Aug. 22, 2007

EASTON, Pa. - More than 100 fans turned up in rainy weather to watch the Leopards scrimmage under the lights of Fisher Stadium.

"I think they were excited and there's just something about being out here under the lights," said head coach Frank Tavani. "We always seem to have an extra bounce in our step and everyone just loves being out here. We're going to be playing four games under the lights, and three of them are going to be here."

The team held a two-hour fully-officiated scrimmage, which ran through a script of 90 plays, including specialty situations. Tavani reported being happy with how things ran on both sides of the ball, particularly at quarterback, where five of the six prospective starters saw time on the field.

"I thought Michael DiPaola really stepped up tonight," Tavani said. "I'll have to evaluate the film, but as I somewhat suspected, I think we'll be going into the first game with him."

Tavani was also pleased with the efforts of sophomore Robert Curley.

"I anticipate playing both of those guys in the first game against Marist until we can find out and settle in how they run the team against someone else that they're familiar with."

Senior Brandon Mitchell and sophomore Tyrell Coon saw significant time on the field due to Maurice White's injury. Senior Anthony D'Urso also saw action at tailback.

Although Tavani kept the reigns on the Leopards' defense, he was happy with their strong performance.

"They really weren't allowed to run pressures and stuff, and we're a pressure zone, blitz kind of defense," Tavani said. "I think we'll be really strong because you only saw about a third of what our defensive package really is."

Tavani also saw improvement in the kicking game; a source of concern earlier in the preseason.

"David Yankovich punted very well - big long punts with some height which you can cover," Tavani said. "And then I thought on the kicking Davis Rodriguez and Chris Cosgrove and even Matthew Korn kicked pretty well on the field goal. That's probably as good an outing as we've had field goal-wise for awhile."

The team will assist freshman move-in tomorrow from 9-11 a.m. Upperclassmen will practice tomorrow evening at 7:30 p.m. while the freshmen have the next two days off to attend orientation.