College Football Preview: Rowan Profs

By Matt Leon

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The Rowan University Profs are one of the most consistent programs in all of Division III football.

Always in the mix for the New Jersey Athletic Conference title, the Profs have won a share of the conference title the last two seasons, and earned an NCAA Tournament berth each of the last three years. Rowan has now won at least a share of the NJAC title 19 times and earned 16 NCAA Tournament berths.

Last year, Rowan finished 7-4 (6-1 in the NJAC) and with eight all-conference players returning, they expect to be a player for the conference championship once again.

Head coach Jay Accorsi happy with the way camp has played out so far.

"I think the veterans came back in great shape and I think the new players came in, for the most part, in pretty good shape," Accorsi tells KYW Newsradio. "It's going well so far. It was really hot. We've had some really tough heat, we've had to sit some players and watch some players more than normal, but it's going very well so far."

Listen: Jay Accorsi with Matt Leon

Rowan allowed just 14.6 points a game last season and Accorsi expects more of the same here in 2015.

"I think our defense is going to be another good one," Accorsi says. "I think over the years we've been very good because of our defense. I think defensively, we have a chance to be pretty special. We have a lot of players returning at a lot of spots and a lot of back-up and supplemental players coming back as well."

On offense, a big question is at quarterback.

"We have three freshmen and a redshirt sophomore," Accorsi says. "Dante Pinckney (the redshirt sophomore) separated himself in the spring and it looks like he is separating himself to be the starter for the season."

The Profs love to run the football and they have an outstanding back to give it to in senior Wit Marcelin. He rushed for 1,447 yards and 11 touchdowns last season. He led the NJAC in rushing and all-purpose yardage.

The NJAC will have a new look this season as four new schools - Christopher Newport, Frostburg State, Salisbury and Wesley - join the fray. Accorsi says the new conference members add a lot.

"I think our conference has always prepared whoever the conference champion is for NCAA playoff competition," Accorsi says. "Adding the schools that we did arguably makes it, probably the most difficult, if not one of the most, difficult in the country."

Rowan will open the 2015 season on the road at Widener on September 5th.

You can follow Matt on Twitter @mattleonkyw.