SAN ANTONIO – The Tarleton Texan football team has been selected to finish fourth in the Lone Star Conference South Division for the 2010 season, according to the preseason poll released by LSC officials Tuesday at the 2010 Media Day in San Antonio.

The preseason poll, which is voted on by the league's coaches, media relations directors and various members of the media, had Tarleton receiving two first-place votes and tallying 87 total points.

"We don't care what the preseason polls say," said Tarleton head coach Cary Fowler.  "We are not focused on the polls now, but on the polls at the end of the season.  We are just ready to get out there and get going with the season.  We have a lot to look forward to with Texan football."

West Texas A&M was picked to finish first with nine first-place votes and 105 total points.  Abilene Christian was second with three first-place nods with 103 total points while Midwestern State had 91 points with three first-place votes.  Behind Tarleton was Texas A&M-Kingsville with 84 points, Angelo State with 42 points and Incarnate Word with 20 points.  TAMUK also received two first-place votes.

Texas A&M-Commerce was picked to win the LSC North Division this season.  Tarleton will face the Lions on Oct. 16 in Commerce.

South Division Quotes from Media Day

“This year will be interesting. It is a challenge, and we are looking forward to it.  We won five games last year as an independent, and we call it the 'Miracle on Hildebrand'.  We are excited to be a part of the Lone Star Conference.” - Mike Santiago, Incarnate Word

“If this team can make the playoffs, I believe we have the depth to make a deep run.  Everyone in the room knows there is not an easy game in this conference.  There is a lot of excitement in San Angelo, Texas.” – Dale Carr, Angelo State

“It is a good thing this is a preseason poll, because fifth is not going to work in Kingsville, Texas.  We have a few question marks, but we are excited about the season.” – Bo Atterberry, Texas A&M-Kingsville

“When you get the keys handed to you with as many wins in the last decade as Tarleton has, there are some big shoes to fill.  We have high expectations.  We are going to try to be the most physical team out there, because that is the Tarleton tradition.” – Cary Fowler, Tarleton

“I think everybody in the South could be No. 1.  Everyone is going to have a good football team, and I think it is going to be a battle.  This is probably the strongest this league has been in my eight years in the LSC.” – Bill Maskill, Midwestern State

“We feel like we have a good team coming back, but like Coach Carr said, you look around the room and there are several great teams.  We know what we are up against.  We are excited about this year, but also I am realistic.  We are looking forward to competing against you all this year.” – Chris Thomsen, Abilene Christian

“I appreciate the opportunity to compete against each of you on Saturdays.  This is the most high-spirited bunch of guys I have ever coached.  The depth and the experience we have is by-far the most we have had before.  I am excited to coach this team with their type of character.” – Don Carthel, West Texas A&M

South Division
Defensive Player of the Year – Aston Whiteside, Abilene Christian
Offensive Player of the Year – Zack Eskridge, Midwestern State

Preseason Poll:
1. West Texas A&M  (9) - 105
2. Abilene Christian (3) – 103
3. Midwestern State (3) -91
4. Tarleton (2) – 87
5. Texas A&M-Kingsville (2) – 84
6. Angelo State - 42
7. Incarnate Word - 20

North Division
Defensive Player of the Year – Cory Whitfield, Texas A&M-Commerce
Offensive Player of the Year – Baylen Laury, Southwestern Oklahoma

Preseason Poll:
1. TAMUC (12) - 123
2. SOSU (3) - 110
3. UCO (2) - 95
4. ENMU (2) - 76
5. NSU - 63
6. SWOSU - 40
7. ECU - 25