2013 D3football.com All-East Region Team (PDF)

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- Bridgewater State University senior defensive end Rob Ruggiero has been selected to the 2013 D3football.com All-East Region Third 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 which will be honored at the NEFW Captains and Awards Banquet on Thursday, December 12th at the Montvale Plaza in Stoneham.

The 2013 D3football.com All-East Region Team, selected in balloting by East Region sports information directors and D3football.com staff, were chosen from 284 nominations by Division III member schools. A total of 77 players were chosen.

Notes: Ruggeiro is one of six student-athletes from the MASCAC named to the All-East Region Team and the only defensive player.  He joins teammate and 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, junior tight end Casey Hippert of Worcester State and senior offensive tackle John Moriarty of Mass. Maritime.