HAMILTON – Team 136 has been a moniker heard throughout preseason, and it's an identity that will face its first test Friday night when second-year head coach Curt Fitzpatrick and the Colgate Raiders open their 2026 season at Fordham. 

"There's a sense of urgency to stand behind Team 136," Fitzpatrick said. "It's a one-year cycle, while also putting into perspective that there were 135 teams before us. It's an homage to the past but also an urgency to the future in the team that we're building now."

With Patriot League action right out of the gates, the Raiders aim to build on the offensive strides made during the 2025 season while relying on a heavy core of returning impact players that helped the Raiders to a 5-7 overall record including a 3-4 Patriot League mark. 

"We're proud of the progress we made last season, but our players understand that last year doesn't carry over to this year," Fitzpatrick said. "The biggest thing for us is continuing to build on the foundation we established while raising our expectations and standards. We have a veteran group that has experienced the highs and lows of this program, and they're hungry to take another step forward. Our focus has been on controlling the inputs every day and putting ourselves in position to be at our best when it matters most."

Senior captain Jake Stearney, who has been a staple in Colgate's offense throughout his career, leads the charge offensively. Alongside Stearney, returning senior captains Sean Haney, Tymir Wynn, and Trooper Price bring leadership and experience to the field. 

Offensive Preview 

Stearney has played meaningful roles throughout his four-year career – entering his senior season with 28 games played and 18 starts. He has thrown 36 touchdowns totaling 4,711 yards with a 61.8 competition percentage. He threw for 200+ yards with two touchdowns in Colgate's 19-point comeback to beat Holy Cross, 29-28, on the road last season. 

The team set a program record with 29 passing touchdowns and amassed 3,294 passing yards – their highest total in a decade – under offensive acumen Fitzpatrick. 

Moore, a Preseason All-Patriot League selection, started the first seven games of 2025 before a season-ending injury. He racked up 25 receptions and 376 receiving yards, compiling two touchdowns including a game-opening career-long 78 yard score against Fordham last September. That catch was part of a season-high 126 receiving yards in the 44-21 home victory. 

Matt Fogler, the Patriot League Rookie of the Year, returns for his sophomore season after bursting onto the scene down the stretch in 2025. He caught seven touchdown passes over the final four weeks of the season, including a three-TD game at Lafayette, to become Colgate's first non-QB to land the award since 2016 (Abu Daramy-Swaray). 

Running backs Danny Shaban and Cole Fulton look to lead the backfield after combining for more than 160 touches last season and racking up nearly 1,000 yards of total offense and seven touchdowns. Shaban led the team with 424 rushing yards (5.1 ypc), while Fulton totaled 305 yards on 59 carries (5.2 ypc). 

"We have a lot of guys back who played significant snaps offensively last year," Fitzpatrick said. "Our running backs and offensive line are committed to showing more physicality, and combining that with our vertical passing game that we showed could be successful last year. Blending it all together for more consistency week in and week out is important."

Defensive Preview

Colgate's defense returns nine starters, including Price, who was named Preseason All-League after posting 77 tackles, including 4.5 TFLs, and two interceptions. Both picks came in the same game at Cornell, highlighted by a 43-yard touchdown return in the 41-21 victory. 

The Raiders led the Patriot League with 15 interceptions last season – their most in a decade. Wynn, another Preseason All-League member, led the team with three picks. He also had 51 tackles and six pass breakups along with a forced fumble and recovery. 

Justyn Toler, Reece Allan, and Kenny Langston all played in at least 10 games and combined for four interceptions and 11 pass breakups in 2025. Taytum Johnson, another key returning corner, grabbed one interception and had a pair of breakups in nine games played last season. 

Up front, Christian Magliacano finished second on the team with 82 tackles and led the squad with nine TFLs to go with two interceptions. Adam DeSantis and Joe Kelley also return after making significant impacts on the defensive front last season – both appearing in all 12 games. 

"Our defense has the experience and the talent to be a really disruptive group," Fitzpatrick said. "Returning nine starters gives us a great foundation, but what we've challenged our guys with is not being satisfied with what we did a year ago. We want to play fast, physical and together, and we want to create an identity that our entire program can be proud of. The standard is to play with great effort and great discipline on every snap." 

Special Teams Preview

The special teams unit is led by Preseason All-League selection and two-time All-Patriot League honoree Luke Vogeler. The senior placekicker enters his senior season 11 field goals away from becoming the program's all-time leader in FGs made. 

Vogeler is 25-for-35 with a long of 51 so far in his collegiate career. He was 12-for-18 in field goal attempts last year with a season-long of 43 yards against Merrimack last November. He averaged 59.6 yards on kickoffs with 16 touchbacks. 

"Special teams are going to be a critical part of our success," Fitzpatrick said. "Luke gives us tremendous confidence in the kicking game, and we have a lot of players who take real pride in the hidden-yardage part of football. In a schedule this demanding, the small details can make a big difference. We want to be a team that is fundamentally sound, disciplined and willing to win the field-position battle every week." 

Newcomers

Curt Fitzpatrick's inaugural signing class features 33 newcomers. The group includes seven defensive backs, two tight ends, five linebackers, seven wide receivers, five offensive lineman, three defensive lineman, two running backs, and two quarterbacks. Among the group, three spring transfers Joey Tomasso (quarterback, William & Mary), Thomas Gearity (Central Florida), and Chase Jarrett (Central Florida) bolster the incoming class with collegiate experience. 

Schedule Outlook

Colgate's 2026 schedule features a 12-game slate that includes five home contests at Andy Kerr Stadium. With the entry of Villanova and William & Mary as Patriot League football members, Colgate will play its first-ever nine-game league slate in addition to three non-league contests.

The Raiders begin the season at Fordham before opening the home schedule the following week against Holy Cross on Sept. 5. Other home games include Cornell (Sept. 19), Georgetown (Oct. 17), William & Mary (Oct. 31), and Lafayette (Nov. 14). 

"We're really excited about the direction and strength of the Patriot League, and our 2026 schedule reflects that," said Fitzpatrick. "Between a demanding Patriot League slate, quality Ivy League opponents, and an FBS matchup, our players will be tested week in and week out. Our players and coaches are driven to embrace those demands and prepare relentlessly."

Support the Raiders
On every field and in every arena, Colgate Athletics believes in and delivers a true Division I student-athlete experience. Our coaches recruit students of high intellectual promise who are elite competitors in their sports, and — thanks to loyal and generous alumni, families, and fans like you — Colgate supports high-level academic services, athletic training, travel, health and nutrition, strength and conditioning, career development, and more.

Make a gift today to support the season ahead. Your generosity helps Colgate develop champions on the field, in the classroom, and in life.