Colgate Vs Fordham opens the 2026 Patriot League schedule with both programs looking for a cleaner start after difficult 2025 campaigns. Last season’s meeting offers the clearest recent comparison point, and it was Colgate that controlled the game in a 44-21 win.
That result featured big days from several key players. Winston Moore finished with 126 receiving yards and one touchdown, while Treyvhon Saunders matched him with 126 receiving yards and one touchdown. On the other side, Fordham quarterback Gunnar Smith threw for 213 yards and three touchdowns, but it was not enough to keep pace.
What last year’s matchup showed
The numbers from that game help explain why this rematch matters. Colgate and Fordham both struggled to stop the pass in 2025, finishing second to last and last, respectively, in passing yards conceded in the Patriot League. That kind of defensive profile can create an opening for another productive offensive game if either side finds rhythm early.
For Fordham, Smith is the clear name to watch after his performance in the loss. For Colgate, the Raiders already showed they can create explosive plays against this opponent, and the 44-21 result gives them a useful blueprint as the teams move into a new league slate.
Why this game matters now
The timing is important because this matchup comes right at the start of conference play. Both Colgate and Fordham are trying to move beyond the kind of season that left them looking up in the standings, and an early league win would immediately change the tone around either program.
It is also a matchup built around recent evidence rather than long-term assumptions. The last meeting produced points, passing production, and clear matchup notes on both sides. With Colgate and Fordham both carrying questions into 2026, that makes this opener a useful first test of whether either defense has taken a step forward.
