HAMILTON, N.Y. (11/11/06) – Senior quarterback Mike Saraceno (Sunrise, FL) wouldn’t let his classmates lose the final home game of their careers Saturday leading Colgate to a thrilling 29-28 come-from-behind win over Holy Cross at Andy Kerr Stadium.

 

Saraceno connected on 19-fo-31 passes for a season-high 289 yards and two touchdowns, and ran for one, while Jordan Scott (Hyattsville, MD) carried 39 times for 154 yards and the game-tying TD.

 

Scott has rushed for 1,050 yards to become the third player in school history with back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons joining Kenny Gamble and Jamaal Branch.

 

Colgate is 4-6 overall and 3-2 in the league with its final game of the season scheduled next Saturday at Bucknell.  Holy Cross (7-4 overall, 4-2 PL) concludes its season.

 

“It was the first time we really finished out a game,” said a happy Colgate head coach Dick Biddle.  “We overcame a lot and a lot of players stepped up today.  After the holding penalty and fumble, that same group of players came back and scored 14 straight points.  I’m happy we didn’t give up.  It could have gone the other way.  I think we grew up a lot today.”

 

After a scoreless first quarter, the Crusaders jumped out to a 7-0 lead with 11:18 remaining in the half, when Matt Fanning caught a 35-yard pass from Dominic Randolph to cap a 93-yard drive.  Mike DeSantis added the extra point.

 

Holy Cross took advantage of a fumble recovery to move in front 14-0 with 2:59 remaining in the quarter.  Justin Maher hauled in a 13-yard pass from Randolph for the touchdown.

 

Colgate came right back, and on the final play of the first half, Saraceno found freshman wide receiver Ty Henry (Orlando, FL) in the back of the end zone for a five-yard touchdown pass.  Scott scored on a two-point conversion to make it 14-8 at halftime.

 

Mike Kielt scored on a 10-yard run midway through the third quarter to give the Crusaders a 21-8 lead, but Colgate answered with a 56-yard pass play from Saraceno to junior wide receiver Erik Burke (Traverse City, Mich.) for a touchdown.  Mike Buck’s (Basking Ridge, NJ) extra point made it a six-point game, 21-15.

 

Holy Cross scored again after recovering a Colgate fumble at the home team’s four-yard line for a 28-15 lead.  On the first play, Kielt scored his second rushing TD of the contest.

 

Colgate started its comeback when Saraceno scrambled for a 23-yard touchdown run on the first play of the final quarter.  Later in the quarter, Holy Cross had a poor punt which carried only 13 yards giving the Raiders possession on their own 43-yard line.

 

Colgate took advantage and marched 57 yards for the tying touchdown when Scott scored on a three-yard run up the middle.  Buck kicked the game-winning extra point.

 

Holy Cross had an excellent chance to move ahead later in the quarter, but DeSantis missed a 30-yard field goal attempt when he kicked the ball into the back of one of his teammates.

 

Colgate stopped the Crusaders one more time before the Raiders were able to run out the clock.

 

GAME NOTES: Burke finished with three catches for 90 yards and his first TD of the season … Cody Williams (Blasdell, NY) had the seven interception of his career … Brent Dillingham (Naples, FL) had four catches for 54 yards … Linebacker Mike Gallihugh (Midlothian, VA) had 12 tackles including two quarterback sacks and one additional TFL … Ryan Keller (Colts Neck, NJ) and Pat Nolan (Exeter, NH) had quarterback sacks.