*** Colgate @ Holy Cross Game Thread ***

[crusader11]

Serious implications for the Patriot League Championship in the first game of the conference slate for both teams. Can the Cross not only contain Eachus, but McCarney as well? They held Eachus and Sullivan in check last year for the most part...

Should be a great one Saturday afternoon at Fitton!

[Go...gate]

This is going be a great game. Is HC doing any kind of 9/11 remembrance in connection with the game?

[TheValleyRaider]

Once again I have been beaten to starting this thread. We'll see if this holds next week against Dartmouth

We're 1 1/2 hours from kickoff at Fitton Field in Worcester, MA

Colgate Raiders, 1-0 (0-0)
at
Holy Cross Crusaders, 0-1 (0-0)

Game Notes
Colgate: http://gocolgateraiders.com/documents/2011/9/6/Game_Notes__HC_.pdf?id=2063
Holy Cross: http://gocolgateraiders.com/documents/2011/9/8/11colgate_2_.pdf?id=2065

Last Time Out
Colgate - W vs Albany 37-34 OT
Holy Cross - L vs Massachusetts 24-16

All-Time Series: Holy Cross 39-29-5
Streak: Holy Cross, 2 Wins
Last Meeting: Holy Cross 31-24 in Hamilton (2010)

Coaches
Colgate: Dick Biddle, 16th Season, 121-55
Holy Cross: Tom Gilmore, 8th Season, 45-34

Media Links from GoColgateRaiders.com (http://gocolgateraiders.com/sports/2010/7/11/FB_0711105432.aspx?path=football)

Audio from TeamLine
http://www.teamline.cc/sportpage?teamcode=2007&eventcode=20

Live Stats from Presto Stats
http://livestats.prestosports.com/holycross/fball/?e=q7oky9nyary659pn

No Live Video

Next Game
Colgate - at Dartmouth
Holy Cross - vs Harvard

Let's Go 'Gate!

[TheValleyRaider]

No changes to the lineup this week according to Game Notes

Gavin McCarney and Nate Eachus both received honorable mentions for their games last week from CollegeFootballPerformance.com. McCarney was also an honorable mention for Offensive Player of the Week from the Patriot League

Nate Eachus continues his climb up the record books, needing 1,735 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns to pass Jordan Scott in both categories in the school and conference record books. He also needs 1,113 rushing yards to reach 5,000 for his career, the 3rd Raider back to do so in school history (Scott, Kenny Gamble)

[Ivytalk]

Definitely a good early PL matchup. Here's hoping for good weather and a nice turnout in Worcester!

[GateRaider63]

Does Holy Cross really not have live video?

[TheValleyRaider]

Holy Cross set to kick it off, and Nat Bellamy joins DiCicco on kickoff returns. The kick from HC is taken at the 6, returned by Bellamy to the 31. 1st and 10 Raiders

Colgate 0
Holy Cross 0
Start 1st

[TheValleyRaider]

Does Holy Cross really not have live video?

Sadly, not this week, apparently

[TheValleyRaider]

McCarney runs the Raiders down into the red zone, but a tough drop from Mputu on 3rd down forces the FG attempt. Uglietto's 32 yard attempt is partially blocked, NO GOOD. Crusaders take over at the 20. 1st and 10 Crusaders

0-0
12:00 1st

[TheValleyRaider]

HC moves the ball down deep into Colgate territory, stopped on 3rd down and set up for a FG attempt. 31 yard FG attempt from Macomber is up and GOOD

3-0 HC
6:59 1st

[TheValleyRaider]

Holy Cross kickoff is taken by Bellamy at the 12, returned up to the 43. 1st and 10 Raiders

3-0 HC
6:51 1st

[TheValleyRaider]

Looney drops a pass on 3rd down, Colgate faces 4th down near the HC 40. Goldszak comes into punt, and he punts it into the end zone for a touchback. 1st and 10 Crusaders

3-0 HC
4:41 1st

[TheValleyRaider]

Crusaders move quickly down the field, Taggart to McCall from 15 yards out, TOUCHDOWN. Macomber's PAT is up and hits the upright, NO GOOD

9-0 Holy Cross
2:58 1st

[TheValleyRaider]

Kickoff from Macomber is taken by Bellamy at the 7, returned up to the 28. 1st and 10 Raiders

9-0 Holy Cross
2:52 1st

[TheValleyRaider]

Colgate driving near midfield, McCarney completes to Cason near the marker for a 1st down as the clock expires

Colgate 0
Holy Cross 9
End 1st

[TheValleyRaider]

Colgate stalls at the 27. Raiders almost have to go for it on 4th and 12. McCarney's pass is almost intercepted, incomplete. TURNOVER ON DOWNS. 1st and 10 Crusaders

9-0 Holy Cross
10:56 2nd

[TheValleyRaider]

Crusaders go right down the field, Mercurio runs it in from 8 yards out, TOUCHDOWN. PAT from Macomber is up and GOOD

16-0 HC
7:54 2nd

[TheValleyRaider]

Macomber kicks it off, taken by Bellamy at the 7, returned to the 28. 1st and 10 Raiders

Huge drive for Colgate, they need points of some kind

16-0 HC
7:44 2nd

[TheValleyRaider]

Colgate goes all the way down to the HC 9, facing 4th and 4. Big decision from the Raiders and they're going to take TimeOut #1 to talk about it

16-0 HC
0:52 2nd

[TheValleyRaider]

Out of the TimeOut, Colgate will go for it. Offense lines up and HC takes their 1st TimeOut

16-0 HC
0:52 2nd

[TheValleyRaider]

Now lining up again, Colgate going for it, handoff from Eachus, stopped 1 yard short at the 6, TURNOVER ON DOWNS. 1st and 10 Crusaders

16-0 Holy Cross
0:41 2nd

[crusader11]

Holy Cross defense VERY impressive in the first 6 quarters of the season.

[TheValleyRaider]

Crusaders will just run out the clock, head into the locker room

Colgate 0
Holy Cross 16
Halftime

[crusader11]

Eachus pretty much ineffective and contained in the first half, although we all know that one big run from him can change things.

[TheValleyRaider]

Colgate is at least moving the ball offensively, but a few dropped passes and some critical run stops from the Crusaders have made the difference. Great game from the Cross defense so far. Colgate's defense? Not so much, they sound confused, lots of missed tackles, that has to tighten up in the 2nd half

They made the adjustments last week, shutting out the Danes after halftime, we'll see if they can do it again this week

[TheValleyRaider]

Other Patriot League scores

UNH 24
Lehigh 20
Halftime

Lafayette
Georgetown
6:00 pm

Marist
Bucknell
6:00 pm

[crusader11]

If the Cross puts one in the endzone to begin the second half, that should be too much for Colgate to overcome.

[Bogus Megapardus]

Have the Crusaders found a scheme to contain Eachus? I want to see this game! That's it. We DO need a league-wide telecast system. This game and the UNH/Lehigh game are just too important to miss.

[TheValleyRaider]

Colgate will kickoff to start the 2nd half. Short kick is returned to the 31. 1st and 10 Crusaders

16-0 Holy Cross
14:54 3rd

[Sader87]

Have the Crusaders found a scheme to contain Eachus? I want to see this game! That's it. We DO need a league-wide telecast system. This game and the UNH/Lehigh game are just too important to miss.

You can listen to Mr E online Bogie...he's been wonderfully awful so far today.

[TheValleyRaider]

Colgate makes a stop defensively, forces 4th and 2 at their 28. Taggart completes a pass down to the 19, the drive continues

[TheValleyRaider]

Taggart looks endzone from the 19, hits Toulouse for the TOUCHDOWN. PAT from Macomber is up and GOOD

23-0 HC
10:10 3rd

[crusader11]

Wow, did not expect to see this kind of score. Colgate a tad overrated and HC underrated this year? Think so. Crusaders offense and defense have been exceptional today.

[TheValleyRaider]

Kickoff from Macomber is taken by Bellamy at the 5, returned up to the 23. Flag after the play, facemask penalty on HC, ball moved up to the 38. 1st and 10 Raiders.

23-0 HC
10:03 3rd

[TheValleyRaider]

4th and 2 coming up for Colgate, Eachus gets the carry and is stuffed at the HC 27, 1 yard short, TURNOVER ON DOWNS. 1st and 10 Crusaders

23-0 HC
5:10 3rd

[crusader11]

Crusader run defense (and front 7 as a whole) could be the best in the PL this year. Eachus has had absolutely nowhere to go today.

[Bogus Megapardus]

If the Crusaders take the Patriot this year (which they very well might), I will pay homage to Sader87 provided he agrees to post just one positive (non-backhanded) thing about the league.

[TheValleyRaider]

Holy Cross goes right down the field, capped off by Taggart sneaking in from the 1, TOUCHDOWN. Macomber's PAT is up and GOOD

30-0 Holy Cross
1:33 3rd

[crusader11]

Blowout city. Thought we'd see a better effort from Colgate today. Holy Cross looks like they are the real deal this year.

[TheValleyRaider]

Macomber's kickoff is taken by Bellamy at the 11, returned to the 34. 1st and 10 Raiders

30-0 Holy Cross
1:27 3rd

[Sader87]

If the Crusaders take the Patriot this year (which they very well might), I will pay homage to Sader87 provided he agrees to post just one positive (non-backhanded) thing about the league.

Never!!! lol

[Bogus Megapardus]

I'm looking forward to reading a box score for this one. I know things are never as bad or good as the score indicates, but after HC's impressive showing vs. UMass, now this . . . .

Holy Cross at Lehigh on November 25 ought to be quite the game. I wonder if it will be on TV. :D

[TheValleyRaider]

Colgate faces a 4th and 5 at the HC 45 as the clock expires

Colgate 0
Holy Cross 30
End 3rd

[TheValleyRaider]

4th down pass from McCarney is INTERCEPTED at the 40...and run by Thomas back for the TOUCHDOWN. PAT is up and GOOD

37-0 HC
14:27 4th

[TheValleyRaider]

Macomber's kickoff is taken by Bellamy at the 18, returned to the 39. 1st and 10 Raiders

37-0 HC
14:42 4th

[crusader11]

Colgate forget that they had a game to play today?

[Bogus Megapardus]

This is truly incredible. Hat's off to the Worcester Wannabes.

[Sader87]

UMass' Hernandez is a better overall RB than Eachus...

[TheValleyRaider]

4th and 1 for the Raiders deep in HC territory, Crusaders take their 1st TimeOut to talk over the defense

Eachus gets the carry, and he makes the 7 for a 1st down

37-0 HC
11:06 4th

[crusader11]

UMass' Hernandez is a better overall RB than Eachus...

Based on last week's game and comparing it to today, there is no doubt about that.

[TheValleyRaider]

On 3rd and 1, Eachus punches it in from the one, TOUCHDOWN! Uglietto's PAT is up and good

37-7 Holy Cross
9:54 4th

Too little, too late, really

[TheValleyRaider]

Kickoff from Colgate taken at the 10, returned to the 29. 1st and 10 Crusaders

37-7 Holy Cross
9:49 4th

[TheValleyRaider]

Auffant on the carry (on a reverse?), FUMBLE, recovered by Friel at the HC 48. 1st and 10 Raiders

37-7 Holy Cross
5:30 4th

[TheValleyRaider]

Raider offense goes nowhere, 3 and out. Goldszak's punt is downed at the 23. 1st and 10 Crusaders

37-7 Holy Cross
3:24 4th

[TheValleyRaider]

Holy Cross is able to run out the clock on this one

Colgate 7
Holy Cross 37
Final

[TheValleyRaider]

Well, at least we didn't get shut out. Congrats to HC on picking up their 600th win. Great game from Taggart and the offense, and their defense made plays when necessary

Not much more I want to add right now, more later tonight or tomorrow

[Bogus Megapardus]

Who's going to write a recap for us? I have to know what happened here.

[Fordham]

Wow! Congrats Saders!

[RichH2]

Great win Cross congrats. What's up with Gate?

[Sader87]

Who's going to write a recap for us? I have to know what happened here.

Quick recap from listening to Mr E and Gordie:

Colgate's defense is poor, HC able to run and throw pretty much at will. HC made all the "big plays": partially blocked FG early in game, three or four 4th down stops, big plays on offense, pick 6 for one TD. HC did a very good job containing Eachus.

[Bogus Megapardus]

xbowxxbowxxbowx College of the Holy Cross.

Mind sending us a game tape a little early this year?

[Sader87]

xbowxxbowxxbowx College of the Holy Cross.

Mind sending us a game tape a little early this year?

Not sure any exists lol....you can call Fouracre or catch his stand-up routine somewhere.

[Go...gate]

Quick recap from listening to Mr E and Gordie:

Colgate's defense is poor, HC able to run and throw pretty much at will. HC made all the "big plays": partially blocked FG early in game, three or four 4th down stops, big plays on offense, pick 6 for one TD. HC did a very good job containing Eachus.

You nailed it right there. Could be a difficult season for the Red Raiders.

[danefan]

Wow! Didn't expect that score at all!

Good on ya HC!

Gate will rebound. Lots of season left.

[Ivytalk]

Congrats to HC. Harvard is in for a rough one next week.

[crusader11]

Congrats to HC. Harvard is in for a rough one next week.

I'd expect the HC-Harvard game to be extremely physical and tight as always.

[ngineer]

Stunning score. I was picking 'saders by 3. BTW, the Holy Cross/Lehigh game is November 5 (not 25) at Goodman. Sounds like Gilmore has got his defense cookin' . He was a great DC for Lehigh during our great run 10 years ago. So it appears there's some real 'upheaval' in the ol' PL. Strap 'em on tight, could be a bumpy, but exciting, ride for all (well, may not everyone (;-) ).....

[umassfan]

Guess UMass isnt quite so bad... Maybe Holy Cross is pretty good??? Just a thought.

[TheValleyRaider]

I promised later thoughts, and so I shall deliver

On offense, we actually moved the ball alright, over 300 yards of total offense. Still, when the offense needed a big play, the HC defense stepped up for the stop. The offensive line is already getting beat up, Ryan Risch got a knock against Albany last week and didn't sound like he was 100%, while James Germano was hurt early in this one and left the game. Lots of talk about the size and strength of the O-Line, but they aren't 300 pounds on the bench. In some ways, the game was reminiscent of Lehigh last year, where an early opportunity for points came up empty (in this case a blocked FG), followed by the defense getting pulled apart. Again, several times the offense came up a yard or two short on 4th down, good plays from HC, really. The continually failed 4th down conversions slowed whatever momentum existed. A few early drops stalling drives as well, and things fell further and further behind

As for the defense, this is a problem. No real pressure generated on the QB allowed plenty of time to pick apart an already dicey secondary. I was concerned with the pass defense after the Albany game, and a team like Holy Cross was going to really cause them problems. Without some significant improvement, Lehigh could very well do the same. Missing tackles, which apparently happened as well, never helps, and should be remedied as soon as possible. Not only is the offense not built to really win shootouts, they can't be asked to go blow for blow with high-powered offensive attacks

Colgate's tendency to improve as the season goes along is a big part of why I objected to playing Holy Cross so early in the season, in addition to the previously mentioned sentiments regarding the importance of late-season rivalry games. The fact that this has developed into a spirited rivalry over the last couple of seasons only makes yesterday's result feel like a bigger punch in the gut. Disheartening outlook suggests this team could finish 9-2 (no one outside of Lehigh on the schedule, I think, is as offensively prolific as Holy Cross) and still wind up outside the playoffs having lost to the only two teams we played who were really that good. Too early to tell, of course, but we shall see

[Pard4Life]

How does Eachus run for only 96 yards on 25 carries??

[crusader11]

How does Eachus run for only 96 yards on 25 carries??

This man (http://goholycross.com/sports/m-footbl/coaches/smith_antoine) has totally transformed the Holy Cross defensive line. We saw some great things against UMASS and that definitely carried over to the Colgate game. Plus, we have some great size and athletes on the D-Line for the first time in some time. I think this is without a doubt the best defense that Gilmore has put together in his time at HC.

[crusader11]

Just realized that this was Holy Cross' 600th win all time. Would have loved for #600 to have come against BC...but Colgate ain't bad.