Latest in a series of "Where Are They Now?" features on members of the Colgate athletics family. Click HERE for previous profiles.
 
HAMILTON – Jamaal Branch '05 said it didn't take long.
 
He knew right away that his junior campaign would be one to remember. No one could have predicted 15 consecutive victories and a berth in the national title game, but there were good vibes from the start for the 2003 Colgate Raiders.
 
"We thought we could be special from the beginning," Branch said. "It was early – right into training camp. Our defense was solid; even at the start of camp they were solid. We had skill players, offensive and defensive linemen.
 
"We were a complete team, and our coaching staff did an amazing job of getting us prepared all season long."
 
Colgate plowed through the schedule and arrived in Worcester needing a victory over rival Holy Cross to complete a 12-0 undefeated season. The Crusaders were just 1-10 going in but made Colgate work for every inch before the Raiders posted a 45-38 victory.
 
Branch contributed his best statistical game of the season, rushing 30 times for 280 yards and three touchdowns.
 
"I got lucky and broke a couple of long ones," he said. "It was really close and a really intense game – and super-fun to play in. We were trying to complete the perfect season, and they didn't want to give it to us.
 
"We had to earn that one."
 
Elements Added to It
The Raiders then hosted back-to-back NCAA playoff games, and both were played in terrific snowstorms. Colgate defeated Massachusetts 19-7, and then rallied past Western Illinois 28-27.
 
"The playoff games were intense as well, and the elements added a lot to it," Branch said. "Especially up there in Central New York, that weather in the winter time can be tough."
 
An iconic image of Colgate Football is Branch plowing through the Western Illinois defensive line amid piles of snow. Branch rushed for 59 hard-fought yards against UMass, and another 56 against WIU. But he scored three key touchdowns as the Raiders marched on.
 
Next for Colgate was a trip as far south as a team could travel, into the tropical climate of South Florida and a date against Florida Atlantic. Legendary head coach Howard Schnellenberger had built the Owls from scratch just three years earlier, and they appeared headed for the NCAA glory.
 
But Branch and Co. had other ideas. Branch was the ultimate workhorse, carrying a school-playoff record 45 times for 130 yards and a touchdown as Colgate defeated Florida Atlantic by a 36-24 count.
 

"I remember it being hot and a grind-'em-out game," Branch said. "The defense played really well. They were pretty much shutting them down the whole first half (Colgate led 23-7 at intermission).
 
"They started a comeback, but we were able to hold them off and make it to the national championship game. I just remember how excited everybody was."
 
Colgate lost to Delaware in the title tilt, but Branch was named a consensus All-America First Team member and won the Walter Payton Award as the nation's most outstanding FCS performer. Kenny Gamble had captured the same award for Colgate back in 1987.
 
"It was a great honor," said Branch, who finished the season with school rushing records of 450 attempts, 2,326 yards and 29 TDs during the 16-game season. "I'm very blessed and grateful to have attained that, but I didn't do it alone. Bob Cornell and the Colgate media staff played a big role helping me gain national attention.
 
"It was more of a team accomplishment than just me."
 
Fourth-Leading Rusher
Branch had one more year to go with the Raiders, during which he added another 1,190 yards on the ground and 16 touchdowns. For his collegiate rushing career, Branch totaled 4,148 yards and 48 TDs.
 
Both figures are fourth in the Colgate records book.
 
Next came a 2½-year NFL career with the New Orleans Saints and Pittsburgh Steelers – during which time he also played in NFL Europe. His home franchises were the Cologne Centurions and Rhine Fire.
 
"That was an amazing experience," Branch said of Germany. "To get to see and live in a different country was great for me."
 
Branch is a Cape Cod native of Mashpee, Massachusetts, who now lives in Orlando with his wife, the former Melanie Cruz '05 of New York City. Branch recently decided to pursue a longtime goal and enrolled in film school.
 
"I've always been a fan of television and movies," he said. "This is what I love and I'm now working toward a new career."
 
As for his Colgate memories, they mostly revolve around a special group of young men who nearly accomplished the impossible. Colgate remains the only Patriot League and non-scholarship program to advance to the NCAA title game.
 
"I really remember my teammates," he said. "We were a tight-knit group of great guys. There were no 'me' guys; it was all about 'team' and 'us' and 'we.' And great players at the same time."