Nov. 15, 2005
Head coach Frank Tavani
On the Lafayette-Lehigh rivalry:
Certainly you start every season with the goal of winning a championship, and we have an opportunity to do that. As a coach, I'm not looking past this game; I only think about it when I'm asked. This will be the 19th time I have been involved in this rivalry, and it's been nothing but an honor and a privilege. You're playing for school pride, and people that don't even care about football all season pay attention to this game. I was getting my haircut the other day and an elderly woman, who happened to be Mayor Mittman's mother, told me that even she would be going to a party at the convalescent home where she lives for the game. That just tells you how special it is.
On NCAA at-large bid possibilities:
The committee is pretty outright against any Ivy League losses, which we have two of. However, with a possible win over Lehigh and a win over Richmond, who has gone on to win the southern division of the Atlantic 10, that would give us two wins over teams in the top 20 and we stand a chance. I try not to think about it unless it's brought up. Obviously it would be great to get in for our alumni and the program.
On the senior class:
They are just at terrific group of kids. As a class, we knew this was a very talented group when they came in here. Regardless of a win or loss on Saturday, they will be one of the winningest groups to come through here. They came in as freshmen on a wish and a prayer, and since then have achieved a championship of their own.
On Lehigh's offense:
The sign of a good football program is when somebody goes down, somebody else steps up. (Lehigh sophomore quarterback Sedale) Threatt has really become an added dimension for them. They really haven't changed what they're doing--running him more because he's more of an athlete. Rather, they're running their offense the same. What you do see is him pulling the ball down and taking off with it. He'll probably be one of the fastest guys down the field. That's just an added headache to try and contain. That's really all you're going to try to do is keep him contained. He's a handful.
On Larry Johnson:
He was available last week, but we chose hold him out because he hadn't practiced enough where we felt good about him. I expect him to be at tonight's practice full go and practice hard all week. He'll be back there returning kicks and playing in the secondary on Saturday.
Senior co-captain Maurice Bennett:
On playing defense with a healthy lead: Last week was like playing with a feeling of relief. When the offense is rolling and Brad Maurer is out there running like Michael Vick, there's not as much pressure on the defense. It doesn't change our game plan at all, but it eases our mindset.
