ADDISON – Tarleton's Roderick Smith has been named the 2009 Lone Star Conference South Division Offensive Preseason Player of the Year.  The award was announced today at the annual LSC Media Day in Addison at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.

“Rod has been in this league as a solid all-conference type player that deserves this honor,” said Tarleton head coach Sam McElroy.  “He is a hard-working back that has a lot experience and will graduate in May.  He does everything in the right way, and I expect big things from him this year.”

The senior running back from Mesquite is the top returning rusher in the league after averaging 93.1 yards per game last season.  He became Tarleton's first 1,000-yard rusher since Derrick Ross tackled the thousand yard mark in 2005.  Smith finished last season with 137 carries for 1,024 yards and 13 touchdowns, averaging 7.5 yards per touch.  He was fourth in scoring last season with 8.2 points per outing.

“I was really shocked and wasn't expecting this at all,” Smith said.  “I am happy, but definitely overwhelmed.”

The award is voted on by the league's head coaches, sports information directors and various media members throughout the conference.

Smith and the rest of the Texans will kick off the 2009 season at home against Arkansas-Monticello at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 27.