April 30, 2005
EASTON, Pa. (www.lafayette.edu) - The Lafayette football team concluded spring practice on Saturday with the annual Maroon-White spring game, the last of a maximum of 15 practice sessions mandated by the NCAA.
The White offense emerged as 41-23 winners over the Maroon defense using a modified scoring system that allowed the offense to pick up points by converting first downs, field goals and touchdowns, and gave the defense credit for stops and turnovers.
"I thought we had a lot of spirit out there, and got everything accomplished that we were looking for going in," said head coach Frank Tavani, who will enter his sixth year in 2005. "The defense was a little upset with the scoring system, but as I told them, I was an offensive coach for all but two years, so you know which way I was leaning with that.
"We got a lot done on both sides of the ball, including the kicking game, and I was pleased with the work we got in," the reigning Patriot League Coach of the Year continued. "Despite the weather, it was fun for the fans to get some points on the scoreboard and get to see our final workout of the spring."
The incumbent starting backfield of quarterback Brad Maurer and tailback Jonathan Hurt played the first series of each half. The offense picked up two first downs on the opening drive, with Maurer completing passes to Hurt and fullback David Nelson, and Hurt carrying three times for 14 yards in his only work of the day.
Michael DiPaola went under center for the last two series of the first quarter, and the defense got a pair of stops to lead 6-3 after the first 15 minutes.
Senior Pat Davis, penciled in as the backup quarterback and first-string long snapper, completed a 20-yard pass to senior tight end Brandon Hall on his first play. Hall and defensive lineman Stephen McFarlane were recognized at halftime as the most improved players during spring drills.
Davis scrambled 14 yards on 3rd-and-12 from the 20, and completed the 40-yard drive with an eight-yard scoring toss to Archie Fisher for the first touchdown of the day. Rick Ziska added the extra point for a 12-6 lead for the White. Fisher, who has seven touchdowns among his 22 career receptions, has returned to full strength after missing most of last season's Patriot League championship run due to a foot injury.
The next series stalled in three plays, and Kyle Sprenkle blocked a 47-yard field goal by Ziska to give the defense three points. Jeriah Cohen pulled in an interception on the next play from scrimmage and returned the ball nearly 40 yards before being knocked out of bounds. The turnover gave the Maroon squad four more points and a 15-12 advantage.
DiPaolo led a scoring drive on the last series of the first half, completing passes to Kyle Roeder and Kevin Ganascioli. Alfred Belton notched a pair of six-yard gains, and Anthony D'Urso capped the seven-play, 40-yard march with a two-yard run off left tackle. Matthew Korn added the point after to go into the half with a 21-15 edge.
The third quarter featured red zone offense starting at the 25-yard line. Maurer returned and made the connection with 6-4 receiver Joe Ort on a fade pattern in the end zone on the first play of the series. The rising junior finished 4-of-6 for 45 yards and the touchdown on the day.
Maurer completed a nine-yard pass to Nelson, who was named co-captain with fellow senior Maurice Bennett before the game got underway, but Ziska's effort at a 36-yard field goal was wide left. Two longer field goals by Ziska and Korn were also unsuccessful as most of the second half was played in light rain showers.
Davis and D'Urso led the White on the game's longest sustained drive, a 12-play, 65-yard march culminating in D'Urso's second score of the game. All three backup tailbacks got work on the series, with D'Urso, Brandon Mitchell and Chris Williams all picking up first downs.
Davis completed passes to the latter two, and moved the ball to the eight-yard line with a seven-yard scramble. D'Urso went the rest of the way, and Korn knocked in the extra point. Davis finished 5-for-7 for 53 yards and his second quarter scoring toss to Fisher, while D'Urso was the leading ground gainer with seven carries for 36 yards and two touchdowns.
Marvin Snipes recorded two of the defense's six sacks, and Chad Hunter, Taj Murphy and Bryan Kazimierowski were credited with pass break-ups. Andrew Brown, Justin Stovall, Chris Brungo, Keith Bloom and Luke Schade all got to the quarterback.
Sophomore David Yankovich punted six times for an average of 39 yards, including a 54-yard boot that rolled out of bounds at the six-yard line.
The Leopards will open the season on the evening of Sept. 3 at Marist, and start the defense of their Patriot League championship at Fisher Field on Sept. 24 against Fordham. Lafayette will play seven home games in 2005, all in an eight-game stretch beginning on Sept. 10 versus Richmond.
