Nov. 5, 2005

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EASTON, Pa. (www.lafayette.edu) - Kenny Parker caught a 20-yard touchdown pass from Mike Saraceno with 1:10 remaining, and Rick Ziska missed the game-tying 49-yard field goal wide to the left as Colgate came from behind to defeat Lafayette, 18-15, on Saturday afternoon in the home finale at Fisher Field.

Colgate extended its winning streak in the series to 10 games and dealt Lafayette its first loss in Patriot League play. The Leopards and Raiders move into a three-way tie for first-place in the league with Lehigh, as all three teams have a 3-1 record.

Lafayette led 7-6 entering the fourth quarter, as David Nelson caught a nine-yard touchdown pass from Brad Maurer early in the second quarter, and Jacob Stein hit two field goals.

Defensive end Josh Wurst intercepted a pass by Maurer on the second play of the final quarter, which set the Raiders up at the 49-yard line. A pass interference call on third-and-10 moved the ball to the 37, and Jordan Scott carried for 19 yards on the next play. On third-and-12, Scott caught a screen pass from Saraceno and found his way into the end zone to give Colgate a 12-7 lead with 11:38 on the clock. Saraceno's throw on the two-point conversion attempt fell incomplete.

Maurer hit Joe Ort for a 33-yard completion on the first play of Lafayette's ensuing possession to quickly move the ball into Colgate territory. Maurer converted a pair of third downs on the drive, on a quarterback sneak and a seven-yard pass to Shaun Adair, and Jonathan Hurt scored from four yards out on the next play to put Lafayette out in front, 13-12. Ort caught the two-point conversion pass from Maurer to make the score 15-12 with 8:16 remaining.

Colgate advanced to the Lafayette 38 on its next series before Blake Costanzo forced a fumble by Scott and Trey Martell fell on the football for the Leopards. Adrian Lawson nearly ended the series several plays earlier as he intercepted a deflected pass, but there was pass interference on the play.

The Raider defense forced a three-and-out, and Colgate assumed possession on its own 32-yard line with 3:55 left in regulation. Saraceno connected with Erik Burke for 32 yards on third-and-seven from midfield, but the Leopards defense held and brought up third-and-12. Kenny Parker pulled in a 20-yard scoring pass from Saraceno on the next play to give Colgate an 18-15 advantage. Jacob Stein's point-after attempt hit the left upright to maintain the field goal deficit.

Maurer opened Lafayette's final drive with a 37-yard screen pass to Hurt, who matriculated the ball down the left sideline to the Colgate 35. An incomplete pass to Hurt, a three-yard run by Maurer, and an incomplete pass to Brandon Stanford created a fourth-and-seven situation. Both teams called timeouts, and Ziska came on for the 49-yard field goal attempt. The kick had plenty of distance but missed a few feet to the left, and Saraceno went to a knee to erase the final 32 seconds off the clock.

Lafayette survived the first 10 minutes, losing fumbles on its first three possessions, and held Colgate to three points in the first quarter.

The Leopards fumbled the opening kick-off, but Colgate turned the ball over on downs on four plays. Maurer marched the offense 72 yards in 11 plays, connecting with Archie Fisher for 27 yards down to the four, but Hurt was hit by Geoff Bean and fumbled as he reached for the goal line on second down. Cody Williams recovered the ball in the end zone for the touchback.

Wurst recovered Maurer's fumble at the Colgate 49 on Lafayette's next series, and Stein hit the first of his two field goals, a 31-yard attempt, with 2:27 left in the first quarter.

Torian Johnson's 34-yard interception return led to Lafayette's first score. Maurer moved the offense to paydirt in three plays, completing passes to Ort for eight yards and Stanford for 24, before finding Nelson in the left flat for a nine-yard touchdown 48 seconds into the second quarter.

Stein made the score 7-6 with a 24-yard field goal with 3:59 left in the third. Colgate had a first-and-goal from the one, but Scott was stopped for no gain, Costanzo sacked Saraceno for a loss of six, and his pass on third down was incomplete.

Maurer was 19-for-35 for 272 yards, setting career-highs in all three categories. He moved into 10th place on Lafayette's career passing list, with 2,633 yards, to pass George Hossenlopp '65.

Stanford caught seven passes for 89 yards, and Nelson's touchdown catch was the third of his career. Hurt carried 20 times for 83 yards and had three receptions for 65 yards for Lafayette.

Scott led Colgate with 109 yards rushing on 31 attempts. Saraceno completed 16 of his 33 passes for 236 yards and had two fourth-quarter touchdowns.

All-Patriot League linebackers Maurice Bennett (Lafayette) and Jared Nepa (Colgate) both made 14 tackles. Bennett was credited with 3.0 tackles for a loss, including 1.5 sacks, as the Leopards got to Saraceno five times on the afternoon.

Lafayette will travel to Holy Cross next Saturday for a 12:30 p.m. start at Fitton Field. The game will be televised live on the Lafayette Sports Network (RCN-4 and WBPH-60) and will also be carried live on Fox Sports Net Pittsburgh (DIRECTV channel 628 and DISH Network channel 428).