Colgate football’s record fell to 0-2 with a 31-21 loss against the South Dakota Coyotes.

For the second week in a row, Colgate took the lead against a big competitor. In the opening possession, the Raiders moved 79 yards in 14 plays. The charge down the field took nearly eight minutes and ended with junior quarterback Gavin McCarney carrying a ball into the end zone.

The home team responded quickly with a 72-yard drive in just seven plays with quarterback Dante Warren mirroring the Raiders touchdown by running the ball into the end zone as well.

With the score tied up 7-7, Colgate grabbed another opportunity to take the lead. In the second quarter, McCarney connected with senior wide receiver Chris Looney for a touch-down. It was Looney’s first of the season. That, quickly followed by junior Andy Burgess’s kick, brought the score to 14-7 in favor of Colgate with 13:28 left in the second quarter.

The Raiders’ lead did not carry on into half time. South Dakota’s quarterback avoided a tackle and scrambled 18-yards for his second touchdown of the day. The extra point was good, making the score tied at 14-14.

The second half of the game started with Colgate behind. South Dakota came out and drove 64 yards in nine plays for a touchdown and scored again quickly after a Colgate fumble making the score 24-14.

A highlight of the second half was when junior safety Chad Frey intercepted a tipped South Dakota pass. Colgate capitalized on this when four plays later McCarney faked a handoff to senior running back Jordan McCord and walked into the second zone from 13-yards out for his second ground touchdown of the day. This narrowed the score to 24-21 with seconds left in the third quarter.

South Dakota clinched the game with a touchdown drive that took over four minutes off the clock and with a sack on Colgate’s McCarney at fourth-and-6 from the Coyote’s 41-yard line. The game ended at 31-21.

McCarney finished with 19 rushing attempts for 108 yards and the two scores. He also completed 10 of 20 passes for 96 yards and a touchdown. McCord carried 28 times for 125 yards: his second game with over 100 yards this season.

In terms of team statistics, South Dakota led in both rushing (238-237) and passing yards (102-96). Colgate won time of possession by 32:47 to 27:13.

Colgate’s home opener is next week when Sacred Heart (0-1) visits Andy Kerr Stadium for a 1 p.m. kickoff.

Contact Morgan Giordano at [email protected].