge is an opportunity to prove ourselves and raise the standard for Kentucky Wesleyan football," Coach Young said. "Being counted out gives us a chip on our shoulder, but it also gives us clarity: nothing will be handed to us. We must outwork, out-prepare, and outfight every opponent we face. That mindset is what drives us, and it's what's going to keep pushing this program forward one day at a time."
The Panthers totaled 22 points in the annual Great Midwest Football Coaches Preseason Poll, just two behind Lake Erie (24 points) in ninth.
Ashland was the clear favorite among the coaches, earning seven of the ten first place votes and accumulating 88 points overall. Tiffin tallied 83 points and two first place votes, while Findlay rounded out the top three with 75 points and the final first place vote.
The Panthers' offense will be led by redshirt freshman quarterback Harrison Burch. The Russellville, Alabama, native was the starter for last season's finale and went out in a big way, throwing for 363 yards and three touchdowns at G-MAC champion Ashland. Senior Ayden Houston and junior Xander Early are set to play large roles in the backfield, and juniors Camron Brogan and Adam Hobbs provide some pass-catching experience.
On defense, Wesleyan brings back Mason Bell, Josh Noble, Jahiem Williams, Malik Bolling, and Jaden Santos-Lopez as their top five leading tacklers from last campaign. Bell shined in the secondary, totaling 29 tackles and an interception.
The Panthers are looking to bounce back from a 2-9 (1-8 G-MAC) season in 2024. Wesleyan will open with a rematch from the 2023 campaign, taking on aforementioned West Florida on September 6 at 12:00 PM inside Steele Stadium.
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