On November 1, the Raiders traveled to the Bronx, N.Y. to take on Fordham University. Unfortunately, after a 13-37 loss, the Raiders dropped to a 4-5 record overall. 

“There’s nothing we can do about this loss. We just have to win out and hopefully something happens with Fordham. We just have to keep pushing forward,” sophomore linebacker Charles Cairnie said. Cairnie was one of two Raiders who were able to block a punt against the No. 10 Fordham Rams, with the other one coming from junior defensive lineman Victor Steffen.

The major highlight of the game, however,  was senior defensive back Mike Armiento’s interception with 4:18 remaining in the third-quarter. This is the third interception in the last five games  for Armiento and the 15th of his college career. Armiento is now third in the Colgate record books with 15 career picks.

“We were focusing on swarming to the ball and we did a good job of that,” Armiento said of the team’s defensive strategy. “We wanted to keep them from making the big play. “We’re undefeated at home, so that’s a positive. We just have to take them one game at a time. We don’t control our own destiny, but we can still win-out and have a chance to win this league. That’s how we’re going to attack it.”

In addition to Armiento’s highlight, first-year quarterback Bret Mooney scored the first touchdown of the game and then threw his first touchdown of the season. This is Mooney’s third straight game in replacement of sophomore quarterback Jake Melville, who is nursing injuries sustained from the victory over Princeton.

Additionally, on the offensive side of the ball, the Raiders continued their strength in the backfield, rushing for 220 yards while featuring four different tailbacks. Leading the way was first-year James Holland who gained 71 yards on the ground led by a 46-yard scamper. 

Closely following Holland in the backfield was a pair of juniors in Demetrius Russell and John Wilkins, who gained 58 and 52 yards respectively. Mooney, while working through the air, was also efficient on the ground, gaining 13 yards and scoring a touchdown from one yard out.

While Mooney was effective on the ground, he also found a connection on the afternoon with sophomore wide receiver John Maddaluna. Maddaluna caught three balls for 59 yards, including a 32 yard touchdown reception late in the fourth quarter to cut the Rams lead.

After three straight weeks on the road, the Raiders are excited to return to their home field this coming weekend. With Senior Day, the Raiders are sure to come out firing with a vengeance early and often.

“The only thing that happened today is we lost control of our own destiny,” Head Coach Dan Hunt said. “We’re going to need help if we’re going to win the Patriot League championship. We have to look at it one game at a time.”

Colgate hosts their final game of the season at Crown Field at Andy Kerr Stadium this coming Saturday, November 8, at 1 p.m. when they host the Lafayette Leopards. From there, the Raiders hit the road to finish their season.

“The chance to finish an undefeated home season, last home game for the seniors – there’s a lot to play for. This team will keep fighting,” Hunt concluded.