WEEK 6 SCHEDULE
Saturday, Oct. 5 Holy Cross at Colgate (ESPN+) 1 p.m.
Lafayette at Fordham (ESPN+) 1 p.m.
PATRIOT LEAGUE NOTEBOOK
BUCKNELL’S CADDEN MAKING HISTORY ON SPECIAL TEAMS
Bucknell So. WR/RS TJ Cadden’s special teams prowess has helped the Bison go 3-2 overall and 1-0 in League play through five weeks, their best start since the Spring 2021 season. Cadden has already returned two punts for touchdowns this season to lead the FCS and earn a share of the Patriot League’s single-season record with Holy Cross’s Devin Haskins (2022) and Fordham’s Dan McGrath (2002). In Week Five against Lehigh, Cadden tied the mark for the longest kickoff return for a touchdown with a 100-yard score in the second quarter of their double-overtime win against the Mountain Hawks. The two-time Patriot League Special Teams Player of the Week shares the mark with six former League student-athletes.
COLGATE’S SAUNDERS TIES PL SINGLE-GAME RECEPTIONS MARK
Colgate Jr. WR Treyvhon Saunders tied the Patriot League’s single-game record with 16 receptions in the Raiders’ Week Five loss at Penn. Saunders matched former Lehigh All-American WR Troy Pelletier, who set the record with 16 grabs against Georgetown on Oct. 14, 2017. Saunders’s previous career-high was 10 receptions at Georgetown in 2023. The FCS single-game record is 24 receptions, shared by Chas Gessner (Brown, 2002) and Jerry Rice (Miss. Val. St., 1983).
LEOPARDS’ STEWARD STANDING OUT AMONG FCS LEADERS
Lafayette Jr. WR Elijah Steward leads the Patriot League and the FCS in receiving yards per game (124.7) and is second in the nation in receptions per game (8.3) through the first five weeks of the season. The Galloway, N.J. native earned Stats Perform FCS National Offensive Player of the Week on Sept. 9 after his 15-catch, 240-yard yard performance in the Leopards’ 40-35 comeback victory at Monmouth in Week Two. Steward caught a 42-yard touchdown pass from QB Dean DeNobile with less than a minute to play to put the team in front for good.
THREE LEAGUE QBS AMONG FCS PASSING EFFICIENCY LEADERS
Bucknell Sr. QB Ralph Rucker IV, Lafayette So. QB Dean DeNobile and Holy Cross Sr. QB Joe Pesansky are among the NCAA DI FCS Top 30 in pass efficiency through the season’s first five weeks. Rucker also leads the League and is sixth in the nation with 10 touchdown passes, while DeNobile is ninth in the FCS in passing yards per game (267.3)
PL RETURN SPECIALISTS AMONG FCS’S BEST THIS SEASON
The Patriot League boasts several of the FCS leaders in kick return average and punt return average through the season’s first five weeks, with three players among the nation’s top 25 in each category. Cadden boasts the top kickoff return average in the nation, at 39.5 yards per return. Lafayette Fr. Mason Kuehner leads the FCS in punt return average (20.3), while Cadden leads the nation with two punt returns for touchdowns.
LEAGUE DEF. BACKS CLIMB ACTIVE INTERCEPTION LEADERS LIST
Lafayette Sr. DB Saiku White and Fordham Sr. DB Nahil Perkins are tied for sixth among the FCS active leaders with seven career interceptions. Perkins recorded his Patriot League-leading third interception of the season and seventh of his career in the Rams’ loss against Dartmouth on Sept. 21. Perkins is also 11th among active FCS players with 27 career passes defended. Lafayette Sr. DB Gabe DuBois is 17th with 24 and White is 33rd among active leaders with 19 career passes defended.
PATRIOT LEAGUE FEATURES THREE 2,000-YARD RUNNING BACKS
Three Patriot League running backs have compiled more than 2,000 career yards to rank among the top 25 active rushers in the FCS. Fordham Sr. RB Julius Loughridge, who ranks third among active FCS players in rushing yards per game (93.1), is 10th among active players in rushing yards (2,513). Lafayette Jr. RB Jamar Curtis has rushed for 2,214 yards into his third season with the Leopards after leading the League and ranking second in the FCS last season with 132.7 rushing yards per game. Holy Cross Sr. RB Jordan Fuller is 21st among FCS active runners with 2,092 yards.
HOLY CROSS CRUSADERS (1-4, 0-0 PL) AT COLGATE RAIDERS (1-4, 0-0 PL)
Crown Field at Andy Kerr Stadium/Hamilton, N.Y
1 p.m. (ESPN+)
BROADCAST (ESPN+): PxP – Eric Malanoski; Analyst – Terry Dow
SERIES HISTORY: Holy Cross and Colgate meet for the 86th time in series history, with Holy Cross holding a 44-36-5 edge.
LAST MEETING: (Sept. 23, 2023) – At No. 6 Holy Cross 47, Colgate 7
LAFAYETTE LEOPARDS (2-2, 0-0 PL) AT FORDHAM RAMS (0-5, 0-0 PL)
Moglia Stadium at Jack Coffey Field/Bronx, N.Y.
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: Lafayette and Fordham meet for the 42nd time in series history, with the Leopards holding a 26-14-1 advantage.
LAST MEETING: (Nov. 11, 2023) – At Lafayette 24, Fordham 16
PATRIOT LEAGUE FOOTBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
PATRIOT LEAGUE FOOTBALL OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Treyvhon Saunders, Colgate, Jr., WR, Columbus, Ohio/Bishop Hartley
*Saunders tied a Patriot League single-game record and broke a Colgate program record with 16 receptions in the Raiders’ loss at Penn. *The junior wide receiver’s 16 receptions went for a game-high 123 yards, the most by a Colgate pass-catcher this season and the fifth 100-yard receiving performance of his career. *He leads the League in receptions (38) and is third in receiving yards per game (74.0).
PATRIOT LEAGUE FOOTBALL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Gavin Willis, Bucknell, So., LB, Louisville, Ky./Ballard
*Willis finished with nine tackles, 2.0 sacks and two fumble recoveries in Bucknell’s 38-35 double-overtime victory at Lehigh in their League opener. *The sophomore linebacker recovered a fumble in the second overtime period to seal the Bison victory. *His second-quarter fumble recovery led to a Bison touchdown on the next play from scrimmage to tie the score at 14.
PATRIOT LEAGUE FOOTBALL SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
TJ Cadden, Bucknell, So., WR/RS, Phoenixville, Pa./Episcopal Academy
*Cadden returned a kickoff for a 100-yard touchdown, his third special teams touchdown of the season, in Bucknell’s 38-35 double overtime over Lehigh in its League opener. *The sophomore return specialist became the seventh student-athlete in Patriot League football history with a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. *The Phoenixville, Pa. native has also returned two punts for touchdowns this season.
PATRIOT LEAGUE FOOTBALL ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Tariq Thomas, Bucknell, Fr., RB, Springfield, Mass./Springfield Central
*Thomas rushed for a career-high 77 yards on 18 carries and added one reception for 10 yards in Bucknell’s 38-35 double-overtime victory at Lehigh. *The freshman running back had a 20-yard carry in the second quarter to set up a first-down and goal situation.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Ralph Rucker IV, Bucknell, Sr., QB, Lucas, Texas/Lovejoy
*Rucker completed 15-of-22 passes for 150 yards and two touchdowns in Bucknell’s 38-35 double overtime victory at Lehigh to open League play. He threw a 31-yard touchdown pass to junior wide receiver Eric Weatherly to tie the score at 14 in the second quarter, then connected with Weatherly again in overtime.
Dane Picariello, Colgate, Jr., DL, Bristol, Pa./St. Joe’s Prep
*Picariello posted a career-high eight tackles, including a personal-best four solo stops in the Raiders’ loss at Penn. He also recorded a half TFL.
Nicholas Dunneman, Georgetown, Jr., WR, Montclair, N.J./Seton Hall Prep
*Dunneman caught eight passes for 111 yards and two touchdowns in Georgetown’s 20-17 victory over Columbia to claim the Lou Little Trophy. Dunneman caught a 16-yard touchdown pass with 1:10 left in the fourth quarter to lift the Hoyas to the win.
Preston Murray, Georgetown, Gr., S, Damascus, Md./Damascus
*Murray recorded two interceptions, one pass break up, and seven tackles in Georgetown’s 20-17 victory over Columbia. The safety intercepted his first pass in the end zone in the first quarter before returning an interception 31 yards in the third quarter.
Max Mosey, Holy Cross, Jr., WR, Harrisburg, Pa./Central Dauphin
*Mosey caught five passes for 105 yards and a 63-yard touchdown reception in a loss against FBS opponent Syracuse. The junior wide receiver leads the League and is among the FCS top 10, averaging 22.1 yards per reception.
Drew Spinogatti, Holy Cross, Sr., LB, Winter Garden, Fla./Bishop Moore
*Spinogatti led the Crusaders with eight tackles and 2.0 TFLs in a loss to FBS opponent Syracuse.
TEAM NOTES:
BUCKNELL BISON Overall: 3-2 PL: 1-0
Next OPPONENT: at Penn (Oct. 12 – 1 p.m.)
2024 Patriot League Rankings
Scoring Offense ……………………… 29.8 (2nd)
Scoring Defense ……………………… 32.2 (6th)
Total Offense………………………….355.2 (3rd)
Total Defense…………………………431.0 (6th)
2024 Quick Facts
Offensive Starters Returning/Lost ……….6/5
Defensive Starters Returning/Lost……….6/5
WEEK FIVE RECAP: Sr. LB Brad Jamison forced a fumble and So. LB Gavin Willis recovered to secure Bucknell’s 38-35 double-overtime victory over Lehigh. The fumble recover came after Jr. PK Matt Schearer’s 42-yard field goal to open the second overtime period. •The Bison erased a 14-0 deficit in the second quarter as So. WR TJ Cadden returned a kickoff for a 100-yard touchdown, his third special teams score of the season, and the seventh 100-yard kickoff return in Patriot League history. •Willis recorded his first of two fumble recoveries on Lehigh’s ensuing drive, setting up a 31-yard touchdown pass from Sr. QB Ralph Rucker IV to Jr. WR Eric Weatherly on the next play from scrimmage. • Willis finished with nine tackles, 2.0 TFLs, two sacks and two fumble recoveries, while Sr. S John Schlendorf finished with a team-high 13 tackles and 1.0 TFL. •Jr. CB Aaron Davis returned an interception 79 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter.
COLGATE RAIDERS Overall: 1-4 PL: 0-0
Next Opponent: vs. Holy Cross (1 p.m.)
2024 Patriot League Rankings
Scoring Offense ………………………. 19.0 (6th)
Scoring Defense ……………………. 25.4 (2nd)
Total Offense………………………….322.0 (6th)
Total Defense…………………………389.8 (4th)
2024 Quick Facts
Offensive Starters Returning/Lost ……..10/1
Defensive Starters Returning/Lost……….5/6
WEEK FIVE RECAP: Jr. WR Treyvhon Saunders tied the Patriot League single-game receptions record with 16, but Colgate could not complete a second-half comeback in a 27-17 loss at Penn. •Saunders finished with a game-high 123 receiving yards on 16 catches, tying the League’s single-game receptions mark set by Lehigh All-America wide receiver Troy Pelletier on Oct. 14, 2017. •So. QB Jake Stearney completed 31-of-47 pass attempts for 229 yards, one touchdown and one interception. *The Raiders fell behind 14-0 before Jr. QB Zach Osborne rushed for a 31-yard touchdown in the second quarter. •Colgate got a 35-yard field goal from So. PK Luke Vogeler in the third quarter, and Stearney’s three-yard touchdown pass to Jr. WR Brady Hutchison in the fourth brought the Raiders within seven points. •Jr. DL Dane Picariello finished with eight tackles and a half TFL, while Jr. LBCole Kozlowski added seven tackles for the Raiders’ defense.
FORDHAM RAMS Overall: 0-5 PL: 0-0
Next Opponent: Vs. Lafayette (1 p.m.)
2024 Patriot League Rankings
Scoring Offense ………………………. 15.0 (7th)
Scoring Defense ……………………… 41.8 (7th)
Total Offense………………………….283.4 (7th)
Total Defense…………………………438.0 (7th)
2024 Quick Facts
Offensive Starters Returning/Lost ……….7/4
Defensive Starters Returning/Lost……….7/4
WEEK FIVE RECAP: Fordham could not keep up with Monmouth’s offense in a 63- 21 loss at Kessler Stadium on Saturday. •Sr. RB Julius Loughridge returned from a one-game absence to rush for 97 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries. •Jr. QB Jack Capaldi completed 11-of-23 passes for 98 yards and a 32-yard touchdown pass to Fr. WR Jack Freeburg, in addition to rushing for 72 yards on 11 carries. •So. DB Nate Lindsey-Gill led the Rams with seven tackles and a forced fumble. Gr. LB Mike Courtney finished with six tackles and a half TFL. •Monmouth opened the game with a 100- yard kickoff return for a touchdown before Loughridge capped a 13-play, 72-yard drive with a nine-yard touchdown run to even the score. •The Rams scored two more times, as Loughridge found the end zone on an eight-yard run to end a five-TD run by the Hawks. Capaldi connected on a 35-yard touchdown pass to Freeburg early in the fourth quarter.
GEORGETOWN HOYAS Overall: 2-2 PL: 0-0
NEXT Opponent: At Lafayette (Oct. 12 – 12:30 p.m.
2024 Patriot League Rankings
Scoring Offense ……………………..25.0 (T4th)
Scoring Defense ……………………….23.4 (1st)
Total Offense………………………… 355.4 (2nd)
Total Defense……………………….. 354.6 (2nd)
2024 Quick Facts
Offensive Starters Returning/Lost ……….6/5
Defensive Starters Returning/Lost……….7/4
WEEK FIVE RECAP: Jr. QB Danny Lauter found Jr. WR Nicholas Dunneman for a 16- yard touchdown pass with 1:10 remaining in the game to lift Georgetown to a 20-17 victory over Columbia to claim the Lou Little Trophy. •Lauter and Dunneman connected on a pair of second-half touchdowns to help the Hoyas overcome an early 14-0 deficit, bringing the trophy back to D.C. for the first time since 2019. •Lauter completed 25-of-33 passes for 292 yards and two touchdown passes, while Dunneman caught eight passes for 111 yards and two scores. •Jr. WR Jimmy Kibble posted team-highs of 10 receptions and 164 yards. *Georgetown’s defense forced three Lions’ turnovers, with Sr. DB Preston Murray intercepting two passes and So. DB Zeraun Daniel picking off one. So. LB GianCarlo Rufo recovered a fumble for the Hoyas. • Georgetown’s defense held Columbia to three points in the second half.
HOLY CROSS CRUSADERS Overall: 1-4 PL: 0-0
Next Opponent: At Colgate (1 p.m.)
2024 Patriot League Rankings
Scoring Offense ……………………..25.0 (T4th)
Scoring Defense …………………….. 28.6 (5th)
Total Offense………………………….341.2 (4th)
Total Defense…………………………402.2 (5th)
2024 Quick Facts
Offensive Starters Returning/Lost ……….4/7
Defensive Starters Returning/Lost……….6/5
WEEK FIVE RECAP: Holy Cross fell to ACC foe Syracuse, 42-14, at the JMA Wireless Dome on Saturday afternoon. •Jr. WR Max Mosey led the Crusaders’ offense with 105 yards and a touchdown on five receptions. Sr. QB Joe Pesansky completed 14-of-25 pass attempts for 167 yards, one touchdown and one interception. •So. LB Drew Spinogatti led the Crusaders’ defense with eight tackles and 2.0 TFLs, while Sr. S’s Jake Jarmolowich and Ryan Ruane both recorded interceptions. •Trailing 21-0, Holy Cross responded early in the second quarter when Pesansky connected with Mosey on a 63-yard touchdown pass. •The Crusaders cut the deficit to seven points when Jr. RB Sam Slade found Sr. TE Jacob Petersen open for a 27-yard touchdown with 6:45 left in the half. •Holy Cross was held scoreless in the second half, as the Orange scored the game’s final 21 points.
LAFAYETTE LEOPARDS Overall: 2-2 PL: 0-0
Next Opponent: AT FORDHAM (1 p.m.)
2024 Patriot League Rankings
Scoring Offense ………………………..32.3 (1st)
Scoring Defense …………………….. 27.5 (4th)
Total Offense…………………………..417.8 (1st)
Total Defense…………………………362.3 (3rd)
2024 Quick Facts
Offensive Starters Returning/Lost ……….8/3
Defensive Starters Returning/Lost……….8/3
WEEK FOUR RECAP: Jr. QB Dean DeNobile threw for 272 yards and two touchdowns, but No. 14/18 Lafayette could not overcome an early deficit in a 31-20 loss at Columbia. •DeNoble completed 23-of-35 passes for 272 yards, a pair of touchdown passes and one interception in the loss. Sr. WR Chris Carasia finished with 114 yards on four receptions and a 31-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter. •Fr. WR Mason Kuehner added 72 yards on four catches, including a 69-yard touchdown catch in the fourth quarter. So. WR Carson Persing finished with a career-high 10 receptions for 58 yards. •Jr. RB Jamar Curtis rushed for 102 yards on 25 carries and caught two passes for 10 yards. •Sr. S Saiku White and Sr. LB Preston Forney led the Leopards’ defense with eight tackles apiece. Forney added one sack. •Sr. LB Tim O’Hearn posted four tackles, 1.5 TFLs, one sack and a forced fumble, while Sr. LB Reggie Thomas had an interception.
LEHIGH MOUNTAIN HAWKS Overall: 3-2 PL: 0-1
Next Opponent: At Yale (Oct. 19 – Noon)
2024 Patriot League Rankings
Scoring Offense ………………………. 29.2 (3rd)
Scoring Defense …………………….. 26.0 (3rd)
Total Offense………………………….335.4 (5th)
Total Defense………………………….296.6 (1st)
2024 Quick Facts
Offensive Starters Returning/Lost ……….7/4
Defensive Starters Returning/Lost……….7/4
WEEK FIVE RECAP: Lehigh fell to Bucknell in a 38-35 double-overtime heartbreaker at Goodman Stadium. •So. RB Luke Yoder finished with 137 yards and three touchdowns, including one in the first overtime, on 22 carries. •Lehigh jumped out to a 14-0 lead behind a pair of touchdown receptions from Jr. WR Geoffrey Jamiel. •Jamiel’s first score came on a 23-yard pass from Gr. QB Dante Perri, and the second on a 34-yard pass from Fy. QB Hayden Johnson. Jamiel finished with 136 yards and two scores on nine receptions. •Johnson completed 17-of-23 passes for 200 yards, one touchdown and one interception. •So. WR Mason Humphrey caught nine passes for 109 yards. •Gr. LB Mike DeNucci posted 12 tackles and 1.0 TFL, and Jr. S Nick Peltekian added nine tackles, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
