Colgate Raiders
Overall Rank: #29
#2 Patriot
Colgate Team Page
2010 Record: (7-4, 4-2)
2010 Postseason: none
Coach: Dick Biddle (120-55 at Colgate, 120-55 overall)
Returning Leaders:
Rushing: Nate Eachus, RB, 1,871 yards
Passing: Steve Rizzo, QB, 89 yards
Receiving: Daniel Cason, WR, 185 yards
Tackles: Chris DiMassa, LB, 92
Sacks: Chris DiMassa, LB, 4.5
Interceptions: Chris DiMassa, LB, 2
Last season Colgate quarterback Greg Sullivan did not pass very often, but he was a pretty efficient when he did. He was also an elusive signal caller and did just as much damage with his legs as he did his arm. For 2011 Steve Rizzo will attempt to do what Sullivan did in 2010. Sullivan has not proven to be quite as accurate of a passer, but the senior has played quite a bit and is quite dangerous on the ground.
Strengths:
However, nobody, anywhere is as dangerous on the ground as all-everything running back Nate Eachus. The senior rushed for 1,871 yards and 21 touchdowns last season and was even third on the team in receiving with 18 catches for 168 yards and another score. Eachus is 1,278 yards away from reaching the 5,000 career rushing yard mark and on this pace he should do that with a few games to spare. The offensive line returns plenty of talent, led by Vittorio Ottanelli and Jamie Germano. With a year of experience under their belts, sophomores Ryan Risch and Craig Capodiferro should make the line even better than it was last year. The team as a whole rushed for over 276 yards per game last year, ranking second in the nation, and that number could actually go up in 2011. On the other side of the ball, linebackers Chris DiMassa, Adam Lock and Patrick Friel will have to lead a relatively inexperienced group. DiMassa is a superb all-around linebacker and is always around the ball.
Weaknesses:
The linebackers will be asked to do more without all-conference defensive ends Lamont Sonds and Zach Smith. Those two combined to tally 18.5 sacks and 26.0 tackles-for-loss. Tackles Tyker Danielsen and Greg Kafaf are back to stuff the run, but nobody is going to get into the backfield as effectively as Sonds and Smith. Keep an eye out for 6-5 freshman Anto Almasian to man one of the end spots. He is a raw talent, but he can run through opposing linemen. If the front four fails to get pressure on the opposing quarterback, Colgate’s stellar pass defense will suffer. Kenny McKenzie is a quality experienced senior to build around, but this unit does need to replace a couple starters. Chad Frey did a fine job transitioning from running back to free safety and the Raiders will expect him to continue to improve.
The Bottom Line:
Colgate should have a very interesting season. Running the ball will not be a problem at all and Eachus will get a ton of carries. However, the offense does need to throw the ball occasionally and even if Rizzo proves to be a consistent quarterback, wide receiver Doug Rosnick is gone. Rosnick caught 49 passes during his senior season. Only three other players caught more than ten passes and one of them was Eachus. Daniel Cason had a promising freshman campaign and Jonathan Mputu is an experienced receiver, but the passing game may struggle even more than last season and that will make things more difficult for Eachus.
Projected Postseason: none
2010 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 276.09 (2nd in nation, 1st in conference)
Passing Offense: 130.73 (105, 7)
Total Offense: 406.82 (18, 1)
Scoring Offense: 28.55 (34, 1)
Rushing Defense: 128.00 (30, 1)
Pass Defense: 168.00 (19, 1)
Total Defense: 296.00 (11, 1)
Scoring Defense: 21.82 (38, 2)
Turnover Margin: .27 (41, 2)
Sacks: 2.82 (14, 2)
Sacks Allowed: .82 (8, 1)
Madness 2011 FCS Football Recruit Rankings:
#108 Anto Almasian
