Oct. 13, 2008

EASTON, Pa. - Lafayette senior linebacker Andy Romans was named the Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week on Monday for the second week in a row. He recorded 15 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss to lead Lafayette's defense in a 13-3 win at Columbia.

Despite four defensive starters out of Lafayette's lineup Saturday, Romans helped the Leopards limit the Lions to 30 rushing yards to secure the win. Lafayette boasts a 4-1 record for the second consecutive season and is ranked first nationally in scoring defense with 11.8 points allowed per game.

Romans' team-high 54 tackles this season ranks second in the Patriot League. The co-captain was named to the Buck Buchanan Award Watch List in August, announced by The Sports Network. The award is given to the top defensive player at the FCS level.

The two-time All-Patriot League selection and 2008 pre-season Defensive Player of the Year has led the team in tackles the past two seasons. He averaged 10.3 tackles per game (113 total) in 2007 to earn Second-Team All-America honors by The Sports Network and Third Team All-America distinction from College Sporting News. Romans was also named the 2007 Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year.

In addition to his hard work on the field, Romans, a History major, is taking three history courses and an African studies class.

Lafayette will head to Liberty on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. as it continues its five-game road trip. No. 15 Liberty (6-0), a member of the Big South conference, will be the first nationally ranked team Lafayette has faced in 2008.