Senior quarterback Mike Saraceno threw for two touchdowns and ran for one to lead Colgate (2-2, 1-0 league) to a 31-14 Patriot League win over Georgetown Saturday at Andy Kerr Stadium.
The Raiders began their quest for a sixth Patriot League championship in impressive fashion, rolling to 355 yards of total offense, including 224 on the ground.
Most of the ground attack came from sophomore tailback Jordan Scott, who carried 29 times for season-high 169 yards and one touchdown. He didn’t even play in the fourth quarter, as Colgate head coach Dick Biddle inserted some younger backs into the game.
Scott becomes the ninth player in school history to rush for over 100 yards in game 10 or more times in a career, and moves into 16th place in career rushing with 1,828 yards.
Scoring in the first quarter for only the second time this season, Colgate took the opening kickoff marching 65 yards in seven plays for a 7-0 lead. The Raiders’ Geoff Bean took the opening kickoff back 35 yards, putting Colgate in solid field position.
On the second play from scrimmage, Scott raced 29 yards to the Georgetown 36. Five plays later, Saraceno connected on a 22-yard touchdown pass to sophomore David Morgan. It was Morgan’s first collegiate TD reception.
Georgetown moved to the Colgate 31-yard line on its first possession before the drive stalled when on fourth-and-10, Hoya quarterback Matt Bassuener was sacked by Sam Breslin.
On the Hoyas’ next possession, Erik Carter fumbled at his own 24-yard line, and Colgate recovered the ball. Scott immediately raced to the Georgetown 3-yard line, and two plays later, Saraceno finished off the scoring drive with a two-yard run for a 14-0 lead.
In the second quarter, Georgetown cut the Colgate lead in half on a three-yard touchdown pass from Bassuener to Kyle VanFleet with 6:04 remaining. The Raiders answered right back when Jacob Stein booted a 23-yard field goal with 1:25 left for a 17-7
halftime advantage.
A fumble recovery by Cody Williams at the Georgetown 31-yard line on the first possession of the second half lead to Colgate’s third touchdown.
Colgate took over the ball on its own 46 after the Hoyas were hit with a 15-yard personal foul during the fumble scramble. On the fourth play, Scott bolted 29 yards for his fifth rushing TD of the season to put Colgate ahead, 24-7.
Another fumble recovery in the third quarter led to a Colgate touchdown and a 31-7 lead. Bean recovered a fumbled punt by Brian Tandy at the Georgetown 22-yard line.
On the second play, the Florida connection of Saraceno and Morgan combined for a second touchdown pass of the game – this time from 23 yards out. Stein added the extra point.
Georgetown scored its final touchdown of the contest with 1:16 left in the game, when backup quarterback Ben Hostetler completed a seven-yard pass to Emir Davis to cap a 60-yard drive.
Colgate held the Hoyas to 75 yards on the ground. It was the 53rd time under Biddle that the Raiders have held their opponent to under 100 yards, and are 50-3 when do so.
J.J. Bennett, who replaced Scott in the fourth quarter, carried 12 times for 31 yards. Saraceno was 10-of-12 passing for 131 yards, and ran for 13. Morgan finished with five catches for 91 yards.
Mike Gallihugh led the Raiders in tackling with nine, while Breslin had eight. Colgate had four fumble recoveries and one interception by Williams. It was Williams’ sixth career interception.
Colgate is 5-0 against Georgetown, and has won 51 of 62 Patriot League games under Biddle.
