Missouri State University

Missouri State senior cornerback Jimmie Strong (Texarkana, Texas) has been named to the College Football Performance Awards Preseason Watch List for Division I FCS defensive backs. The list of 36 of the nation's top DB standouts was compiled to highlight players whose performances merit preseason recognition and may ultimately be considered for the CFPA Performer of the Year honors at the end of the season.

In 2010, Strong started all nine games he played and led the Bears with four interceptions, which ranked fourth in the Missouri Valley Football Conference. He also defended six passes and accumulated 31 tackles, including 22 solo stops.

Strong was a weekly CFPA award winner in 2010, earning honorable mention CFPA Defensive Back of the Week distinction after he had two interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown, and five tackles in the Bears' win over eventual NCAA Division I playoff qualifier Western Illinois. The Leathernecks were ranked No. 18 in the country at the time.

Strong and the Bears will kick off the 2011 season at Arkansas on Sept. 3. Season tickets for MSU's four-game home slate are available by calling (417) 836-7678. The Bears were undefeated at Plaster Field in 2010 and own a six-game home winning streak headed into the 2011 season. Coach Terry Allen's troops are coming off a third-place finish in the MVFC after going 5-6 overall and 4-4 in the nine-team league last season.