Feb. 26, 2010
EASTON, Pa. - The Lafayette football community came together in Marquis Hall on Feb. 20 to close the 2009 season with its annual postseason awards banquet.
People came to celebrate the Leopards' 8-3 campaign, and the sixth straight season the Leopards have spent time in to national Top 25. The class of 2010 racked up 28 wins, 16 in league play, with one Patriot League title and an NCAA Playoff appearance. Twenty-seven seniors were honored for their dedication to the Lafayette football program.
Senior Rob Curley was presented with the Hugh H. "Stoney" Jones '27 Award as the Leopards' Most Valuable Player. In Curley's had a career year, setting single-season records for passing yards, touchdowns and completions. Ever efficient, he also established records for completion percentage and career completion percentage. He finished ranked third in the nation in passing efficiency and is fifth in career touchdown passes at Lafayette with 44.
Senior defensive tackle Ian Dell was named the Defensive Player of the Year. Dell made 45 tackles for the Leopards in 2009 on his way to All-Patriot League First Team honors. He had 7.5 sacks and 12 tackles for loss while forcing three fumbles and recovering another.
Offensive Player of the Year went to junior wide receiver Mark Layton. Layton caught 65 passes (second in Lafayette single-season history) for 838 yards (seventh in single season history) in his 2009 season. He also pulled down 11 touchdowns, tying him for the second-best Lafayette single season effort, and averaged 12.9 yards per catch and 76.2 receiving yards per game on his way to All-Patriot League First Team honors.
Senior DeAndre Morrow was awarded the Special Teams Player of the Year. Morrow was known for his spectacular tackles on kickoffs and punts and was also one of the Leopards' top kick returners. He finished the season with 21 tackles. Offensive lineman Scott Biel was honored as the Leopards' Rookie of the Year for his contributions to the offense. Biel, although just a sophomore, started every game for a nationally ranked offense.
Freshman fullback Pete Bross, who is currently battling cancer, was the recipient of The David Nelson '06 Award of Valor but was unable to be in attendance. Head coach Frank Tavani introduced Ryan Hulmes, the guidance counselor and assistant football coach at Parkland High School and Zach Bross, Pete Bross' younger brother, who accepted the award on Pete's behalf.
