Jan. 7, 2008
Bronx, N.Y. - Fordham University senior punter Benjamin Dato (Wyomissing, PA/Wyomissing) and senior linebacker Earl Hudnell (West Palm Beach, Fla./Suncoast) were named Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) All-America by the The Sports Network it was announced on Saturday. Dato was named to the First Team while Hudnell was named Honorable Mention.
This is the second All-America honor for Dato in 2007 as he was also named Second Team All-America by the Associated Press in December. The honors marks the seventh time a Ram has been named All-America over the past six years, as Dato and Hudnell join 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, led the League and ranked third in the NCAA FCS, averaging 44.66 per punt. He kicked 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 was named Patriot League 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.
Hudnell, who was named First Team All-Patriot League in 2007, finished the season with 59 total tackles, 38 solo, including a Patriot League-best 15.5 tackles for loss. The 15.5 tackles for a loss tied him for 36th overall in the NCAA FCS. Hudnell also registered three sacks while picking off three passes, one of which he returned 40 yards for a touchdown in the win over Lehigh.
Over his career, Hudnell recorded 118 total tackles, 75 solo, including 18.5 for a loss and five sacks. He also intercepted five career passes.
The Rams finished the season with a 8-4 overall record, 5-1 in the Patriot League, winning their second League championship and advancing to the NCAA Football Championship where they fell to Massachusetts, 49-35, in the first round.
