Nov. 22, 2005
Lafayette head coach Frank Tavani
On playoff experience:
Anytime you have some experience at anything it's positive. Many of our NCAA-allowed 56 kids that will dress went through this last year. There's a certain difference the first time you go through it with an awe-struck feeling. At least that part will be removed. We're going into a hostile environment, a place that is great for college football. People are passionate about their football program down there (Boone, N.C.). We're coming off as big of a passion game as anyone at Lehigh. Having that experience will help us get over that. What we have to do is stay focused, and think of it as another week of work. This isn't a bowl game or some treat as a reward--you can't think of it like that. This is the NCAA playoffs and an opportunity to win a national championship. I think last year everybody, including myself, was so happy and satisfied with winning the league and getting the automatic bid that just going becomes enough. When it's too late, you realize that we could have won that game. This time, let's stop and enjoy it, but realize that 102 other I-AA teams are home for the holidays. There are only 16 teams in the country playing for that opportunity and we're one of them. That is one heck of an achievement for a well-deserved football team and senior group.
On earning one of eight at-large bids:
First off, for a number of reasons, we know that we weren't the last team selected. I really don't care if we were. It's regionally done, and as in any other year there are some very good football teams that are left out. We're ecstatic that we are one of two teams representing the Patriot League. It's great recognition for our conference and it's as important as our own personal recognition. Our shutout of Richmond and a win over No. 12 (Lehigh) should certainly mean something. Even though it was in the last pairing, it doesn't mean we were the last team in.
On Appalachian State QB Richie Williams and the Mountaineers:
(Tavani watched Appalachian State play at Wofford on Oct. 22 when visiting his son, Dan, who is a two-year starter at safety for Wofford) . . They were certainly not a team that I left the game looking to schedule anytime soon. Now, I didn't say anything about later, so it's been later rather than sooner. I certainly wasn't sitting there breaking the game down, because I was trying to enjoy two hot dogs and a little diet Pepsi. Now thinking back to it, they are certainly an outstanding team. Williams, their quarterback, and their tailback Kevin Richardson are two outstanding players in an offense that you've seen us defend. They use a lot of shotgun, riding that tailback, running the zone play, and the quarterback running all over the place. They're a very athletic, enthusiastic football team. The whole sideline is bouncing on air for four quarters. They're an outstanding team, but it's an exciting opportunity for us. We're scared of no one.
On QB Pat Davis doing double-duty as long snapper:
I'm not going to tip our hand, but I'm not too wild about it right now. Pat played very physical at Lehigh, using his head to get one tackle, which could put him out for a couple series. I don't think that's really prudent, but on the other hand you can see what happens when you have punting issues.
On Lafayette's defense:
They're going to come to play and be all over the field. They're an exciting bunch. Our offense, despite itself sometimes, is finding ways to score. This is just a great group of kids that keep finding a way to win. Coming off a game like the one last week, you start to think back about being how we've been on the long and short end of games. We know one thing, we'll battle to the last second.
On motivating his team prior to last Saturday's 23-19 victory at Lehigh:
Erik Weihenmayer is a blind mountain climber that has made seven summits, including Mount Everest two years ago. When I heard about him, I though to myself that would be something to get the guys motivated. Weihenmayer is a friend of our Friends of Lafayette Football president, Jack Bourger. About mid-season this year, I was thinking about having him speak to our guys, thinking it would fit in great. We had a 19-minute film of his climb of Mount Everest, prefaced by some private comments from the head coach, and then Erik spoke to the team via speakerphone. He gave a very inspirational speech to our football team. We had shirts made, bearing the words, `Climb Higher.' It's just a tremendous story.
Senior tight end Chad Walker on the playoff berth:
The emotions are running high and they will continue to run high. It's another opportunity to strap it up, at least all together, one last time. If all goes well it'll be four more times.
