Center Valley, Pa. - Six Patriot League football student-athletes have recently been named to a preseason Football Championship Subdivision All-America team, including a pair of honors for Holy Cross senior quarterback Dominic Randolph and Colgate senior wide receiver Pat Simonds.

Randolph and Simonds were second-team selections by both The Sports Network and Phil Steele’s 2009 College Football Preview. Lehigh senior linebacker Matt Cohen was the only first-team preseason All-American out of the Patriot League as he was honored by Phil Steele’s. Three players joined Randolph and Simonds on The Sports Network list, as Lafayette junior kicker Davis Rodriguez was also a second-team choice while Bucknell junior wide receiver Shaun Pasternak and Lehigh junior offensive lineman Will Rackley were placed on the third team.

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Randolph enters the senior season of a record-setting career, as he already holds the Patriot League career records for completions (821) and passing touchdowns (83). His 9,679 passing yards are just 140 away from the League mark, while Randolph’s 9,984 yards of total offense are just 80 from the League record. Randolph won his second consecutive Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year award in 2008 after completing 340-of-520 passes for 3,838 yards with 34 touchdowns and 17 interceptions. The 340 completions set a Patriot League single-season record, and Randolph also set a League mark with eight 300-yard passing performances, which came in Holy Cross’ final eight games. His 34 touchdown passes tied a Patriot League record, and his 38 touchdowns responsible for set a League mark. He led the FCS in passing yardage, total offense and completions per game, and finished as a candidate for the Walter Payton Award (Most Outstanding Player in FCS) for the second straight year. He enters 2009 as one of the top preseason contenders for the highest individual honor in the FCS.

Simonds earned First-Team All-Patriot League recognition in 2008 while helping Colgate to the Patriot League title. He hauled in 65 receptions for 1,136 yards and nine touchdowns, leading the Patriot League in total receiving yards while finishing second in receptions. He also led the League by averaging 17.5 yards per catch.

Cohen also received First-Team All-Patriot League honors after leading the League in tackles for loss (17) and sacks (6.5) and tying for the top spot with three interceptions in 2008. He recorded 53 tackles and earned All-Patriot League recognition for the second straight season.

Rodriguez had an outstanding sophomore season to earn Second-Team All-Patriot League honors. He converted on 13-of-15 field goals, leading the League in both field goals made and percentage. He also made 32-of-33 extra points and placed fifth in the League with 71 points scored.

Pasternak led the Patriot League in receptions and receiving yards per game in 2008, while placing second in receiving touchdowns to garner Second-Team All-Patriot League recognition. He hauled in 72 receptions for 1,083 yards and 12 touchdowns, which placed in a tie for seventh on the League’s single-season receiving touchdowns list.

Rackley started all 11 games along the offensive line last season, and earned First-Team All-Patriot League honors for his performance. He helped Lehigh to an average of 25.6 points and 216.7 passing yards per game.

Eleven Patriot League football student-athletes have now earned at least one preseason All-America mention heading into the 2009 campaign. Previously, seven players were named honorable mention selections on the Consensus Draft Services Preseason FCS All-America Teams. Randolph and Cohen were joined on that list by Fordham senior quarterback John Skelton, Lafayette senior linebacker Mark Leggiero and Bucknell junior Ahkiel White, Lehigh junior Jarard Cribbs and Holy Cross senior Michael Wright in the defensive backfield.

The Patriot League football season begins on Sept. 5, when six of the League’s seven teams are in action. The League schedule also opens that day as Georgetown visits Holy Cross.

Patriot League Media Relations
http://www.patriotleague.org/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/071009aab.html