Jan. 4, 2011
By Jeff Honza
Southeast Missouri State Sports Information
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - Southeast Missouri center Sean Middleton is the recipient of the 2010 Rimington Award, which recognizes the most outstanding centers from each of the smaller NCAA divisions and the NAIA.
Southeast is the first NCAA Football Championship Subdivision institution to have two players win the Rimington Award, as Eugene Amano (currently with the Tennessee Titans) also won the prestigious honor in 2003.
A native of Los Angeles, Calif., Middleton ended his career with 18-consecutive starts at center, blocking for some of the best running backs in Southeast Missouri history along the way.
He was named to the Sports Network and Phil Steele All-America teams and earned first-team All-Ohio Valley Conference honors this season. The Redhawks offensive line had four first-team All-OVC selections in 2010, marking only the second time in league history that has happened.
Middleton anchored a Southeast offense which led the nation in sacks allowed (0.50/game) and ranked third in rushing (265.1 ypg) this year. The Redhawks also ranked among the top-10 in the nation in several other offensive categories.
Middleton helped lead one of the most remarkable turnarounds in FCS history when his team finished 9-3 overall, won its first OVC title and made its first-ever NCAA Playoff appearance this season after going 2-9 the year before. The Redhawks matched a school record in wins and made it to the second round of the NCAA Division I Football Championship, where they lost to Eastern Washington.
Middleton played in 42 games and made 34 starts since joining the Southeast football program in 2006.
Whereas the Rimington Trophy is awarded to the most outstanding center in NCAA FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision), the Rimington Award is presented to the premier centers in each of the following divisions: NCAA Division I FCS, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and NAIA. The recipients of the Rimington Award are chosen by Jason Dannelly, founder and editor of the Victory Sports Network. The Award has been recognizing the nation's premier centers beyond the NCAA FBS division since 2003.
2010 Rimington Award Winners
NCAA Division I FCS - Sean Middleton, Southeast Missouri
NCAA Division II - Brandon Fusco, Slippery Rock University
NCAA Division III - Josh Ostrue, University of St. Thomas (Minn.)
NAIA - Andy Fjeseth, Carroll College
