BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Kutztown University football team is ranked 19th in the Lindy's Sports College Football 2012 Preview, while the Golden Bears' Alex DiNolfi (Norristown, PA/Norristown) (Norristown, Pa./Norristown) was named to the publication's Division II Preseason All-America Team.
 
KU, ranked 13th in the final American Football Coaches Association poll last year, are the highest ranked of two Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference squads in the Lindy's Top 25.  California (Pa.), who visits University Field on September 8, rates 21st.
 
The Golden Bears return 14 total starters, including nine on offense, from a 2011 team that set a school record for victories in a season (11), while winning its first PSAC Championship and NCAA playoff game.  The team's six PSAC East victories tied the school mark set during 2010. Additionally, Kutztown set school records for points (487), passing touchdowns (41), total touchdowns (68), rushing yards (2,576), and total offense (6,048) last year.
 
DiNolfi, a junior defensive back, had a record-breaking junior season with 11 interceptions in 2011 to run his career total to 15. DiNolfi led Division II in total interceptions and was second in interceptions per game (0.85).  He finished third on the team with 68 tackles and had five pass breakups and two fumble recoveries.  DiNolfi had multiple interceptions in three games this season (Cheyney, West Chester, Concord).  He was also chosen as the Powerratedsports.com Division II Defensive Back of the Year and was voted to the Don Hansen All-America Team, both the Daktronics and Beyond Sports Network All-Super Region One teams and All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Eastern Division squad.
 
Pittsburg State, the defending Division II National Champions, are ranked first, with Minnesota-Duluth, Northwest Missouri State, Midwestern State, and Wayne State (Mich.) rounding out the top five, respectively.
 
Kutztown's 2012 season gets underway on August 30, when Saint Anselm visits KU for a 6:05 p.m. kickoff.