Fordham at Colgate, Game Thread (11/23/13)

[TheValleyRaider]

Recently underway in frigid Hamilton. As mentioned elsewhere, no McCarney today, not 1 senior on the 2-deep for the offense today

Fordham driving right down the field for a TD, with Nebrich under center and Koonce taking one to the house

7-0 Fordham
13:06 1st

[TheValleyRaider]

Rumors of McCarney's end are slightly exaggerated, as he takes the first snap of the game, one final start for #7. Made the handoff, now back to the locker room

Melville comes in for 2nd down

[TheValleyRaider]

Nebrich a dump-off for Wetzel, he scampers in for another score. Short drive for the Rams after a 4th down attempt came up short

14-0 Fordham
9:23 1st

[TheValleyRaider]

Another short field after a Melville INT, Koonce finishes it off with a short run

21-0 Fordham
7:55 1st

[TheValleyRaider]

Nebrich deep to Tebucky Jones, 87 yards and into the end zone, holy cow this has gotten out of hand

28-0 Fordham
5:46 1st

[TheValleyRaider]

Nebrich deep to Tebucky Jones, 87 yards and into the end zone, holy cow this has gotten out of hand

28-0 Fordham
5:46 1st

[TheValleyRaider]

Having some internet issues, Colgate did score on a 1-yard Russell dive, set up by a big completion to O'Connell (who was of course hurt on the play)

28-7 Fordham
Late 1st

[Gater]

Colgate scores to make 28-7 and loses their leading receiver after a 40 yard catch. That's Colgate's top six receivers out of the game. Fordham looks great.

[TheValleyRaider]

Raiders forced a punt, now maybe driving again as the clock expires

Fordham 28
Colgate 7
End 1st

[Gater]

Colgate gave up 233 yards of total offense in the first quarter, had an INT on O and didn't convert a 4th and 1.

[TheValleyRaider]

Long drive for Fordham, slant pass to Wetzel for another score, and so much for momentum, I guess

35-7 Fordham
8:41 2nd

[Gater]

Fordham has 329 yards with 8:41 left in second quarter and is up 35-7.
Colgate loses a starting CB and already has a safety playing receiver.

[TheValleyRaider]

Another Fordham possession, another Fordham score, this time Wetzel on a 75 yard punt return. This came one play after a somewhat incredible PI no-call on 3rd down that forced the punt. Looking like one of those days

42-7 Fordham
7:34 2nd

[Gater]

Fordham's offensive numbers hurt as they return a punt for a TD. 42-7 Fordham. 7 minutes left in second quarter.

[TheValleyRaider]

Fordham gets another 4th down stop, one run to run out the clock

Fordham 42
Colgate 7
Halftime

[TheValleyRaider]

In a season of struggles, this might be the fitting cap. Fordham looks like a legitimate playoff contender, and is doing most of what they want on the field. They've made a few mistakes, but overall are bigger, stronger, and faster.

From Colgate's perspective, all the injuries have piled up. Still no quit in their game, which I love to see. Hard to see the way back in this one, though in pregame Biddle referred to this as the first game of 2014. Lots of returners going to get playing time, we'll see who picks up an advantage heading into next season.

[Gater]

Colgate stopped on 4th and 1 for second time in first half. Half ends 42-7. Can't imagine Fordham playing starters in second half. Fordham has 372 yard of total offense in first half. They also had an 81 yard punt return for a TD. Fordham playing for something and better. Colgate banged up and getting out-everythinged. Not surprised that Fordham is this good but amazed at how far south the season has gone for 'gate.

[TheValleyRaider]

Quiet 3rd quarter so far, jumping in to say little has changed on the score line

42-7 Fordham
5:47 3rd

[TheValleyRaider]

First score of the half and it's Colgate! James Travellin with his first career TD, coming off a blocked punt to set up the short field. And, in accordance with the prophecies, the extra point is blocked

42-13 Fordham
2:09 3rd

[TheValleyRaider]

Fordham comes right back, setting up 1st and goal at the 4 when time expires

Fordham 42
Colgate 13
End 3rd

[Gater]

Colgate's D seemed to make adjustments in the 3rd to not let Fordham score--at the same time, it seems like Fordham wasn't running the hurry up.
Fordham's O looks great when it plays fast--almost like Oregon.
Nice to see Travillin score for 'gate. He's got a good burst.

[TheValleyRaider]

Light (sp?) muscles in for a TD reception from Nebrich, another score

49-13 Fordham
14:53 4th

[TheValleyRaider]

Nebrich finds Wetzel in the corner of the end zone, Fordham scores again after a Melville interception

56-13 Fordham
10:20 4th

[Gater]

Fordham runs a trick play up 49-13 with starters in in 4th. Guess they feel like they need to impress the selection committee. Now they have 56. Seem like you would pull your starters at this point.

[TheValleyRaider]

Colgate only punts after the Rams' TD

I post mostly to mention that swirling snowfall has come to Hamilton. Maetzold in at QB for Fordham

[ace93]

Fordham runs a trick play up 49-13 with starters in in 4th. Guess they feel like they need to impress the selection committee. Now they have 56. Seem like you would pull your starters at this point.
Perhaps could have done without the trick play, but I do think we were looking to make a statement after last week.

[TheValleyRaider]

Melville hits Quazza, great catch over the corner, and Colgate has another score. Going for two, Melville's keeper is stuffed in the backfield

Nice score to close out the season, at least

56-19
0:29 4th

[Gater]

Perhaps could have done without the trick play, but I do think we were looking to make a statement after last week.

I get it. Watching your team get beat you look for reasons to be mad but you need to stop whatever the other team runs and 50 plus looks better.

[TheValleyRaider]

That's a wrap on Colgate's 2013

Fordham 56
Colgate 19
Final

[Gater]

Time to start rooting for Fordham in the playoffs. Hope you guys go on a run. You guys pushed for scholarships (which will help the whole league) and gave up chances to win Patriot League crowns to do it. Glad it is paying off for you guys. Go Rams!

[TheValleyRaider]

Disappointing, yet appropriate loss to close out the 2013 campaign.

The schedule was always going to be a challenge, but the addition of serious injury across the lineup made even the League schedule too challenging in the end. Thanks and good luck to the senior class, who grabbed their PL title a year ago. Lots of guys got playing time, lots of guys who will be serious contributors in the seasons to come. 0-6 at Andy Kerr for the first time since the dark age of 1995 (where they didn't win a game anywhere). Full credit to the roster who battled throughout the year, and got into position to clinch the PL title even if they fell short of the repeat. I suspect, even with another tough slate coming, the Raiders can be right back in the thick of things for 2014

Congrats and good luck to Fordham, who has a strong team that will hopefully make some noise in the postseason. If nothing else, they demonstrate the potential scholarships can bring to a program with that kind of commitment and leadership

Now let's go watch some hockey :)

[Vooter]

Congrats and good luck to Fordham, who has a strong team that will hopefully make some noise in the postseason. If nothing else, they demonstrate the potential scholarships can bring to a program with that kind of commitment and leadership.

Appreciate the sentiments! Don't forget--we were 1-10 two years ago. You guys will be back...

[ColgateTD]

Congrats to the Rams....(and the Leopards)....now go out and kick some butt in the playoffs. Make the PL proud!

Yikes.....G'town beat HC. All things are possible.