THIS WEEK
Sat., Sept. 26 – vs. Fordham (Hamilton, N.Y.), 6:00 p.m.

The Colgate Raiders (3-0) play host to the Fordham Rams (0-2) in the third home game under the lights at Andy Kerr Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 26.

CHAMPIONS SQUARE OFF
For the past two years, Fordham and Colgate have faced off in the League opener for both squads. And for the past two years, the winner of that game has gone on to claim the outright Patriot League title.
The eventual title-winning team claimed a road triumph in each of the past two years, with Fordham winning 34-31 in 2007 and Colgate 31-24 in 2008.

THE SERIES
This is the 21st meeting between Colgate and Fordham, with the Raiders leading 16-4. Colgate won last season 31-24 in the Bronx.

"NIGHT GAMES"
This game will be the third "Night Game" under the lights at Andy Kerr Stadium. The Raiders are 2-0 under the lights at home after wins over Monmouth and Stony Brook to begin the season.

THE COACHES
Colgate head coach Dick Biddle, who is the winningest football coach in school history, is in his 14th season at the helm of the Raiders.  His overall record is 107-49 and is 11-2 against Fordham.
Fordham head coach Tom Masella is in his fourth campaign with the Rams. He has compiled a mark of 16-20 at Fordham and 33-46 overall. 

LAST OUTING
Sophomore running back Jordan McCord rushed 44 times for 212 yards and two touchdowns as Colgate defeated Dartmouth 34-15 at Memorial Field. McCord had career-highs in carries, yards, and touchdowns in just his second career start.
McCord, led a Colgate rushing attack that gained 292 yards. Junior quarterback Greg Sullivan added 51 yards rushing and two touchdowns.

1,000-YARD RUSHING CLUB
Against Stony Brook Greg Sullivan became just the third quarterback in school history to reach 1,000 yards rushing. The all-time leader is Tom Parr who finished his career in 1974 with 2,221 when Colgate was running the wishbone.
Against Monmouth Nate Eachus became just the 26th Colgate player to ever reach 1,000 rushing yards in his career. He currently sits 25th with 1,071 yards, just four yards behind 24th.

THE BIDDLE ERA
Last season became a major milestone in the coaching career of Colgate head coach Dick Biddle.  On September 7, Biddle became the winningest football coach in school history with his 97th victory, passing the legendary Andy Kerr.
Entering his 14th season with the Raiders, Biddle has an overall mark of 107-49. He has achieved the best winning percentage (.685) of any Colgate coach with seven or more years at the helm of the Raiders.  Biddle is also the first Colgate coach to ever record nine straight seasons with seven or more victories.
He has been named Patriot League Coach of the Year four times while guiding the Raiders to six Patriot League titles and six appearances in the FCS (formally I-AA) playoffs.
In 2003, Biddle was named the American Football Coaches Association Division I-AA National Coach of the Year after leading the Raiders to a 15-1 record, and to the national championship game of the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs.
   
SIMONDS SAYS
The 2009 Colgate team captain is senior wide receiver Pat Simonds. Simonds is the first lone Raider team captain since Mike Boorman in 1994.

ELEVEN AND COUNTING
Dating back to last season the Raiders have won 11-straight regular season games.

COLGATE VS. PATRIOT LEAGUE TEAMS UNDER BIDDLE
In the last 13 seasons, the Raiders are 62-16 against Patriot League teams under head coach Dick Biddle for a winning percentage of .815.  They have lost to Lehigh six times, Bucknell four times, Holy Cross three, Fordham twice and Lafayette once.

ON DEFENSE
Senior Uzi Idah is Colgate's leading tackler with 22 followed by Garrington Spence with 19 and Greg Hadley with 17. Spence and Coree Moses lead the team with one interception apiece, while Spence returned his for a touchdown.
   
2009 HONORS
Tailback Jordan McCord was named the Patriot League Offensive Player of the Week following his performance against Dartmouth.
Quarterback Greg Sullivan was named the Patriot League Offensive Player of the Week and ECAC Offensive Player of the Week following his performance against Stony Brook.
Wide receiver Pat Simonds was named to the 2009 Sports Network preseason FCS All-America Team.

FORDHAM NOTEBOOK
The Rams are led on offense by senior quarterback John Skelton. Skelton was named one of the top 12 senior quarterback prospects by NFL.com and currently leads the nation in total offense with 394.5 yards per game.
Skelton has a pair of targets that average 5.5 receptions a game in Jason Caldwell and his brother Stephen Skelton.
The Rams also have the Patriot League Special Teams Player of the Week in Patrick Murray. Murray punted six times for 274 yards, an average of 45.7 yards/punt. Two of his kicks landed inside the 20 in the loss to Columbia.

RECEIVING VOTES
Colgate is receiving votes in both FCS Polls. The Raiders received 155 points in the Sports Network FCS Poll and six votes in the FCS Coaches Poll.

BY THE NUMBERS
    • Colgate has won 62 of its last 89 games.
    • Colgate has won 62 of its last 79 Patriot League games.
    • Colgate has won 27 of its last 40 games decided by nine points or less.
    • Colgate has won 34 of its last 42 games at Andy Kerr Stadium.

FOOTBALL PROMOTIONS vs. FORDHAM
•    Take a kid to the game/Youth Day - Click here for coupon
•    Rowdy Raider Game
•    Youth Scrimmage at half-time

UP NEXT
Colgate will host rival Cornell Saturday, Oct. 3. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. at Andy Kerr Stadium. The Raiders topped Cornell 38-22 last season and have a 10-2 record against the Big Red during the Biddle era.

Game Notes