The Wofford football team, entering its 18th season under head coach Mike Ayers, has been ranked No. 21 by The Sports Network in its preseason I-AA poll.

The Terriers own the nation's second-longest streak for consecutive rankings in the polls at 36 consecutive weeks dating back to Oct. 21, 2002. Only Montana (93 polls) has been ranked longer. The Grizzlies open with a No. 3 ranking.

Wofford is also the Southern Conference's winningest team over the last three years. The Terriers carry a 29-8 (.784) overall mark and 18-5 (.783) league record into the 2005 campaign.

A total of 13 starters return to this year's squad which opens practice at 6:15 p.m. Tuesday.

The Sports Network 2005 Preseason I-AA College Football Poll
1. James Madison (49) -- 2,333
2. Furman (21) -- 2,251
3. Montana (14) -- 2,215
4. Eastern Washington (11) -- 2,053
5. Southern Illinois (3) -- 1,842
6. Georgia Southern -- 1,841
7. New Hampshire -- 1,731
8. Western Kentucky -- 1,698
9. William & Mary (1) -- 1,547
10. Delaware -- 1,538
11. Northwestern State -- 1,431
12. Northern Iowa -- 1,102
13. Hampton -- 1,076
14. Lehigh -- 963
15. Massachusetts (1) -- 869
16. Sam Houston State -- 712
17. Cal Poly -- 681
18. Montana State -- 671
19. Harvard (1) -- 661
20. Jacksonville State -- 658
21. Wofford -- 502
22. North Dakota State -- 421
23. Texas State -- 308
24. Hofstra -- 299
25. Grambling State -- 293

() - number of first-place votes