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Colgate University Athletics

Ryan Paulish
Joy Ives

Football John Painter

All-Decade Football: Offensive Line

Big Guys Paved Way for Raiders to Lead Patriot League in Rushing Eight of 10 Seasons, Average 206.2 pg

Fifth in a series.

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Tight End/Fullback

HAMILTON – The 2010s were another amazing decade in the annals of Colgate Football.
 
The Raiders won four Patriot League championships for the second decade in a row, upping their all-time total to 10. Colgate made two deep runs in the NCAA playoffs, advancing to the quarterfinals in both 2015 and 2018. The Raiders under head coaches Dick Biddle and Dan Hunt went 64-53 overall and 39-17 against Patriot League competition.
 
In celebration of those accomplishments, Colgate Football announces the All-Decade Team for 2010-19. Voters for this team were from the coaching staff, alumni, athletics department and media. Ties in the voting at wide receiver and linebacker resulted in one additional player being named for both of those positions.
 
"This was a neat thing to do and I appreciate everyone who helped out and gave their time to this process," Colgate head coach Dan Hunt said. "For me personally, it was really fun to talk about these guys, having been here for all of them and then some -- but not all as the head coach. It was a unique perspective on this to go back and talk about these great players."
 
Hunt especially enjoyed comparing those who finished their careers in 2010 or 2011 versus players who rounded out the decade.
 
"It was a good cross-section from different views of the football team," he said. "And the voters got it right. Obviously, there are players not on the list who easily could be. There were four championships during this 10-year period and two trips to the NCAA quarterfinals -- so there are some good players and some good teams."
 
Hunt noted that 11 of the 27 honorees came from the 2018 team that finished seventh and eighth in the major national polls after starting the season 9-0 on the strength of five shutouts. Those zeroes tied an NCAA FCS record for a season as Colgate breezed to a Patriot League title and earned a first-round NCAA playoff bye.
 
"Particularly on the defensive side of the ball, there are five on this team who were on that 2018 defense, and then four on offense and one on special teams," he said. "And to be honest with you, that's the way it should be. That's an all-time defense and an amazing all-around team that obviously performed very well."

All-Decade Offensive Line

Jack Badovinac (2017-)

Badovinac is the only active member on this team and it is well earned after he has pocketed 2018 Sophomore All-America status from Hero Sports followed by back-to-back All-Patriot League First Team honors. He has started the last 31 games in which he has appeared, and Colgate on his watch has led the Patriot League in time of possession all three seasons. The Raiders behind Badovinac have won two conference titles and twice led the league in rushing, including a 190.6 clip during the magical run of 2018.

Jack Badovinac
Jack Badovinac
Jack is the only current player on this team and rightfully so. He's played a lot of football for us and he's from that same mold. He's the type of player who we've always had success with. We didn't care how tall he was or anything like that. We knew Jack was a great football player and he's done nothing but prove it for three-plus years. He brings that physicalness, he brings that intensity that we need up front, and he certainly deserves to be on this team.
Coach Dan Hunt

Jordi Dalmau (2013-16)

Dalmau registered three All-Patriot League First Team selections and one for Second Team. He recorded his first career start in 2013 against Holy Cross and proceeded to start the final six games of that season on his was to First Team honors. Dalmau ended his career with 41 consecutive starts for the longest active streak among position players on the 2016 roster. The Raiders twice led the Patriot League in rushing, including their 2015 championship season and trip to the NCAA quarterfinals when they posted four career 1,000-yard rushers on the same team.

Jordi Dalmau
Jordi Dalmau
We knew Jordi was going to be good because he was so athletic. He was able to do things at the offensive line position that no one else could really do as far as second-level blocking. He had such great feet and such great body control that we could put him in space and he could survive against linebackers and against defensive backs. It really allowed us to do some things offensively that we haven't done since because he was the only one who could do it. When you look at it that way, he kind of defined the position -- which is what you want out of an All-Decade performer.
Coach Dan Hunt

Max Hartzman (2015-18)

Hartzman was a 2018 All-America and All-Patriot League First Team selection at center. He was a two-time team captain after battling back from a late-season injury in 2017 to return to full strength in 2018. That final season, Hartzman was one of three Raiders to earn All-Patriot League First Team honors as Colgate won a title, advanced to the NCAA playoff quarterfinals and finished seventh and eighth in the national polls. He helped Colgate lead the league in rushing for the 11th time in the last 12 seasons.

Max Hartzman
Max Hartzman
Max was the heart and soul of our offensive line in 2018. It was like having another coach on the field. He got people aligned and on the right page for what they should be doing, and then when the ball was snapped was absolutely relentless in how he got after you. You try to use your offensive line to set the tone, and he did it. He was a physical player who finished, and whoever he was going against was in for a long day.
Coach Dan Hunt

Scott Hirshman (2015-18)

Hirshman was named 2018 Patriot League Offensive Lineman of the Year by Phil Steele Magazine. He was also an All-Patriot League and All-ECAC First Team selection after helping the Raiders open 9-0, win a championship and advance to the NCAA playoff quarterfinals. Hirshman finished his career with 19 consecutive starts and twice was named a Jewish Sports Review All-American. He helped the Raiders lead the Patriot League in rushing during both title seasons of 2017 and 2018.

Scott Hirshman
Scott Hirshman
Scott was another player who his freshman year, you might never have had this discussion about him being an All-Decade player. And by the time he was done, you couldn't not have that discussion about him being an All-Decade player. He became one of the most dependable, technically correct, physical offensive linemen we've ever had. He played all of the positions but when we moved him to guard, he really blossomed. Maybe it was getting him next to Max -- those two guys together. But he just absolutely progressed every year to become kind of the benchmark of what we look for in a guard, and he very rightfully deserves to be on this team.
Coach Dan Hunt

Ryan Paulish (2014-17)

Paulish started all 34 of his Colgate appearances, paving the way for Patriot League title winners in 2015 and 2017. He twice earned All-Patriot League First Team honors and three times helped Colgate lead the conference in rushing. In addition, the Raiders front line led the Patriot League in fewest sacks allowed during both of those championship seasons, including 2015 when Colgate posted road playoff triumphs at New Hampshire and No. 5 James Madison en route to the NCAA quarterfinals.

Ryan Paulish
Ryan Paulish
"Ryan was the definition of a blue-collar workman, the type of offensive lineman who has had a lot of success here. He came out to work every day, knew his assignment, loved to practice, became a leader as he went through his career and every year he got better. By his senior year, he was a dominant offensive lineman for us. Certainly, multiple All-Leagues and very deserving of this recognition.

This is interesting because we've had so many great offensive linemen. It was tough, but the people who voted did a really good job on their selections.
Coach Dan Hunt

Next Up: Special Teams Rep, Friday.