CampusInsiders.com Feature

HAMILTON – Colgate opens its 2013 football home schedule Saturday with a 6 p.m. kickoff against in-state foe Albany. And for Raiders head coach Dick Biddle, it's another milestone night.

Biddle coaches his 200th career game Saturday night, already positioned as the winningest coach in school and Patriot League history. The Parkersburg, W.Va., native and former Duke football star owns 133 victories against just 66 losses for a winning percentage of .668.

"There have been some ups and some downs, but it's really been a positive experience," Biddle said. "It's a great university and I'm glad I'm here. Hopefully, I can last another 200 games."

In the Patriot League, he's 78-24 for a .765 clip. Last season, Biddle was named Patriot League Coach of the Year for the fifth time while guiding the Raiders to their seventh conference title and seventh NCAA playoff bid.

"It's been a joy to be the coach at Colgate," Biddle said. "We've had some great success due to our coaches and players. It's been fun."

Albany in Town
The Raiders and Great Danes are meeting for the third straight year and the fourth time since 2007. Colgate owns a slim 2-1 series edge but lost 40-23 last year in the state capital.

Both teams dropped road openers last weekend. The Raiders lost 38-13 at Air Force, while Albany was beaten 35-24 at Duquesne.

"They are a well-balanced team and very well coached," Biddle said of Albany. "But we've played them before and are familiar with them. We worry about what we can control and I worry about our kids and how we can play. We're just trying to improve ourselves; that's the best way to approach it."

The Raiders this year play six games at Andy Kerr Stadium for the first time since 2009. Last season, Colgate went 4-0 at home en route to an 8-3 overall record and the program's seventh Patriot League championship.

Biddle at the Start
The Raiders under Biddle are now 6-12 in season opening games after last Saturday's 38-13 defeat at Air Force. But their record in home openers is a much more impressive 11-6, including a current four-game winning streak. Colgate under Biddle lost its first three home openers back in 1996-98, but has won 11 of 14 since.

Colgate defeated Albany 37-34 in overtime two years ago at Andy Kerr Stadium to begin 2011.

Albany at Colgate

Game Central

Kickoff: Saturday, 6 p.m.
Location: Andy Kerr Stadium.
Radio: 94 WKXZ-FM.
TV/Video: Time Warner Cable Sports, Patriot League Network.
Series Record: Colgate leads, 2-1.

Next Week: Colgate at New Hampshire, Noon.