THIS WEEK’S GAMES
LEHIGH MOUTAIN HAWKS (1-1, 0-0 PL) AT LIU SHARKS (0-2, 0-0 NEC)
Brookville, N.Y./Bethpage Federal Credit Union
Noon (NEC Front Row)
BROADCAST (NEC Front Row): PxP – Gregg Caserta; Analyst – Jim Wright
RADIO BROADCAST (Fox Sports Radio 94.7 FM/LVFoxSports): PxP – Matt Kerr; Analyst – Steve Lomangino
SERIES HISTORY: Lehigh and LIU will meet for the seventh time in series history, with the Mountain Hawks winning all six previous meetings.
LAST MEETING: (Nov. 3, 1979) – At Lehigh 17, C.W. Post 0
MARIST RED FOXES (0-1, 0-0 PIONEER) AT LAFAYETTE LEOPARDS (1-1, 0-0 PL)
Easton, Pa./Fisher Stadium
12:30 p.m. (ESPN+/NBC Sports Philadelphia)
BROADCAST (ESPN+): PxP – Gary Laubach; Analyst – Mike Joseph; Sideline – Meghan Caffrey, John Leone, Phil Ng
SERIES HISTORY: Lafayette and Marist meet for the sixth time in series history, with the Leopards holding a 5-0 advantage.
LAST MEETING: (Sept. 6, 2008) – Lafayette 28, at Marist
GEORGETOWN HOYAS (2-0, 0-0 PL) AT SACRED HEART PIONEERS (1-1, 0-0 FCS INDEPENDENT)
Fairfield, Conn./Campus Field
1 p.m. (ESPN+)
BROADCAST (ESPN+): PxP – Randy Brochu; Analyst – Freddie Coleman
SERIES HISTORY: Georgetown and Sacred Heart meet for the third time in series history with the Hoyas and Pioneers splitting the previous matchups.
LAST MEETING: (Sept. 9, 2023) – At Georgetown 27, Sacred Heart 10
STONY BROOK SEAWOLVES (1-1, 0-0 CAA) AT FORDHAM RAMS (0-2, 0-0 PL)
Bronx, N.Y./Jack Coffey
1 p.m. (ESPN+)
BROADCAST (ESPN+): PxP – Andrew Bogusch; Analyst – Grant DelVecchio
RADIO BROADCAST: (WFUVSports.org/90.7 FM WFUV): PxP – Lou Orlando; Analyst – Evan Harkin
SERIES HISTORY: Fordham and Stony Brook meet for the eighth time, with the Rams holding a 4-3 series advantage.
LAST MEETING: (Oct. 14, 2023) – Fordham 26, at Stony Brook 7
HOLY CROSS CRUSADERS (0-2, 0-0 PL) AT BRYANT BULLDOGS (1-1, 0-0 CAA)
Smithfield, R.I./Beirne Stadium
2 p.m. (FloSports)
BROADCAST (ESPN+)
SERIES HISTORY: Holy Cross and Bryant will meet for the fourth time in series history, with the Crusaders holding a 2-1 edge.
LAST MEETING: (Nov. 12, 2022) – At Holy Cross 36, Bryant 29
MERRIMACK WARRIORS (0-2, 0-0 FCS INDEPENDENT) AT BUCKNELL BISON (1-1, 0-0 PL)
Lewisburg, Pa./Christy Mathewson – Memorial Stadium
6 p.m. (ESPN+)
BROADCAST (ESPN+): PxP – Doug Birdsong; Analyst – Charlie Fisher
RADIO BROADCAST (Bison Sports Network/100.9 WVLY): PxP – Luke Smith; Analyst – Braden Baruchowitz
SERIES HISTORY: Bucknell and Merrimack meet for the first time on Saturday.
LAST MEETING: N/A
COLGATE RAIDERS (0-2, 0-0 PL) AT AKRON ZIPS (0-2, 0-0 DI FBS MAC)
Akron, Ohio/InfoCision Stadium
6 p.m. (ESPN+)
BROADCAST (ESPN+)
SERIES HISTORY: Colgate and Akron meet for the first time on Saturday.
LAST MEETING: N/A
Recent Results Week Two
Saturday, Sept. 7
At Lehigh 49, Wagner 13
Georgetown 31, at Marist 10
Lafayette 40, at Monmouth 35
Bucknell 35, at VMI 28
New Hampshire 21, at Holy Cross 20
No. 5 Villanova 28, at Colgate 3
At Central Conn. St. 33, Fordham 3
PATRIOT LEAGUE FOOTBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
PATRIOT LEAGUE FOOTBALL OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Elijah Steward, Lafayette, Jr., WR, Galloway, N.J./Holy Spirit
*Steward made a Lafayette program record 15 receptions, one shy of the Patriot League single-game record, for 244 yards and a touchdown in the Leopards’ 40-35 victory against Monmouth. *The junior wide receiver caught a 42-yard touchdown pass from sophomore quarterback Dean DeNobile with 36 seconds left in the game, their second score in 17 seconds, to put Lafayette in front for good. *He had seven catches of 15 or more yards, including grabs of 42, 39 and 21 yards to become the first Leopards’ receiver with more than 200 yards receiving in a game since 2006.
PATRIOT LEAGUE FOOTBALL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Nick Peltekian, Lehigh, Jr., DB, Mahwah, N.J./Deerfield Academy
*Peltekian recorded two interceptions, including a 27-yard return for a touchdown in Lehigh’s home-opening 49-13 victory over Wagner. *The senior safety jumped in front of a Seahawk receiver to intercept a pass late in the second quarter, returning it 27 yards for a touchdown to put the Mountain Hawks in front 42-0 at the break, their most first-half points since 2016. *He became the first Lehigh player to intercept two passes in a game since Pete Haffner achieved the feat against Holy Cross in 2019.
PATRIOT LEAGUE FOOTBALL SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
TJ Cadden, Bucknell, So., RS/WR, Phoenixville, Pa./Episcopal
*Cadden returned a punt 40 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter to tie the score at seven in Bucknell’s eventual 35-28 win at VMI. *His punt return for a touchdown was the first for the Bison in 10 years, as he finished the game with four punt returns for 54 yards. *He also caught six passes for 87 yards and a touchdown, giving him 141 all-purpose yards and two scores.
PATRIOT LEAGUE FOOTBALL ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Brandon Biagiarelli, Bucknell, Fr., LB, Pittsburgh, Pa./Avonworth
*Biagiarelli finished with three tackles and 1.0 sack in his first significant playing time of the season in Bucknell’s 35-28 victory over VMI. *Two of the freshman linebacker’s three tackles were solo stops, with his sack coming on a third down to force a punt.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Ralph Rucker IV, Bucknell, Sr., QB, Lucas, Texas/Lovejoy
*Rucker completed 28-of-37 passes (75.5%) for 340 yards and three touchdowns to lead Bucknell to a 35-28 victory at VMI. The senior quarterback threw all three touchdown passes in the second half, completing 14-of-15 passes for 201 yards after halftime. He is one of two Bison quarterbacks to post three 300-yard passing games.
John Schlendorf, Bucknell, Sr., S, Toms River, N.J./Donovan Catholic
*Schlendorf finished with six tackles, 1.0 sack, one forced fumble and a pass breakup in the Bison’s 35-28 win against VMI. The senior safety recorded a sack-fumble on VMI’s second offensive player of the game.
Cole Kozlowski, Colgate, Jr., LB, Spring Lake, N.J./Manasquan
*Kozlowski registered a career-high 11 tackles, with seven solo stops in the Raiders’ loss vs. No. 5 Villanova. He added 1.0 TFL and a pass breakup.
David Ealey III, Georgetown, Gr., LB, Miami, Fla./Miami Palmetto
*Ealey led the Hoyas’ defense with 11 tackles and 1.5 sacks for a loss of 11 yards in their 31-10 victory over Marist. The Miami, Fla. native led a Georgetown defense that held the Red Foxes scoreless in the second half and limited them to 63 rushing yards and 210 yards of total offense.
Patrick Ryan, Georgetown, Sr., P/K, Randolph, N.J./Delbarton
*Ryan connected on a 38-yard field goal and went 4-for-4 on PATs to finish with seven points. He also had five punts for 185 yards, including a long of 50 yards.
Jacob Petersen, Holy Cross, Sr., TE, Spring Grove, Ill./Richmond Burton
*Petersen finished with six receptions for a career-high 110 yards, including a 71-yard touchdown reception in the Crusaders’ 21-20 loss vs. New Hampshire.
Gabe DuBois, Lafayette, Sr., CB, Cincinnati, Ohio/St. Xavier
*DuBois sealed Lafayette’s dramatic comeback win with an interception at their 30-yard line with 13 seconds left in the fourth quarter. He also recorded a team-leading seven tackles.
Robert Stevens, Lafayette, So., LB, Washington, D.C./DeMatha Catholic
*Stevens recovered an onside kick in the fourth quarter that allowed the Leopards to score their second touchdown in 17 seconds in a 40-35 comeback victory over Monmouth. He also added a special teams tackle.
TEAM NOTES:
BUCKNELL BISON Overall: 1-1 PL: 0-0
Next OPPONENT: Vs. Merrimack (6 p.m.)
2024 Patriot League Rankings
Scoring Offense ……………………. 28.0 (T2nd)
Scoring Defense ……………………… 38.5 (7th)
Total Offense…………………………..394.0 (1st)
Total Defense…………………………407.5 (6th)
2024 Quick Facts
Offensive Starters Returning/Lost ……….6/5
Defensive Starters Returning/Lost……….6/5
WEEK TWO RECAP: Sr. QB Ralph Rucker IV completed 28-of-37 passes for 340 yards and three touchdowns to lead Bucknell to a 35-28 victory at VMI. •Rucker connected on two touchdown passes to Jr. WR Josh Gary in the third quarter to put the Bison in front by 14, breaking the 14-14 halftime tie. Gary finished with 54 yards on three receptions. *So. RS/WR TJ Cadden added six catches for 87 yards and a 35-yard touchdown catch in the fourth quarter. He also returned a punt 40 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter. •Jr. WR Eric Weatherly posted game-highs with nine receptions and 105 receiving yards. •So. LB Gavin Willis registered a team-high 12 tackles, while Sr. S John Schlendorf posted six tackles and a sack. Sr. CB Chris Sims intercepted his first pass of the season.
COLGATE RAIDERS Overall: 0-2 PL: 0-0
Next Opponent: at Akron (6 p.m.)
2024 Patriot League Rankings
Scoring Offense ………………………… 8.5 (7th)
Scoring Defense …………………….. 22.5 (3rd)
Total Offense………………………….283.5 (6th)
Total Defense……………………….. 337.5 (2nd)
2024 Quick Facts
Offensive Starters Returning/Lost ……..10/1
Defensive Starters Returning/Lost……….5/6
WEEK TWO RECAP: The Raiders’ defense held No. 5 Villanova to seven first-half points to keep the game within reach, but the Wildcats scored 21 unanswered points in the second half as Colgate dropped its home opener, 28-3. •Jr. LB Cole Kozlowski led Colgate with 11 tackles and 1.0 TFL, while 5th LB Christian Sweeney posted five tackles and one sack. Sr. DB Asauni Allen added six tackles. •Colgate So. placekicker Luke Vogeler connected on a 39-yard field goal to make the score 7-3. •Sr. QB Michael Brescia completed 16-of32 passes for 140 yards and rushed for 71 yards on 14 carries to lead the offense. •Jr. WR Treyvhon Saunders caught five passes for 54 yards to lead the Raiders.
FORDHAM RAMS Overall: 0-2 PL: 0-0
Next Opponent: vs. Stony Brook (1 p.m.)
2024 Patriot League Rankings
Scoring Offense ………………………. 10.0 (6th)
Scoring Defense ……………………… 37.0 (6th)
Total Offense………………………….294.5 (5th)
Total Defense…………………………379.5 (5th)
2024 Quick Facts
Offensive Starters Returning/Lost ……….7/4
Defensive Starters Returning/Lost……….7/4
WEEK TWO RECAP: Fordham could not keep pace with Central Connecticut State, falling 33-3 on Saturday evening at Arute Field. •Sr. RB Julius Loughridge rushed for a game-high 127 yards on 15 carries to lead the Rams’ offense. •Sr. DB Nahil Perkins recorded two interceptions and five tackles, while senior defensive lineman Matt Jaworski added six tackles and 2.0 TFLs. •The Rams trailed 19-0 at the half before Fr. PK Bennett Henderson connected on a 20-yard field goal to cap an 11-play, 52- yard drive. •Jr. QB CJ Montes completed 17-of-36 passes for 141 yards. •Sr. WRs Mekai Felton and Garrett Cody totaled 48 and 47 receiving yards, respectively, for Fordham.
GEORGETOWN HOYAS Overall: 2-0 PL: 0-0
NEXT Opponent: at Sacred heart (1 p.m.)
2024 Patriot League Rankings
Scoring Offense ………………………..38.5 (1st)
Scoring Defense ……………………….17.0 (1st)
Total Offense………………………….339.0 (3rd)
Total Defense………………………….277.5 (1st)
2024 Quick Facts
Offensive Starters Returning/Lost ……….6/5
Defensive Starters Returning/Lost……….7/4
WEEK TWO RECAP: Georgetown held Marist scoreless in the second half, scoring the final 24 points of the game to cruise to a 31-10 victory. •Jr. QB Danny Lauter completed 21-of-27 passes for 199 yards and a 12-yard TD pass to So. TE Isaiah Grimes in the fourth quarter. Jr. WR Nicholas Dunneman had seven catches for 70 yards. •Sr. RB Naieem Kearney gave GU its first lead of the game with a three-yard touchdown run with 2:35 remaining in the third, his second touchdown of the game and fourth of the season. •Jr. RB Mason Gudger sealed the win with a 17-yard TD run, completing a 13-play, 80-yard scoring drive that took more than seven minutes off the clock. He rushed for 51 yards on eight carries. •GU limited Marist to one drive of more than 15 yards in the second half, as Gr. LB David Ealey III posted a game-high 11 tackles with 1.5 sacks. So. LB GianCarlo Rufo added nine tackles and 1.0 TFL, and So. DL Cooper Blomstrom finished with six tackles and 1.0 TFL
HOLY CROSS CRUSADERS Overall: 0-2 PL: 0-0
Next Opponent: at Bryant (2 p.m.)
2024 Patriot League Rankings
Scoring Offense ………………………. 18.5 (5th)
Scoring Defense ……………………. 20.5 (2nd)
Total Offense………………………….329.5 (4th)
Total Defense…………………………363.0 (4th)
2024 Quick Facts
Offensive Starters Returning/Lost ……….4/7
Defensive Starters Returning/Lost……….6/5
WEEK TWO RECAP: Sr. QB Joe Pesansky threw for 301 yards and a touchdown, completing 19-of-29 passes, but Holy Cross fell to New Hampshire, 21-20. •Pesansky connected with Sr. TE Jacob Petersen on a 71-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter to give the Crusaders a 20-14 lead. Petersen finished with a career-high 110 receiving yards and a score on six receptions. •Sr. RB Jordan Fuller added 84 rushing yards and a third-quarter touchdown on 23 carries. •Sr. WR Justin Shorter caught five passes for 95 yards and So. WR Chris Mullaly added five receptions for 77 yards. •So. CB Cam Jones posted a team-high 11 tackles, and Sr. LB Frankie Monte added six tackles and a half sack. Sr. S Curtis HarrisLopez finished with five tackles and an interception for the Crusaders. •So. PK Daniel Porto went 2-for-2 on fieldgoal attempts, connecting from 31 and 27 yards. He was also 2-for-2 on PATs.
LAFAYETTE LEOPARDS Overall: 1-1 PL: 0-0
Next Opponent: vs. Marist (12:30 p.m.)
2024 Patriot League Rankings
Scoring Offense ………………………. 26.5 (4th)
Scoring Defense …………………….. 32.5 (5th)
Total Offense………………………… 374.5 (2nd)
Total Defense…………………………416.0 (7th)
2024 Quick Facts
Offensive Starters Returning/Lost ……….8/3
Defensive Starters Returning/Lost……….8/3
WEEK TWO RECAP: So. QB Dean DeNobile threw two touchdown passes in the final 53 seconds of the fourth quarter to lead Lafayette to a 40-35 comeback victory over Monmouth. •DeNobile completed 31-of-45 passes for 394 yards and two touchdowns, both in the final minute of play. •Jr. WR Elijah Steward caught 15 passes, one shy of a Patriot League single-game record, for 244 yards and a 42-yard touchdown catch with 36 seconds left in the game to put Lafayette in front. •Jr. RB Jamar Curtis rushed for 87 yards and three touchdowns on 21 carries. •Sr. DB Gabe DuBois recorded a team-high seven tackles and sealed the win with an interception at Lafayette’s 30-yard line. •So. LB Robert Stevens recovered Sr. PK Jakob Trestik’s onside kick with 51 seconds left to allow the Leopards to score the go-ahead touchdown. •Sr. Saiku White finished with six tackles and an interception, while Sr. DB Neriyan Brown posted two tackles and one sack.
LEHIGH MOUNTAIN HAWKS Overall: 1-1 PL: 0-0
Next Opponent: at LIU (Noon)
2024 Patriot League Rankings
Scoring Offense ……………………. 28.0 (T2nd)
Scoring Defense …………………….. 27.5 (4th)
Total Offense………………………….278.0 (7th)
Total Defense…………………………340.5 (3rd)
2024 Quick Facts
Offensive Starters Returning/Lost ……….7/4
Defensive Starters Returning/Lost……….7/4
WEEK TWO RECAP: Lehigh caused four turnovers in the first half, including three interceptions, to open a 42-0 halftime lead on their way to a 49-13 victory against Wagner. • Jr. S Nick Peltekian finished with two interceptions, returning one for a touchdown, to lead the Mountain Hawks’ defense. •Sr. QB Dante Perri accounted for three TDs, connecting with Jr. WR Geoffrey Jamiel and So. WR Mason Humphrey. He added a two-yard TD run. •Interceptions on consecutive Wagner drives by So. S Mason Moore and Peltekian set up short fields and touchdown runs by Fy. RB Jaden Green and So. RB Luke Yoder. • Peltekian’s 27-yard INT return gave Lehigh a 42-0 lead, their highest-scoring first half since posting 42 points in a 63-35 victory at Yale on Oct. 1, 2016. •Jr. LB Brycen Edwards registered a game-high nine tackles. So. LB William Parton added six tackles and 1.5 TFLs to lead a defense that held the Seahawks scoreless until the 7:09 mark in the third quarter.
