BIRMINGHAM, Ala. --- Tusculum College quarterback Bo Cordell has been named the 2011 Preseason National Division II Football Most Valuable Player by Lindy's Sports Magazine. Cordell and senior receiver Deonte' Gist were also named to the publication's Preseason All-America First Team, while the Pioneers are ranked No. 21 in Lindy's Preseason Top 25 Poll.

Cordell, a 6-1, 185-pound junior from Cincinnati, Ohio, led all NCAA divisions (FBS, FCS, II, III) in total offensive yards per game, passing yards per game and completions per game last season. He was named the 2010 South Atlantic Conference Offensive Player of the Year and finished fourth in the voting for the Harlon Hill Trophy, which recognizes the Division II National Player of the Year.

Cordell was also named the 2010 Tennessee Sportswriters Association's State College Football Player of the Year. He was named the NCAA II National Statistical Champion for total offensive yards per game (425.45 ypg), passing yards per game (423.36 ypg), completions per game (35.82 cpg) and points responsible for per game (26.00 ppg).

The 2010 Daktronics and Football Gazette All-Super Region 2 First Team honoree passed for a school and SAC record 4,657 yards, which was third in NCAA II and fifth most for all NCAA divisions. Cordell threw for 38 touchdowns, a new school single-season mark and the 25th most in NCAA II history. He also established school and SAC records with 394 completions (3rd in NCAA II history), 605 pass attempts (3rd in NCAA II history) and 702 total offensive attempts (3rd in NCAA II history). He was also named to the D2Football.com and Football Gazette All-America teams.

The Indian Hill High School graduate passed for over 400 yards in nine consecutive games this season, which is a new TC, SAC and NCAA II record. He was named SAC Offensive Player of the Week four times this year and twice honored as national offensive player of the week by D2football.com and D2 Sports Insider.

Gist, a 5-9, 175-pound native from Wellford, S.C., accounted for one of the greatest seasons for a receiver in SAC history after earning consensus All-America distinction in 2010. Gist's 1,183 receiving yards are a new school record and the third most in conference history.

The Byrnes High School graduate also established school records with his 96 receptions and 1,713 all-purpose yards. His 154.64 all-purpose yards per game average is 15th in the nation.

The 2010 All-Region and All-SAC First Team honoree averaged a league-best 107.55 receiving yards per game, which were 16th in the nation. His 8.73 receptions per contest were also tops in the league and fourth in the country. Gist tallied 10 or more catches in five games and posted over 100 receiving yards in seven of his 11 contests. The 5-9, 170-pound receiver established a school single-game record with 279 all-purpose yards at Catawba, including a 79-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. Gist finished the season with nine touchdowns, including eight TD receptions.

Minnesota-Duluth is the preseason favorite to capture the NCAA II title. Delta State is listed second, followed by Abilene Christian, Shepherd, Northwest Missouri, Augustana, Texas A&M-Kingsville, Grand Valley State, Bloomsburg and Kutztown to round out the top 10. Mercyhurst is 11th, followed by St. Cloud State, North Alabama, Albany State, Colorado School of Mines, Wingate, Hillsdale, Central Missouri, West Texas A&M, Valdosta State, Tusculum, Wayne State (Mich.), California (Pa.), Pittsburg State and Nebraska-Kearney.

Tusculum will kick off the 2011 campaign on Sept. 3 as the Pioneers host West Georgia for a 1 p.m. contest at the Niswonger Sports Complex and Pioneer Field.

- TC -

Lindy's Sports Magazine Preseason Division II Top 25
Rk. Team
1. Minnesota-Duluth
2. Delta State
3. Abilene Christian
4. Shepherd
5. Northwest Missouri
6. Augustana
7. Texas A&M-Kingsville
8. Grand Valley State
9. Bloomsburg
10. Kutztown
11. Mercyhurst
12. St. Cloud State
13. North Alabama
14. Albany State
15. Colorado School of Mines
16. Wingate
17. Hillsdale
18. Central Missouri
19. West Texas A&M
20. Valdosta State
21. TUSCULUM
22. Wayne State (Mich.)
23. California (Pa.)
24. Pittsburg State
25. Nebraska-Kearney

Tusculum Opponents in Italics

Lindy's Sports Magazine Preseason Division II All-America Football Team
First Team Offense
QB - Bo Cordell, Tusculum
RB - Franklyn Quiteh, Bloomsburg
RB - Tommy Addison. Shepherd
WR - Deonte' Gist, Tusculum
WR - Thomas Mayo, Concord
TE - Kyle Kilgore, NW Missouri
OL - Kyle Thornton, North Alabama
OL - Dan Matha, Indiana (Pa.)
OL - Amini Silatolu, Midwestern State
OL - Matt Webber. Abilene Christian
OL - Larry Wriedt. West Liberty
AP - Josh Renel. Wayne State (Mich.)
K - Dan Fisher. Bloomsburg

First Team Defense
DL - Armonty Bryant, East Central
DL - Jonas Celian, West Virginia Wesleyan
DL - Joseph Collard, Tiffin
DL - Richard Daniel, Wayne State (Neb.)
LB - Shaquil Barrett, Nebraska-Omaha
LB - Nate Dreiling, Pittsburg State
LB - Tony Johnson, Merrimack
DB - Zac Kallas, Augustana
DB - David Lopez. Pace
DB - Keon Robinson. Shepherd
DB - Greg Underwood, Fairmont State
P - Ronnie Partridge, Stillman

Second Team Offense
QB - Chase Vogler, Minnesota-Duluth
RB - Jonas Randolph, Mars Hill
RB - Akeem Satterfield, Slippery Rock
WR - Taylor Gabriel, Abilene Christian
WR - Jake Soy, NW Missouri
TE - Austin Wells, Nebraska-Omaha
OL - Brian Folkerts, Washburn
OL - Joe Long, Wayne State (Mich.)
OL - Daron Rose, North Alabama
OL - Jason Slowey. Western Oregon
AP - Jordan Simmons, NW Missouri
K - Michael Ziola, Chadron State

Second Team Defense
DL - Arterio Arnold, Newberry
DL - Zach Moore, Concordia St. Paul
DL - Todd Storm, Michigan Tech
DL - Johnny Tivao, Texas A&M-Kingsville
LB - Timothy Durant, Virginia State
LB - Shawn Loiseau, Merrimack
LB - Nick McGahagan, Seton Hill
DB - Desmond Anderson, New Haven
DB - Stan Langlow, Central Washington
DB - Shaquille Shedd, Southwest Baptist
DB - Chas Smith. Pittsburg State
P - Taylor Accardi, Colorado School of Mines

Preseason National Most Valuable Player - Bo Cordell, Tusculum
Preseason Offensive Player of the Year - Franklyn Quiteh, Bloomsburg
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year - Nate Dreiling, Pittsburg State
Newcomer of the Year - Robbie Frey, RB, Kutztown