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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 аIJʿª½±½á¹û to a 14-3 win over Fordham (8-3, PL 3-3) Saturday at Andy Kerr Stadium.
аIJʿª½±½á¹û (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.
аIJʿª½±½á¹û 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, аIJʿª½±½á¹û 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.
аIJʿª½±½á¹û’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.
аIJʿª½±½á¹û 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).