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Football

Brett Biestek, Stephen Hodge and Dan Light Named Academic All-Patriot League

Trio also named All-Patriot League earlier in week

Bronx, N.Y. (November 28, 2013) – Fordham University senior defensive lineman Brett Biestek, junior linebacker Stephen Hodge and junior tight end Dan Light earned one of 14 spots on the sport's Academic All-Patriot League Team, it was announced on Wednesday. The awards are voted on by the Patriot League's football sports information directors.
 
The three Rams also earned All-Patriot League honors earlier this week with Hodge being named the Patriot League defensive player of the year as well as first team all-conference, and Biestek and Light both earning first team All-Patriot League honors.
 
Hodge, who arrived at Fordham as a wide receiver in 2011, was moved to linebacker last year and filled the stat sheet this year for the Fordham defense, finishing the regular season with 111 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, five sacks, five forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and an interception. He leads the nation with 87 solo tackles and is tied for the top spot in FCS with the five forced fumbles. Hodge helped key Fordham's upset of Temple on Sept. 14 by making 11 tackles with a sack and a forced fumble, and also earned Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week honors for his performance against Georgetown (14 tackles, sack) and Holy Cross (15 tackles, 4 TFL, 1 FF). His three Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week awards tied for the most in League history. Hodge is Fordham's third Defensive Player of the Year honoree, and first since linebacker Marcus Taylor in 2006.
 
Light, one of the top tight ends in Fordham history who earns first team all-league honors for the second straight year, caught 44 passes for 398 yards and two touchdowns this year. He is ranked 12th in the Patriot League in receptions per game (3.7) and 17th in receiving yards per game (33.2).
 
Biestek, who was named Capital One Academic All-District two weeks ago, has been a mainstay on the defensive line for the Rams this year, recording 47 total tackles, 31 solo, including 12.5 for loss and four sacks, ranking third on the team in both categories. He also has five quarterback hurries, four pass breakups, three fumble recoveries, one forced fumble and one blocked kick. Biestek is ranked third in the Patriot League in fumbles recovered and seventh in tackles for loss.
 
To be eligible for the Scholar-Athlete of the Year award and the Academic All-Patriot League Team, a student-athlete must have at least a 3.20 cumulative grade point average and be a starter or key player in his/her sport. Freshmen or students in their first academic year at their school are not eligible for the honor. The Patriot League Scholar-Athlete of the Year for each individual sport comprises the pool of nominees for the Patriot League Male and Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year awards given out over the summer. One male and one female are selected for this honor.
 
The Rams, ranked ninth in the Sports Network poll and tenth in the NCAA FCS Coaches poll, return to action on Saturday, November 30, as they host the Sacred Heart University Pioneers in the first round of the 2013 NCAA Division I Football Championship on Jack Coffey Field at 1:00 p.m.
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