BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Holy Cross football team features five players who were selected to the 2016 preseason All-Patriot League team, as it begins its quest to win the seventh conference title in school history. Senior defensive lineman Dewayne Cameron, senior wide receiver Brendan Flaherty, senior defensive back Luke Ford, junior defensive back Alim Muhammad and senior quarterback Peter Pujals were all selected to the team in voting by the league's head coaches and sports information directors.
As a team, Holy Cross tied for third place in the 2016 Patriot League preseason poll of head coaches and sports information directors, receiving 47 total points and one first-place vote. Colgate finished first in the poll with 70 points and 10 first-place votes, followed by Fordham with 63 points and three first-place votes. Lehigh tied with the Crusaders for third with 47 points, followed by Bucknell in fifth (31 points), Lafayette in sixth (19 points) and Georgetown in seventh (17 points).
Cameron earned first team All-Patriot League honors last season, after leading the team with seven quarterback sacks for 78 yards, and 11 tackles for loss for 86 yards. He also ranked fourth on the squad with 47 total tackles, in addition to recovering two fumbles and breaking up two passes. Cameron finished the season ranked third in the Patriot League in sacks, fourth in fumble recoveries, fifth in tackles for loss and 41st in total tackles. During his Holy Cross career, he has now totaled 68 tackles, nine quarterback sacks and 17 tackles for loss.
Flaherty received first team All-Patriot League, first team All-New England honors and second team All-America honors in 2015. He broke the Holy Cross and Patriot League single-season records with 106 receptions, to go along with 1,082 receiving yards and 12 touchdown catches. Flaherty also rushed the ball eight times for 46 yards and two scores, and totaled 1,128 all-purpose yards. He led the Patriot League in receptions and receiving yards, while ranking second in scoring and seventh in all-purpose yards. Over the course of his collegiate career, Flaherty has caught 138 passes for 1,414 yards and 13 scores.
Ford started all 11 games during the 2015 season at free safety, and earned Academic All-Patriot League honors. He ranked fifth on the team with 43 total tackles last year, including two tackles for loss. Ford also led the team with three interceptions in 2015, in addition to breaking up four passes. He finished the 2015 campaign third in the Patriot League in interceptions, 11th in passes defended and 48th in total tackles. In 27 career games played, he has now recorded 78 tackles, five interceptions and seven pass breakups.
Muhammad played in only four games last season due to injury, but still totaled 14 tackles, an interception and two pass breakups. He previously recorded 32 tackles and four pass breakups during the 2014 campaign. Throughout his Holy Cross career, Muhammad has now totaled 46 tackles and six pass breakups.
Pujals earned first team All-Patriot League honors last season, after being a second team All-Patriot League selection in 2014. He started all 11 games at quarterback in 2015, connecting on 286 of 484 passes for 3,195 yards and 28 touchdowns. Pujals also rushed 92 times for 319 yards and a score, while finishing the year with 3,514 yards of total offense. He led the Patriot League in both passing yards and total offense, while standing third in pass efficiency (129.1 rating). Over the course of his Holy Cross career, Pujals has now hit on 722 of 1,191 passes for 7,809 yards and 57 touchdowns, while rushing 398 times for 1,493 yards and 15 scores.
Holy Cross is coming off a 2015 campaign in which it went 6-5 overall and 3-3 against Patriot League foes. The Crusaders, who return 16 of 22 starters, are scheduled to open the 2016 campaign when they travel to Morgan State on Sept. 3. Season tickets for 2016 are now on sale through the Holy Cross ticket office, and can be purchased online at GoHolyCross.com/tickets, or over the phone by calling 1-844-GOCROSS.
2016 Patriot League Football Preseason Poll
1. Colgate, 70 points (10 first-place votes)
2. Fordham, 63 (3)
3T. Holy Cross, 47 (1)
3T. Lehigh, 47
5. Bucknell, 31
6. Lafayette, 19
7. Georgetown, 17
2016 Patriot League Football Preseason All-League Team
Preseason Offensive Player of the Year: Chase Edmonds, RB, Fordham (Jr.)
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year: Kyle Diener, LB, Colgate (Sr.)
Offense
QB Peter Pujals, Holy Cross (Sr.)
RB Chase Edmonds, Fordham (Jr.)
RB James Holland, Colgate (Jr.)
FB/HB Matt Buckman, Georgetown (Sr.)
WR Will Carter, Bucknell (Sr.)
WR Brendan Flaherty, Holy Cross (Sr.)
WR Troy Pelletier, Lehigh (Jr.)
TE Phazahn Odom, Fordham (Gr.)
OL Anthony Coyle, Fordham (Jr.)
OL Jordi Dalmau, Colgate (Sr.)
OL Julie'n Davenport, Bucknell (Sr.)
OL Zach Duffy, Lehigh (Sr.)
OL Tim O'Hara, Lehigh (Jr.)
Defense#
DL Pat Afriyie, Colgate (Jr.)
DL Abdullah Anderson, Bucknell (Jr.)
DL Dewayne Cameron, Holy Cross (Sr.)
DL Ben Schumacher, Bucknell (Sr.)
LB Colton Caslow, Lehigh (Sr.)
LB Kyle Diener, Colgate (Sr.)
LB Mark Pyles, Bucknell (Jr.)
LB Ben Richard, Bucknell (Jr.)
LB Niko Thorpe, Fordham (Jr.)
DB Luke Ford, Holy Cross (Sr.)
DB Chris Morgan, Colgate (Sr.)
DB Alim Muhammad, Holy Cross (Jr.)
DB Jihaad Pretlow, Fordham (Sr.)
Special Teams
PK Henry Darmstadter, Georgetown (Sr.)
P Alex Pechin, Bucknell (So.)
RS Jihaad Pretlow, Fordham (Sr.)
Non-Specialist Player Jethro Francois, Georgetown (So.)
#One extra linebacker due to tie in voting
