Raiders picked to win SBC, Dasher voted top offensive player

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - For the first time since the inaugural season of Sun Belt football in 2001, Middle Tennessee is picked to win the 2010 conference title as announced by the league office during its annual Football Media Days.

The preseason poll is voted on by the league's nine head coaches who gave the Blue Raiders 75 total points and five first place votes to edge out Troy for the top spot. The Trojans had 73 points and three first place votes. Arkansas State was third followed by Louisiana-Lafayette, Florida Atlantic, FIU, Louisiana-Monroe, North Texas, and WKU. Louisiana-Lafayette garnered the other first place vote.

The Sun Belt's coaches and selected media also selected the preseason players of the year and all-conference team on Monday.

Blue Raider quarterback Dwight Dasher was voted the offensive player of the year following a season where he led Middle Tennessee to a 10-3 record and a victory in the New Orleans Bowl. Dasher, who became just the fourth player in NCAA history to top 2,500 yards passing and 1,000 yards rushing in the same season, was the 2009 New Orleans Bowl MVP after setting an NCAA bowl rushing record with 201 yards against Southern Miss.

Middle Tennessee also placed five players on the all-conference team with Dasher and offensive tackle Mark Fisher representing the offense and defensive end Jamari Lattimore and safety Jeremy Kellem on the defensive side. Placekicker Alan Gendreau rounded out the Blue Raiders' picks for 2010.

The Blue Raiders report to camp on August 6 in preparation for the season opener at home against Minnesota on September 2. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 PM.

Preseason All-Sun Belt Team
As voted on by the Sun Belt Head Coaches and Media Representatives

Offense
Dwight Dasher (MT, Sr., QB)
Alfred Morris (FAU, Jr., RB)
Lance Dunbar (NT, Jr., RB)
T.Y. Hilton (FIU, Jr., WR)
Jerrel Jernigan (Troy, Sr., WR)
Ladarius Green (ULL, Jr., TE)
Derek Newton (ASU, Sr., OL)
Brad Serirni (FIU, Sr., OL)
Mark Fisher (MT, Sr., OL)
Esteban Santiago (NT, Sr., OL)
Tyler Clark (Troy, Sr., OL)

Defense
Bryan Hall (ASU, Sr., DL)
Troy Evans (ULM, Jr., DL)
Jamari Lattimore (MT, Sr., DL)
Brandon Akpunku (NT, Jr., DL)
Demario Davis (ASU, Jr., LB)
Grant Fleming (ULL, Sr., LB)
Craig Robertson (NT, Sr., LB)
Tavious Polo (FAU, Sr., DB)
Anthony Gaitor (FIU, Sr., DB)
Jeremy Kellem (MT, Sr., DB)
Bryan Willis (Troy, So., DB)

Special Teams
Alan Gendreau (MT, Jr., Place Kicker)
Spencer Ortego (ULL, Sr., Punter)
T.Y. Hilton (FIU, Jr., Return Specialist)

Offensive Player of the Year
Dwight Dasher (MT, Sr., QB)

Defensive Player of the Year
Bryan Hall (ASU, Sr., DL)

Preseason Sun Belt Coaches Poll
First Place Votes in Parenthesis

1. Middle Tennessee 75 (5)
2. Troy 73 (3)
3. Arkansas State 53
4. Louisiana-Lafayette 49 (1)
5. Florida Atlantic 45
6. FIU 42
7. Louisiana-Monroe 32
8. North Texas 27
9. WKU 9

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