Oct. 20, 2007

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EASTON, Pa. - Both Lafayette and Fordham recorded over 400 yards of offense but it was the Rams who came out on top in a 34-23 decision at the Leopards' Homecoming on Saturday at Fisher Stadium.

"We just got outplayed by a good football team," Lafayette head coach Frank Tavani said. "I still think we're a good football team, but it was just one of those days."

Leopard sophomore DeAndre' Morrow led the team in rushing for the second consecutive game, finishing with 67 yards on 16 carries. Senior Kyle Roeder led Lafayette in receptions with six catches for 60 yards.

On the defensive side, junior linebacker Andy Romans led the Leopards in tackles for the third time this season, with 14 tackles and a fumble recovery. Marcel Quarterman, Andrew Poulson and Keith Bloom each registered sacks against Rams' sophomore quarterback John Skelton.

The Leopards (4-3 l, 1-1 Patriot League) scored on their second drive of the game when senior tailback Brandon Mitchell ran 21 yards to score his third touchdown of the season. A bad snap kept the team from scoring on the extra-point attempt, but Lafayette led 6-0 nine minutes into the game.

The Rams (6-2, 4-0 Patriot League) responded with a touchdown of their own less than one minute into the second quarter. Sophomore quarterback John Skelton ran the ball one yard to cap off a 10-play, 80-yard drive, tying the game. Lafayette defensive back Troy Robinson blocked the extra-point attempt by the Rams at the line of scrimmage, but a penalty gave Fordham kicker Adam Danko a second chance. He made the PAT to give the Rams the lead with 14:50 remaining in the second quarter.

Fordham's freshman running back Xavier Martin contributed two more touchdowns to put the Rams ahead 21-6 at halftime. His first score came off a one-yard rush with eight minutes left in the second quarter. Martin rushed again, this time for five yards, to finish a four-play, 61-yard drive that lasted just over a minute.

Lafayette began to come back in the third quarter when senior quarterback Michael DiPaola completed a 24-yard pass to Adam Gill who ran it in for a touchdown, decreasing the Rams' lead to 21-13 five minutes into the third.

On Lafayette's next drive, big runs by sophomores DeAndre' Morrow and Matt Ferber who ran for 11 and 14 yards respectively, put the Leopards in field goal range. Freshman kicker Davis Rodriguez booted a 36-yard field goal to cap off an eight-play, 20-yard drive, making it 21-16 with five minutes left in the third quarter.

Fordham's passing game hit its stride towards the end of the third quarter when the Rams scored off a 37-yard pass from Skelton to wide receiver Sylvester Clarke. A failed two-point conversion attempt by Fordham put the score at 27-16 with four minutes remaining in the third.

On the Rams' next drive David Moore caught a 51-yard pass from Skelton to widen Fordham's lead to 34-16. Moore's catch came after Tommy Martin returned a punt 20 yards to the Fordham 49.

Lafayette changed quarterbacks in the fourth quarter and sophomore Rob Curley entered the game with six minutes left in the fourth quarter. After failing to reach the endzone on his first drive, Curley put together a five-play, 69-yard stretch that culminated in an 11-yard touchdown reception by senior Kevin Logan. DiPaola finished the day 16-for-34 for 166 yards and one touchdown, while throwing one pick. Curley went 11-for-12 for 107 yards and one touchdown, the first of his college career.

Lafayette's David Yankovich out-kicked Fordham's Benjamin Dato, who is currently ranked fifth in the nation in punting. Yankovich punted six times for 302 yards, with a long of 66 yards.

The Leopards will return to action on Oct. 27 when they host Colgate (4-3, 1-1 in PL) at Fisher Stadium at 1 p.m.

Game Notes:
* Rob Curley attempted his first pass since the season-opener against Marist. He doubled his career statistics and is now 16-22-0 for152 yards and one touchdown.
* Michael DiPaola and Rob Curley were second and third respectively in rushing. DiPaola gained 38 yards on 13 carries while Curley had four carries for 27 yards.
* David Yankovich broke his career-highs in yards, average per kick, and longest kick. He punted six times for 302 yards, averaging 50.3 yards per kick. His longest punt was for 66 yards. He out-kicked Fordham punter Benjamin Dato who is currently ranked fifth in the country and finished with 252 yards on six kicks, averaging 42.0 yards per kick.
* DeAndre' Morrow led in rushing attempts and yards for the second time in as many games with 67 yards on 16 carries.
* Senior Kevin Logan caught a pass for his first career touchdown. Logan played last week against Harvard but missed several games earlier in the season due to injury.
* Andy Romans led the Leopards with 14 tackles for the third time this season. Romans has had double-digit tackles four times this season.