Oct. 15, 2002
Lafayette head coach Frank Tavani
On comeback victory at Columbia: "It was certainly one of the most satisfying victories I've ever been involved in on College Hill. Not just the comeback, but just the attitude and enthusiasm of the football team. We find a way to dig a deeper hole one week to the next. But, just when we were about to go in as deep as we have been and go 28 down, we come up with a tremendous play on defense and march 99.9 yards down the field. The type of situation and momentum swing not just for a football game, but for a season. We're trying to use that energy to catapult us into the last six weeks coming up. Our defense was just outstanding. They carried us. They struggled in the beginning and the next thing you know, Columbia couldn't do anything. Our patience led to our offense being successful. You could see the things starting to turn."
On the 3-3 mark: "It's like we talked about. Now it's a six-week season and a six-week run to the title. We control our own destiny. It's as good a situation as you can be in. I don't care who the next team is, you have to go week to week, what happened the week before doesn't matter."
On unity of Leopards: "I think now there is a lot of self-motivation by the kids. They've been through an awful lot, particularly our seniors. There is a driving force behind this team. You can see them coming together closer and closer. That's what is satisfying about coaching - to watch a team grow closer and closer and develop and put pressure on one another. We said in preseason that the motivation was going to be self-induced by each other."
Lafayette sophomore tailback Joe McCourt
On turnaround at Columbia: "During the game, when it was 21-0 and they were on our one-inch line, it just looked like they were going to put the nail in the coffin. I was sitting on the sideline and we were just wondering what was going on. Then they got the stop and that just switched the whole momentum. We drove 99 yards and got the touchdown right before the half. Then the second half, we played Lafayette football. The defense played well, the offense played well, and we were able to come out with a victory."
Lafayette senior defensive back Bill Stocker
On Columbia win: "We were down 21-7 at halftime, but we didn't make any major adjustments. We knew our game plan was sound. We just had to execute it. The offense and defense both pulled together and we really didn't say much to each other. We knew what we had to do as individuals and as a team in order to win the game."
Georgetown head coach Bob Benson
On quarterback Dave Paulus: "I think a couple things. Number one, I think it was a tremendous performance. He has a turf toe, and if you know anything about turf toe, it just doesn't go away. That's going to bother him the rest of the season. He did a great job down at Davidson. He was 15-of-20 with three touchdowns and for me, a very important stat, no interceptions. We doctored some things down there and any time you win on the road it's a great win. We needed to get that second win of the season and so I was very happy with how Dave played and the turf toe is going to be there the rest of the year."
On Georgetown this season: "I know this, and it may not seem it from the outside, but we're a much better football team than we were last year, much better. We're making improvements. You can't do this, but if you take away that Lehigh debacle that was a very, very difficult opener for us to deal with. The coaching staff maybe we did a poor job. To go into that game, it was their second game and their opener and for us to be opening up up there, that was kind of a nightmare for us. We have had glimpses of getting better and I think if you watch us on film, we just need to try to do that for four quarters which has been difficult for us."
On preparing for Lafayette: "They are balanced offensively and any time you are balanced, they cause problems for a defense that is a little bit inexperienced in the secondary. For our offense, we're just trying to find some consistency. Before you take on an opponent, you really have to take care of yourself. We've been forced to try to find our own consistency in the right mix offensively, and yet prepare for an opponent each week."
