SAN ANTONIO – The defending Lone Star Conference Champion Midwestern State Mustangs are the heavy favorite to repeat their title as the conference released the annual preseason poll at the LSC Football Media Day.
The Mustangs, who posted their first perfect regular season in 2011, finished 10-1 overall, collected 19 of the 25 first place votes among the LSC’s coaches, sports information directors and media members polled and a total of 215 points.
Abilene Christian, 8-3 last season, was selected second with five first place votes and 187 points. West Texas A&M got the third place spot with 179 points and Texas A&M-Kingsville fourth with one first place ballot and 158 points.
Tarleton State was chosen fifth in the poll, followed by Angelo State, Incarnate Word, Eastern New Mexico and Texas A&M-Commerce.
Midwestern was the league's co-champion in 2009 and won the title outright last year.
“It’s an honor and privilege to be ranked number one,” said MSU Coach Bill Maskill. “But like what I’ve told our team over and over, what we did last year has zero bearing on this year’s team.”
The Mustangs return nine starters and 36 lettermen from the squad that finished the season ranked seventh in the AFCA Division II final poll. But the Mustangs, who are ranked in the top five in preseason polls, return Harlon Hill Award finalist Brandon Kelsey at quarterback along with All-Lone Star Conference running backs Keidrick Jackson and Jimmy Pipkin who helped lead the Mustang sto a school record of 5,851 yards of total offense that led Division II.
MSU also returns three starting offensive linemen, including returning All-American Ken Van Heule and Justen Tyler.
Defensively, the Mustangs have senior linebacker Matt Ellerbrock and senior safety Pat Gardner who lead the way to go with all-conference performers in junior cornerback Neiko Conway and sophomore linebacker Neiko Conway.
Despite having the top offense in Division II last season and the returning LSC Offensive Player of the Year from 2011, the preseason top individual offensive honor went to Abilene Christian senior quarterback Mitchell Gale. Gale was the conference’s offensive back of the year in 2011. Gale edged Kelsey 11-9 in the balloting for preseason honors.
The preseason defensive player of the year honor went to Texas A&M-Kingsville senior linebacker Jeremy Aguilar, who was the 2011 LSC Linebacker of the Year. Aguilar was the clear choice ahead of seven others.
Midwestern State has four games at Memorial Stadium and Joe Golding Field in 2012. MSU’s first home affair is set for Sept. 29 against Incarnate Word at 7 p.m. Season tickets go on sale on Wednesday at Ligon Coliseum and online at msumustangs.com. MSU hosts UIW, Angelo State, Eastern New Mexico and a non-conference affair with West Georgia.
The Mustangs open the season on Sept. 8 in Stephenville at Tarleton State.
2012 LSC Preseason Poll
Offensive Player of the Year
Mitchell Gale, Abilene Christian
Defensive Player of the Year
Jeremy Aguilar, Texas A&M-Kingsville
|
Place |
Team (1st votes) |
Points |
|
1 |
Midwestern State (19) |
215 |
|
2 |
Abilene Christian (5) |
187 |
|
3 |
West Texas A&M |
179 |
|
4 |
Texas A&M-Kingsville (1) |
158 |
|
5 |
Tarleton State |
131 |
|
6 |
Angelo State |
99 |
|
7 |
Incarnate Word |
74 |
|
8 |
Eastern New Mexico |
43 |
|
9 |
Texas A&M-Commerce |
39 |
