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Hamilton, NY — Junior tailback Jamaal Branch carried 31 times for 131 yards and two touchdowns to lead undefeated and nationally ranked ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ to a 14-3 win over Fordham (8-3, PL 3-3) Saturday at Andy Kerr Stadium.
ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ (11-0, PL 6-0) wins 11 games in a season for the first time in school history; clinched a share of the Patriot League title; and earned an automatic berth in the upcoming NCAA Division I-AA playoffs.
The Raiders also extended the nation’s longest winning streak to a school record 17 straight games.
Branch, who rushed for over 100 yards in his 10th straight game, broke the school record for rushing TD’s in a season with 22. Kenny Gamble held the old mark with 21 in 1986.
ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ opened its scoring on the first possession of the game, when the Raiders marched 52 yards in 12 plays for a 7-0 lead. Following a 20-yard punt, ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ took over on its own 48-yard line. Branch carried five times for 30 yards before scoring on a five-yard run up the middle. Lane Schwarzberg added the extra point.
ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ’s defense held the high-scoring Rams off the scoreboard until 2:19 left in the first half, when Micah Clukey booted a 37-yard field goal.
The Raiders sealed the victory with 7:20 remaining in the contest, when Branch scored on a 15-yard run to cap an 81-yard drive in 11 plays. Quarterback Chris Brown led the drive with three carries for 12 yards and completing four-of-four passes for 48 yards.
ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ had another strong defensive effort holding Fordham for the first time this season without a touchdown. The Rams had 217 yards of total offense ‘ 75 rushing and 142 passing. Tem Lukabu was the leading tackler with 10, while Sean McCune and Matt Spack had five apiece. Lukabu also had a key fumble recovery in the fourth quarter, while Jared Nepa had his third interception of the season.
GAME NOTES: Branch moved into eighth place in career rushing with 2,338 yards ‘ wide receiver Luke Graham, who had six catches for 50 yards, moved into fifth place in career receptions with 125, while WR J.B. Gerald moved into a tie for 10th place with 91 catches in his career ‘ Lane Schwarzberg tied the school mark for PAT’s made in a season (42) and broke the record for PAT attempts in a season with (45).