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Feb. 2, 2011

Texas vs. the Nation: Skelton earns chance to shine (El Paso Times 2/5/11)

Bronx, N.Y. - Fordham University senior tight end Stephen Skelton and senior defensive back Isa Abdul Quddus have been selected to play in the Texas vs. The Nation All-Star Game in the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, on Saturday. Skelton will play for Texas, his native state, for head coach Bill Bates, a former Dallas Cowboy, while Abdul Quddus will play for The Nation, under former NFL head coach Jerry Glanville. They are the only two players from the Patriot League to be playing in the game.

This will be the fifth year for the Texas vs. The Nation game, a contest that pits top collegiate players originally from Texas or who play college football in Texas against top players from around the nation. For more information on the game, click here.

Skelton just completed his senior year at Fordham as one of the most prolific tight ends in school history. He caught 42 passes or 443 yards (10.5 yards/reception) and three touchdowns this year, all second best on the team. Skelton tied for eighth in the Patriot League is receptions per game (3.8).

Skelton emerged as a pass-catching tight end in 2009, hauling in 63 passes from his brother John who played for the Arizona Cardinals this year, for 634 yards and six touchdowns. The 63 receptions were the most all-time for a Fordham tight end and the fifth best total in school history. Skelton had two 100-yard receiving games that fall, a ten-reception, career-high 138-yard game against Old Dominion on October 3rd and a career-high 13-catch, 102 yard contest against Holy Cross on October 31st. Skelton ranked fourth in the Patriot League in receptions per game (5.7), 31st in the NCAA FCS, and ninth in the conference in and 81st in the NCAA receiving yards per game (57.6).

Over his career, Skelton recorded 127 receptions for 1,313 yards and ten touchdowns, all career-highs for a Fordham tight end. He is seventh on the school's all-time receptions list and tied for eighth in career touchdown receptions.

Isa Abdul Quddus

Abdul Quddus, who was named Second Team Preseason All-Patriot League by Phil Steele's College Football Preview, closed out his Fordham career leading the 2010 squad with 78 tackles, 56 of those solo, and he recorded six pass breakups and forced three fumbles. He tied for the Patriot League lead in forced fumbles/game (0.27) and was eleventh in the League in tackles/game (7.1).

Over his career, Abdul Quddus, who was a two-year starter in the defensive backfield, had 193 total tackles, 134 solo, including 12 for loss and three sacks. He also amassed ten pass deflections and three interceptions. Abdul Quddus tied a school record with three interceptions in a game at Cornell in 2009.