CENTER VALLEY, Pa. - The Fordham Rams enjoyed a record-setting day behind three 100-yard rushers in an 83-21 victory over Elizabeth City State University, while the Georgetown Hoyas got two blocked field goals from senior defensive end Hunter Kiselick to help hold on to a 20-17 victory over Marist on a Saturday that saw the Patriot League combine to go 2-4.
Two League teams fell victim to second half comebacks by a pair of ranked CAA opponents on Saturday. Holy Cross pushed No. 24 New Hampshire behind a brilliant performance from senior quarterback Peter Pujals, who accounted for 442 yards of total offense, with three touchdown passes and a rushing touchdown. The Wildcats, who opened a new stadium on Saturday, scored 20 unanswered points late to defeat the Mountain Hawks, 39-28. Lehigh led No. 19/22 throughout the first three quarters of Saturday's game, even taking a fourth quarter lead behind a Nick Shafnisky touchdown pass to Derek Knott midway through the fourth quarter. The Wildcats scored late and Lehigh could not answer in a 26-21 loss.
Lafayette traded scores with Delaware in the Leopards home opener at Fisher Stadium, but the Blue Hens ground game helped spark the offense to two fourth quarter touchdowns to spoil a 14-tackle 1.0 sack performance from senior linebacker Brandon Bryant. Bucknell's defense broke up nine pass attempts against Duquesne, but could not overcome the Dukes 13-0 first half lead in a 30-19 loss to the defending NEC Champion.
MORE ON SATURDAY'S PATRIOT LEAGUE GAMES...
Saturday, September 10
At No. 25 Fordham 83, Elizabeth City State 21
BOX SCORE
BRONX, N.Y. – The No. 25/rv Fordham Rams earned their first victory of the 2016 season, setting a Patriot League record for points in a game in the process, by defeating Elizabeth City State, 83-21, on Saturday afternoon at Coffey Field.
*The 83-point outburst was the most by a League program since Lehigh defeated Georgetown, 69-0 in 2002.
*Defending Patriot League Special Teams Player of the Week Makay Redd set a Patriot League and Fordham record with 11 PAT’s, breaking a record set by Fordham’s Micah Clukey (9) in 2003.
*The Rams had three players rush for more than 100 yards, led by PL Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, Chase Edmonds (155). Freshman D’Angelo Palladino (116) and senior Kendall Pearcey (115) all topped the 100-yard mark, giving Fordham three 100-yard rushers in one game for the first time in program history.
*Edmonds passed former Lehigh star Rabih Abdullah on the Patriot League all-time rushing list, moving into eighth place with 3,711 career rushing yards.
*Senior quarterback Kevin Anderson completed 18-of-28 pass attempts for 225 yards and four touchdowns in the win.
READ MORE FROM FORDHAM’S FOOTBALL GAME RECAP
Georgetown 20, At Marist 17
BOX SCORE
POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. – The Georgetown Hoyas remained the only unbeaten team in the Patriot League by defeating Marist, 20-17, in their first road trip of the season.
*Senior defensive end Hunter Kiselick blocked two field goal attempts, the final on a potential game-tying attempt in the fourth quarter, to help seal the victory for the Hoyas.
*Junior wide receiver Justin Harrell caught a three-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Tim Barnes on a fourth down play early in the fourth quarter to give GU its eventual game-winning score. Harrell finished with a career-high 84 yards on eight receptions.
*Georgetown scored twice on a fourth down plays, as sophomore running back Christian Bermudez converted a fourth-and-two with a 15-yard touchdown rush in the third quarter.
*The Hoyas start the season 2-0 for the first time since 2012
READ MORE FROM GEORGETOWN FOOTBALL GAME RECAP
At No. 19/22 Villanova 26, Lehigh 21
BOX SCORE
VILLANOVA, Pa. – Lehigh and No. 19/22 Villanova traded leads, with the Mountain Hawks holding an edge late into the fourth quarter, before the Wildcats came back to win, 26-21 Saturday night at Villanova Stadium.
*Lehigh held a 14-6 halftime lead against the CAA power.
* Junior wide receiver Troy Pelletier led the offense with 13 catches for 121 yards.
* Senior quarterback Nick Shafnisky completed 29-of-41 passes for 246 yards, with one touchdown and one interception. He completed an 11-yard touchdown pass to senior Derek Knott to give the Mountain Hawks a 21-20 lead with 8:03 remaining in the game.
*Senior linebacker Colton Caslow returned to action after missing the first game of the season and led the defense with 10 tackles.
*From Head Coach Andy Coen: “We entered this game as a team with one goal in mind, to become a better football team this week than we were a week ago. I think my guys really took that message and they really did perform against a very good opponent. I was pleased with that.
READ MORE FROM LEHIGH FOOTBALL’S GAME RECAP
At Duquesne 30, Bucknell 19
BOX SCORE
Pittsburgh, Pa. – The Bucknell football team scored all 19 of their points in the second half, but it was not enough to overcome an early Duquesne lead in a 30-19 loss.
*Junior running back Joey DeFloria missed his second straight 100-yard rushing game for the Bison, finishing with 98 yards on 24 carries. DeFloria had one rushing and one receiving touchdown.
*Senior quarterback R.J. Nitti left the game late in the first half. Junior Matt Muh stepped in completed 14-of-29 passes for 154 yards and two touchdowns in his first career extended action.
*The Bison defense had nine pass breakups, including three from sophomore cornerback Bryan Marine.
Sophomore safety Joe Lauro led the defense with 10 tackles.
READ MORE FROM BUCKNELL FOOTBALL’S GAME RECAP
Rv/rv Delaware 24, Lafayette 6
BOX SCORE
Easton, Pa. – Lafayette and Delaware traded scores throughout the first three quarters, with the Leopards trailing 10-6 entering the final frame, but the Blue Hens rushing attack broke through leading to a pair of fourth quarter touchdowns to hand Lafayette a 24-6 loss in its home opener on Saturday night at Fisher Stadium.
*Senior linebacker Brandon Bryant finished with a game-high 14 tackles and 1.0 sack to lead the Lafayette defense.
*Junior wide receiver Matt Mrazek led the offense with eight catches for 59 yards.
*Sophomore placekicker Jacob Bissell went 2-for-2 on field goal attempts.
*Senior punter Ryan Forrester punted nine times for an average of 43.3 yards per punt, placing three punts inside the 20-yard line.
READ MORE FROM LAFAYETTE FOOTBALL’S GAME RECAP
At No. 24 New Hampshire 39, Holy Cross 28
BOX SCORE
DURHAM, N.H. – Senior quarterback Peter Pujals helped Holy Cross rush out to a 14-0 lead against No. 24 New Hampshire, even taking the Crusaders into halftime with a 21-13 lead, but they could not hold off the Wildcats, who came back for a 39-28 victory. Pujals had 442 yards of total offense and four touchdowns.
*Pujals completed 42-of-64 pass attempts for 427 yards and three touchdowns, while rushing eight times for 15 yards and a score. His 42 completions broke a program record in his second career 400-yard game.
*Sophomore wide receiver Richie DeNicola had 13 receptions with a team-best 151 yards and two touchdowns, while senior wide receiver Jake Wieczorek had 13 catches for 113 yards.
*Senior defensive end Ryan Smith led the Holy Cross defense with six tackles and 3.0 sacks.
READ MORE FROM HOLY CROSS FOOTBALL’S GAME RECAP