By Tim Glon
Three Ohio Northern players were named Preseason Division III All-Ohio for 2012 by OhioCollegeFootball.com.

Senior offensive linemen Kyle Smith and Tyler Joseph and senior nose tackle Cody Kelly were all Second Team selections.

Smith is a two-year starter at center and was a Second Team All-Ohio Athletic Conference honoree a year ago. He has started the last 22 games over the past two seasons.

Joseph is a two-year starter at right guard and has earned All-OAC and Academic All-OAC honors. Like Smith, Joseph has also started 22 consecutive games in his career.

Kelly has started the last 31 games at nose tackle and is a two-time All-Conference selection.

He has 125 career tackles (44 solo), has 11.5 sacks, 21.0 tackles for loss and has recovered three fumbles in his career.

Ohio Northern will open the 2012 season under ninth-year head coach Dean Paul on Sept. 1 at North Carolina Wesleyan.

The Polar Bears will open the home portion of their schedule Sept. 15 at home against Heidelberg at 1:30 pm at Dial-Roberson Stadium.

ONU will be celebrating the Armed Forces that day, with special camoflage uniforms and other events throughout the afternoon.