July 9, 2012
NORFOLK, Va. -- Redshirt seniors Jonathan Plisco (Newport News, Va.) and Chris Burnette (Baltimore, Md.) have been named FCS Preseason All-Americans by The Sports Network it was announced Monday.
Plisco, a First Team honoree at punter, has earned nine All-America honors in his three-year career with Old Dominion, including First Team All-American by Beyond College Sports Network, Second Team All-America honors from College Sports Madness, The Sports Network the Associated Press and Phil Steele, as well as All-American status by College Sports Journal last season. A First Team All-CAA recipient, Plisco led the CAA and ranked second in the nation in punting averaging 46.2 yards per punt. Of his 51 punts on the year, 20 went the distance of 50 yards or more and 12 were placed inside the opponent 20.
Burnette, a Third Team honoree at defensive tackle, will serve as one of the 2012 Monarch captains as one of the top returnees on the defense. A Third Team All-CAA selection last season, he started all 13 games at nose guard totaling 49 tackles (20 solo, 29 assisted) and was among ODU's leaders in tackles for loss and sacks. He was third on the squad in tackles for loss making eight for a loss of 24 yards and recorded 3.5 sacks for a loss of 14 yards. Burnette registered a career-high eight stops in the inaugural CAA game in week four with #6/7 Delaware, made five stops in week one against Campbell and week seven against CAA Champion #17/23 Towson and captured a pair of tackles for a loss of eight yards in week eight against #9/10 James Madison, ODU's first-ever top-10 victory. The senior Monarch has also helped the special teams unitby blocking a 37-yard field goal attempt by Norfolk State in the first round of the FCS Playoffs, stopping a 35-yard field goal attempt by William & Mary in week ten as well as a 37-yard field goal attempt at #6/7 Delaware.
Click here to view the2012 The Sports Network FCS Preseason All-America Team.