2009 Preseason All-SLC Football Teams

* indicates ties for final spot at position

Football Bears picked to finish 3rd/4th

Southland Conference Preseason Polls

Coaches’ Poll

Pl. School (First-Place Votes)……………… Pts.

1. Texas State (2)………………………………….. 43

2. McNeese State (1)……………………………. 39

3. Northwestern State (2)…………………….. 38

4. Central Arkansas (2)…………………………. 37

5. Stephen F. Austin (1)……………………….. 24

6. Sam Houston State…………………………… 17

7. Nicholls……………………………………………. 14

8. Southeastern Louisiana……………………. 13

Sports Information Directors POLL

Pl. School (First-Place Votes)……………… Pts.

1. Texas State (5)………………………………….. 45

2. McNeese State (1)……………………………. 43

3. Central Arkansas (2)…………………………. 38

4. Northwestern State………………………….. 26

5. Stephen F. Austin…………………………….. 20

6. Sam Houston State…………………………… 19

7. Southeastern Louisiana……………………. 18

8. Nicholls……………………………………………. 15

UCA Advances to Final Year of Transition

We all assumed that the transition to full-FCS status was continuing on without any real problem, and the university confirmed it today. What I didn’t know – and what I believe had been discussed on the message board as not happening – is that baseball and women’s soccer are still being fast-tracked and will be eligible for postseason play.

The announcement confirms that UCA is just one year removed from "full Division I membership for the 2010-11 school year."

Tristan, Esks escape game one

The Blue Bombers’ Pierre-Luc Labbé takes down the Edmonton Eskimos’ Tristan Jackson at Edmonton’s Commonwealth Stadium Thursday night. (BRIAN J. GAVRILOFF / CANWEST NEWS SERVICE)

It probably wasn’t how he had planned it to go, but TJ totaled 122 return yards in the Esks 19-17 win over Winnipeg Thursday night.

Tristan was the recipient of a big hit on a punt return in the third quarter. He fumbled, and Winnipeg scooped and scored. Here are some quotes about on that play:

• “… scooped up a Tristan Jackson fumble after a vicious hit from Joe Lobendahn …”
• “… Jackson was crushed by Joe Lobendahn on the play that tied the score 9-9 …”

The good news is that TJ returned the ensuing kickoff 56 yards and four plays later, the Esks had regained the lead.