 High School: Played football and was a member of the track and field team at West Essex High School...played linebacker and strong safety in football...led team to 10 or more wins each of his three varsity seasons...team won state, section, and group titles his senior year...earned first team all-conference, All-Essex County, and state All-Group II honors as a senior...earned two letters in track as a sprinter and long jumper.
At Delaware: Senior and a fourth-year member of the UD squad after transferring from Wagner College...two-year letterwinner...rugged, versatile, and unsung member of the squad who can play fullback or tight end and is also an outstanding special teams player...will serve as a blocking back on short yardage situations and on special teams and will battle with Colin Naugle, Washington State transfer Trevor Mooney, and Ryan Stratis for top backup spot at tight end behind All-American Robbie Agnone...has played in 26 career games with three starts and collected 19 tackles on special teams...has good size and can catch the ball coming out of the backfield.
2007 Season: Earned second letter at Delaware as a backup tight end, blocking back on short yardage situations, and on special teams...played in all 15 games and started three contests in three-tight end sets vs. Monmouth, Northeastern, Villanova...did not carry the ball but caught first career pass vs. Monmouth and gained 32 yards...one of team’s most productive special teams players as he garnered 17 tackles, including six solo stops...17 tackles ranked third among all special teams players in the CAA...posted a career-high four tackles in playoff win over Delaware State and also had two stops vs. West Chester, Monmouth, Navy, and Northern Iowa...team posted an 11-4 record and a berth in the FCS national title game for head coach K.C. Keeler...carried six times for 15 yards and had a reception for three yards in spring game...changed number from 40 to 32 during the fall.
2006 Season: Earned first letter at Delaware in first year of eligibility after transfer from Wagner...saw action in all games as a special teams player and short yardage blocker...carried twice for 12 yards and registered two tackles on the season...rushed twice for 12 yards on carries of 11 and one yard vs. West Chester...posted solo tackles vs. Rhode Island and William & Mary...team went 5-6...rushed for 48 yards on 10 carries and scored on a 23-yard touchdown run and had two catches for eight yards in spring game.
2005 Season: Did not see game action...sat out per NCAA transfer rules...team went 6-5.
At Wagner: 2004 Season: Played linebacker at Wagner College for head coach Walt Hameline...team posted a record of 6-5.
Personal: Matthew Vito “Matt” Ruggiero (“roo-jeer-o”)...born Nov. 1, 1985...son of Henry and Regina Ruggiero...finance major at Delaware...youngest of four children...works with family business during the summere...hobbies include golf, tennis, and spending time at the New Jersey shore.
RUSHING
| YEAR |
G/S |
Attempts |
Yards |
Avg. |
TD |
Long |
| 2007 |
15/3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 2006 |
11/0 |
2 |
12 |
6.0 |
0 |
11 |
| Totals |
26/3 |
2 |
12 |
6.0 |
0 |
11 |
RECEIVING
| YEAR |
G/S |
Recpt. |
Yards |
Avg. |
TD |
Long |
| 2007 |
15/3 |
1 |
32 |
32.0 |
0 |
32 |
| 2006 |
11/10 |
0 |
0 |
0.0 |
0 |
0 |
| Totals |
26/3 |
1 |
32 |
32.0 |
0 |
0 |
DEFENSE
| YEAR |
G/S |
Tackles (Solo) |
TFL |
Sacks |
PD |
Int. |
| 2007 |
15/3 |
17 (6) |
0-0 |
0-0 |
0 |
0 |
| 2006 |
11/0 |
2 (2) |
0-0 |
0-0 |
0 |
0 |
| Totals |
26/3 |
19 (8) |
0-0 |
0-0 |
0 |
0 |
|
