BLOOMSBURG—The Bloomsburg University Huskies, coming off two consecutive trips to the NCAA playoffs, are picked to finish first in the Eastern Division of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference in voting by the league's coaches. The poll was announced at the PSAC's annual media day held on the Bloomsburg University campus.

Kutztown is picked to finish second, followed in order by East Stroudsburg, West Chester, Millersville, Mansfield and Cheyney. 

The Huskies, who have won three straight PSAC East titles, return six starters on offense and another four on defense. Coach Danny Hale will use wide receivers Tierell Johnson and Rocco Forgione to help ease the transition to a new quarterback for the third consecutive season. Also, returning are offensive lineman Brian Bingaman, Charlie Fay and Chris Mullin.

On defense the Huskies will look to linebacker Matt Keys along with Bryant Stone and Rudy Garcia in the defensive secondary for leadership. On the front line look for Zach Miers and Jeremy Matrician to play important roles this season for the Huskies.

Earlier this year the Huskies were picked 14th in the Street and Smith Football Magazine pre-season poll.

Bloomsburg, which has won 21 games the last two seasons, will open the 2002 season on the road with PSAC West favorite Indiana (PA) on September 7th at 7 p.m..

All Bloomsburg University football games can be heard on WHLM radio (930 AM) and on the internet through Yahoo! Broadcast.com, the leader in internet broadcasting.