Dec. 13, 2007

Bronx, N.Y. - Fordham University senior punter Benjamin Dato (Wyomissing, PA/Wyomissing) was named Second Team All-America by the Associated Press it was announced today. This is the second straight season Dato received All-America honors from the Associated Press, being named to the Third Team in 2006. The honor also marks the sixth time a Ram has been named All-American over the past six years, joining Marcus Taylor (2006), Tad Kornegay (2004), Kirwin Watson (2002 and 2003) and Javarus Dudley (2003).

Dato, who was named First Team All-Patriot League this fall for the second straight season, is one of three Patriot League student-athletes to earn Associated Press All-America honors, joining Colgate's Mike Gallihugh and Lafayette's Jesse Padilla.

The trio's selection marks the sixth-straight year that at least three Patriot League scholar-athletes have been named AP All-American. There have been 28 Patriot Leaguers named AP All-American since 2000 and 82 overall. A record 13 were selected in 1988.

Dato led the Patriot League and is ranked third in the NCAA FCS, averaging 44.7 yards/punt. He punted 67 times for 2,992 yards with 26 of his 67 punts being down inside the opponent's 20. His 2,992 punting yards is a Fordham single season record, surpassing the former record of 2,931 yards set by Anthony DiFino in 2005.

Dato, who was named First Team All-Patriot League in 2006 and 2007, was named Special Teams Player of the Week twice in 2007. He helped the Fordham punt return squad record the highest net punting averaging in all of NCAA Division I football (40.52 yards/punt).

Over his career, Dato punted 125 times for 5,579 yards, an average of 44.6 yards/punt. His 44.6 yards/punt average is a Fordham career record, surpassing Barry Cantrell's mark of 39.9 yards/punt set between 1994 and 1997. Dato also is ranked fifth on Fordham's all-time punt yardage list.