(August 3, 2004) ?CFordham University senior defensive back Tad Kornegay (Trenton, NJ/Hamilton West) was named the Patriot League Preseason Defensive Player of the Year by a vote of the league??s Head Coaches and Sports Information Directors it was announced today. Joining Kornegay in receiving preseason recognition in the Patriot League was sophomore kicker Micah Clukey (St. Augustine, FL/St. Augustine), who was named Preseason Special Teams Player of the Year. Earlier this summer, Kornegay was also named a First Team Preseason All-American by CollegeSportsReport.com and The Sports Network as well as being named the Patriot League Preseason Defensive Player of the Year and Second Team Preseason All-America by Lindy??s Sports Annuals. Joining Kornegay on the Lindy??s Second Team was senior defensive lineman Aki Jones (Jamaica, NY/Christ the King). Kornegay, a 2004 team captain, is a two-year starter in the defensive backfield at cornerback. A 2003 First Team All-Patriot League pick, he led the defensive backs with four interceptions and was second on the team with 72 total tackles, 49 solo. He also registered a league-best 17 pass break-ups last year, ninth best in the NCAA I-AA. Kornegay helped the Fordham defense finish the season as the number one ranked passing defense in the Patriot League last year. Clukey, the 2003 Patriot League Freshman of the Year and Second Team All-Patriot League, came in as a freshman and replaced All-Patriot League kicker Matt Fordyce. He led the Patriot League in field goal percentage (78.6%) and was third in field goals/game (0.92) while setting a school record for most PATs in a season with 47 and most PATs in a game (nine at Rhode Island). Clukey was twice named Patriot League Freshman of the Week in 2003. The Patriot League also announced the preseason predictions of the Head Coaches and Sports Information Directors who have the Rams finishing third behind Colgate, the defending league champions, and Colgate. Fordham will open its 2004 season on Saturday, September 4th, when they host the University of Rhode Island on Jack Coffey Field at 1:00 p.m. 2004 Patriot League Football Preseason Poll No., Team (1st Place Votes), 2003 PL Record, 2003 Overall Record, Pts. 1. Colgate (12), 7-0, 15-1, 72 2. Lehigh (2), 6-1, 8-3, 59 3. Fordham, 4-3, 9-3, 51 4. Bucknell, 4-3, 6-6, 40 5. Lafayette, 2-5, 5-6, 26 T6. Georgetown, 1-6, 4-8, 23 T6. Holy Cross, 1-6, 1-11, 23 Preseason Offensive Player of the Year: Jamaal Branch, Sr., RB, Colgate Preseason Defensive Player of the Year: Tad Kornegay, Sr., DB, Fordham Preseason Special Teams Player of the Year: Micah Clukey, Soph., PK, Fordham