(Game Statistics)
HAMILTON, N.Y. – Senior tailback Jamaal Branch carried 29 times for 115 yards and the game-winning touchdown to lead Colgate to a 17-15 non-conference win over Dartmouth Saturday at Andy Kerr Stadium.
Colgate (1-1) extends its home field winning streak to 13 straight games, while the Big Green drops their season opener. The Raiders have defeated Dartmouth six straight times and is 5-0 at home against the Big Green.
The outcome came right down to the final play of the contest with no time left on the clock. Dartmouth scored a 19-yard touchdown pass when quarterback Charlie Rittgers found Bob Murphy in the corner of the end zone as the clock expired putting the Big Green within a two-point conversion of tying the game.
Rittgers’ pass attempt on the conversion attempt however was batted down by defensive tackle Jeff Galletly giving Colgate the victory.
With 3:14 left in the contest, Colgate scored what proved to be the game-winning touchdown on a 45-yard run by Branch, who became only the fourth player in school history to rush for over 3,000 yards in a career. His 34th career rushing touchdown gave the Raiders a 17-9 advantage.
Dartmouth opened the scoring on a 21-yard field goal in the first quarter by Erik Hinterbichler for a 3-0 lead. Colgate tied the game in the second quarter on a career-long 43-yard field goal by Lane Schwarzberg, his school record 11 consecutive field goal made.
In the fourth quarter, Dartmouth took a 9-3 lead on Ray Rochester’s one-yard run before Colgate defensive tackle Mike Latek scored on a 14-yard interception return to give the Raiders a 10-9 lead with seven minutes left.
Dartmouth had 303 yards of total offense, while Colgate managed 240. Rittgers was 26-of-59 passes for 279 yards with one touchdown. He had two intercepted.
GAME NOTES … Branch moved into seventh place in career scoring with 208 points … Chris Williams had his fourth career interception … DeWayne Long was Colgate’s leading receiver with four catches for 34 yards … wideout Luke Graham didn’t play in the second half – because of an injury. He finished with two catches for 20 yards … Sophomore strong safety Geoff Bean was Colgate’s leading tackler with 11 including one TFL and two pass breakups. He made five tackles on kick coverage … head coach Dick Biddle becomes only the third coach in school history to post 70 career victories – joining Andy Kerr (95) and Fred Dunlap (77).
