Wofford, Georgia Southern players earn SoCon note

SPARTANBURG, S.C. (AP) — Wofford fullback Eric Breitenstein was named Southern Conference preseason offensive player of the year, while Terriers teammate lineman Ameet Paul shared defensive honors with Georgia Southern lineman Brent Russell.

The awards were voted on by league coaches and released by the conference Monday.

Breitenstein led the league and was fifth in the Football Championship Subdivision with 1,639 yards rushing last season. He scored 22 touchdowns in 2010 as Wofford shared the Southern Conference championship with Appalachian State.

Pall was last season’s SoCon defensive player of the year with 12 1/2 sacks. Russell had 71 tackles for the Eagles.

Georgia Southern led the league with 14 players picked for the conference’s preseason first and second teams

Coaches were not permitted to vote for their players.