Takeaways from Colgate's First Win of 2024

Dominant ground game shines in 41-24 defeat of Cornell

HAMILTON -– Three thousand fans poured into Andy Kerr Stadium to watch a Homecoming rivalry play out on Crown Field. Colgate football was searching for its first win of the season while its foe, Cornell, was debuting a brand new team under a new head coach.

The maroon reigned supreme, and the Raiders' offense persevered through an early back-and-forth battle to send the Big Red home with a 41-21 win.

"I think all three phases had really solid impacts on the game," Fred '50 and Marilyn Dunlap Head Football Coach Stan Dakosty said. "It starts up front. I know we did a good job against Cornell from a run defense standpoint, but our offensive line did an awesome job today."

The Raiders celebrated their first win of the season in Biddle Plaza, Dakosty looking on from the end zone, knowing the wait to win number one was worth it.

TAKEAWAYS
When Cornell took a one-score lead just moments into the second quarter, the Big Red thought they found a way to deflate the Raiders' game.

That wasn't the case. The Raiders scored 24 unanswered points between the second and third quarters, taking a 10 point lead at halftime and extending it with two more touchdowns in the third. By the end of the game, Colgate's offense had accumulated over 450 yards of offense including 270 on the ground.

Sophomore quarterback Jake Stearney led Colgate's offense with 184 passing yards and one passing touchdown, while senior signal caller Michael Brescia rushed for 77 yards and two rushing touchdowns. Brescia is now third in Colgate history for the most rushing touchdowns by a Raider signal caller.

The Raiders' running backs Marco Maldonado and Chris Gee both had double-digit carries, with Maldonado scoring his first touchdown in a Colgate uniform during the fourth quarter.

"Offensively, we were just running physically," Dakosty said. "It was some physical Colgate football, especially in the second and third quarters."

The Raiders' defense had three players record tackles-for-losses — Reece Allan, Mack Marrone and Brody Hock — while Cole Kozlowski, Christian Sweeney and Hock all recorded at least eight tackles.

A total of 20 Raiders recorded a tackle against the Big Red, the most in a game this season.

Sophomore kicker Luke Vogeler made every attempt on Saturday including two field goals and five PATs, while senior punter Shelby Pruitt recorded his fourth-straight game with a 40-plus-yard-per-punt average.

UP NEXT
The Raiders are back on the road next Saturday, heading to Philadelphia to play another Ivy League program: University of Penn. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. on ESPN+.

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Players Mentioned

#5 Michael Brescia: QB; 6' 3"; Senior

#25 Chris Gee: RB; 6' 0"; Sophomore

#33 Brody Hock: LB; 6' 1"; Senior

#43 Cole Kozlowski: LB; 6' 2"; Junior

#4 Marco Maldonado: RB; 5' 11"; Junior

#50 Mack Marrone: LB; 6' 0"; Senior

#15 Jake Stearney: QB; 6' 3"; Sophomore

#54 Christian Sweeney: LB; 6' 2"; Fifth Year

#95 Luke Vogeler: PK; 6' 3"; Sophomore

#34 Reece Allan: DB; 6' 3"; First Year

Players Mentioned

#5 Michael Brescia
: 6' 3"; Senior
: QB

#25 Chris Gee
: 6' 0"; Sophomore
: RB

#33 Brody Hock
: 6' 1"; Senior
: LB

#43 Cole Kozlowski
: 6' 2"; Junior
: LB

#4 Marco Maldonado
: 5' 11"; Junior
: RB

#50 Mack Marrone
: 6' 0"; Senior
: LB

#15 Jake Stearney
: 6' 3"; Sophomore
: QB

#54 Christian Sweeney
: 6' 2"; Fifth Year
: LB

#95 Luke Vogeler
: 6' 3"; Sophomore
: PK

#34 Reece Allan
: 6' 3"; First Year
: DB