Middleton gets award as top center in FCS

~ The Southeast senior lineman was bestowed the 2010 Rimington Award

Southeast Missouri State senior center Sean Middleton picked up a huge honor Tuesday.

Middleton was announced as the recipient of the 2010 Rimington Award as the most outstanding center in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA).

Southeast is the first FCS institution to have two players win the Rimington Award. Current Tennessee Titans lineman Eugene Amano earned the honor in 2003.

Middleton was named to the Sports Network and Phil Steele All-America teams and earned first-team all-Ohio Valley Conference honors this season.

Southeast's 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 that led the nation in sacks allowed (0.50 per game) and ranked third in rushing (265.1 yards per game). The Redhawks also ranked among the top 10 nationally in several other offensive categories.

Middleton helped lead one of the biggest turnarounds in FCS history. Southeast finished 9-3 overall, won its first OVC title and made its first playoff appearance after going 2-9 last year.

Middleton, a native of Los Angeles, ended his career with 18 consecutive starts at center. He played in 42 games and made 34 starts since joining the Southeast program in 2006.