HAMILTON, N.Y. (8/16/10) - The Colgate football team is ranked 22nd in The Sports Network/Fathead.com FCS top-25 poll released on Monday, Aug. 16. The Raiders finished the 2009 campaign 9-2 overall.

Colgate was named the Patriot League preseason favorite at the league's football media day earlier in the month, and is led by Patriot League Preseason Offensive Player of the Year Greg Sullivan (Monroe, N.Y.) at quarterback and first-team all-League selection and preseason All-American Nate Eachus (Drums, Pa.) at running back. Seven starters are back on offense with five on defense. Head coach Dick Biddle enters the 2010 campaign with a career mark of 113-51 and a 66-18 record in Patriot League games, and will go in search of his seventh League Championship.

Defending FCS champion Villanova earned the top spot in the poll, followed in order by Montana, Appalachian State, William & Mary and Southern Illinois in the top five.

The FCS Coaches Poll serves as the other official ranking for the subdivision, and will be released on August 23. Biddle and Lehigh head coach Andy Coen will serve as the Patriot League's voting representatives in 2010

The Raiders open their season against Monmouth on Saturday, September 4. Season tickets are on sale and can be purchased by calling the Colgate Athletic Ticket Office at (315) 228-7600 or by going online to the Colgate Athletic website at www.gocolgateraiders.com.

Fans can also follow the Raiders quest for their seventh Patriot League title through Colgate Football Central, a new page on the Colgate Athletic website that provides game day information throughout the season.