WILLIAMSBURG - Senior quarterback Lang Campbell (Winchester, Va.), junior linebacker Travis McLaurin (Wilmington, Del.) and junior tight end Adam Bratton (Montoursville, Pa.) were tabbed Preseason First-Team All-Atlantic 10 as voted by the league's head coaches and media. The preseason awards and predicted order of finish were announced at A-10 media day held this morning at the Omni Hotel in Richmond, Va. In the preseason predicted order of finish, also selected by coaches and media, the Tribe was tabbed third in the newly formed South Division.

Head coach Jimmye Laycock was on hand Wednesday and offered his thoughts on Campbell and the Tribe offense, "We're excited about getting ready to start. We look forward to the return of some outstanding players especially on offense with quarterback Lang Campbell. Hopefully we'll have a little more experience on the offensive line this year, but we will be missing a great player in Rich Musinski."

Campbell, a team co-captain, led the league in passing yards per game (229.6) and pass efficiency (152.1) a season ago, while finishing second in total offense (259.6) in his first year as a starter. An All-American candidate in 2004, Campbell completed 182 of 285 passes last fall for 2,296 yards with 22 touchdowns and just seven interceptions en route to third-team all-conference honors. A true double-threat, Campbell was also the squad's second-leading rusher last season, as the Tribe signal-caller amassed 300 yards on 77 attempts.

Bratton has emerged as a valuable weapon in the running and passing attacks for the Tribe offense, starting every game last season. After hauling in seven receptions for 77 yards last season, Bratton caught three passes for 37 yards and a touchdown in the spring game. His experience, speed and athleticism have him poised for an increased role in the team's passing game.

"I look for us to make a great deal of improvement defensively. We still need to sure up in some areas and improve our depth especially in the secondary. I will look for Travis [McLaurin] and the other returning defensive starters to be leaders," commented Laycock on the defense.
McLaurin, also a Third-Team All-Atlantic 10 selection in 2003, ranked second on the Tribe defense last season with 120 tackles, which included four tackles for loss and three sacks. The squad's most experienced returning linebacker, McLaurin registered double-digit stops in each game last season, in addition to tallying an interception, forced fumble, fumble recovery and blocked kick on the season.

Also receiving preseason accolades this morning were two Tribe specialists, as senior punter Michael Mesi (Eatontown, N.J.) and junior place kicker Greg Kuehn (Potomac Falls, Va.) were each named to the second-team. Mesi, a third-team all-conference performer in 2003, finished second in the league with an average of 41.2 yards per punt last year and had 14 kicks downed inside the opponent's 20-yard line. Keuhn, a two-time all-conference performer, returns for the Tribe after leading the team in scoring the past two seasons. The A-10's leader in field goals per game last year (1.3), Keuhn converted 13 of 18 field-goal attempts and nailed 30 of 30 extra-point attempts. Keuhn kicked three field goals in games against James Madison and Rhode Island, including season-long 49-yarder against the Dukes.

"We have some excellent players returning in the kicking game in Greg Kuehn and Mike Mesi. We feel that we have two outstanding kickers," said veteran head coach Jimmye Laycock.

With the addition of Towson as the 12th member of the Atlantic 10 this season, the league was split into two six-team divisions. Villanova received a league-high 13 first-place votes and topped the South Division, while Maine, which received 12 first-place votes, was picked atop the North Division. Delaware, the defending I-AA national champion, was selected second in the South Division with 11 first-place votes ahead of the Tribe, while James Madison, Richmond and Towson round out the division.

"Our players, from all indications have worked hard this summer, and I know that they are looking forward to getting started especially since we open up at the University of North Carolina," added Laycock.

The Tribe opens its 25th season under Laycock on September 4 against the I-A Tar Heels and begins league play Sept. 18 at New Hampshire. The College's home opener is slated for September 25 against in-state rival VMI.

2004 Atlantic 10 Preseason Predicted Order of Finish
(as voted by coaches and media)

South Division
1. Villanova (13)
2. Delaware (11)
3. William & Mary
4. James Madison
5. Richmond
6. Towson

North Division
1. Maine (12)
2. Northeastern (7)
3. Massachusettes (3)
4. New Hampshire (2)
5. Rhode Island
6. Hofstra

First-place votes in parentheses