Loss to Syracuse spurs Colgate on

JOHN KEKIS

HAMILTON, N.Y. (AP) — Colgate coach Dick Biddle calls contests against teams at college football's top level "stretch" games. It's not a stretch to say that the renewal of the Colgate-Syracuse series has done wonders for the Raiders.

Since losing to the Orange last month, Colgate has won three straight, and convincingly. They defeated FCS rivals Georgetown, Princeton and Cornell by a cumulative score of 122-16.

That's a dramatic turnaround from the start of the season, which began with a 30-29, tougher-than-expected win over Monmouth at home and a 45-15 loss at Furman. But now, the Raiders (4-2), who play host to Holy Cross (3-4) on Saturday, are poised to make a run in the Patriot League.

FCS teams have posted six victories against FBS teams, but "stretch" games don't always have the desired results. Colonial Athletic Association powerhouse James Madison hasn't come close to matching its upset of then-No. 13 Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va. The Dukes are 4-2, but have lost at home to Delaware and New Hampshire.