July 31, 2007

EASTON, Pa - The Lafayette football team was chosen first in the Patriot League's preseason poll, the league announced at its annual football media day on Wednesday. The Leopards, under the direction of eighth-year head coach Frank Tavani, will open the 2007 season in search of their fourth-straight Patriot League title.

Lehigh was ranked second in the poll, with Colgate, Holy Cross, Bucknell, Fordham and Georgetown rounding out the three through seven spots.

Lafayette, which received six first-place votes, returns 13 starters from a 2006 team that captured the Patriot League title and advanced to the NCAA playoffs. This season, the Leopards will attempt to become the first team in league history to make four consecutive appearances in the postseason.

The Leopards finished the 2006 campaign with an overall record of 6-5, including a 5-1 mark in league play. Lafayette ended its regular season on a four-game win streak, all against league opponents. The year was highlighted by a 49-27 defeat of Lehigh in the final regular-season game. The win earned the Leopards their share of the conference crown as the team advanced to face No. 3 Massachusetts in the first round of the NCAA playoffs.

Among the returning players will be senior captains Marcel Quarterman (Philadelphia, Pa./Central) and Kyle Sprenkle (Thomasville, Pa./Spring Grove). Quarterman started the final six games at defensive back last fall and made key interceptions in games against Georgetown and Lehigh. Sprenkle, a 2006 All-Patriot League Second-Team selection at defensive tackle, was ranked second in the conference in tackles for loss (13.5) and led all Lafayette defensive linemen with 61 tackles.

Lafayette's season will kickoff at home on Sept. 1 at 6 p.m. against Marist in the first home night game in school history. The game is the first of three night contests at Fisher Stadium this fall.

 Patriot League Preseason Poll Results 
1. Lafayette (6)    63
2. Lehigh (5)   62
3. Colgate (1)  52
4. Holy Cross (2)   50
5. Bucknell     31
6. Fordham  21
7. Georgetown   15

() indicates first-place votes