Oct. 29, 2007

Bronx, N.Y. - Fordham University senior punter Ben Dato (Wyomissing, Pa/Wyomissing) was named Patriot League Special Team Player of the Week it was announced today. This marks the first Player of the Week honor for Dato in 2007, who also received the award once last fall.

In Fordham's 33-0 win at Marist College on Saturday night, Dato punted four times for 210 yards, an average of 52.5 yards/punt, placing all four inside the Marist 20. He also kicked off for the Rams, placing three of his six kickoffs in the end zone.

On the year, Dato has punted 49 times for 2,190 yards, an average of 44.7 yards/punt, with a long of 56 yards. He has also placed 20 of his 49 punts inside the opponent's 20. He leads the Patriot League and is third in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) in punting average.

Dato, who was named All-America and First Team All-Patriot League last year, has also been handling kickoffs for the Rams over the past five games, putting 13 of his 30 kickoffs into the end zone.

The Rams (7-2, 4-0) will next be in action on Saturday, November 3rd, as they host Holy Cross in a battle of undefeated Patriot League teams on Jack Coffey Field at 1:00 PM.