July 31, 2013

BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Colgate dethroned Lehigh for the Patriot League title in 2012, and preseason poll voters expect the two to battle it out again as the Raiders narrowly topped the Mountain Hawks to take first place in the League's preseason poll announced on Wednesday at Patriot League Football Media Day at Green Pond Country Club.

The Raiders earned the top spot with 58 points and eight first-place votes, just ahead of the Mountain Hawks with 56 points and the remaining six first-place votes. Holy Cross (35), Lafayette (32), Georgetown (26) and Bucknell (15) completed the preseason rankings, which were voted on by Patriot League football head coaches and sports information directors.

Fordham was not included in the poll because it will not be able to compete for the Patriot League championship and NCAA automatic bid in 2013, and its games against League members will not count towards the final standings for either team. The Rams have been ineligible for the Patriot League title since awarding athletic merit aid to the class entering in the fall of 2010, which was against Patriot League policy. The Patriot League Council of Presidents approved in February 2012 a change in policy that allows athletic merit aid for football student-athletes that began with the class entering in the fall of 2013. The Rams will become eligible for the Patriot League Championship and NCAA automatic qualification spot beginning in the 2014 season.

The Raiders lose some key players from last year's championship team, but they return the biggest piece in senior quarterback Gavin McCarney, the Patriot League Preseason Offensive Player of the Year. Fullback Ed Pavalko and offensive lineman Andrew Scarmardo are also preseason picks on offense, but five All-Patriot League players from last year's record-setting group have departed. Colgate's defense gave up nearly 32 points per game last season, but has key players back including linebacker Kris Kent and preseason All-League defensive back Mike Armiento. Colgate is trying to repeat as Patriot League champion for the first time since 2002-03.

Lehigh has put together an outstanding three-year run, winning Patriot League titles in 2010 and 2011 and finishing 10-1 overall and in the top 20 nationally last season. But last year's campaign ended with the disappointment of missing out on the FCS playoffs, and the Mountain Hawks will have to overcome a lot of personnel losses to get back to the postseason. Quarterback Mike Colvin and wide receiver Ryan Spadola are among the stars gone on offense, where running back Keith Sherman, wide receivers Lee Kurfis and Sergio Fernandez-Soto and offensive lineman Ned Daryoush have the most returning experience. The defense undergoes an even bigger makeover with eight starters gone, including five who earned first-team All-Patriot League honors. Nigel Muhammad returns as an All-League selection at linebacker, while Rickie Hill is a standout at defensive back.

Holy Cross finished 2-9 in 2012 to snap a string of seven consecutive winning seasons, but the Crusaders were closer to success than the record showed as they lost five games in the final minute by a combined total of 12 points. The Crusaders will try to bounce back with 15 starters returning in 2013. Steven Elder and Ryan Laughlin both have experience at quarterback, Mike Fess and Kyle Toulouse return at wide receiver and three starters are back on the offensive line. Nine starters are back on defense, led by preseason All-Patriot Leaguer Gary Acquah and Mike Tucker on the line, Roman San Doval and Scotty O'Donoghue at linebacker and Ben Coffaro, Logan Silver and Sam Jones at defensive back. The special teams is also in good hands with Kalif Raymond returning kicks and John Macomber handling the punting and placekicking after each earning All-Patriot League status last year.

Lafayette lost its final four games a year ago to finish under .500 for the third straight season, but the Leopards have reason to believe they can finish the job in 2013. Mark Ross is on his way to landing among the top wide receivers in Patriot League history, Ross Scheuerman has experience at running back and Zach Zweizig played in five games last season at quarterback and completed 64% of his passes for 927 yards and eight touchdowns. The offensive line should also be solid with Luke Chiarolanzio, Brad Bormann and Pat Crosby leading the way. The Leopards do lose three All-Patriot League players on defense, but linebacker Mike Boles and defensive back Jared Roberts earned preseason All-Patriot League honors and a solid group of contributors returns across the board.

Georgetown is getting used to replacing standout defensive players, and the Hoyas will have to do it again after losing the Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year for the second straight season. With Robert McCabe gone at linebacker, the Hoyas will look at Patriot League Preseason Defensive Player of the Year Dustin Wharton to step right in after a 100-tackle season in 2012. The Hoyas also lose All-America cornerback Jeremy Moore, but a host of other key contributors return on defense. Isaiah Kempf is back at quarterback after missing the 2012 season after getting injured in the opener, and Nick Campanella returns after an All-League season at running back. Second-team All-Patriot League pick James Spaly leads the offensive line along with Mike Roland and Michael Francis.

Bucknell has to rebound from a 3-8 season, but has pieces in place with an experienced quarterback, strong offensive line and key returnees on defense. Brandon Wesley enters his fourth season as the team's starting quarterback, and has the benefit of returning his top two wide receivers (Victor Walker and Josh Brake), All-Patriot League fullback Travis Friend and four starters on the offensive line. The defense boasts four preseason All-Patriot League picks, with Sean Sellers and Tracey Smith on the line, Evan Byers at linebacker and Matthew Steinbeck at defensive back. The unit gave up 21 points or less seven times last season.

Fordham had a five-win improvement to finish 6-5 in Head Coach Joe Moorhead's first season, and returns some key players in its final season before re-gaining League title eligibility. Carlton Koonce is a Walter Payton Award candidate at running back while wide receiver Brian Wetzel and tight end Dan Light are preseason All-Patriot League choices.The Rams do lose quarterback Ryan Higgins, though Michael Nebrich enters the year with experience. The Rams also have to replace a couple of All-Patriot League players on defense, though Ian Williams is on the preseason squad at defensive back and linebacker Jake Rodriques and defensive lineman DeAndre Slate are top players at their positions. The Rams also have to move on without consensus All-America placekicker and punter Patrick Murray.

The Patriot League football season kicks off on Aug. 29 when Fordham hosts Rhode Island, with Colgate at Air Force, Holy Cross at Bryant and Georgetown at Wagner to complete the opening weekend two days later. Lehigh hosts Central Connecticut, Lafayette welcomes Sacred Heart and Bucknell hosts Marist in season openers on Sept. 7. The Patriot League schedule begins on Oct. 5 with Lehigh at Fordham and Bucknell at Lafayette, with the League champion earning an automatic bid to the FCS playoffs.

2013 Patriot League Football Preseason Poll
1. Colgate 58 points (8 first-place votes)
2. Lehigh 56 (6)
3. Holy Cross 35
4. Lafayette 32
5. Georgetown 26
6. Bucknell 15