Oct. 1, 2002
Lafayette head coach Frank Tavani
On the trip to Duquesne: "They're undefeated, and in any football program, it's hard to be undefeated at any point of the season. They're 4-0 and have been very successful, regardless of the level of competition, but they're an outstanding football program that has it rolling now. They go into games expecting to win and expecting to win by a lot. We play each game week to week and now we're going to face an undefeated Duquesne team that has played very well. It's kind of a long trip, but it's something that I'm looking forward to in getting the team out of town and to bond together."
On Western Pa. recruiting: "We're looking forward to going out to Pittsburgh and helping with our Western Pa. recruitment. We're sending coaches out on Thursday and they'll be out there all day on Friday, scouring the area. We utilize this as a big recruiting trip as much as obviously trying to win an important ball game."
On Darrell Daman: "Darrell has had kind of a tough career. He's fought his way back through some injuries. He epitomizes the kind of young man that I want in our program. He never complains, and at times, maybe felt a little slighted that someone was starting in front of him. But he's continued to make himself better every year that he's been here. He makes big plays for you at big times. He's earned his way back into a starting role just by performance. Going back to Western Pa. and displaying that kind of work ethic, I thought was deserving of Darrell being our game week captain."
On Duquesne offense: "They've got an offense that it's the receivers making the quarterback. He's got receivers that catch the ball wherever it is. They spread you out all over the place and they make a lot of big plays. They've got receivers all over and a couple of them are pretty good-sized kids. They have the ability to hit you with the big play. We're going to have slow that passing attack down."
On getting an early lead: "That's a result of our defense playing very physical and our offense getting us the lead. I think that's important in a ball game. I'm getting bored with fighting our way back. I'll start settling for getting ahead and playing in a position of strength."
Lafayette senior fullback Darrell Daman:
On playing in front of the hometown crowd: "I'm really excited. It's a chance to go back and play in front of all my friends and family who really haven't seen me play in four years. I'm looking forward to the opportunity."
Lafayette senior defensive end Casey McKeen
On play of the defense: "Defensively, it's going to be vital for the front four to get to the quarterback. It makes life for the defense a lot easier when you put a good rush on the quarterback. We haven't had a lot of success with that thus far, but it's going to be a key to a game."
Duquesne head coach Greg Gattuso
On cornerback Leigh Bodden: "He is probably the key to our defense. He's our best player. The rest of these guys are guys that just like to play football. They like to fight and they like to play hard."
On recruiting: "Tony Zimmerman was a major building block to attract local talent. I think once Tony came here kids started viewing us a little more of an option. We've parlayed that into some success locally. We've got some great kids out of Maryland and Ohio and our recruiting bases continue to grow. Obviously our success has allowed us to recruit kids from out of the area as well."
On playing in the Patriot League: "I've never hid the fact that I'd love to have our team in the Patriot League. It's a league that I think is football played the right way. It's a great blend of academics and football. I think the Patriot League has done a great job marketing itself with the playoffs. It's a great football league and the type of programs that I'd love to be around."
On wide receiver Jeremy Conley: "He's the best guy I've been around. We've been blessed with great receivers. Jeremy is 6-2 and 220 pounds. He runs well and he's tough and we have a lot of confidence in him. He's a guy that makes us go. He's the guy we look to for big plays in the game."
On quarterback Niel Loebig: "We put a lot of pressure on him, but he's been gutsy and has taken his hits. He's played well for us and has confidence in his receiving corps. I think he's done well. This kid is a sophomore and only has about 15 starts under his belt. He has a lot of improvement and a lot more he can offer. I think every game, every tough battle has made him better."
