Worcester, MA --- For the first time in 15 years, the WPI football team is ranked number one in the New England Division III Football Poll.  The Engineers edged out Curry, Springfield and Williams in a tightly contested race for the top spot of the season's inaugural poll conducted by the Wesleyan Sports Information office.

WPI spent the final nine rankings of the 1992 season in the top spot during a 9-2 year that culminated in a trip to the NCAA Championships.

The Engineers, led by ninth-year head coach Ed Zaloom, are 3-0 on the young season following victories over UMass Dartmouth, Worcester State and Becker.   Quarterback Rob Pantalone (Camp Hill, PA) is fifth in the country in pass efficiency (203.2) while tight end Mike Butler ( Athol , MA ) is ninth in receiving yards per game (147.7).  Returning Liberty League Defensive Player of the Year Matt Boudreau (Rensselaer, NY) anchors a defense that is a plus five in turnover margin. Team captains include Pantalone, Butler , Matt Burger (Ballston Lake, NY), Adam Haines (Manchester, NH) and Nate Levesque (Fall River, MA).

The Crimson and Gray will open up Liberty League action this Saturday when they host the United States Merchant Marine Academy at 5pm.

For the complete New England Football Poll click here