Aug. 16, 2012

College Sports Journal Preseason All-America Team
Phil Steele's Preseason FCS All-America Team

CENTER VALLEY, Pa. - Two more Football Championship Subdivision Preseason All-America squads have been released recently, and the names representing the Patriot League are becoming familiar heading into the 2012 season.

Lehigh senior wide receiver Ryan Spadola and Fordham senior punter Patrick Murray continued their run of All-America recognition, as Spadola was named to the first-team offense and Murray the second-team defense by both College Sports Journal and Phil Steele's. Georgetown senior defensive back Jeremy Moore also received a selection from College Sports Journal on the third-team defense.

In addition to a handful of first-team preseason All-America selections, Spadola has been chosen as Patriot League Preseason Offensive Player of the Year and one of 20 candidates for the Walter Payton Award (Most Outstanding Player in FCS) heading into the 2012 campaign. He caught 96 passes for a Patriot League-record 1,614 yards with 11 touchdowns last season for the Mountain Hawks, who won the Patriot League for the second year in a row and advanced to the quarterfinals of the FCS playoffs. 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 29.2 yards per kickoff return, the best single-season average in Georgetown history.

Each of the three has been named to numerous preseason All-America teams, including The Sports Network.

The Patriot League football season kicks off on Aug. 30 when Fordham plays host to Lock Haven and Holy Cross welcomes New Hampshire. Two days later, Lehigh opens the season at home against Monmouth while Colgate visits Albany and Georgetown pays a visit to Davidson. Lafayette heads to William & Mary and Bucknell visits Marist in season openers on Sept. 8, with the Leopards and Bison squaring off in the Patriot League opener in Lewisburg on Sept. 22 at Noon on CBS Sports Network.