Wheaton, Ill. – The Wheaton football team is ranked 15th in the Division III preseason poll released by D3football.com this evening. The Thunder earns the recognition following a 2011 season in which the program posted an 8-2 record and was ranked 22nd in the final D3football.com poll of the year. 

This marks the seventh time that the Thunder program has been ranked in the website's preseason top-25 since D3football.com began its preseason poll in 2004. Wheaton is one of three CCIW teams ranked in this year's preseason poll; as North Central (sixth) and Illinois Wesleyan (21st) join the Thunder in the ranking.

The Thunder will open the 2012 season against Benedictine University at McCully Stadium on August 30 in a 7 PM kickoff. The season-opening game will mark the first time Wheaton has faced the Eagles since 1985. The contest will also mark Wheaton's first-ever mid-week home football game at McCully Stadium.

LINK TO THE D3FOOTBALL PRESEASON POLL