PORTLAND, Ore. – The Great Northwest Athletic Conference announced Monday that Humboldt State football has been picked to repeat as champion by the league coaches in their preseason poll.
 
"It certainly shows great respect for our program and where it is at," said Head Coach Rob Smith. "Being picked top in the conference and 13^th in the American Football Coaches Association poll is just an indication of how far the program has come. But we also have to remember that it is based on what last year's team accomplished, not what this year's team has done."
 
The Lumberjacks collected four of the conference's five first-place votes and hold the top spot after finishing last season with a 10-2 mark, the GNAC title and a trip to the NCAA playoffs. HSU returns much of its league-leading offense, including the Harlon Hill Trophy runner-up, junior running back Ja'Quan Gardner.
 
Last year, HSU hosted its first postseason game since 1960 and defeated Augustana before falling to the eventual national champion Northwest Missouri State. The North Coast squad cruised to a perfect 6-0 mark in conference play and won all five of its home games.
 
The Green and Gold were tabbed the nation's 13^th best team in the AFCA Division II preseason poll released Monday. HSU was the lone GNAC representative among the annual top 25 ranking.
 
Azusa Pacific snagged the only other first place vote in the GNAC preseason coaches poll and was picked to finish second. Western Oregon earned the third place spot, followed by Central Washington in fourth and Simon Fraser in fifth place.
 
"It comes with a responsibility," said Smith. "We have been here before, but in the end we know it doesn't mean anything. National polls and preseason picks don't mean a thing. You have to go out, do the work and understand the responsibility you have. Our players have accepted that responsibility and are practicing hard. Many times you end up with the target on your back when you are the nationally-ranked team and others are not."
 
HSU opens the 2016 season on the road Thursday, Sept. 1 against Carson-Newman. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN3, and it is scheduled for a 10:30 a.m. PT kickoff.
 

2016 GNAC PRESEASON FOOTBALL COACHES POLL
Rank	Team (1st Place Votes)	2015 Record	GNAC Record (Finish)	Points
1.	Humboldt State (4)	10-2	6-0 (1st)	23
2.	Azusa Pacific (1)	6-4	3-3 (tie 3rd)	18
3.	Western Oregon	7-4	5-1 (2nd)	17
4.	Central Washington	5-5	3-3 (tie 3rd)	12
5.	Simon Fraser	0-9	0-6 (7th)	5
Points awarded on 5-4-3-2-1 basis.