Monday, July 9, 2012

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – San Diego defensive end Blake Oliaro led a trio of Pioneer Football League student-athletes named to the 2012 Sports Network Preseason All-America teams, Monday.

Oliaro, a junior defensive end for the Toreros, was a first-team preseason selection. He was joined on the three-team preseason squad by San Diego teammate Sam Hoekstra, a third team selection at punt returner, and Davidson wide receiver Lanny Funsten who also was a third-team selection. 

The Sports Network FCS Preseason All-America Team consists of 93 players over three teams. CAA Football leads all conferences with 15 selections each from nine member schools.

The Big Sky and Southland conferences have 14 selections each and the Southern Conference follows with 13. All 13 FCS conference have at least two selections and 11 conferences have at least one player on the first team.

The 2012 Sports Network All-America Team will be announced after the regular season on Dec. 19.

The Sports Network also presents the four major awards in the division - the Walter Payton (FCS outstanding player), the Buck Buchanan (FCS outstanding defensive player), the Jerry Rice (FCS outstanding freshman player) and the Eddie Robinson (FCS coach of the year) - after the season. In addition, TSN presents the FCS's most widely recognized weekly Top 25 poll and weekly awards honoring the nation's top offensive player, defensive player, special teams player and freshman.