Nov. 26, 2008
Center Valley, Pa. - After winning the Patriot League Championship and automatic berth to the postseason, the No. 16 Colgate Raiders will travel to No. 6 Villanova University in first-round action of the NCAA Division I Football Championship on Saturday.
Patriot League Football NCAA Release 
Colgate (9-2, 5-0 Patriot League) completed a perfect Patriot League season by rallying from a 10-point halftime deficit to
defeat Holy Cross at home on Saturday. The Raiders enter the
postseason on an eight-game winning streak, behind only James Madison and No. 2 seed Appalachian State for the longest stretch in the nation. Colgate was the first team to finish with an undefeated mark in League play since 2003, when the Raiders went 7-0 in the Patriot League and won their first 15 games overall on their way to an appearance in the national championship game.
Colgate is in the postseason for the first time since 2005, and for the eighth time overall. The Raiders made the field as a Patriot League member in 1997, 1998, 1999, 2003 and 2005, while they also went in 1982 and 1983 before the formation of the League. Colgate's six playoff appearances as a Patriot League member are more than any other program in the League. The Raiders captured their sixth Patriot League title this season, with all of the crowns coming under 13th-year Head Coach Dick Biddle.
Colgate will travel to Villanova for a playoff contest for the second time. The first matchup came in the first postseason appearance for a Patriot League team, as No. 1 Villanova scored 22 consecutive fourth-quarter points to defeat the Raiders, 49-28, in a first-round matchup on Nov. 29, 1997. Villanova holds a 3-1 advantage in the all-time series.
Patriot League teams are 0-2 all-time against Villanova in the postseason. Fordham lost at Villanova, 24-10, in the quarterfinals in 2002. The Wildcats will join Delaware with the second-most matchups against Patriot League teams in the postseason with three, behind only the four with Massachusetts.
The winner of the Colgate/Villanova contest will face the winner of the matchup between Wofford and No. 1 seed James Madison in the quarterfinals.
Patriot League NCAA FCS Playoff Notebook
Colgate Wins First Patriot League Title Since 2005
Colgate won its first Patriot League title since 2005 with a 28-27 victory over Holy Cross on Saturday. The Raiders' title was their sixth in League annals, with the five previous titles coming in 1997, 1999, 2002, 2003 and 2005. The Raiders' previous undefeated campaigns came in 1997 and 2003. Colgate's 5-0 Patriot League record was the first perfect mark for a League squad since the Raiders finished at 7-0 on their way to the national title game in 2003. The Raiders are only the second team in the last seven seasons to complete a perfect record in League play. Colgate's six titles are tied with Lafayette for the second-most in League history, behind only the eight of Lehigh. The Raiders' crowns have come under 13th-year Head Coach Dick Biddle.
Raiders Back in the Postseason
The No. 16 Raiders are in the FCS postseason for the eighth time overall, and the sixth as a Patriot League member when they face off with No. 6/7 Villanova on Saturday. They previously made the field as a Patriot League member in 1997, 1998, 1999, 2003 and 2005, while they also went in 1982 and 1983 before the formation of the League. Colgate's six playoff appearances as a Patriot League member are more than any other program in the League.
Deja Vu For Raiders and Wildcats
Colgate will play a first-round game at Villanova for the second time, and this contest will come 11 years to the day of the first postseason meeting between the schools. The first matchup came in the first postseason appearance for a Patriot League team, as No. 1 Villanova scored 22 consecutive fourth-quarter points to defeat the Raiders, 49-28, in a first-round matchup on Nov. 29, 1997. Oddly enough, Colgate also made that postseason that year after winning the Patriot League title on the final weekend in a matchup of undefeated squads. That year, Colgate beat Bucknell, 48-14, in Hamilton to claim the Patriot League title.
Raiders Rolling Into Postseason
Colgate enters the postseason on an eight-game winning streak, behind only No. 1 seed James Madison and No. 2 seed Appalachian State for the longest stretch in the nation. The Raiders have not lost since falling at home to Furman on Sept. 13.
Destiny's Darlings?
Colgate had to rally for a win and surive late in the game against Holy Cross, but that was nothing new for the Raiders. The Raiders had to rally in the second half in four of their five Patriot League victories this season. Colgate came back from an early 14-0 deficit and scored the winning points with nine seconds left in a 31-24 triumph at Fordham on Sept. 27. The Raiders' comeback ability has been on display throughout the month of November. Colgate was down, 10-0, at halftime against Lafayette before coming back for a 21-13 win. The Raiders rallied from a 33-21 second-half deficit for a 34-33 victory at Lehigh on Nov. 8. Finally, they trailed Holy Cross, 24-14, at halftime before rallying for the 28-27 victory. Colgate also came back in the second half for non-League victories against Coastal Carolina, Princeton and Dartmouth.
Colgate's Postseason History
Colgate has a 3-5 record in postseason games as a Patriot League member, with all of the wins coming in its march to the national championship game in 2003. In addition to the contest with Villanova in 1997, the Raiders also faced a team from the Colonial Athletic Association in the first round in 2003 and 2005. Colgate knocked off Massachusetts, 19-7, in the first round in 2003, and fell to New Hampshire, 55-21, in its last appearance in the first round in 2005. The Raiders are 1-3 as a Patriot League member against CAA opponents in the postseason, a mark that also includes the loss to Delaware in the 2003 national title game.
Patriot League versus Villanova in the Playoffs
Patriot League teams are 0-2 all-time against Villanova in the postseason. In addition to Colgate's 1997 game, Fordham lost at Villanova, 24-10, in the quarterfinals in 2002. The Wildcats join Delaware with the second-most matchups against Patriot League teams in the postseason with three, behind only the four with Massachusetts.
Patriot League In the First Round
Patriot League teams have a 7-15 all-time record in the postseason, and a 5-10 mark in first-round action. Saturday's game will add another chapter in the long playoff history against the Colonial Athletic Association. The Patriot League has a 4-11 record against CAA teams, and has faced at least one CAA opponent in every season since first entering the playoffs in 1997. The League's success against the CAA has all come in the first round, with a 4-7 all-time record in opening matchups.
Raiders, Wildcats Both Like To Run
Rushing yardage and time of possession could both prove crucial to Saturday's matchup, as Colgate and Villanova have each excelled in both categories throughout the season. The Raiders are fourth in the nation with 273.4 rushing yards per game, while the Wildcats are 13th with 210.2 yards per contest. Colgate is up to No. 1 in the country in time of possession after controlling the ball for more than 42 minutes against Holy Cross, but Villanova is not far behind at 13th in the country in time of possession. Colgate will have to maintain its rushing dominance against a tough Villanova defense that ranks sixth nationally against the run and allows just 2.8 yards per carry.
Colgate's Scott Sets Another Record; One More To Go
Colgate running back Jordan Scott rushed for 82 yards before exiting with an injury against Holy Cross on Saturday, and it was enough to make him the eighth player in FCS annals and first Patriot Leaguer with four 1,000-yard seasons in his career. Scott has 1,054 yards on the ground this season. He is just two carries away from tying the Division I record of 1,215 (Steve Bartalo, Colorado State 1983-86). Earlier in the year, Scott broke the Patriot League career record for rushing yardage, rushing touchdowns, 100-yard games, consecutive 100-yard games, carries and scoring earlier in the year. He is the active FCS leader in rushing yardage, all-purpose yardage, carries and touchdowns. Scott also did damage in his lone FCS playoff appearance, rushing for 205 yards and three touchdowns in Colgate's loss to New Hampshire in 2005.
Patriot League Announces Major Award Winners
For the first time in Patriot League history, both the Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year honors in football are repeat selections. Holy Cross senior quarterback Dominic Randolph earns the Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year award for the second year in a row, while Lafayette senior linebacker Andy Romans won his second straight Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year award, it was announced on Tuesday. The remaining major award winners both come from Patriot League champion Colgate, as Head Coach Dick Biddle tied a League record with his fourth Coach of the Year honor and freshman Nate Eachus became the fifth consecutive running back to win the League's Rookie of the Year honor. Holy Cross senior tight end Ryan McGuire was voted the 2008 Patriot League Football Scholar-Athlete of the Year. McGuire is the first Crusader football student-athlete to win the award. The complete Patriot League All-League squad can be found on the sidebar of page two of the Patriot League Football release and at www.patriotleague.com.
Randolph, Romans, Biddle Up For FCS Awards
Randolph is on the finalist list for the Walter Payton Award (Most Outstanding Player in the FCS), while Romans is a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award (Top Defensive Player) and Biddle is a contender for the Eddie Robinson Award (Top Coach).
Patriot League Records 20 Non-League Wins
The Patriot League heads into the postseason with a 20-16 non-League record.
Patriot League teams have clinched the League's first winning mark in non-League games since 2004, when they combined for a 21-16 record. The 20 wins are the most since that campaign.
Georgetown/Colgate Matchup Cancelled
The Oct. 4 contest between Georgetown and Colgate was cancelled due to an outbreak of norovirus on Georgetown's campus. It was agreed that the game will be listed as an un-played game in the League standings and overall school records for the 2008 season.
NCAA Division I Football Championship - First Round
No. 16 Colgate (9-2, 5-0) at No. 6/7 Villanova (9-2, 7-1 CAA)
Villanova Stadium; Villanova, Pa. - Saturday, 1 p.m.
Series Villanova, 3-1 Streak Villanova, Three Wins
Last Meeting Villanova 20-0 (2002) Last Colgate Win 20-14 (1978)
Last Playoff Meeting Villanova, 49-28 (11.29.97 - First Round)
Colgate Head Coach Dick Biddle, Duke, 1971
Career Record 104-48 (13th Season) Overall/Colgate; 62-16 Patriot League
Villanova Head Coach Andy Talley, Southern Connecticut, 1967
Career Record 192-118-2 (29th Season) Overall/164-100-1 (24th Season) at Villanova
No. 16 Colgate travels to No. 6/7 Villanova in first-round action of the NCAA Division I Football Championship...The Raiders are in the postseason for the first time since 2005 after winning their first Patriot League title and automatic playoff bid since that season with a 28-27 victory over Holy Cross on Saturday...Villanova is in its first postseason since 2002...The Raiders enter the postseason on an eight-game winning streak, behind only James Madison and No. 2 seed Appalachian State for the longest stretch in the nation...Colgate is in the postseason for the eighth time overall....The Raiders made the field as a Patriot League member in 1997, 1998, 1999, 2003 and 2005, while they also went in 1982 and 1983 before the formation of the League....Colgate's six playoff appearances as a Patriot League member are more than any other program in the League...Colgate will travel to Villanova for a playoff contest for the second time...The first matchup came in the first postseason appearance for a Patriot League team, as No. 1 Villanova scored 22 consecutive fourth-quarter points to defeat the Raiders, 49-28, in a first-round matchup on Nov. 29, 1997...Villanova holds a 3-1 advantage in the all-time series...The Wildcats also beat the Raiders in a home-and-home series in 2001 and 2002...Colgate has a 3-5 record in postseason games as a Patriot League member, with all of the wins coming in its march to the national championship game in 2003..Patriot League teams are 0-2 all-time against Villanova in the postseason...Fordham lost at Villanova, 24-10, in the quarterfinals in 2002...The Wildcats will join Delaware with the second-most matchups against Patriot League teams in the postseason with three, behind only the four with Massachusetts...Patriot League teams have a 7-15 all-time record in the postseason, and a 5-10 mark in first-round action...The Patriot League has a 4-11 record against CAA teams, with a 4-7 mark against the League in first round games...Patriot League teams are 3-18 all-time against Villanova, including a 33-14 loss for Lehigh this season. ..The winner of Saturday's game will face the winner of the Wofford/James Madison contest.
Colgate Notebook No. 16 Colgate heads into the postseason after winning its sixth Patriot League title with a 28-27 triumph over Holy Cross on Saturday...The Raiders won their first outright crown since 2003, and completed the first undefeated campaign for any Patriot League team since they went 7-0 that season... Colgate earns its sixth Patriot League title and postseason berth under Head Coach Dick Biddle...Colgate's six titles tie Lafayette for the second-most in League history...The Raiders won four of their five League games by eight points or less, with one-point wins over both Lehigh and Holy Cross...It was the first matchup between two undefeated teams on the final weekend of the regular season since Colgate beat Bucknell in 1997...The Raiders also won their eighth consecutive game overall....Colgate has won seven of the last eight and 10 of the last 12 in the series with the Crusaders...The Raiders have won the last four contests with Holy Cross at home, with one-point wins in the last two matchups in Hamilton....Colgate rallied from a 24-14 halftime deficit to defeat the Crusaders...The Raiders came within three on a 10-minute drive to start the third quarter, and scored the game-winning points on a five-yard run by Nate Eachus with 13:05 to play...Colgate halted Holy Cross' next drive on an interception by Wayne Moten at the Holy Cross 11....The Raiders ran out the final 4:37, with Eachus picking up nine yards on a 3rd-and-5 play at the Holy Cross 10 to seal the victory...Eachus slid down at the one to run out the clock...Jordan Scott had 22 carries for 82 yards and a touchdown in the game...Scott became the eighth player in FCS history and first Patriot Leaguer with four 1,000-yard rushing seasons in his career...He also pulled within two carries of tying the all-time Division I record of 1,215...Colgate held a 283-19 advantage in rushing yardage, and a 42:27 to 17:33 edge in time of possession...Eachus had 118 rushing yards and a touchdown..Quarterback Greg Sullivan ran for 76 yards and completed 8-of-12 passes for 129 yards with two touchdowns.
Colgate NCAA Postseason Notes
