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Colgate University Athletics

2021 Football Roster

Brian Foley
Yvonne Landis ‘86
Justin Wolford
Brian Foley
Yvonne Landis ‘86
Yvonne Landis ‘86
Justin Wolford
Rich Barnes
Russell Hons

3 William Gruber

3 William Gruber

  • Position:
    Defensive Back
  • Height:
    5-10
  • Weight:
    185
  • Class:
    Senior
  • Hometown:
    Hermitage, Pa.
  • Previous Team:
    Hickory
  • Major:
    Psychology

Summary

Biography

Career Statistics

Career
Games/Starts: 33/12
Colgate Debut: Sept. 22, 2018, vs. Lafayette
First Career Start: Oct. 12, 2019, vs. Bucknell
Stats Through End of 2020-21: 34 tackles, including 25 solo; Two interceptions; 11 pass breakups; 49 kickoff returns for 25.6-yard average; long 100, two kickoff return touchdowns.

Awards
2021 Phil Steele FCS All-Patriot League First Team (Special Teams - KR)
2021 Phil Steele FCS All-Patriot League Second Team Team (Special Teams - AP)
Football Championship Subdivision Athletics Directors Association (FCS ADA) Academic All-Star Team
2021 Football Academic All-Patriot League Team
2021 All-Patriot League First Team (RS, DB)
2020-21 All-Patriot League First Team (Coaches [Return Specialist])
2020-21 All-Patriot League Second Team (Coaches [Defensive Back])
2020-21 Colgate University George W. Cobb Fellows Award
2020-21 Academic All-Patriot League
2019 All-Patriot League Second Team (Coaches), First Team (Phil Steele)
2018 Colgate Gordon Watson Scout Team Award (Defense)
Two-Time Patriot League Academic Honor Roll
Three-Time Colgate Raider Academic Honor Roll

2021 (Senior)
  • Played nine games starting eight
  • 34 total tackles wth 25 solo, one for loss, led team with eight passes broken up, two fumbles recovered and had the team's only blocked kick
  • Eight kickoff returns for 362 yards (45.25 average) with touchdowns in consecutive games at Cornell and at Holy Cross
  • Led the Raiders to the top kickoff return average in the Patriot League (22.5 yards per attempt)
  • Leading kickoff returner in the Patriot League by a 20-yard margin
  • School-record 100-yard kickoff return against Cornell followed by a 99-yard return against Holy Cross the next week
  • Season and career high 10 tackles (five solo) at Holy Cross
  • Six solo tackles, at Brown with a fumble recovery and a pass break up
  • Also six tackles, five solo, a fumble recovery and a pass break up versus Fordham
  • Three tackles, two passes broken up and a blocked kick at Cornell
  • Three solo stops and an interception at Georgetown
  • Tied for first in the Patriot League in passes defended with nine (eight break-ups and an interception)
2020-21 (Junior)
  • Two games, both starts
  • Six tackles, including four solo
  • One interception
  • Five kickoff returns for 15.8-yard average
  • Long of 25.
  • Five tackles, three solo in opener at Lafayette to match career high 
  • Made team's only interception of season at Fordham, along with one tackle
  • Season moved to spring and team played two-game schedule because of Covid-19 Pandemic
2019 (Sophomore)
  • 12 games played with two starts
  • 20 tackles, including 16 solo, three pass breakups, 36 kickoff returns for 22.2-yard average, long of 38.
  • Drew starting assignments in consecutive games against Bucknell and Cornell en route to All-Patriot League honors
  • Two solo tackles in each game
  • Added pass breakup to aid Colgate's 21-20 victory at Cornell
  • Other pass breakups against William & Mary and in 24-14 road triumph over Georgetown
  • Career-high four tackles at William & Mary
  • Multiple tackles in five games
  • Best kickoff return game was two returns against Lehigh for 28-yard average
  • Returned five against Maine for 27.2-yard average , Included career-long return of 38 yards
  • Returned 32-yarder against William & Mary and 30-yarders against Air Force and Lehigh
2018 (First Year)
  • 10 games played and made one tackle.
  • Made collegiate debut in Colgate's 45-0 victory over Lafayette and played in every game thereafter
  • Pitched in with one assisted tackle in Raiders 23-20 NCAA home playoff triumph over No. 6 James Madison.

Before Colgate
Hickory High School in Hermitage, Pennsylvania ... Lettered four years under head coach Bill Brest ... Senior-year captain.
Position: WR/CB/RS/P
Stats: 30 receptions for 656 yards and seven touchdowns during senior season … Added 110 rushing yards, 67 tackles, two interceptions and a 38.8-yard punting average … For career, 71 receptions for 1,589 yards and 19 TDs … 3-of-3 passing for 135 yards and one TD … 351 rushing yards and four TDs ... Five touchdowns via kickoff return and three on punt returns … 224 total tackles and five interceptions … 38.6-yard punting average.
Honors: Two-time Pennsylvania Football Writers/Broadcasters Class 3A All-State First Team wide receiver … Two-time All-Region First Team wide receiver and defensive back … 2017 District 10 Small School Football All-Star First Team all-purpose athlete … 2016 WesternPAFootball.net All-State First Team athlete … Pennsylvania Football Writers (PFN) 3A All-State Second Team athlete … Three-time District champions, including undefeated regular season in 2016 … Hornets went 38-12 during his four years, including three straight 11-win seasons.
Get to Know: Also lettered in track and field … Two-year captain … Helped Hornets to 2017 Class 2A state track and field championship … Member of 4x100 relay gold medal team … National Honor Society member.

Personal
Born: William Joseph Gruber in Pittsburgh.
Family: Parents are Ronald and Rose Piso ... Has two sisters.
No stats available for the current season.

Stat Snapshot (Season)

Passing Stats
Yards
Passing %
Touchdowns
Interceptions
Rushing Stats
Attempts
Yards
Touchdowns
Avg. Per Play
Receiving Stats
Receptions
Rec. Yards
Touchdowns
Avg. Per Reception
Defensive Stats
Tackles
Sacks
Forced Fumbles
Interceptions
Deflected Passes
Kicking Stats
Field Goals
Longest FG
Extra Points
Points
Punting Stats
Punts
Yards
Longest Punt
Avg. Per Punt

Stat Snapshot (Career)

Passing Stats
Yards
Touchdowns
Interceptions
Efficency
Rushing Stats
Attempts
Yards
Touchdowns
Avg. Per Play
Receiving Stats
Receptions
Rec. Yards
Touchdowns
Avg. Per Reception
Defensive Stats
Tackles
Sacks
Forced Fumbles
Interceptions
Passes Deflected
Kicking Stats
Field Goals
Longest FG
Extra Points
Points
Punting Stats
Punts
Yards
Longest Punt
Avg. Per Punt

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Season Stats

Season:
2021
There are no statistics for this selected season available for this player.
There are no statistics for this selected season available for this player.

Career Stats

Career Statistics

There are no statistics available for this player.

Historical Player Information

  • 16

    2018First Year

    Defensive Back
    5'10" 175 lbs
    16
  • 3

    2019Sophomore

    Defensive Back
    5'10" 185 lbs
    3
  • 3

    2020Junior

    Defensive Back
    5'10" 185 lbs
    3
  • 3

    2021Senior

    Defensive Back
    5'10" 185 lbs
    3