Thirteen Colgate Football Notes vs Fordham

• Colgate-Fordham for Patriot Opener | Colgate holds a 26-10 advantage in the head-to-head series, which began in 1989 when the Raiders won the inaugural meeting, 35-3. The teams have alternated wins in each of the last five seasons, with Fordham taking a 20-14 victory last year in the Bronx. This is the first time since 2009 that Colgate has opened Patriot League play against Fordham. The Raiders won that meeting in 2009 by a final score of 20-12. 
   
• Series in Hamilton | The Raiders have won the last five home matchups against Fordham dating back to 2015. Two years ago, Colgate held on for a 21-14 victory over the Rams with Brendan Cassamajor’s 11-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter making the difference.
   
• Saunders Chasing History | Senior wide receiver Treyvhon Saunders needs nine receptions to pass Luke Graham ’05 for the most career receptions in Colgate Football history. Saunders currently ranks second with 214 receptions, and Graham has held the record since he posted 221 during his four-year collegiate career from 2001-04.
   
• Captain Leads the Defense | Fifth-year senior captain Elijah Hamilton paced the team with a career-high 11 tackles to go along with a forced fumble at Syracuse last Friday. Hamilton is currently third on the team with 17 total tackles on the season.
   
• Offense in Stride | Colgate’s offense racked up 408 yards of total offense, marking the first time on record the Raiders have eclipsed 400 yards against the Orange. Colgate totaled 376 yards in the 2010 meeting, which Syracuse won 42-7. In this year’s 66-24 result, Colgate’s 24 points were its most scored against the Orange since 1981 (24).
   
• Swanson for Six | Junior wide receiver Reed Swanson caught seven passes for a career-high 110 yards to go with his first two-touchdown game in a Colgate uniform. This marked the first time Swanson eclipsed 100 receiving yards in his career.
   
• Cole with the Carries | Sophomore running back Cole Fulton, who entered last week with one career carry, led the team in rushing against Syracuse with 72 yards on seven carries. His big play was a 44-yard touchdown charge midway through the fourth quarter.
   
• Treyvhon at the Top | Treyvhon Saunders leads the FCS in receptions per game (11.33), receiving yards per game (155.0), and total receiving yards (465). His three touchdowns are good for ninth nationally after finding the end zone three times over the first three games.
   
• 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-Pick Game | 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.
   
• Big Numbers on Offense | 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…
  • …hand head coach Curt Fitzpatrick his first head coaching win at Colgate
  • …improve to 27-10 all-time against Fordham
  • …improve to 16-3 against Fordham in Hamilton
  • …make it six consecutive wins against Fordham at home
  • …record their first victory since Oct. 19, 2024 (Georgetown, 38-28) 
  • …start 1-0 in Patriot League play for the first time since 2021