University of Maine sophomore fullback Jared Turcotte of Lewiston was selected to the 2009 CAA Football Preseason All-Conference team and his team was selected to finish third in the CAA North division in a poll of conference coaches.

The all-conference selection was the latest in a long list of preseason honors for Turcotte. He was named first team All-American by The Sports Network, the only sophomore to earn that designation, and earned second-team honors from Consensus Draft Services.

Turcotte earned all-CAA honors and second-team TSN recognition following a breakout redshirt freshman season in which he led the Black Bears in rushing (625 yards), rushing touchdowns (seven) and receptions (25). He was twice named CAA Rookie of the Week.

The league’s 12 head coaches selected Maine to finish behind New Hampshire and Massachusetts in the CAA North. Defending national champion Richmond and Villanova tied for first in the South.

Last season, Maine exceeded expectations after being picked to finish fourth in the preseason poll. The Black Bears ended up finishing second with an 8-4 record and earned a spot in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision playoffs, where they lost to Northern Iowa in the first round.

Maine begins practice for the 2009 season on Aug. 8. The season officially kicks off at 7 p.m. on Sept. 3 when the Black Bears host St. Cloud State