PITMAN, N.J. (11/19/10) - The Kean University football team placed 12 players on the New Jersey Athletic Conference all-star teams, with five players earning first-team honors, as voted on by the league's 10 head coaches and announced on Friday morning.Seniors Jay Gwaltney, Matt Puorro and Andrew Ockenfuss each earned first-team honors on offense, while juniors Ray Wegrzynek and Jamahl Williams were selected defensive first-team all-stars.

Kean also had six selections on second-team, with junior Thomas D'Ambrisi and senior Sean Atkins on offense, seniors Victor D'Arrigo and Andre Dozier on defense and junior Billy Daniels and Williams taking special team honors.

Juniors Dave Vermeuel and Richard Esdaile rounded out the honorees with honorable mention accolades.

Gwaltney (pictured right) set a pair of single season rushing records this season, as he finished with 1,412 yards on 254 rushing attempts. Through the course of the season, he posted seven straight games of 100 or more yards rushing, including four straight contests with at least 200 yards rushing. He led the conference and ranks seventh in the nation in rushing average (141.2 yards per game).

At tight end, Puorro ranked second on the team in both receptions (26) and receiving yards (317), as he also had one touchdown catch. A two-year starter on offense, Puorro also excels in the classroom and was recently named a CoSIDA/ESPN Academic District II Second-Team honoree.

A three-year starter along the offensive line, Ockenfuss helped the Cougars lead the conference and rank among the national leaders for the third straight season in fewest sacks allowed (6).

Williams earns first-team honors at safety for the second straight season, as he ranked tied for first in the conference and is tied for seventh in the country in interceptions per game (0.80). A three-time NJAC all-star, his eight picks are the second most in single season history, giving him 15 in his career and moving him into second place in career history. The junior also handled kick-return duties, as he earned second-team accolades after returning 22 kickoffs for 437 yards (19.9 yards per return) to rank sixth in the NJAC.

An honorable mention all-star last season, Wegrzynek finished third on the team in tackles for a loss (8.0/23 yards) and had two sacks for a 10-yard loss. A two-year starter, Wegrzynek had 33 total tackles, two pass-break-ups and one interception this season.
D'Ambrisi earns NJAC honors for the second-straight season after completing 103-of-199 passing attempts for 1,181 yards. The 2008 NJAC Offensive Rookie of the Year, D'Ambrisi finished with nine touchdown passes and added four rushing touchdowns, despite missing one game with an injury.

A three-time NJAC all-star at fullback, Atkins garners second-team honors for the second time in his career. A first-team all-star last season, Atkins had five carries for 43 yards and seven receptions for 69 yards and one touchdown in nine games this season.

D'Arrigo finished tied for fifth on the team in total tackles (51), with 1.5 tackles for a loss of seven yards and one sack for a six-yard loss, while adding two forced fumbles and one pass break-up from his linebacker position. A three-year starter, D'Arrigo was an honorable mention all-star in 2008.

A three-year starter at cornerback, Dozier finished second on the team with a career-best four interceptions. Dozier, who also added four pass break-ups, had a pair of interceptions against The College of New Jersey and closed out his career with 28 total tackles and one fumble recovery in his senior year.

Daniels earns second-team honors at kicker for the second straight season after converting 19-of-24 extra points attempts and 7-of-13 field goal attempts. Also the team's punter, Daniels (pictured right) converted all three of his field goals between 20 and 29 yards and had a season-long 42-yard field goal in the team's win at Buffalo State.

A two-year starter along the offensive line, Vermeuel helped anchor a line that blocked for an offense that ranked fourth in the conference in rushing yards and allowed just six sacks all season to lead the NJAC and rank among the nation's leaders.

Esdaile is a two-year starter at linebacker and finished the season with 40 total tackles, including 6.5 tackles for a loss of 25 yards. He also added two pass break-ups, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

The Cougars posted their fifth straight non-losing season under fifth-year Head Coach Dan Garrett, as they finished 5-5 overall, 5-4 in the conference. Three of the team's losses came at the hands of teams in the NCAA tournament, including third-ranked Wesley College.