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Blue Hens’ Tom Parks named All-American

Tom Parks

12:25 p.m., July 11, 2005--UD defensive lineman Tom Parks has been rated the top defensive tackle in NCAA Division I-AA football, according to the Sports Network, which also has named him to its preseason All-American team.

Parks, a 6-foot 4-inch, 275-pound senior, was named a first team All-American by the sports news service. After the 2004 season, in which the Fightin’ Blue Hens went 9-4, won a share of the Atlantic 10 Conference title and reached the NCAA Division I-AA championship tournament quarterfinals, Parks was a third team All-American selection by both the Associated Press and the Sports Network.

During his junior year, Parks had 48 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss and 10 sacks.

Parks was the only UD player named a preseason All-American by the Sports Network but was one of three Hens to earn notice from Sports Network NCAA Division I-AA football analyst Matt Dougherty in advance of the 2005 season. Senior David Boler was selected the No. 8 wide receiver in the division, and sophomore running back Omar Cuff was selected the No. 14 running back.

Boler has been an integral part of Head Coach K.C. Keeler’s passing attack, and last year caught 65 passes for 903 yards.

Cuff began his UD career as a defensive back but by mid-season was the starting running back, and an extremely productive one at that. In his first career start, a 20-13 loss to eventual national champion James Madison University, Cuff ran for 162 yards on 34 carries.

Overall, Cuff finished his freshman season with 673 yards on 154 carries and scored eight touchdowns.

UD will open the 2005 season with a game against Lehigh University of the Patriot League at 7 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 10, at Tubby Raymond Field at Delaware Stadium.

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