This is a winning program that’s used to doing far more.

By Rich Cirminiello | @RichCirminiello

Colgate is accustomed to success, so back-to-back losing seasons for the first time in two decades makes a quick rebound a must.

Dan Hunt went with plenty of youth in his debut as the heir to Dick Biddle, and it showed in a 5-7 campaign.

But Colgate is now older, deeper, and a whole bunch better. With the return of versatile QB Jake Melville, along with all of his top backs, the Patriot League’s top rushing attack of 2014 should be every bit as strong.

However, the Raiders must improve when the ball is in the air, both on offense and defense. They were last in the league in passing last season, and the secondary will miss its leader and top playmaker, safety Mike Armiento.

However, the run D should be solid.

After ranking second in Patriot League against the run, allowing 145 yards per game, more of the same is expected out of the Raiders led by DE Victor Steffen and LB Kyle Diener.

Colgate is talented and experienced throughout the front seven, but will that translate into a winning season?

Hunt is no longer a rookie head coach, and the roster is no longer so green. Colgate is ready to get back to being among the league’s elite.

A healthy Melville will help flip some of last year’s close losses into victories, as the passing game takes on a greater role in the offense.

The Raiders aren’t quite ready to compete for a league crown, but going 6-5 will be an important step in the right direction for Hunt and his players.

What You Need To Know About The Offense: Head coach Dan Hunt went with plenty of youth in his debut as the heir to Dick Biddle, and it showed in a 5-7 campaign. But Colgate is now older and deeper. And the return of versatile QB Jake Melville, along with all of his top backs, bodes well for the Patriot League’s top rushing attack of 2014. Still, after throwing more picks than touchdowns last fall, the Raiders must take a significant step forward in the passing game to keep opposing defenses off balance. The onus falls squarely on the shoulders of Melville, who showed a lot of potential at the end of his sophomore season. He’ll be helped by the return of his top three receivers, particularly 6-6 all-league TE John Quazza.

What You Need To Know About The Defense: Colgate needs to improve when the ball is in the air … both on offense and on defense. A defensive backfield that allowed the league’s highest completion percentage for 2014 must now regroup without its leader and top playmaker, S Mike Armiento. Fortunately for the Raiders, stuffing the run won’t be quite as worrisome. After ranking second in Patriot League run defense at 145 yards per game, coordinator Paul Shaffner is banking on more of the same stout results from his kids this fall. Spearheaded by senior DE Victor Steffen and steady LB Kyle Diener, the leading tackler a year ago, Colgate is talented, experienced and well coached throughout the front seven.