HAMILTON — Junior running back
Marco Maldonado logged career highs with 14 carries for 112 yards, scoring one of four Raider rushing touchdowns in an assertive 38-28 Patriot League victory over Georgetown at Andy Kerr Stadium. Sophomore
Tymir Wynn added four tackles and two interceptions in the victory including the game-sealing pick in the end zone with under two minutes remaining.
First-year quarterback Aleks Sitkowski also ran for a 21-yard touchdown in his first collegiate snap, while sophomore signal caller Jake Stearney completed 14 of 23 passes for 195 yards, one touchdown and a 146.4 quarterback rating.
COACH DAKOSTY'S COMMENTS
"This was a huge league win," Fred '50 and Marilyn Dunlap Head Football Coach Stan Dakosty said. "They were coming in with the best record in the league having just knocked off the defending champs last week so we knew they were going to be confident and they have a talented group."
"All week we were talking about running the football and establishing the run, and the players bought into it. Early on the four or five yard runs turned into 10, 15 yard ones in the second half. We played Colgate football, Colgate tough, and it all starts up front."
HOW IT HAPPENED
- A less-than-ideal start saw the Raiders concede the first touchdown of the game after being called for three penalties for over 30 yards on the opening drive.
- Senior running back Brendan Cassamajor powered in his second touchdown of the season to even the score on the ensuing series.
- Sophomore wide receiver Winston Moore hauled in a career-long 44 yard catch on the next Raider possession, setting up junior Brady Hutchison's fourth touchdown catch in as many games.
- Sitkowski and Maldonado combined for two 20+ yard touchdown runs in the third quarter, and Chris Gee broke a 21-yard scoring scamper to assert a 35-21 lead with 10:29 to play.
- Luke Vogeler connected on a 42-yard field goal that reinstated a two-possession Raider advantage at the six-minute mark of the fourth quarter, and Wynn sealed the Hoyas' fate with an interception in the end zone on a third-and-goal from the two yard-line.
GAME NOTES
- Colgate's 272 yards on the ground are the second-most in a game by a Patriot League squad this season. The Raiders are now responsible for two out of the three highest rushing yardage games in the league this year. They also hold the third-place spot with a 270-yard output against Cornell on Sept. 21.
- The Raiders move to 20-1 against the Hoyas in the all-time series, including a perfect 10-0 mark in Andy Kerr Stadium.
- Junior linebacker Cole Kozlowski tallied 13 tackles, his fifth game with double digit stops this season.
- Sophomore wide receiver Jariyah Sawyer matched his career high with three receptions and also returned three kicks for 104 yards with a long of 45.
- Maldonado is the first Raider to accumulate over 100 rushing yards in a game this season, and he also added a career-long 28-yard run one play before Stearney popped a 16-yard burst, tied for the longest run of his career.
- Junior wide-out Treyvhon Saunders caught seven passes for 68 yards in the win. He is now seventh all-time for most receptions in program history with 143 grabs, one behind Tom Stenglein '85.
- Senior punter Shelby Pruett dropped two punts inside the five, averaging 40.3 yards per punt across four kicks.
UP NEXT
The Raiders will search for two-straight wins next weekend with a trip to Merrimack on Saturday, Oct. 26. Kickoff is slated for 12 p.m. in Colgate's final non-conference test of the season.
