ST. LOUIS - Indiana State sophomore Aaron Archie and junior Rod Hardy each garnered Preseason All-Missouri Valley Football Conference mentions today (August 2) as announced by the league office. The annual preseason poll was conducted by a ballot of the league's head coaches, media and sports information directors. Additionally, the Sycamores were picked to finish ninth in the MVFC this season.

Archie was a Preseason All-MVFC selection at linebacker. The 6-1, 230 sophomore from Detroit, Mich., was named to the MVFC All-Newcomer & All-MVFC Second Team following a standout freshman campaign in 2009. He played and started in all 11 contests for the Sycamores as the middle linebacker and led the team with 117 total tackles, including 52 solo stops. Archie recorded 10 tackles for losses as well as a pair of quarterback sacks. He had one fumble recovery against Quincy and was credited with a quarterback hurry against Western Illinois. His 10.64 tackles per game average ranked second best in the Missouri Valley Football Conference and 12th nationally.

Hardy was a Preseason All-MVFC honorable mention selection on the defensive line. The 6-2, 295 junior from Indianapolis, Ind., Hardy was named an All-MVFC Honorable Mention selection in 2009. Hardy started every contest for the Sycamores at the defensive tackle position as he recorded 42 total stops, including 22 solos tackles. He posted 11 tackles for loss over the course of the season, which was a team-high. Hardy became the first Sycamore since the 2006 season to start a game on defense but also score an offensive touchdown when he plunged into the end zone for his first career score against Northern Iowa after lining up at fullback.

Southern Illinois is the league's preseason favorite, garnering 30 (of 36) first place votes and tallying 313 points. South Dakota State picked up a pair of first place votes and were selected second with 252 points. The Jackrabbits edged out third place Illinois State by a total of three points as the 'Birds tallied 249 and received three first place votes. Northern Iowa took home the final first place vote and posted 244 points for a fourth place selection. Missouri State (164) was fifth, North Dakota State (151) was sixth, Youngstown State (130) was seventh, Western Illinois (70) was eighth and Indiana State was ninth with 47 points.

The Sycamores will open preseason practice at 5:30 p.m. (ET) inside Memorial Stadium on Friday, August 6. The public is invited to attend. ISU opens the 2010 season versus St. Joseph's (Ind.) on Saturday, September 4 at 7:00 p.m.