(August 16, 2005) - Fordham University junior placekicker Micah Clukey (St. Augustine, FL/St. Augustine) and senior punter Anthony DiFino (Syracuse, NY/Christian Brothers Academy) were named First Team Preseason All-Patriot League by IAA.org it was announced today. Additionally, senior defensive lineman Edward Gordon (Freeport, NY/Freeport), senior tight end James Caffarello (North Brunswick, NJ/North Brunswick), senior wide receiver Rashawn Haynes (Lakewood, NJ/Lakewood) and senior offensive lineman Kevin Strahle (Ridgewood, NJ/Ridgewood) were named to the second team.
The publication also offered its prediction for the 2005 Patriot League order of finish, picking the Rams to finish fifth behind Lafayette, Lehigh, Bucknell and Colgate.
Clukey, a 2004 First Team All-Patriot League selection, enters the 2005 season after connecting on ten of his 12 field goal attempts last year, including a season-best 44-yarder against Brown on October 9th. He also was successful on 34 of his 35 PATs. The ten field goals on the year led the league while his scoring average of 5.8 points per game led all kickers and was sixth overall.
The ten field goals booted by Clukey last fall is the fifth best single season total for the Rams and brings his two-year total to 21, third best on the Fordham career list.
DiFino, a Second Team All-Patriot League pick last year, served as the starting punter in 2004, averaging 37.1 yards/punts in his first year as a starter. His 37.1 average was tied for third best in the conference and he placed 17 of his 73 punts inside the opponents 20 while recording a long punt of 61 yards.
Gordon, a 2005 team captain and 2004 Second Team All-Conference selection, led the Fordham defensive line last year with 58 total tackles, 19 solo, which included 8.5 for a loss of 22 yards and a team-best five sacks. He also forced a fumble, broke up a pass and notched an interception last year. He finished the year 21st in tackles per game in the league.
Caffarello, a 2005 captain, started ten games at tight end last fall, catching 17 passes for 206 yards and two touchdowns, both fourth best on the team.
Haynes, who returns for a fifth year with the Rams, caught 32 passes for 425 yards and two touchdowns in 2004. He was second on the team in receptions and receiving yards and caught at least one pass in each game. Haynes averaged 13.3 yards/receptions and 38.6 receiving yards/game, ranking seventh in the Patriot League in receptions/game and ninth in receiving yards/game.
Strahle, who moved into the starting lineup last year, is slated to start at center for the Rams in 2005. Last year, he was a member of the offensive line that allowed quarterback Derric Daniels to throw for 1,876 yards and 23 touchdowns, both records for a first-year player.
Fordham will open its 2005 season on Saturday, September 3rd when they travel to Kingston, RI to face the University of Rhode Island Rams in Meade Stadium at noon. For ticket information contact the Fordham Ticket Office at 718-817-4300.
