PATRIOT LEAGUE FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK

FROM THE MORNING CALL

The Patriot League went 4-2 against outside competition on opening weekend, but the caliber of opposition definitely improves this week.

No one has a tougher game than Lehigh, which plays host to defending national champ Villanova. The Wildcats, who led Temple 24-22 late before falling 31-24, are ranked No 2 in one FCS poll and No. 4 in the other.

Holy Cross is also playing a Colonial Athletic Association power and a nationally ranked team. The defending league champion Crusaders visit No. 18/20 Massachusetts.

UMass opened the season with a 27-23 upset win over previously fourth-ranked William & Mary.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
» Breaking news alerts delivered to your mobile phone. Text NEWS to 52270!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Colgate has a much longer trip, going all of the way to Greenville, S.C., to take on Furman, a traditional Southern Conference contender. Patriot League foes are 0-3 against the Paladins, including Lehigh's loss to Furman in the 2001 NCAA FCS quarterfinals.

Also, Fordham hosts CAA member Rhode Island in the Bronx.

Lafayette and Georgetown kick off the league schedule in Easton on Saturday night with the Hoyas coming off a win over Davidson. That win snapped a 12-game losing streak for G-town. The Leopards are playing their season opener and haven't lost their first game since falling to Towson to start the 2001 season.

CLOSE SHAVE AT KERR

Perhaps the most exciting game of Week 1 was Colgate's 30-29 win over Monmouth.

The Raiders, thanks in part to a big game on the ground by Hazleton High graduate Nate Eachus (30 carries for 145 yards and a touchdown), built a 30-13 lead midway through the third quarter before Monmouth rallied.

The Hawks pulled within 30-29 on a 7-yard TD pass with 1:34 left, but Monmouth coach Kevin Callahan made the courageous — or crazy — decision (you make the call) to go for the two-point conversion rather than kick the extra-point and get the tie.

Colgate safety Brad Keele stuffed the quarterback draw, denying the Hawks' bid for the two points and the win.

"We had momentum," Callahan told Stephen Eielson of the Monmouth website. "I thought their defense at that point was a little tired and they were on their heels. I just said, 'Now's the time to go for the win.' "

DID YOU KNOW?

With four more yards, Eachus will become the 15th back in school history to rush for 2,000 yards in Colgate history and Eachus is just starting his junior year in Hamilton. … Colgate freshman and East Stroudsburg South graduate Dan Cason had a 36-yard reception on a scoring drive against Monmouth. It was his only catch of the game. … While Heisman Trophy winner Matt Leinart was dispatched from the roster of the Arizona Cardinals, former Fordham quarterback John Skelton kept a roster spot. Skelton is third on the Cards depth chart behind Derek Anderson and Max Hall. The 6-foot-6, 244-pound Skelton, an El Paso, Texas, native, was taken by Arizona in the fifth round of the NFL draft, the 155th pick overall. He signed a four-year contract worth nearly $2 million.

Keith Groller

PATRIOT LEAGUE STANDINGS

Team PLAll PFPA

Colgate 0-0 1-0 3029

Georgetown 0-0 1-02010

Holy Cross 0-0 1-0387

Lehigh 0-0 1-02814

Lafayette0-0 0-000

Bucknell 0-0 0-11317


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
» Breaking news alerts delivered to your mobile phone. Text NEWS to 52270!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Fordham# 0-00-1 3044

# - Ineligible for 2010 Patriot League title and games do not count in League standings

SATURDAY'S SCHEDULE

Villanova at Lehigh (12:30)

Colgate at Furman (2)

Georgetown at Lafayette (6)

Holy Cross at UMass (6)

Rhode Island at Fordham (6)

Bucknell at Marist (6).

LAST WEEK'S RESULTS

Holy Cross 38, Howard 7

Bryant 44, Fordham 30

Duquesne 17, Bucknell 13

Colgate 30, Monmouth 29

Georgetown 20, Davidson 10

Lehigh 28, Drake 14

http://www.mcall.com/sports/mc-patriot-league-notebook-20100908,0,2108807.story?page=2