Sept. 1, 2007

Box Score |  Photo Gallery 1  |  Photo Gallery 2 

EASTON, Pa. - Lafayette opened the 2007 football season with the first home night game in program history and ran away to a 49-10 victory over Marist on Saturday at Fisher Stadium.

After the Leopards failed to score on their opening drive, Marist put together a 27-yard drive to reach Lafayette's 10-yard line. Senior free safety Marcel Quarterman sacked Marist quarterback Matthew Semerano to force a field goal attempt by the Red Foxes. Marist kicker Bradley Rowe missed a 30-yard field goal attempt.

The Leopards responded by going 20 yards in eight plays and scoring on a five-yard run by junior tailback Maurice White. Freshman Davis Rodriguez kicked the extra point to put the Leopards up 7-0 with five minutes left in the first quarter, the first of six PATs.

"It was interesting to have to overcome some adversity early on," said Lafayette head coach Frank Tavani. "I think we settled in. Mikey got his opportunity and he handled it well.

Two minutes later, Lafayette led 14-0 after Marist fumbled the ball and the Leopards reeled off a four-play, 24-yard scoring drive. Senior Kyle Roeder scored his first career touchdown on an eight-yard pass from senior quarterback Michael DiPaola who made his first career start. DiPaola threw for 124 yards, going 10-for-16 with two touchdowns.

The Lafayette fans enjoyed some in-game fireworks via special teams play. Rowe punted to an eager Shaun Adair who returned the ball 78 yards for a touchdown. Lafayette led 21-0 with a minute and a half remaining in the quarter.

The Leopards were handed solid field position early on in the second quarter after a 30-yard Adair punt return. White then rushed for 23 yards on two carries to score his second touchdown of the evening.

Lafayette's defense spent more time on the field in the second quarter as Marist scored its first points of the game. The Red Foxes drove the ball 54 yards in seven plays, capped by a 38-yard field goal by Rowe.

Tavani switched quarterbacks with five minutes left in the second quarter. Sophomore Rob Curley took over the reins as Lafayette continued its offensive drive. Senior tailback Anthony D'Urso scored the team's fifth touchdown of the night on a 15-yard rush to seal a 66-yard drive and hand Lafayette a 35-0 advantage. D'Urso finished with 70 yards on 11 carries.

The Leopards added two more touchdowns in the second half, a 12-yard DiPaola strike to junior Joe Russo with 10:38 left in the third. With Curley back under center, the Leopards put together an eight-play, 69-yard drive that culminated in senior tailback Brandon Mitchell's 23-yard run that gave Lafayette the 49-10 margin.

Sophomore Andrew Poulson finished the game with two sacks while junior Andy Romans added four tackles, a sack and a fumble recovery. Junior Chris Bacon led the team with six tackles while junior cornerback Marvin Clecidor had an interception in the third quarter.

Marist scored its only touchdown on an eight-yard pass from Steve McGrath to Tim Keegan just six seconds into the fourth quarter.

The Leopards will travel to Washington D.C. to face their first Patriot League opponent Georgetown on Sept. 8. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. and will be televised by the Lafayette Sports Network.