Thirteen Colgate Football Notes on Game Week

• Colgate-Syracuse Matchup | Colgate is 31-32-5 all-time against Syracuse. Their first meeting was back on Nov. 7, 1891, when Colgate edged out Syracuse 22-16. In the early years, Colgate held the upper hand – winning 13 of the first 20 games played from 1891 to 1917.
   
• Series History | This will be the first time the teams play each other twice within a three-year span since they met back-to-back years in 1981 and 1982. The teams played annually from 1912 through 1961 (aside from WWII breaks), and then took a 20-year hiatus before renewing briefly in the 1980s.
   
• Raiders on the Road | This will be the 62nd consecutive time the Raiders will be on the road against the Orange. The last time Colgate played host was in 1897 (6-6 tie). Syracuse began dominating around the 1950s. Their longest win streak in the series is 17 straight victories from 1951 to present, and Colgate hasn't won since 1950 (19–14). 
   
• FBS Opponent | This will be head coach Curt Fitzpatrick’s first game against an FBS opponent. The Raiders have had a difficult schedule to start the season, playing their first two games against ranked FCS competition. League play begins next week against Fordham. 
   
• Stretching the Field | Senior quarterback Zach Osborne has been stretching the field more than in the past. In 2023, he posted a then career-best 6.67 yards-per-attempt. Through two games in 2025, he has averaged 10.6 yards, showing a willingness to look for the big play.
   
• Trooper Tackles | Junior linebacker Trooper Price logged the most destructive game of his Colgate career against Villanova on Saturday. He tied a career-high with 10 total tackles, and recorded 2.5 tackles for loss (also a career-high).
   
• Slippery Shaban | Sophomore running back Danny Shaban led the team with 53 rushing yards on eight carries against Villanova. The UConn transfer also had a 31-yard rush - the longest of the season for the Raiders so far.
   
• Touchdown Trey | Senior wide receiver Treyvhon Saunders continues to close in on Colgate’s all-time career receptions record. After catching 10 passes at Villanova, his 203 career receptions trail Luke Graham’s record of 221 by just 18. Saunders has 23 catches for 360 yards with three touchdowns. 
   
• Wynning Plays | Tymir Wynn’s two interceptions against Monmouth made it three consecutive seasons that a Colgate defensive back has recorded a multi-interception game. Wynn led the team with three interceptions in 2024 – and he had the multi-pick game last year against Georgetown.
   
• Four Picks in the Opener | Colgate’s four interceptions against Monmouth were the most the team recorded in a single game since 2018, when the Raiders’ defensive unit recorded five against James Madison in a 23-20 win.
   
• Fitzpatrick Makes History | Colgate Head Coach Curt Fitzpatrick made history in his Colgate coaching debut. Colgate’s 39 points were the highest scoring debut for a new head coach since 1929, when Andy Kerr’s team racked up 59 points against St. Lawrence. 
   
• Offense Racks up Yards | In the season opener against Monmouth, Colgate racked up 541 yards of total offense – marking the first time the Raiders have eclipsed 500 yards since 2018, when the Raiders accumulated 562 yards in a 41-0 win against Fordham.
   
• Lucky Number 13 | Colgate considers 13 to be a lucky number. The University celebrates Colgate Day every Friday the 13th. In 1817, 13 men met in the frontier settlement of Hamilton, N.Y., to found the Baptist Education Society of New York. They are said to have backed up their experiment in education with 13 dollars and 13 prayers, which is why 13 is considered a lucky number at Colgate.
   
• With a win the Raiders would…
  
  
  • … earn their first win over Syracuse since Nov. 4, 1950
  • … hand head coach Curt Fitzpatrick his first head coaching win at Colgate
  • … even the head-to-head series against Syracuse 32-32-5
  • … post their first win over an FBS opponent since Sept. 6, 2003 (UConn, 24-21)
  • … record their first victory since Oct. 19, 2024 (Georgetown, 38-28) 
  • … gain momentum heading into Patriot League play next weekend