LATROBE, Pa.--The Westminster football team was picked to finish third in the Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) preseason poll for the 2026 season. The results of the league's annual preseason poll, voted on by PAC head coaches, sports information directors and members of the media, were announced Tuesday at PAC Football Media Day, hosted by Saint Vincent College for the 19th consecutive year.

The annual event serves as the PAC's unofficial kickoff to the football season, with each of the conference's 12 head coaches and player representatives meeting with members of the media to preview the upcoming campaign.

After a brief welcome by PAC Commissioner Joe Onderko, who is entering his 21st year as the league's chief administrator, Ed Mailliard was recognized as the 2026 recipient of the Dow Carnahan Media Award. Carnahan, a longtime supporter and friend of the PAC, passed away unexpectedly on April 29, 2016. The award is presented annually to a distinguished member or members of the media or on-campus representative for their commendable service while covering and promoting the conference's student-athletes, coaches, and programs.

Mailliard has been affiliated with Allegheny College for more than 50 years and has served as the Gators' primary sports photographer while also covering campus events for the College's Marketing and Communications Office. A Meadville native, he began photographing for Topps in 1981, with his work appearing on more than 15,000 football and baseball cards. He was inducted into Major League Baseball's Cactus League Hall of Fame in 2015.

Westminster and first-year interim head coach EJ White, who served as the Titans' offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach last season, received three first-place votes and 395 points in the preseason poll. White assumed the role following Scott Benzel's departure to Duke University in late February.

Joining White in Latrobe was senior right tackle Braden Mika (Vandergrift, Pa., Kiski). A 2025 First Team All-PAC selection and Honorable Mention All-PAC pick in 2023 and 2024, he has not missed a start since arriving in New Wilmington. He is a two-time Academic All-District^® selection (2024, 2025) and was named a nominee for the 2026 Allstate American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Good Works Team^® on July 21.

"Braden is everything you want in a senior leader. He's been a consistent presence for us from the day he stepped on campus, and the fact that he's never missed a start says everything about his toughness, preparation and commitment to this program," said White. "He's a leader by example, and our younger players know he is someone they can look up to every day."

Defending PAC co-champion Washington & Jefferson was selected as the preseason favorite with 37 first-place votes and 497 points, followed by Grove City (5 first-place votes, 453 points) and Westminster. Case Western Reserve (361) and Geneva (339) rounded out the top five.

Westminster finished the 2025 season with an 8-3 record, capped by a 40-21 victory over Mount St. Joseph in the Extra Points Bowl at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio. The Titans open the 2026 season Thursday, Sept. 3 at Marietta. Kickoff from Don Drumm Stadium is scheduled for 7 p.m.