When a football team enters the unknown of a new season, it helps to have all-conference players coming back at quarterback and running back.

Senior quarterback Greg Sullivan and junior running back Nate Eachus are probably the top two reasons Colgate football was picked to finish first in the Patriot League in a preseason poll of head coaches.

“Last year I had a good season, also my freshman year, but I’m going to try and lead by example,” Eachus said of his role on the team. “We lost a lot of seniors last year, so we need a lot of leadership to guide our team in the right direction.”

...

Sullivan was named the preseason offensive player of the year in the same poll, a testament to his 1,952 passing yards for 18 touchdowns and 788 yards on the ground for another seven scores in 2009.

“This position, it really qualifies as being a leader on the team and being a senior,” Sullivan said. “It’s the third week of camp right now so we’re chomping at the bit to see jerseys other than maroon and white.”

Sullivan has been working with a young group of receivers head coach Dick Biddle calls “young and inexperienced.” Sophomore Jonathan Mputu is one player Sullivan looks forward to working with.

The offensive line is another area Biddle is not worried about.

“Our offensive line is the biggest physically since I’ve been here,” Biddle said. “That is going to be a group that’s going to get better as the season goes on, which bodes well for us. The strength of our team right now is our offense.”

Colgate finished last season with 4-2 record and in a tie for second place in the Patriot League. The Raiders were 9-2 overall.

“You come to this school (and) you play against somewhat Ivy League teams,” said senior defensive end Lamont Sonds. “Obviously it’s not as challenging as playing in those D-I A schools, but I’ve had a good time playing these schools.”

While some on defense are experienced like Sonds, the linebacker positions are also key to a good year.

“The one thing that would give me sleepless nights right now is our strength up the middle,” Biddle said. “The questions we have on defense is the interior defense. The linebackers are a little small.”

Colgate gets to test itself right off the bat with three non-league games including a huge game against Syracuse.

“We only get 10,000 fans here, so we’re not used to that kind of environment,” Eachus said of playing in the Carrier Dome. “We’re ready for the challenge.”

Colgate football leans on star players
By DAVID M. JOHNSON, The Utica Observer-Dispatch (NY)
http://oneidadispatch.com/articles/2010/08/24/sports/doc4c748f5686baa079120553.txt