Patriot League Release
HAMILTON – Colgate Football inched ever closer to the start of its historic spring season with Wednesday's announcement of the Preseason All-Patriot League Football Team and predicted order of finish.
Four Raiders were tabbed for preseason honors: senior offensive lineman
Jack Badovinac, junior defensive lineman
Coleman Coco, junior defensive back
Collin Heard and junior return specialist
William Gruber. This year's selections were made by the Patriot League head coaches and sports information directors.
Badovinac already is a two-time All-Patriot League First Team selection, having started each of the last 31 games in which he has played. He took over a starter's role early in his rookie season and hasn't looked back. The Raiders have won two Patriot League titles during Badovinac's tenure and are prepared for another run this spring.
Coco has learned his trade well under All-American Nick Wheeler, and now he's ready to shine. Coco in 2019 finished second on the team behind Wheeler in both sacks with four and tackles-for-loss with eight. He matched a career high with 10 tackles to go with a key fumble recovery in Colgate's 24-14 victory at Georgetown.
Heard was a 2019 All-Patriot League Second Team selection by the coaches and a Third Team pick by Phil Steele Magazine. He started all 12 games that season and led the Raiders with three interceptions while finishing second with five pass breakups. His interceptions came against William & Mary, Maine and Lafayette, the latter one for 16 yards to set up a short TD drive in Colgate's 16-0 victory.
Gruber earned 2019 All-Patriot League First Team honors from Phil Steele and was a Second Team selection by the coaches after returning 36 kickoffs for a 22.2-yard average. Gruber's best return game was two run-backs against Lehigh for a 28-yard average. He added five against Maine for a 27.2-yard clip that included a career-long return of 38 yards. Gruber also added three pass breakups at the defensive back position.
The Raiders as a team are predicted for a second-place result behind defending champion Holy Cross.
Preseason Patriot League Football Poll
1. Holy Cross (5 first-place votes), 45
2. COLGATE (2), 36
3. Fordham (4), 35
4. Lafayette (1), 28
5. Lehigh, 19
6. Bucknell, 16
This year's limited spring schedule is in response to the 2020 season postponement brought about by the worldwide Covid-19 Pandemic. The Patriot League has established divisions for this spring, with Colgate positioned in the North alongside Holy Cross and Fordham. The South has Bucknell, Lafayette and Lehigh, and the top two teams are scheduled to meet April 17 in the Patriot League Championship Game.
Opening day is March 13, with Colgate scheduled to play at Lafayette.
