2013 Beyond Sports Network Division III Football All-America Team (PDF)

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – Bridgewater State University senior defensive tackle Rob Ruggiero has been named as a second team selection to the 2013 Beyond Sports Network Division III Football All-America Team.

In his first and only season with the Bears after transferring from Springfield College, Ruggiero notched 44 tackles (33 solo) over ten games with 23.5 tackles resulting in losses of 138 yards.  The Acton, Massachusetts native also recorded 12 sacks as well as seven pass breakups, two forced and one recovered fumble, and two blocked kicks.

Ruggiero is tied for third in all of Division III in tackles for loss and tied for sixth in sacks.

In 39 games over four seasons of collegiate football, Ruggiero amassed 129 tackles (85 solo) including 47.5 for loss and 22 sacks.

The 2013 BSU football team posted a 6-4 record in the inaugural Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) football season, capped off by a 45-20 victory over Mass. Maritime in the 35th Annual Cranberry Bowl.  The Bears finished tied for third in the conference standings with a 5-3 league mark.

Last month, Ruggiero was selected as the MASCAC Defensive Player of the Year and was one of nine Bears named to the All-MASCAC Team as he garnered first team honors.  He was also selected to the New England Football Writers (NEFW) Division II/III All‐New England Team as well as the Dfootball.com All-East Region Second Team.

Notes: Ruggiero is one of five players from the MASCAC named to the BSN Division III All-America Team joining teammate, junior wide receiver Matt Green (Stoughton, Mass.), as well as senior running backs Octavias McKoy of Western Connecticut State and Melikke Van Alstyne of Framingham State and junior tight end Casey Hippert of Worcester State.