Aug. 17, 2007

Bronx, N.Y. - Fordham University senior punter Ben Dato (Wyomissing, Pa./Wyomissing) was named to The Sports Network NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) Preseason All-America team it was announced today. Dato, who returns with the top punting average among qualified returning NCAA FCS punters for the 2007 season, was placed on the Second Team.

Last year, Dato earned Third Team All-America honors from the Associated Press and Honorable Mention All-America accolades from the Football Gazette after finishing the season as the leading punter in the Patriot League. He punted 58 times for 2,587 yards, an average of 44.6 yards/punt, third among all NCAA FCS punters. His 44.6 average was the second best single season average in Fordham history (All-American Barry Cantrell averaged 45.8 yards/punt in 1997) and he ranked third in the NCAA Division I FCS last fall. His long punt covered 66 yards in the Columbia game with four of his kicks traveling more than 60 yards. He did not have a punt blocked in 2006 while placing four inside the 20.

Dato, who earned First Team All-Patriot League honors last fall, was named Patriot League Special Teams Player of the Week in week nine after punting eight times for 396 yards, averaging 49.5 yards/punt, against Colgate.

The Rams open the 2007 season on Saturday, September 1st when they travel to Kingston, Rhode Island to face the University of Rhode Island at 1:00 p.m.