2019 Schedule

HAMILTON – Colgate fans eager for more football after last season's amazing ride won't have to wait quite as long this year.
 
The Raiders released their 2019 schedule and it includes two games in August, highlighted by an Aug. 24 home opener against Villanova that marks Colgate's earliest start to a football season.
 
Back in 2017, Colgate played and won an Aug. 26 game at Cal Poly in front of a nationally televised audience. This year's Colgate-Villanova matchup also is being televised nationally, with an announcement to follow at a later date.
 
The early games are called Week 0, and the NCAA allows such contests provided the game is a nonconference matchup and televised nationally to give FCS football added exposure. The Colgate-Villanova game is currently one of four Division I games scheduled for the opening Week 0 of the season.
 
Colgate's annual FBS matchup this year is at Air Force on Aug. 31. The Raiders since Dan Hunt took over as head coach have played Ball State, Navy, Syracuse, Buffalo and Army from the FBS. Colgate took on Air Force in head coach Dick Biddle's final season of 2013.
 
Other nonconference matchups in 2019 are Maine at home and William & Mary, Dartmouth and Cornell on the road. Maine advanced to last year's NCAA playoff semifinals, while Dartmouth finished a close second in the Ivy League race.
 
"We are all very excited about this schedule," Hunt said. "Like other years, the nonleague portion will be a chance to test ourselves against some outstanding competition – three CAA teams, FBS Air Force, Dartmouth and traditional rival Cornell.
 
"This is as demanding of a schedule as I can remember. Hopefully that will prepare us for the league schedule, when we will have to be playing our best football. We have to move up our urgency with the early start, but the Week 0 game is a huge opportunity for the program."
 
Momentum from 2018
The Raiders are coming off a magical 10-2 season that saw them tie an FCS record with five shutouts and lead the nation in scoring defense and total defense. Colgate advanced to the NCAA quarterfinals for the second time in four years after earning a national seed and knocking off James Madison in the first home playoff game in 15 years.
 
Colgate was a perfect 6-0 in the Patriot League and the Raiders open defense of their title Oct. 5 against Lehigh. Home games follow against Bucknell and Fordham. Family Weekend is set for Sept. 21 against Maine, while Homecoming takes place Oct. 5 vs. Lehigh.
 
Start times have not been determined.
 
Season ticket holders can renew by putting down a $25 deposit per seat. Fans interested in becoming new season ticket-holders may also put down a $25 deposit per seat. Any new season ticket holders who put down a deposit will be eligible for the best available reserved seats or general admission seating.
 
To put down season ticket deposits, call the Colgate Athletics Ticket Office at 315-228-4062 or email colgatetix@colgate.edu.

Expect communications in the fall from the Alumni Relations office regarding tailgates at road contests. Tailgate event links will be added to the online schedule as details become available.