Bentley University

Senior linebacker who is majoring in marketing … minor in finance … one of three Connecticut residents on this year’s roster … has been in the Falcons’ last 31 games, dating back to week three of his freshman season … career totals entering the 2017 campaign include 79 tackles, six sacks, 2.5 tackles for losses and two forced fumbles.

2016: One of eight Falcon defensive players to start every game … 38 tackles included five sacks (32 yards) and 8.5 for losses (42 yards) … second on team in sacks and third in TFL … led NE10 linebackers in sacks … forced a fumble in the Sept. 3 opener against West Chester … scored a safety against American International Oct. 15 in a 5-3 win … matched his career-high with seven tackles at Southern Connecticut State Oct. 29 … 1.5 sacks in the AIC game and at New Haven Nov. 5.

2015: Saw action in every game, stretching string of consecutive games played to 20 … started seven of the Falcons’ final eight contests … his 33 tackles included 17 solo stops … career-best seven tackles, including 1.5 for losses, at Merrimack Sept. 26 … first career sack came Nov. 14 against LIU Post … first career interception was made at Assumption Oct. 30.

2014: Appeared in Bentley’s final nine games as a freshman, making a total of eight tackles … all of his tackles came on special teams, tying for the team-high in that category … it was also tied for the team’s most among freshmen … at least one tackle in seven games, including two at American International Oct. 4.

Before Bentley: 2014 graduate of Bethel High School where he was a football and track team captain as a senior … two-time first-team All-South West Conference … also first-team Academic All-Conference … named WFSB Channel 3 Athlete of the Week … helped the Wildcats to a 9-3 record and a berth in the Class M state tournament as a senior … set school records for rushing attempts in a game (49), rushing yards in a season (1,756 as a junior), longest TD run (99), rushing yards in a game (260), rushing yards in a career (3,042) and the 4x200 relay outdoors … career totals included 4,713 yards and 53 TDs … helped lacrosse team to 2013 SWC championship.

Personal: Age as of Sept. 1: 21 … son of Todd and Sandy Piatnik … has one brother, Jared (19) … Jared is a freshman football player at Bryant … father was captain of the 1985 Villanova football team … uncle (Bill) was a QB at Penn, one cousin (Joey) was a corner at Pittsburgh and another cousin (Jimmy) was a running back on UMass’s 1998 Division 1-AA national championship team … involved with Athletes in Action and BeSafeRedding, a volunteer organization where hunters donate excess venison to local food banks.

2016 Statistics            2015 Statistics            2014 Statistics