Terrence Holt, Austin Peay State University’s senior All-America running back/kick return specialist, has been voted the Ohio Valley Conference Preseason Offensive Player of the Year.
That was announced Monday at the OVC Media Day in Nashville after a vote of the league’s head coaches and sports information directors. Also announced Monday was the Governors were picked to finish in a seventh-place tie with Southeast Missouri with 38 points.
Jacksonville State (120 points/11 first-place votes), meanwhile, was voted the preseason favorite ahead of defending champion Eastern Illinois (114 points/4 first-place votes). Rounding out the predicted order of finish in third was Eastern Kentucky (102/1 first-place vote), Tennessee Tech (78 points/1 first-place vote), Tennessee State (70 points/ 1 first-place vote), UT Martin (59 points), Austin Peay and SEMO (38 points) and Murray State (29 points).
“The way they were ranked seems to be right. Those three programs (Jacksonville State, Eastern Illinois, and Eastern Kentucky) are the one we are usually chasing.”
Holt becomes the first player in Austin Peay history to earn either the preseason Offensive or Defensive Player of the Year honor. The Nashville native led all of Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) in all-purpose yards (215.73.game) a year ago.
Holt was a first-team All-OVC running back (793 yards, OVC-leading 13 TDs) in 2009, along with teammate Ryan White (1,081 yards). In addition, Holt was first-team All-OVC selection as kick return specialist, returning both a kickoff and punt for TDs last season. Holt finished with 15 TDs on the year and ranked 17th (8.18 points/game) was 17th best in the nation.
In 2009, Holt, the FCS all-time FCS record holder for kickoff return yardage (3,583 yards), was named first-team All-American all-purpose back by College Sporting News and was chosen second-team All-America by The Sports Network. Already this season, he has been preseason second-team All-America by The Sports Network and Consensus Draft Services and third team by Phil Steele’s College Football Preview.
“Terrence certainly put up some great number last year,” Christophel said. “We hope he continues to do that-they key thing he has to stay healthy. We have to continue to attempt to get him the ball in situations where he can successful.
“It’s certainly a honor for him and this football program.”
Although Holt is APSU’s first OVC Preseason Player of the Year, they have had four players earn post-season honors: Carlton Flatt was named OVC Back of the Year in 1963; Bob Bible was selected OVC Defensive Player of the Year in 1977; Mike Betts was named OVC Defensive Player of the Year the following year and Sonny Defilippis was chosen OVC Offensive Player of the Year in 1980.
Holt and White are the only Governors to earn preseason All-OVC honors.
“Again, I am not surprised,” Christophel said. “We are going to be counting on a lot new faces this year and we have others, like Zac Burkhart who will be replacing an All-OVC linebacker in Daniel Becker, who are going to get their chances this season.”
