Aug. 24, 2010
NORFOLK, Va. -- More preseason honors for the ODU Football Monarchs rolled in on Tuesday morning.
As The Sports Network previewed the FCS independents, TSN named the Monarchs to the top of the list among fellow independents and quarterback Thomas DeMarco (Palm Desert, Calif.) the Offensive Player of the Year in its breakdown.
DeMarco helped the Monarchs to rank 10th among all FCS schools in rushing offense and was the second leading quarterback in the FCS in rushing. He was also seventh among FCS student-athletes in scoring averaging 9.45 points per contest and averaged 255.7 yards of total offense a game. Completing 137 of his 255 attempts making only four interceptions, DeMarco threw 21 touchdown passes and passed for over 100 yards in all but one game. Entering the 2010 season, DeMarco is among those included on the Walter Payton Award "watch list".
The College Sporting News also released its Preseason FCS All-America list and included on the list were a pair of Monarchs - punter Jonathan Plisco (Newport News, Va.) and long snapper Dustin Phillips (Woodland, Calif.).
Plisco has been honored several times this preseason as a Consensus Draft Services, Phil Steele, and The Sports Network Preseason FCS All-American, member of Lindy's All-FCS Team, and a Top 10 FCS Specialist pick by the Sports Network. Last year, Plisco led the nation in punting was earned three All-America distinctions - First Team AP, Second Team Sports Network, and Honorable Mention The College Sporting News.
Phillips meanwhile was named an All-American by the College Sporting News last season as he was among 50 student-athletes named to the Fabulous Fifty Team for the Division I Football Championship Subdivision.
Old Dominion continues its final week for preseason camp culminating in one final scrimmage on Saturday before classes start. Please note: All scrimmages are closed to the public. Big Blue Club members still have time to sign up for the Kickoff Party by calling the Big Blue Club at 757-683-6961.