Game Details
When: Saturday, October 25 at noon
Who: Colgate (2-5, 1-1 Patriot) vs. Merrimack (3-4)
Where: Duane Stadium, North Andover, Mass.

NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. -- The first Patriot League win is in the books, but Colgate is switching right back into non-conference games. 

The Raiders travel to North Andover, Mass., to play Merrimack in their final non-conference game of the season. 

With some extra confidence under their belt after last week's win, here are three things to look for before kickoff.

WEEKLY HONORS
Following the win over Georgetown, Colgate had two Raiders recognized in the Patriot League Players of the Week — linebacker Cole Kozlowski and wide receiver Jariyah Sawyer. 

It was Kozlowski's second Defensive Player of the Week honor, and a career first for Sawyer, who got it for special teams. 

Fred '50 Marilyn Dunlap Head Football Coach Stan Dakosty said those honors, whether it be a player's first or fifth, gives them confidence they can lean into heading into a new week. However, the recognition isn't meant to veer Colgate off its track — the players have to expand upon their honorable performance. 

FIRST MEETING
The Raiders have never set foot in Duane Stadium. It'll be a brand new experience for Colgate, but it creates one small problem: there's not much film to go over. Yes, there's game film from the previous games this season, but the Raiders can't directly see how their playing style could match up against the Warriors. 

Instead, Colgate is using film from other Patriot League teams that have played Merrimack for their evaluation. It might not be a direct match, but it works all the same. 

The Raiders and Warriors are similar teams on paper, both want to run the ball, both have explosive players at defensive end and both have been steadily improving their third down conversion rate throughout the season.

FINISHING DRIVES
After the first half against Georgetown, Dakosty said the Raiders needed to finish drives. They were leaving the red zone empty-handed too many times, thus, making the game harder for themselves. 

Colgate corrected this flaw in the second half, including a third quarter opening drive that featured a 21-yard rush from first-year quarterback Aleks Sitkowski. 

That's what Dakosty expects for the offense every week. 

Maldonado has helped establish a run game for Colgate throughout this season, and wide receiver Treyvhon Saunders is leading the way with receptions. But young players like Sitkowski are starting to contribute in big ways. The game is slowing down for them, they're growing more confident every time they get a chance to step on the field. 

PLAYERS TO WATCH
Marco Maldonado — Jr. — RB — Colgate
Maldonado's leadership role this season has allowed him to be a beacon for much of this campaign. The Raiders have relied on their starting running back time and time again, and there's no doubt Colgate will need a big game from him again. 

Jermaine Corbett — Sr. — RB — Merrimack
The Warriors will rely on their run game Saturday just as much as Colgate will, and Jermaine Corbett will be leading the way. The senior leads the team with seven rushing touchdowns this season, averaging over 100 rushing yards per game. He also does kick returns for the special teams unit.

Dane Picariello — Jr. — DL — Colgate
The defensive line has a huge task this week to stop the run game, and it helps to have players like Kozlowski, Christian Sweeney and Dane Picariello. The junior defensive lineman is third on the team for tackles (22) and second on the squad in tackles-for-a-loss (four).