The leaves are nearing their peak in the Northeast which means non-conference play is coming to an end and conference play is heating up. The most intriguing league game this week appears to be Colgate at Bucknell. The defending Patriot League Champion Raiders can’t afford to start conference play 0-2 while the Bison would trust themselves into the title race with a win. The other conference game this week features streaking Lehigh traveling to our nation’s capital to face Georgetown. A Hoya win would send a seismic shockwave throughout the conference.
This weekend is also highlighted by the last two games of the year against the Ancient Eight. Fordham hosts a Yale a team that’s coming off an impressive win over Dartmouth last week. The Eli are 0-2 (Colgate, Lehigh) against the Patriot League so far this year. The other Patriot-Ivy battle features Bay State rivals Holy Cross and Harvard. An upset win over a ranked Harvard team could be what Holy Cross needs to jump start their season. The third non-conference game this weekend is Lafayette at Army. This will be the Leopards first FBS opponent (also Army) in nearly two decades.
Lafayette at Army – 15 Oct. 12:00 P.M. Michie Stadium West Point, NY
(CBS Sports Network national broadcast)
(No Live Streaming)
Mid-October is usually a great time of year for a gridiron battle on the banks of the Hudson. The foliage is at its peak and the weather is generally perfect for football. While those things will be true this weekend, there’s a good chance Lafayette (1-5, 0-2) is not looking forward to their game against Army (3-2) Saturday afternoon. The Leopards head to West Point on a four game losing streak. They yielded over 500 yards rushing to Fordham in their most recent loss. That’s not good news against a FBS Army team that ranks 2nd nationally in rushing (332 ypg). The Black Knight’s unique option style offense under Coach Monken will likely find plenty of holes in a Leopard defense that gave up 359 yards to one player (Chase Edmonds) last week.
The Army rushing attack is led by sophomore RB Andy Davidson (106 ypg, 7 TDs) and QB Ahmad Bradshaw (59 ypg 2 TDs. In addition to Davidson and Bradshaw, the Black Knights have four other players that average more than 20 ypg. The Leopard rush defense (245 ypg, 7th in PL) will no doubt have a difficult time stopping the numerous weapons Army’s option offense utilizes. Lafayette’s best hope on defense might be trying sellout on the option in attempt to win the turnover battle and create some negative plays in the backfield. Army has 9 fumbles so far this year but fortunately for them, they’ve only lost 3 of them. If the Leopards can pounce on two or three loose balls they will increase their chances to be competitive for 60 minutes.
Lafayette QB Drew Reed status is still uncertain for the game on Saturday. Fellow senior Blake Searfoss has done a solid job (302 ypg, 5 TDs) filling in for Reed the last two weeks. Whoever starts under center will be facing one of the top pass defenses in the country (150 ypg, 8th nationally). Given the Leopards inability to run the ball (72.5) it could be a very long day for the offense. Lafayette will need to generate some big plays by taking some shots in the passing or a well devised trick play. They’re not likely to have much success grinding out drives against the stout Army “D”.
Army enters the game as a 34 or so point favorite. Given the Leopards current 5 game losing streak and overall struggles the last few years this is a really tough spot for them. The best possible outcome for Lafayette might simply be avoiding injuries against Army’s cut blocking and beating the spread.
Of Note: This is the first meeting between Army and Lafayette since 1997. That was also the last time the Leopards played a FBS opponent. The two are scheduled to play again in 2018. Army owns a 17-1 record against Lafayette.
Yale at Fordham – 15 Oct. 1:00 P.M. Jack Coffey Field Bronx, NY
(Patriot League Network)
Yale (1-3) takes the short bus ride from New Haven, CT to the Bronx to battle Chase Edmonds and the Fordham Rams (3-2, 1-0). Both teams enter the game with some momentum. Chase Edmonds record setting day (359 yards rushing) helped propel Fordham to a 58-34 victory over Lafayette in their Patriot League opener.
The Eli were able to take out a stout Dartmouth team at the Yale Bowl. It was a much needed win for Yale who had started the year 0-3 for the first time since 1993. Fordham won their last meeting with Yale 52-31 in 2013.
If Yale wants to pull another upset this week they’ll need to lean on their solid rush defense (128 ypg, 34th nationally) to keep Edmonds from going off. The Eli were able to hold Dartmouth to 68 total yards rushing in last week’s win. Holding the Rams ground attack to less than 100 yards might be a nearly impossible task but it’s not unreasonable to think Yale will present quite a bit of resistance. Their front seven on defense is arguably the strength of the team.
Should Yale limit the damage Fordham does on ground, QB Kevin Anderson (230 ypg 11 TDs 3 INTs) is more than capable of picking apart a suspect secondary. The Eli have not fared well in their first two meetings against Patriot League quarterbacks. Lehigh’s backup had a record setting day two weeks ago at the Yale Bowl and Colgate’s Jake Melville lit the Eli defense up for 5 TD passes in the season opener. Even in defeat, Dartmouth had a lot of success through the air (348 ypg) last week. A major reason for the continued struggles is a rash of injuries that hit the Yale secondary in camp and early in the year.
Should the Yale defense struggle to contain the Patriot League’s highest scoring attack (45 ppg), their offense will have to have their best game of the year to keep up. Eli QB Tre Moore assumed the starting position after the Cornell loss and appears to be finally getting comfortable in the offense. After a rough day throwing the ball against Lehigh, the sophomore showed quite a bit of improvement (20-32 180 Yards 1 TD) in the win over Dartmouth.
Despite the slow start to the year, there’s legitimate reason for Moore and Co. to be optimistic heading into this week. The Ram defense ranks 6th in the Patriot League in points allowed. If Moore can avoid making mistakes and extend some plays with his legs the Eli offense should be able to move the ball against the struggling Ram defense. Yale has a solid stable of running backs to take some of the pressure off Moore. Freshman RB Alan Lamar came out of nowhere last week to run for 180 yards and 2 TDs. Lamar got the start because normal first teamer DeShawn Salter was unable to go. There’s no word if he will be available for this week’s game.
Of Note: Despite Yale’s and Fordham’s close proximity to one another and their historical prowess in the first part of the 20th century the two met once, a 21-14 Eli win in 1950. Fordham would shut down their program 4 years later. As a result the two would not meet again until 1992. Yale owns a 7-2 series lead.
Colgate at Bucknell – 15 Oct. 1:00 P.M Christy Mathewson Stadium Lewisburg, PA
(Patriot League Network)
Defending Patriot League champion Colgate (1-4, 0-1) will be in desperation mode when they head to Central Pennsylvania to play Bucknell (2-3, 1-0) Saturday afternoon. The Raiders are coming off a disappointing 45-31 loss to Lehigh in the league opener for both teams. Colgate struggled in all three phases in the loss. Overall, the Raiders have lost 3 in row (@ Richmond, Cornell, @ Lehigh) after a dominating win over Yale in mid-September. They’ve allowed 38+ points in all three losses. If they want to have any say in the league race the rest of the way this is a must win.
Bucknell enters the game off an exciting 21-20 road win over league foe Holy Cross. The Bison’s defense shut down the Crusader offense in the second half to secure the victory. Matt Muh earned his first career win as a starting QB. Bucknell will be looking for their first home win of the year on Saturday.
The Bison defense will likely need to lead the way again this week if the Bucknell wants to start league play 2-0 for just the second time (2014) in the last 10 seasons. The unit is tied with Georgetown for allowing the fewest points per game (21.4). They will face their toughest test of the year so far against a Colgate offense that continues to rack up yards and points. The Raider offense figures to receive an added boost this weekend with the return of starting RB James Holland (75 ypg, 2 TDs). While Keyon Washington (82 ypg, 4 TD) did a solid job filling, Holland gives the Raiders more of a presence between the tackles. Getting Melville and Holland in sync on the read option should help to open up other parts of the Raider offense. One of those pieces that need’s to bounce back is WR John Maddaluna (113 ypg 4 TDs). The senior WR had a quiet outing (3 rec. 88 yards) in the loss to Lehigh after going off (11 rec 261 yards) against Cornell the week before.
Bucknell will try to control the clock and take advantage of field position on offense. They’ll look to RB Joey DeFloria to pick up where he left off against Holy Cross when he had his 3rd 100 yard game of the season in the win. For the year DeFloria ranks second (Edmonds 1st at 188 ypg) in the Patriot League in rushing with 113 ypg average. Sledding could be tough however against the league’s #1 rushing defense (98 ypg). The Raiders have allowed only one RB to reach triple digits in yards so far this season.
Matt Muh (59% Comp., 199 ypg 4 TD, 4 INTs) is once again expected to start for the injured R.J. Nitti.
Of Note: Colgate has dominated (13-3) their series against Bucknell this century. It’s been a decade (2006) since theBison defeated the Raiders in Lewisburg. Overall, Colgate owns a commanding 47-17 series advantage.
#20 Harvard at Holy Cross – 15 Oct. 1 P.M. Fitton Field Worcester, MA
(Patriot League Network)
Holy Cross (2-4, 1-1) welcomes their Massachusetts rival Harvard (4-0) to Mount St. James for their final non-conference tilt of the year. The Crusaders are coming off a disappointing loss to Bucknell last week. After jumping out to an early 17-0 lead Holy Cross’s offense struggled the rest of the game against the stout Bison defense. QB Geoff Wade is expected to start again this week. There’s a chance that junior QB Blaise Bell will see at least a few snaps during the course of the game. Wade is the more polished passer while Bell’s strength is his ability to create havoc with his legs.
Twentieth ranked Harvard is once again off to a fast to a season. The Crimson are coming off an impressive 29-13 win over previously unbeaten Cornell. The 16 point victory was Harvard’s fourth straight double-digit win to start the year. The Crimson started last season with 6 straight double-digit victories on their way to a 9-1 campaign. Given Holy Cross’s up and down season, Harvard seems poised to post another comfortable win.
The Peter Pujals injury has really derailed the Crusader’s season the last three weeks. The all-league quarterback’s ability to mask certain Crusader weaknesses is something backups Geoff Wade and Blaise Bell can’t do at this point. As a result, Holy Cross has been plagued with inconsistency on offense (10 pts, 38 pts, 20 pts scored) the last three games. The Purple are 1-2 in those contests.
Against a Harvard “D” that ranks 18th nationally in total defense things don’t figure to get any easier for the Crusaders. The Crimson are allowing 18 ppg and 321 total ypg. Their rush defense is especially stout ( 92 ypg, 9th nationally). Holy Cross will need WR Branden Flaherty to continue to be a multi-dimensional threat on offense. Since he’s returned from an early season injury the senior WR has led the team in rushing in one game and thrown a TD pass in another.
Holy Cross’s defense (32 ppg allowed, 4th in PL) will have to deal with an extremely efficient Harvard offense. Crimson QB Joe Viviano’s passing (65.5% Comp, 233 ypg, 7 TDs, 0 INTs) has been the epitome of that so far. The senior is also second on the team in rushing (45 ypg 3 TDs). Half Back Anthony Firkser (106 ypg, 5 TDs) has been Viviano’s favorite target in the passing game so far this year. Semar Smith (84 ypg, 6 TDs) has been handling most of the RB duties. WR Justice Shelton-Mosley is another skill player the Crusaders will have to keep an eye on. The explosive WR amazingly has not recorded a TD so far this year.
Of Note: Harvard is Holy Cross’s 4th most played opponent. The Crimson lead the all times series against the Crusaders 42-24-2. Holy Cross has lost the last 3 to Harvard by an average score of 44.6-18.6.
Lehigh at Georgetown – 15 Oct. 2:00 P.M. Cooper Field Washington, D.C.
(Patriot League Network)
Lehigh (4-2, 1-0) will look to keep their wave of momentum rolling as they travel to Georgetown (3-2, 0-0) for an important mid-October conference game. The Mountain Hawks are coming off an impressive 45-31 win over defending Patriot League champion Colgate in Bethlehem. Senior QB Nick Shafnisky returned to action after missing the previous game against Yale. After some inconsistent play early on, Shafnisky got it going to finish with 394 yards and 5 TDs. The WR duo of Troy Pelletier (6 rec. 102 yards 1 TD) Gatlin Casey (11 rec. 196 yards 3 TDs) continued to terrorize defensive secondaries.
Georgetown enters their first Patriot League game on a two game losing streak after starting the season 3-0 for the first time since 1999. Ivy Leaguers Harvard and Princeton defeated the Hoyas by the same 31-17 score the last two weeks. The Hoyas struggles on offense (188 total yards) continued last week in the loss to the Tigers. The Hoyas were without starting QB Tim Barnes. Sophomore Clay Norris (13-26 106 yards 1 INT) earned his first career start in the loss. There’s no word on Barnes’s status for the Lehigh game.
The Hoya defense, which has been solid all season, will face their toughest test to date against a Mountain Hawk offense that ranks second in the Patriot League in scoring (40 ppg). The Mountain Hawks have been especially impressive (49, 42, 63 and 45 points scored) during their 4 game winning streak. Georgetown will have to find a way to slow down the Gatlin/Pelletier WR combo that has been devastating lately. The Hoyas will need this week’s PL Defensive Player of the Week winner DB Jelani Williamson to keep his great play going this Saturday against the talented Lehigh WRs.
Georgetown’s offense will have to figure out a way to consistently move the ball on Saturday to have a chance. That task will be even taller if Barnes (56% Comp., 166 ypg, 7 TDs 2 INTs) is unable to go again this week. The rushing attack hasn’t been able to provide much, if any, balance all season. Featured RB Alex Valles is averaging a less than stellar 60 ypg. One positive for Georgetown is Lehigh’s continuing inconsistencies on defense. The Mountain Hawk’s defense has improved considerably since last year but it’s still giving up a few too many points (28 ppg allowed, 3rd in PL) and way too many rushing yards (245 ypg, 6th PL). If the Hoyas want to pull an upset a clock controlling ground game and finishing drives with points, even FGs, are a must.
Of Note: Since Georgetown joined the Patriot League in 2001 they are 0-15 against Lehigh. The Mountain Hawks won the first 11 meetings in dominating fashion but the 3 out of the last 4 meetings have been decided by single digits including last year’s 33-28 Lehigh win. Lehigh leads the all-time series 16-5.
