Casey Named to Phil Steele's Preseason All-Conference Team

July 14, 2008

KINGSTON, R.I. - University of Rhode Island football senior fullback/running back Joe Casey (Syracuse, N.Y.) has been selected to Phil Steele's 2008 Preseason CAA Football First Team.

A three-time first team all-conference back, Casey rushed for 782 yards in eight games in 2007 before suffering a season-ending injury. Casey averaged 103.8 yards per game and posted three 100-yard games, including a season-high 130 yards against Hofstra on Sept. 22. In his final game of the season, he rushed for 105 yards in 23 carries in less than three quarters before leaving with an injury at New Hampshire. Following the season, he was also named to The Sports Network All-America Third Team.

Casey enters his senior season tied with Jayson Davis (2002-05) for fourth-place on Rhode Island's all-time rushing yards list with 2,901 yards and tied for seventh with former teammate Jerell Jones (2003-07) with 16 career rushing touchdowns.

Below is a complete list of the teams. The Rams open their season at home against Monmouth on August 30.

Phil Steele's 2008 Preseason All-CAA Football Teams

First Team

Offense: WR Kevin Grayson (Richmond); WR Aaron Love (Delaware); TE Robbie Agnone (Delaware); OT Tim Silver (Richmond); OT Sean Calicchio (Massachusetts); OG Matt McCracken (Richmond); OG Corey Nicholson (Delaware); C Kheon Hendricks (Delaware); QB Rodney Landers (James Madison); RB Jhamal Fluellen (Maine); RB Joe Casey (Rhode Island).

Defense: DL Jovan Belcher (Maine); DL Matt Marcorelle (Delaware); DL Lawrence Sidbury (Richmond); DL Tim Kukucka (Villanova); LB Eric McBride (Richmond); LB Osayi Osunde (Villanova); LB Erik Johnson (Delaware); DB Sean Smalls (Massachusetts); DB Courtney Robinson (Massachusetts); DB John Clements (New Hampshire); DB Evan McCollough (James Madison).

Second Team

Offense: WR Marcus Lee (Towson); WR Elliott Mack (William & Mary); TE Brian Manderville (Northeastern); OT Kevin Newhall (Northeastern); OT Terrence Apted (James Madison); OG Dorian Brooks (James Madison); OG Christopher Arnao (Maine); C Scott Lenn (James Madison); QB Liam Coen (Massachusetts); RB Eugene Holloman (James Madison); RB John Crone (Richmond).

Defense: DL Sherman Logan (Richmond); DL Michael Hanson (Massachusetts); DL Adrian Tracy (William & Mary); DL Rodney Talley (Delaware); LB Andrew Downey (Maine); LB Colin McConaghy (Richmond); LB Josh Rutter (William & Mary); DB Derek Cox (William & Mary); DB Marcus Haywood (James Madison); DB Jeromy Miles (Massachusetts); DB Seth Williams (Richmond).

Specialists

First Team: K Jon Striefsky (Delaware); P Tom Bishop (New Hampshire); RS Justin Rogers (Richmond).

Second Team: K David Stannard (James Madison); P James Pritchard (James Madison); RS Anthony Nelson (Hofstra).