AMHERST , MA (9/2/06) – Quarterback Liam Coen connected on 11-of-19 passes for 117 yards and two touchdowns to lead 10^th ranked University of Massachusetts to a 28-7 win over Colgate Saturday afternoon at McGuirk Stadium.

 

The Minutemen scored on their first two possessions of the game for a 14-0 lead in the first quarter.  They had 125 yards of total offense while holding Colgate to 21 yards and no first downs in the opening quarter.

 

After falling behind early, Colgate came alive, and played UMass tough over the final three quarters.  The Minutemen had 171 yards in the final three quarters, while Colgate had 162 yards.

 

“I’m definitely disappointed in the outcome,” said Colgate head coach Dick Biddle.  “UMass has a good defense, but I thought after the intermission we played them pretty even.  Some of our younger players started to settle down.  Our defense actually did a pretty good job.”

 

UMass opened the scoring at 6:04 of the first quarter, when Steve Baylark capped off a 71-yard drive with a six-yard run.  Chris Koepplin added the extra point.

 

After stopping Colgate on its next possession, the Minutemen took over at their own 41-yard line, and marched 59 yards in seven plays for their second TD.  Coen hit Brandon London with on four-yard pass play for the score.

 

After a scoreless second quarter, Colgate had its first scoring chance early in the third quarter, when junior cornerback Cody Williams (Blasdell, NY) came away with his fifth career interception.  He returned the pigskin 33 yards to the UMass’ eight-yard line.

 

The Minutemen’s defense, however, forced Colgate backward to the 26-yard, where Jacob Stein (St. Petersburg, FL) had a 42-yard field goal attempted blocked by James Ihedigbo.

 

UMass increased its advantage to 21-0 with 1:53 remaining in the third quarter when Baylark scored on a nine-yard run on the first play following an interception by Brian Ellis.

 

Colgate finally broke into the scoring column on the first play of the final quarter, when Jordan Scott (Hyattsville, MD), who had 21 carries for 83 yards, scored on a 25-yard run up the middle.  Stein added the extra point.

 

UMass, however, came right back for its fourth TD on the next possession for a 28-7 lead.  Matt Lawrence took the kickoff 65 yards to the Colgate 32-yard line, and then six plays later scored on a two-yard run.  Koepplin added the final point.

 

GAME NOTES – Senior free safety Andrew Moore (Atlanta, GA) had his fourth career interception for the Raiders … senior strong safety Geoff Bean (Oneonta, NY) had a 40-yard kickoff return that set up Colgate’s only TD … Colgate quarterback Mike Saraceno (Sunrise, FL) was 15-of-23 for 104 yards … Erik Burke (Traverse, MI), Wayne Moten (Forestville, MD) and Kenny Parker (Stratford, NJ) had four catches apiece … Colgate’s leading tackler was Mike Gallihugh (Midlothian, VA) with a career-high 13, while David Wesley (Dupont, PA) had a career-high 10 tackles.