The Eagles begin the 2021 season one month from today on Saturday, September 4th at home against Colgate. This will be the first time the schools meet on the gridiron. The Patriot League program had an even more abbreviated 2020 season, only completing two games with another two cancelled. They were 0-2 in those spring time contests and finished 4-8 the season prior. The Raiders last played an ACC foe in 2016 against nearby Syracuse, falling 33-7.
Coaching
After eight seasons, Colgate head coach Dan Hunt resigned in May to “address personal issues, following the discovery of violation of university policy not involving students.” Prior to his resignation, Hunt had built a great program at Colgate. The last two ‘seasons’ were outliers in his otherwise solid legacy. He has an overall record of 40-33, including 10-2 in the 2018 season, and has captured three Patriot League Coach of the Year awards. Stan Dakosty will be the interim coach for the season after serving as an associate head coach since 2017. He’s been part of seven of Colgate’s 10 Patriot League titles. Dakosty graduated Colgate in 2005 and was teammates with BC Defensive Coordinator Tem Lukabu who graduated Colgate in 2004. Lukabu returned to Colgate in 2014 to coach outside linebackers, while Dakosty was coaching defensive backs.
Offense
Tough to judge this Colgate team off of last season, even less so than other FCS programs. QB Grant Breneman has led the team since 2017 and has over 5,000 yards passing his career to go with 29 touchdowns and 19 interceptions. He’s a solid threat on the ground, rushing 407 times for over 1,000 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Defense
The Colgate defense lost a lot of talent heading into the spring 2021 season and has since lost a few more pieces. Colin Heard continues a legacy of All-Patriot League defensive backs. The pass defense as a whole allowed under 200 yards that year. He had three interceptions in 2019 and was named to the second team. Linebacker J.C. Gaughan also returns 52 career tackles and one sack.
Forecast
Partly cloudy, and a high of 73. It will most certainly be a minty fresh start to Hafley’s second season, this time featuring fans at Alumni Stadium. All smiles after this one, BC kicks off 2021 with a win. 10 out of 10 dentists agree. Alright, that’s the last one.
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