Box Score Photos
HAMILTON, N.Y. (10/31/09) -- Junior quarterback
Greg Sullivan (Monroe, N.Y.) went 11-21 for 198 yards and a career-high four touchdown passes as No. 24 Colgate (8-1, 3-1 Patriot League) stayed alive in the race for the Patriot League title with a 27-20 win over Lehigh on a rain-soaked Halloween matinee at Andy Kerr Stadium.
Three of Sullivan's touchdown passes went to senior wide receiver
Pat Simonds (Sidney, N.Y.), who caught five passes for 85 yards. Simonds tied a career-high with his three touchdown catches today. Furthermore, he now has 11 touchdowns, which is a season-high for the Central New York star.
Colgate went three-and-out on its first drive, and Lehigh received the ball on the Raiders 45-yard line after the punt. The Mountain Hawks drove to the Colgate eight-yard line, but senior linebacker
Greg Hadley (Fayetteville, N.Y.) chased down Lehigh quarterback JB Clark for a nine-yard sack on third-and-goal. Lehigh kicker Jake Peery then knocked in a 35-yard field goal to give the Mountain Hawks an early 3-0 lead.
After the kickoff, Sullivan took the snap and ran 12 yards for a first down, but Lehigh defensive back Jesse Sanchez forced a fumble that was recovered by teammate David Brown at the Colgate 32. Lehigh later faced a 3rd-and-10 from the Colgate 16, and Clark found wide receiver Craig Zurn for a touchdown. The Lehigh offensive line held firm on a Colgate blitz, giving Clark time to find Zurn at the five, who then ran in for the score.
Colgate immediately responded when Sullivan went long for freshman wide receiver
John Schademan for a 46-yard touchdown pass. For his first career touchdown, Schademan beat his defensive back and caught the pass between the hash marks around the 10-yard line before scampering in the end zone.
Lehigh reached the Colgate 34 after Clark rushed for a 22-yard gain, but three consecutive passes led to a 27-yard punt. Colgate then engineered a 14-play, 93 yard touchdown drive, its fifth touchdown drive of 90 or more yards this season. Sullivan found Simonds on an out pattern for a 6-yard touchdown. Sophomore running back
Jordan McCord (Chicago, Ill.) rushed for 61 yards, including gaining three on a 4th-and-2 from the Lehigh nine.
The Mountain Hawks went three-and-out again, punting the ball to the Colgate 43. Sullivan found junior wide receiver
Doug Rosnick (Langhorne, Pa.) for a first down after a 10-yard completion. This play led to a fantastic 46-yard touchdown catch by Simonds for his second touchdown of the game. Simonds cut towards the sideline on his route, then readjusted himself and spun around as the pass flew towards the yard-marker numbers on the field. Simonds caught the ball in the red zone and went into the end zone. The ensuing PAT gave Colgate a 21-10 lead at the half.
Colgate forced a Lehigh three-and-out to open the second half, and immediately drove into Lehigh territory. Facing a 4th-and-3 from the Lehigh 24, Sullivan looked for senior wideout
Ty Henry (Orlando, Fla.) on a quick out pattern, but defensive back Jarard Cribbs jumped the route and broke up the play.
Lehigh then immediately drove the length of the field for a touchdown. Clark found wideout James Flynn for an arcing 45-yard pass down the sideline. Flynn ran an excellent route on the play, faking to the middle of the field then cutting back to the sideline before running after Clark's pass for the score. The PAT cut Colgate's lead to 21-17 with 4:45 left in the third quarter.
After the Raiders went three-and-out, Lehigh started with the ball on the Colgate 29. Clark looked for Zurn again on 3rd-and-5 from the 8-yard line, but junior safety
Mike Barry (Naples, Fla.) broke up the play. Peery kicked a 25-yard field goal to pull Lehigh within one point.
On its next drive, Colgate went into Lehigh territory much in part to McCord's running, but the drive stalled at the Lehigh 20 with the Raiders facing a 4th-and-6. The play call was simple: Throw it up high to Simonds and see what happens. Sullivan threw a perfect pass in the end zone sideline to Simonds, who caught a jump ball and kept his feet in bounds for the game's last points. The ensuing PAT snap was bobbled.
Lehigh engineered a drive near the end of the game, accruing two first downs and reaching the Colgate 46-yard line. Clark rushed for no gain and then threw an incomplete pass, bringing up 3rd-and-10. Clark threw a screen pass to running back Zack Barket, but senior linebacker
Garrington Spence (Anaheim, Calif.) immediately snuffed out the play with a huge hit. On fourth down, senior safety
Uzi Idah (Rolling Hills Estate, Calif.) broke up a pass that would have given Lehigh a first down.
McCord, who had 32 carries for 159 yards, rushed for one first down, which gave Colgate the ability to kneel on the ball and end the game.
The game was largely dictated by the wind on this day. The gusts flew towards the North end zone all game, and the team going to that end zone had a distinct advantage. Lehigh scored all 20 of its points going towards that end zone, while Colgate scored 20 points marching north as well.
Colgate will now travel to Lafayette (7-1, 3-0 Patriot League) on Saturday at 1 p.m. The Raiders need to win this game in order to stay alive in the race for their second consecutive Patriot League title.
Game Notes…Colgate has now won nine straight home games…McCord became just the 29th player in Colgate history to rush for 1,000-yards in his career, the third Raider to accomplish that feat this season ... Sullivan's four touchdown passes ties the school record for most in one game ... Simonds has 11 touchdown catches on the season…The Raiders outgained Lehigh 381-281…Colgate went 2-for-3 on fourth down conversions.