Colgate’s football team struggled for three quarters on the road against Lehigh and a fourth quarter surge was not enough to claim victory as the Raiders went down by a 23-15 margin to the Patriot League leader.

Lehigh jumped out to an early 14-0 lead, on a pair of two yard touchdown runs by running back Sedale Threatt. Colgate responded with a nice drive at the end of the half that was capped off by a 20 yard filed goal by junior Mike Buck, to make the score 14-3. Conspicuously absent from the first half was senior quarterback Mike Saraceno, in his place was sophomore Alex Relph who passed for only 57 yards in the half. In the second half, Saraceno was put into the game.

“He (Saraceno) was injured and didn’t practice much during the week,” Head Coach Dick Biddle said. “He felt better in the second half and we really needed to air the ball out.”

Despite Saraceno’s return things still went Lehigh’s way as Jason Leo connected on two second half field goals half to make the score 20-3. Colgate finally got the ball into the end zone on a 30 yard pass from Saraceno to senior wide receiver Kenny Parker. The touchdown cut the lead to 20-9 early in the fourth quarter. The ensuing extra point attempt was blocked. Colgate went for the onsides kick, recovered, but was flagged for a controversial kick catch interference penalty that gave the ball to Lehigh. With great field position Lehigh later added their third field goal of the game to extend their lead to 23-9.

Near the end of the quarter, Saraceno connected on another touchdown pass this time to sophomore David Morgan. Colgate once again failed to convert the extra point and the score was now 23-15. Colgate never got the ball back to try and tie the game, as Lehigh ran out the remaining time.

Sophomore Jordan Scott had a good day on the ground, amassing 84 yards rushing. Junior linebacker Mike Gallihugh once again was the bright spot of the Raiders defense amassing a phenomenal 17 total tackles.

The Raiders are at home this Saturday for another conference match up against the Crusaders from Holy Cross. The game will be the final home game for the Raiders this season.