Oct. 22, 2002
Lafayette head coach Frank Tavani
On being a contender: "Our football team is focused. They're happy and excited about being in a situation. It's been a long time since we've been in a meaningful game. Like Coach Clawson said, it's early in the season, but at this stage, it's no secret that the winner of this week's game is in total control, sitting at the top by themselves. The loser sits with three or four other people who are still well in the hunt. A lot of crazy things are going to happen over the next month in this league. We're just happy to be in the hunt. We're proud of the way our kids are playing and the heart and desire that they are showing out there. It's a great group to be around."
On the Leopard defense: "When you look at our defense, coming into the season, you were talking about seven new starters. It was a variety of people at some points, but now it's a very solid, set group that is in there. Even with those starters being set, we're playing an awful lot of other kids. They are involved as backups and that is keeping us a little fresher. I felt all along that our defensive line was going to be much improved. They are, and they've proven that. We're much more solid up front, and that allows our linebackers to run around back there. Our somewhat much-maligned secondary has been playing very good football."
On Fordham: "They are right along the same lines that we want to head and I think are heading. It's just a year different juncture. Offensively, they're very balanced. They have an outstanding tailback and they've got arguably the best receiver in the league. Defensively, they have the best front four that I've seen on film. This is a solid football team."
Lafayette sophomore defensive lineman Greg Gibbs
On play of defensive line: "I think our defensive line is pretty good. I think we could hold up with most of the guys in the league. Casey McKeen is a great defensive end. Pat Brown stepped up in the inside. Chris Brungo is a freshman and he's played great, so I think we're pretty good. The more we play, the better we get. I just think we go out and have a good time. That's what it's about."
Lafayette quarterback Marko Glavic
On Fordham's defense: "They're kind of similar to Georgetown in their coverages, but obviously they're a lot better. They're stronger, faster, quicker, better athletes. They play the same kind of defense as they did last year. When I look back at last year's game, we were able to move the ball against them. We were able to run the ball, which I think is going to be a key to this game, and that will set up the pass. I think it was tied at halftime. We were right there with them going into the fourth, but then we lost it there at the end. If we can just continue pounding the ball, that will set up the pass and we'll be fine."
Fordham coach Dave Clawson
On keys to the game: "I think the turnover battle is critical. You are looking at two offenses that have had success throughout the year. Whenever you have a big game like this, turnovers are always a big thing. I also think special teams will also be a huge factor."
On the Rams' bye week: "Sometimes that gets a little dangerous. When you have extra time to look at a team, sometimes you run the risk of trying to do too much. You have a couple of extra days and maybe watch the film a little closer, but essentially, it comes down to what you're able to get in with your players. We have a certain menu of a game plan that we try to get in every week, and we never want to make that too big. You're going to try and get the same amount of things ready regardless of if it's a bye week or you have one week to prepare."
On Lafayette's improvement: "They've been going through the same process that we have. He started with very young players who are just getting incrementally better every single week. Offensively and defensively, it just looks like they are playing with more confidence. Every week, they are getting better. No question that this is a much improved football team over what we have played the last two seasons."
On battle for top-spot in Patriot League: "The Patriot League press release, had it and it was kind of ironic that if you look two years ago, this game was for the Patriot League basement. Now the same game is for who has first place in the Patriot League at this point. It's just so early in the season that you have to approach it as another big game and another league game. With two teams that for the first time in many years are in contention for this thing, so we're just trying to keep our players focused from week to week. We have a ton of respect for Lafayette. For us to look one second past this game would be a huge mistake on our part."
