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BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Colgate rallied but couldn't complete the comeback in a 30-27 loss to Lehigh here Saturday.
 
The Raiders trailed 30-13 entering the fourth quarter but scored two quick touchdowns to pull within three points. Colgate's defense then forced a turnover and the Raiders were in business at the Lehigh 40-yard line with still 6:24 remaining.
 
But after eight plays netted 28 yards, the Raiders couldn't convert on a 30-yard field goal.
 
Lehigh maintained possession for all but the final 24 seconds and held on for its first home win of the season. Colgate dropped to 4-7 overall and 2-3 in the Patriot League, while the Mountain Hawks improved to 3-7 and 2-3.
 
John Wilkins led the offensive attack with three rushing touchdowns and a game-high 76 rushing yards. It was Wilkins' first career three-TD performance. Mike Armiento was the tackle leader with a game-high 10, followed by Kyle Diener with nine. Armiento also recovered the fourth-quarter fumble for Colgate.
 
The Raiders are at Bucknell in next Saturday's season finale. Kickoff is 1 p.m.
 

Bottom Line
• Lehigh 30, Colgate 27

Won-Lost Records
• Colgate is now 4-7 overall and 2-3 in the Patriot League.
• Lehigh improves to 3-7 overall and 2-3 in the conference.

Facts & Figures
• John Wilkins rushed for a season-high 76 yards on 13 carries. His previous season best was 58 yards on 11 attempts at Yale.
• Wilkins started last season with games of 92 yards at Air Force and 76 against Albany before suffering a knee injury in the first half of the Albany contest. He missed the remainder of the 2013 season.
• The three-TD game by Wilkins was the first by a Raider since Demetrius Russell scored three times in a 28-24 win last season at Lafayette.
• Wilkins takes over the team season TD lead with seven.
• Demetrius Russell added 28 rushing yards and a TD, while James Holland carried for 30 yards and James Travellin 13. Travellin also posted a 37-yard kickoff return that set up a Colgate score.
• Colgate outscored Lehigh 14-0 in the fourth quarter and outgained the Mountain Hawks 182-43 in that final period. Twenty-two of Lehigh's yards came on its final drive as the Hawks were attempting to run out the clock.
• Mike Armiento had 10 tackles in the game to take over the team season lead with 83. Vinny Russo and Kyle Diener both have 81 season tackles, and Kris Kent has 78.
• John Quazza caught five passes for 90 yards to just miss his season highs of six for 92 set in the opener at Ball State. John Maddaluna caught two for 34, Kevin O'Connell added a 39-yarder and Alex Greenawalt a 13-yard reception.
 

Turning Point
• Colgate had pulled within 10-7 with 1:03 left in the first half after capitalizing on C.J. Stempeck's blocked punt and the ensuing six-play, 40-yard TD drive.
• But Lehigh's Rich Sodeke returned the ensuing kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown.
• And then after an interception by Lehigh's Matthew Laub, the Mountain Hawks kicked a 34-yard field goal on the half's final play.
• That made it 10 points in a 51-second span, and a 20-7 halftime deficit.
 
Block Patrol
• Stempeck got his hand on a Lehigh punt Saturday for his third blocked kick of the season.
• The Raiders as a team have blocked six kicks – three apiece by Stempeck and Victor Steffen.
 
Home State Debut
• Ryan Paulish not only saw his first collegiate action Saturday but the freshman got the starting nod at right tackle. Paulish hails from Old Forge, Pennsylvania, about 80 miles north of Bethlehem.
 
From the Sources
• Colgate head coach Dan Hunt: (On what turned around in the fourth quarter) "I don't know that it was any one particular thing. This team has fought all year; that's never been a question with these guys. They are going to play hard for four quarters.
"We got a couple of stops, and we were finally able to turn some stops into some points. That allowed us to get back into the game when it was getting away from us. I can't really point to one specific event that got us going there. The defense came up with a big turnover to give a chance for the tying field goal.
"This team will fight you. The game will get into the fourth quarter and they won't give up. I'm proud of them for that. We're just not executing well enough in the first 30 minutes of a game to be in position to get a win. That's something we need to work on."

(On the final minute of the first half) "Wilkins had the big run and got us momentum back and it was a three-point game. The kickoff team had been doing pretty well lately but the kid got out and scored. And then we turn it over.
"The defense did a nice job there of holding them to a field goal. But if you're going to point to a period of the game, that was a rough minute. We preach all the time that you've got to play every play and you can't take one off. Two plays, 10 points. Hopefully, lesson learned."
(On John Wilkins) "He played well and he was physical today. He ran hard and smelled the end zone. He's still coming off of that knee injury but he's getting back to being in that form. He looked like his old self again today and I was happy for him.
"I just got through telling the running backs – that's the position I coach – that I wish there were more carries for all of them. If you watch that game, all four of those kids made a play in some way, shape or form.
"Demetrius has been steady all year, James Holland had a great run on a third down, and Trav ran well. He didn't get a ton of carries, but he ran well when he did and had a big kick return. That's a good group. I wish there was a way to get them more touches.
• Colgate tailback John Wilkins: (On his game) "I owe a lot to the offensive line. They really blocked out there today. But we didn't come away with the win, and that's what mattered most."
(On scoring three TDs) "Our O-line just opened the holes and I ran behind them. I kind of found my way into the end zone."
(On getting strong as the season has progressed) "Absolutely, especially because of the knee. It's getting a lot better and I'm excited for things to come."
• Colgate defensive lineman Victor Steffen: (On the second half) "After that not-very-good first half, we just questioned ourselves about what kind of defense we wanted to be. The character in this room is not one that is just going to quit, so it's like everything was on the line. It was our last chance, and we showed a lot of character in that second half.
"We ran the same plays; it was just that we were able to turn it on in the fourth quarter."

• Colgate offensive lineman Ryan Paulish: (On making his first start close to home) "I had a lot of family and friends here today, so it was great to be able to play. It was a good experience for me. I wish we would have gotten a win, but I'll take it as a learning experience."
(On grading himself) "I did pretty well. I had to get through the first quarter when I was a little shaky, but after that it was like playing football my whole life. If I had a question, the guys around me didn't hesitate to answer it. That's what helped me the most."
(On next week) "After this loss, we just have to keep looking forward. Next week is our last game and we want to send the seniors out on a good note."
• Colgate quarterback Bret Mooney: (On the second half) "The offense really had to step it up and we started to do so. We came up one opportunity short, so we've got to come back strong in practice this week. We've got a big game again next week.
(On today's passing game) "We kept passing the ball and it was working well for us. We did what we could, but we've got to be able to pull it out."
 
Gate Grab Bag
• Saturday's crowd was 4,736.
 
Up Next
• Colgate concludes its season next Saturday at Bucknell (8-2, 4-1 Patriot). The Bison played their third straight overtime game Saturday, defeating Holy Cross 31-24. Kickoff is 1 p.m.