July 9, 2012

2012 Sports Network FCS Preseason All-America Team

CENTER VALLEY, Pa. - Football season is right around the corner, and three Patriot League student-athletes will go into the campaign with national distinction after being named to The Sports Network Football Championship Subdivision Preseason All-America Team on Monday.

Lehigh senior wide receiver Ryan Spadola was placed on the first team, with Fordham senior punter Patrick Murray on the second team and Georgetown senior defensive back Jeremy Moore on the third team. Spadola and Murray each earned All-America recognition from The Sports Network following the 2011 season, with Spadola on the first team and Murray on the third team.

Spadola finished with 96 receptions for a Patriot League record 1,614 yards and 11 touchdowns last season. He earned his second consecutive first-team All-Patriot League nod, and was named an All-American for the second year in a row by multiple organizations. Spadola's 1,614 yards were the eighth-highest single-season total in FCS history. He finished his junior season ranked second in the FCS in receiving yards per game and sixth nationally in receptions per game.

Spadola enters the 2012 season with career totals of 175 receptions, 2,760 yards and 20 touchdowns, putting him in range to finish among the top Patriot League wide receivers in each of the three categories.

Murray finished third in the nation with a 44.1 punting average for the Rams, who led the FCS in net punting. He booted 49 punts for 2,160 yards, and placed 21 kicks inside the 20. Murray's career average of 41.47 yards per punt currently stands second in Patriot League history.

Moore was named a first-team All-Patriot League selection as both a defensive back and a kickoff returner last season. He had four interceptions for the season while recording 58 tackles, including 5.5 tackles for loss and three sacks. Moore led the Patriot League with a 29.2 yards per kickoff return, the best single-season average in Georgetown history.

For the full 2012 Sports Network Preseason FCS All-America Team, go here. The release is available here

The 2012 season kicks off on Aug. 30 when Holy Cross hosts New Hampshire and Fordham welcomes Lock Haven. Three more teams begin the year two days later as Colgate goes to Albany, Georgetown visits Davidson and Lehigh hosts Monmouth. Season openers the next weekend include Lafayette at William & Mary and Bucknell at Marist, while the Leopards visit the Bison in the Patriot League opener on Sept. 22 at Noon on CBS Sports Network.