Patriot League Football Notebook - 4.2.21 (.PDF)

BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The 2021 Patriot League spring football season resumes on Saturday with a pair of crucial divisional matchups. Bucknell (1-0 PL, 1-0 South) travels to Lehigh (0-1 PL, 0-0 South) for a chance to clinch the South Division and earn a spot in the first Patriot League Football Championship Game. Doug Heater and Mike Yadush will have the call beginning at noon on ESPN+. Fordham (0-1 PL, 0-1 North) will host Colgate (0-1 PL, 0-0 North) in a North Division Game with Andrew Bogusch and Dominic Capone providing the call with live coverage on ESPN+ beginning at 4 p.m.
 
2020-21 Patriot League Spring Football Standings

School	DIV.	DIV. PCT.	PL	PL PCT.
NORTH
Holy Cross	1-0	1.000	2-0	1.000
Colgate	0-0	.000	0-1	.000
Fordham	0-1	.000	0-1	.000
SOUTH
Bucknell	1-0	1.000	1-0	1.000
Lehigh	0-0	.000	0-1	.000
Lafayette	0-1	.000	1-1	.500

 
Week Four Games
Saturday, April 3
Bucknell at Lehigh (ESPN+), Noon
Colgate at Fordham (ESPN+), 4 p.m.
 
Patriot League Announces Football Schedule Adjustments
The Patriot League announced football schedule adjustments for the final two weekends to prioritize divisional games and determine North and South Division champions. This week, Lehigh now hosts Bucknell in a South Division game. Bucknell’s previously scheduled game at Holy Cross is cancelled, with the Crusaders now having a bye. Fordham welcomes Colgate, as previously scheduled. Lafayette will be out of action due to a positive COVID-19 test within the program’s Tier 1. The regular season will conclude on April 10, with Lafayette hosting Lehigh at Fisher Stadium in the 156th meeting of “The Rivalry” at 12:30 p.m. Fordham travels to Bucknell for a 1 p.m. kickoff. Colgate hosts Holy Cross in a North Division game beginning at 5 p.m. to conclude the regular season.
 
Patriot League 2021 Spring Football Season Explained
The Patriot League’s six football teams split into two three-team divisions for the 2021 spring season. Colgate, Fordham and Holy Cross play in the North Division. Bucknell, Lafayette and Lehigh play in the South Division. Teams will play each divisional opponent once. The League schedule will conclude on Saturday, April 17, with a championship game between the two division winners. The Georgetown football program will forgo participation in the spring 2021 season.
 
BUCKNELL BISON (1-0 PL, 1-0 South) AT LEHIGH MOUNTAIN HAWKS (0-1 PL, 0-0 SOUTH)
Goodman Stadium | Bethlehem, Pa. .............................................Saturday, April 3, Noon, ET (ESPN+)
WATCH | LIVE STATS
BROADCAST (ESPN+): PxP - Doug Heater; Analyst - Mike Yadush
RADIO (Fox Sports Radio 1230/1320 AM - Lehigh): PxP - Matt Kerr; Analyst - Matt Markus
RADIO (100.9 The Valley/WVLY - Bucknell): PxP Doug Birdsong; Analyst - Kevin Herr
 
SERIES HISTORY: Lehigh and Bucknell meet for the 84th time in series history with the Mountain Hawks holding a 48-32-3 edge, including eight of the last 11 meetings. Bucknell won back-to-back meetings in 2013 and 2014. The series between the two programs began in 1888 in Bethlehem, Pa.
 
LAST MEETING: (Nov. 9, 2019) - Bucknell junior quarterback Logan Bitikofer tossed a pair of touchdown passes, and the Bison defense racked up seven sacks in a 20-10 victory over Lehigh at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium. Bitikofer completed 23-of-39 passes for 190 yards and two interceptions. He threw a 24-yard touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Stefone Moore-Greene in the second quarter, and a 19-yard touchdown pass to junior wide receiver John McGuire in the third quarter. The Bison defense held Lehigh to 209 total yards and -6 yards on the ground, as junior linebacker Simeon Page recorded six tackles, 2.0 sacks and three quarterback hurries. Junior linebacker Gerrit Van Itallie had six tackles, 2.5 TFLs, 1.0 sack and a fumble recovery. Lehigh senior wide receiver Devon Bibbens led the Mountain Hawks’ offense with 11 catches for 92 yards and a fourth-quarter touchdown reception from sophomore quarterback Alex Beesmer. Mountain Hawks’ junior linebacker Pete Haffner registered a team-leading 16 tackles, 3.0 TFLs, 2.0 sacks and a forced fumble. Senior linebacker Keith Woetzel finished with 11 tackles and 1.0 sack.
NOTES: BUCKNELL | LEHIGH

 
COLGATE RAIDERS (0-1 PL, 0-0 NORTH) AT FORDHAM RAMS (0-1 PL, 0-1 North)
Jack Coffey Field | Bronx, N.Y..............................................Saturday, April 3, 4 p.m., ET (ESPN+)
WATCH | LIVE STATS
BROADCAST (ESPN+): PxP - Andrew Bogusch; Analyst - Dominic Capone
RADIO (WFUV 90.7/WFUVSports.org - Fordham): PxP - Emmanuel Berbari; Analyst - Chris Boccia
 
SERIES HISTORY: Colgate and Fordham meet for the 32nd time in series history with the Raiders holding a 24-7 advantage. Colgate is 7-3 against the Rams since 2010. The first meeting between the two programs came in 1989. Fordham’s last victory came in 2016.
 
LAST MEETING: (Nov. 9, 2019) - Colgate senior tight end Nick Diaco celebrated Senior Day by throwing a touchdown pass and catching another score in the Raiders 24-13 victory over Fordham. Diaco caught three passes for 73 yards. Junior quarterback Grant Breneman completed 15-of-28 passes for 195 yards and a touchdown and rushed for an additional 105 yards on 16 carries to lead Colgate’s offense. Raiders’ senior linebacker Nick Ioanilli led the defense with six tackles, 2.0 TFLs and 1.0 sack. Senior defensive lineman Nick Wheeler added 2.0 TFLs and 1.0 sack. Fordham sophomore quarterback Tim DeMorat completed 18-of-28 passes for 175 yards and junior wide receiver Hamze El-Zayat caught nine passes for 95 yards. Junior running back Trey Sneed scored Fordham’s lone touchdown in the second quarter to give them a 10-7 lead. Fordham junior linebacker Ryan Greenhagen made a League season-high and career-high 19 tackles and 1.0 TFL. Fifth-year defensive back James Biggs-Frazier added nine tackles, one forced fumble and a pass breakup.
NOTES: COLGATE | FORDHAM
 
Holy Cross’s Dobbs Named Stats Perform FCS National Defensive Player of the Week
Holy Cross So. LB Jacob Dobbs was named the Stats Perform FCS National Defensive Player of the Week when it was announced on Tuesday. Dobbs posted 12 tackles, including nine solo tackles, 1.5 TFLs and a half-sack in the Crusaders’ 34-24 comeback victory against Fordham on March 27. Dobbs is the first Patriot League FCS national weekly honoree since former Lafayette QB Keegan Shoemaker was named rookie of the week on Sept. 17, 2019.
 
Bucknell Looking to Clinch a Spot in the Title Game
Bucknell can clinch the South Division title and a spot in the first Patriot League Football Championship Game with a win at Lehigh on Saturday. The Bison defeated Lafayette, 38-13, on March 27. The Bison have not won the League since 1996.
 
 
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The Patriot League is in its fourth decade of academic and athletic achievement, continually demonstrating that student-athletes can excel at both academics and athletics without sacrificing high standards. The Patriot League’s athletic success is achieved while its member institutions remain committed to its founding principle of admitting and graduating student-athletes that are academically representative of their class. Participation in athletics at Patriot League institutions is viewed as an important component of a well-rounded education.