March 31, 2005

2005 Spring Football Prospectus
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EASTON, Pa. (www.lafayette.edu) - Lafayette will open spring football practice on Saturday at 9 a.m. at the Metzgar Fields Athletic Complex.

Saturday's session, the first of 15 spring practice dates allowed under NCAA guidelines, will last two hours. The defending Patriot League champs will work out in helmets only on Saturday, then return to the practice field on Sunday at 2 p.m. for another helmets-only session. Lafayette will practice in full gear for the first time on Wednesday, April 6 at 4:30 p.m. The annual spring football game is slated for April 30 at 11 a.m. at Fisher Field.

"We're certainly looking forward to getting back out on the field and getting started," said sixth-year head coach Frank Tavani. "The kids worked really hard during our winter program and we've got our sights set on the upcoming season. We have higher goals that we want to achieve this fall, and spring practice is the next step in moving ahead and preparing to reach those goals."

The spring kickoff picnic, hosted by Lafayette Friends of Football and the Maws and Paws Club, originally scheduled to take place at Metzgar on Saturday has been moved indoors due to the anticipated inclement weather. The picnic will now take place in the Wilson Room in Pfenning Alumni Center at noon. To register for the event, call John Piper at 610-330-5657 or Kim Beasley at 610-330-5042.

Tavani returns 42 lettermen and 16 starters, including 10 on defense, from last year's NCAA Playoff squad. All-Patriot League First-Team linebacker Maurice Bennett, following back-to-back 100-tackle seasons, is back to anchor the defense, while Brad Maurer returns for his junior campaign under center.

Lafayette finished 8-4 in 2004 and made the first postseason appearance in program history. The Leopards were ranked 19th in the final ESPN/USA Today and Sports Network polls.