Game Details
When: Saturday, October 5 at 1 p.m.
Who: Colgate (1-4, 0-0 Patriot) vs. Holy Cross (1-4, 0-0 Ivy League)
Where: Andy Kerr Stadium, Hamilton, N.Y.
It's time to amp up the intensity and face some familiar foes. Conference play has made its way to Colgate. The Raiders host Holy Cross in their first Patriot League game of the season, returning home after a one-week road trip to Pennsylvania.
Here are three key things to know before kickoff Saturday afternoon.
SAUNDERS IS HEATING UP
After a record-breaking performance against Penn, junior wide receiver Treyvhon Saunders was named the Patriot League Offensive Player of the Week. He's been increasing the number of receptions each game this season, and exploded against the Quakers — giving Colgate a much-needed boost heading into Patriot League play.Â
Saunders was a Patriot League Preseason First Team Selection, and is on pace for nearly 900 receiving yards this season.Â
"He's consistent," Fred '50 and Marilyn Dunlap Head Football Coach Stan Dakosty said. "Obviously, he has the ability to make the big plays in big moments, but I think he's just consistent."
BIG CHANGES FROM HOLY CROSS
Holy Cross is yet another program that's experienced significant changes since the last time it's seen Colgate.Â
There's a new head coach in town, Dan Curran, who took over after former head coach Bob Chesney took the leading job at James Madison. A number of the Crusaders' players left with Chesney, and Holy Cross' top performer, Jordan Fuller, has been out with injury.Â
Still, the Crusaders head to Hamilton, N.Y. with the same record as Colgate, 1-4. Holy Cross fell to Syracuse last week, and ends its two-game road trip with this week's game against the Raiders. Despite Holy Cross' seemingly slower start than in years past, the Crusaders still have key returners like senior linebacker Frankie Monte, who has picked up 47 tackles through five games. .
"They're going to be good competition," Saunders said. "Everybody on that team is good, so that competition is a good thing for us."
BACK TO 0-0
There's the overall record, and then there's the conference record. The conference record remained 0-0 over the last five weeks. Saturday will be the first time that changes.Â
The Raiders are emphasizing the importance of keeping that 0-0 mentality in preparation of the first conference game. The Patriot League is filled with multiple programs searching for its first conference win of the season this week — four teams have a conference matchup scheduled for Saturday.Â
Colgate can make a statement on Saturday with a win, showing that this team has learned from every game it's played this season and has become a cohesive team that executes on all three phases. Every week the team displays a new phrase on the board, this week was "discipline."
"Our goals are starting to show and now everything is on the line," Saunders said. "So we're just looking at it as more of a week to get back to us, and to get ahead."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
TreyvHon Saunders — Jr. — WR — Colgate
Saunders will be a key target for the Crusaders to watch for. His speed and athleticism has made him a consistent target for Colgate to rely on offensively. Saunders is coming off his record-breaking game against Penn last week as well, making him a bigger problem for Holy Cross to manage on Saturday.
Frankie Monte — Sr. — LB — Holy Cross
A key contributor thus far this year has been Monte, who's recorded at least six tackles in every game this season. His biggest game was just two weeks ago against Yale, where he had 17 tackles, 10 solo, against the Bulldogs. He's quick and explosive, picking up two TFLs and a half sack.Â
