Sept. 19, 2005

EASTON, Pa. (www.lafayette.edu) - Lafayette senior defensive back/kick returner Larry Johnson (Waldorf, Md./Westlake) has been named the Patriot League Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance on Saturday against Princeton.

Johnson returned five kicks for 144 yards, including a career-long 72 yard return late in the fourth quarter after Princeton went ahead 23-14. The Leopards scored on the next play to pull within 23-21 before the Tigers ran out the clock. He also had seven tackles and his first career sack in the contest.

Lafayette's single-season record holder in both kick return yardage (625 in 2003) and average per return (27.5 in 2004), Johnson ranks 18th nationally with an average of 28.0 yards on seven returns through three games in 2004. His previous career long return of 62 yards came at Holy Cross as a sophomore, and he also had a 57 yard return against Princeton that season.

Johnson was named Lafayette's most outstanding defensive back last year and has started 28 career games at cornerback. He leads the team with 18 solo tackles this season and has 174 tackles and 18 pass break-ups in his career.

Lafayette will open defense of its Patriot League championship on Saturday when Fordham comes to Fisher Field. Game time is scheduled for 1 p.m.