July 21, 2008

BOCA RATON, FL - Florida Atlantic University's Rusty Smith and Frantz Joseph have been named the Sun Belt Conference Preseason Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year, respectively. The duo is also expected to guide the Owls to their second consecutive SBC title, according to a vote of conference head coaches and selected media members. The announcement was made at the Sun Belt Conference Media Days currently being held in New Orleans.

Smith was named the 2007 Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year after tossing 32 touchdowns and a record setting season total of 3,688 yards. The redshirt junior, will be provided protection by the same line that allowed just 15 sacks a year ago and was ranked no. 13 nationally.

Joining Smith on the SBC preseason offensive team was fellow redshirt junior Cortez Gent. Gent earned first-team SBC honors in 2007 and led the Owls with nine touchdown receptions and 1082 yards. Senior Nick Paris also earned a spot and is expected to be the general of the offensive line. The honor is a first for the three year starter.

Joseph led the SBC a year ago with 131 tackles, and the redshirt senior will return with the same goals. He is the backbone of a deep and experienced linebacking core and will be supported up front by two preseason selections. Jervonte Jackson returns to the line with 36-consecutive starts. He and fellow senior Robert St. Clair were instrumental in holding the line together a year ago after injuries to two starters occurred in the fourth game of the season. While Jackson has earned previous honors, this is the first recognition for St. Clair. The duo will be the leaders of a much deeper and more experienced line in 2008.

Tavious Polo and Corey Small were all-conference selections a year ago and rightly deserve the preseason recognition in 2008. The duo led the nation in interceptions for cornerback tandems. Polo recorded seven interceptions, three versus Minnesota, and earned Freshman All-American honors by the Football Writers Association. Small added five interceptions and was instrumental in the Owls leading the nation in takeaways. FAU finished the 2007 regular-season with an interception streak of 20 consecutive games.

The Owls will open the 2008 season at the University of Texas, August 30. For tickets call 1-866-FAU-OWLS.