Feb. 29, 2008
EASTON, Pa. - The Lafayette football community gathered in Marquis Hall on Feb. 23 to close the 2007 season with its annual postseason awards banquet.
More than 360 people were in attendance to celebrate a 2008 class that racked up 29 wins, the most since the class of 1927. Twenty seniors were honored for their dedication to the football team.
Junior linebacker Andy Romans was presented with the Hugh H. "Stoney" Jones '27 Award as the Leopards' Most Valuable Player. Romans made 113 tackles in 2007 to rank second in the Patriot League and 21st nationally. He also made three sacks and forced three fumbles as part of the nation's top-ranked defense.
Senior safety and co-captain Marcel Quarterman was named the Defensive Player of the Year. Quarterman made 54 tackles on the season, including a career-high 10 at Harvard. He made two crucial interceptions in 2007, returning one 34 yards for a touchdown against Georgetown. The second pick came against Colgate, which he ran back 40 yards to set the Leopards up for a touchdown in the waning minutes of the second quarter.
Lafayette's Offensive Player of the Year award went to senior wide receiver Kyle Roeder. Roeder made big plays in 2007 after waiting three years on the sidelines for his turn. He caught 27 passes for 287 yards and three touchdowns in 2007, capping his senior season with a three-yard catch to score the game-winning touchdown against Lehigh.
The Special Teams Player of the Year honors was given to two players with different roles. Senior David Yankovich was acknowledged for punting 52 times for 2,154 yards in 2007. He had a career day against Fordham, punting six times for 302 yards and a career-long kick of 66 yards. He finished the season ranked 21st in the country with an average of 41.42 yards per kick. On the other side of the ball, junior Shaun Adair was recognized for returning three punts for 111 yards and one touchdown in the season opener against Marist. In 11 games he returned 18 punts for 332 yards to finish seventh in the country, while also returning 19 kicks for 266 yards.
Kicker Davis Rodriguez picked up Rookie of the Year for his contributions on special teams. Rodriguez connected on eight field goals and 31 PATs. He gave the Leopards an exciting victory against Penn when his 27-yard field goal put Lafayette ahead 8-7 with five seconds on the clock. His career-long kick of 41 yards in the fourth quarter at Holy Cross sealed the Leopards 31-21 win.
The David Nelson '06 Award of Valor was presented to senior defensive back Adrian Lawson and junior D.J. Brown in recognition of their courageous play through the season. Both players were hampered by injuries but continued to appear on the field for the Leopards.
Lafayette finished the 2007 season with its fourth straight victory over Lehigh, allowing the senior class to leave College Hill without having ever lost to the Mountain Hawks. The 7-4 Leopards ranked first in defense in the NCAA final statistics.
