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NASHVILLE, Tenn. – After a vote that saw five teams receive at least one first-place nod, the Eastern Kentucky University football team was picked by the OVC coaches and sports information directors to finish third in 2010.

The Colonels received one first-place vote to finish third in the preseason poll. Jacksonville State earned top honors with 11 first-place votes. Eastern Illinois was picked to finish second and received four first place votes. Tennessee Tech and Tennessee State also earned one first-place vote a piece to place fourth and fifth, respectively.

Eastern Kentucky was 5-6 overall and 5-3 in the OVC a year ago after winning the league title in both 2007 and 2008. The Colonels return 13 starters including eight on the defensive side of the ball.

Three defensive starters earned preseason all-conference honors, including senior defensive lineman Andrew Soucy. The native of Canton, Ga., and 2009 All-OVC first team selection, blocked a field goal or extra point in five straight games last season, the most by any player in the OVC. Soucy also tallied 9.5 tackles for loss last season, the most by any Colonel.

Joining Soucy in stopping opponents in the backfield is senior linebacker Jordan Dalrymple. The Chuluota, Fla., native led EKU with 85 tackles last season, which was good enough to rank seventh in the OVC. Dalrymple tied for the team lead in sacks (3.5) and posted eight tackles for loss in the 2009 season, aiding in becoming an All-OVC second team selection.

Preseason All-OVC selection Jeremy Caldwell (Chattanooga, Tenn.) tied for fourth nationally in the 2009 season with seven interceptions and will continue to be a threat in the defensive backfield. The 2009 All-OVC first team selection picked off two passes in three separate games earning Caldwell two OVC Defensive Player of the Week honors. Earlier in the month, Caldwell was the only OVC player named to the initial Buck Buchanan Award watch list, which is handed out annually to the FCS defensive player of the year.

EKU opens the 2010 season on Thursday, Sept. 2 at Missouri State.