Colgate Raiders football

History

In 1915, Colgate recorded its 100th victory with a win over Army and also beat Yale on their way to a 5–1 finish. The following season, they compiled an 8–1 record, with the lone loss coming against Yale, 7–3.

During the Great Depression, there was a proliferation of postseason benefit games to raise money for the unemployed. On December 6, 1930, Colgate traveled to New York City's Yankee Stadium to play New York University (NYU) in one of these games and won, 7–0. In 1932, Colgate finished undefeated, untied and unscored upon with a 9–0 record. They outscored their opponents 234–0. Parke H. Davis selected the 1932 Red Raiders to share the national championship. They did not, however, receive an invitation to the 1933 Rose Bowl, and as such, have been referred to as "undefeated, untied, unscored upon, and uninvited." The team was considered as a candidate to play in the first Sugar Bowl in January 1935 but the honor went to Temple University.

In 1982, Colgate football was relegated from the Division I-A to Division I-AA (now FCS) level. Since then, the team has advanced to the playoffs numerous times. In 2003, Colgate advanced to the Division I-AA final, having won 15 straight games that season (12–0 Schedule, 3 Playoff Wins), becoming the first and only Patriot League team to ever do so (achieving a final record of 15–1). There, the Raiders lost to Delaware, 40–0. Two Raiders have received the Walter Payton Award for most outstanding player in Division I-AA: Kenny Gamble in 1987 and Jamaal Branch in 2003.

Classifications

• 1937–1972: NCAA University Division
• 1972–1977: NCAA Division I
• 1978–1981: NCAA Division I–A
• 1982–present: NCAA Division I–AA/FCS

Conference memberships

• 1890–1972: Independent
• 1973–1977: Division I Independent
• 1978–1981: Division I–A Independent
• 1982–1985: Division I–AA Independent
• 1986–present: Patriot League

Achievements

National championships

Conference championships

Division I-AA/FCS Playoffs results

The Raiders have appeared in the I-AA/FCS playoffs 11 times with a record of 7–11.

Notable players

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• Frank Abruzzino – NFL player of the early 1930s
• Jamaal Branch – Former NFL running back for the New Orleans Saints (2006–2007)
• Tom Burgess – Former Canadian Football League quarterback (1986–1995) 1990 Grey Cup MVP
• Frank Castleman – Won Silver medal in 200 metre hurdles during the 1904 Summer Olympics
• Nate Eachus – Former NFL fullback for the Kansas City Chiefs (2012)
• Rich Erenberg – Former NFL running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers (1984–1986)
• Arthur Fazzin – Actor and game show host better known as Art Fleming (1942–?, transferred to Cornell)
• Dan Fortmann – Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1965, former NFL Guard/Linebacker for the Chicago Bears (1936–1943), 3× NFL Champion (1940, 1941 and 1943), 6× First Team All-Pro selection and 3× Pro Bowl selection
• Kenny Gamble – Former NFL running back for the Kansas City Chiefs (1988–1990). As of 2023, he is the last Colgate player to be selected during the NFL draft
• Bill Geyer – Former NFL Halfback for the Chicago Bears (1942–1943, 1946)
• Michael Joseph Hayes – First Lieutenant in the United States Army. He was killed in an attack on Saint-Juvin, France on October 14, 1918, and was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.
• Nick Hennessey – Former NFL Offensive tackle for the Buffalo Bills (2009) and played in the Canadian Football League
• Joe Hoague – Former NFL Fullback for the Pittsburgh Steelers (1941–1942) and Boston Yanks (1946)
• Marv Hubbard – Former NFL Fullback for the Oakland Raiders (1969–1975) and 3× Pro Bowl selection
• Ellery Huntington, Jr. – Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1972
• Don Irwin – Former NFL Fullback for the Boston/Washington Redskins (1936–1939) and NFL Champion (1937)
• Matt Jaworski – Former NFL Linebacker for the Indianapolis Colts (1991) also played in the Canadian Football League for the Sacramento Goldminers (1994)
• Len Macaluso – Former professional wrestler who competed under the name "Iron Legs" Macaliso
• Greg Manusky – Former NFL linebacker for the Washington Redskins (1988–1990), Minnesota Vikings (1991–1993) and Kansas City Chiefs (1994–1999), defensive coordinator for the Redskins
• Mike Micka – Former NFL Fullback/Defensive back for the Washington Redskins (1944–1945) and Boston Yanks (1945–1948)
• Mark Murphy – Former NFL Safety for the Washington Redskins (1977–1984), Super Bowl XVII Champion, 1× Pro Bowl selection, and was the Green Bay Packers CEO and President from 2007-2025
• John Orsi – Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1982
• Eugene Robinson – Former NFL Safety for the Seattle Seahawks (1985–1995), Green Bay Packers (1996–1997), Atlanta Falcons (1998–1999) and Carolina Panthers (2000), Super Bowl XXXI Champion, 2× All-Pro selection and 3× Pro Bowl selection
• Ed Stacco – Former NFL Offensive tackle for the Detroit Lions (1947) and Washington Redskins (1948)
• Mark van Eeghen – Former NFL Running back for the Oakland Raiders (1974–1981) and New England Patriots (1982–1983)
• Ryan Vena – Former Arena Football League Quarterback.
• Ed Tryon – Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1963
• Belford West – Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1954; tackle for the Canton Bulldogs
• Izzy Yablok – NFL player of the early 1930s

Future non-conference opponents

Announced schedules as of January 2, 2026.

References

References

1. "Colgate Historical Data". [[College Football Data Warehouse]].
2. [http://web1.ncaa.org/web_files/stats/football_records/DI/2007/2007RB.pdf 2007 NCAA Division I Football Records Book], National Collegiate Athletic Association, 2007, retrieved December 5, 2008.
3. (1935). "Spalding's Official Foot Ball Guide 1935". American Sports Publishing Co..
4. [http://chronicles.dickinson.edu/encyclo/k/ed_kerrA.htm Andrew Kerr, Class of 1900] {{webarchive. link. (November 22, 2008 , Dickinson College, retrieved June 20, 2009.)
5. (1934-12-03). "Name 'Sugar Bowl' Elevens Tonight". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
6. [http://www.gocolgateraiders.com/sports/2008/12/9/sidebar_667.aspx?path=football ''2008 Football Media Guide''] (PDF), Colgate University, p. 122, 2008.
7. "Colgate Raiders Football Future Schedules". FBSchedules.com.
8. "Colgate Football Future Schedules".