Oct. 15, 2011
EASTON, Pa. - Andrew Shoop and Ryan O'Neilcombined to complete 22-of-28 passes as part of a two-quarterback attack, passing Lafayette to a 28-19 win over Yale on Saturday night at Fisher Stadium. The Leopards, who were coming off a bye week, were 4-of-4 in offensive red-zone opportunities.
The Leopards' defense forced a three-and-out to start the game and the offense kept the momentum, using an 11-play scoring drive. Shoop completed five passes, the final a seven-yard strike to Kyle Hayes for a score and a 7-0 lead. Hayes, who had a team-best six catches for 44 yards, was a welcome addition after missing the last four games with a shoulder injury and was especially important with the absence of top receiver Mitchell Bennett.
A play that proved crucial came early in the second quarter. The Leopards were punting from their own endzone, but a muffed snap let the ball loose on the ground. Fullback Pat Creahanalertly tossed it out of the back of the endzone, saving the Leopards five points.
On the ensuing possession, Darius Safford's second interception of the game stopped any momentum from the Yale safety. Lafayette took over at its own 47 after a 12-yard return. Rodney Gould and Greg Stripe reeled in passes of 12 and 16 yards before Pat Mputufinished off the drive on the ground from six yards away. It was the first rushing touchdown of the season for the Leopards and the first of Mputu's career. Mputu ended with 18 carries for 83 yards.
The Bulldogs engineered their own scoring drive, using long catches (23 and 17 yards) to Chris Smith from QB Patrick Witt to move the ball. Witt found Elijah Thomas from 10 yards out for a touchdown to cut the Lafayette lead to 14-9 with 4:16 left in the half.
The Leopards weren't done on the scoreboard in the first half. Shoop connected with Gould again for a 34-yard gainer, and the Leopards were in business at the Yale 34. Facing 2nd-and-13 at the 20, Shoop tossed a pass to Mark Rossin the corner of the end zone for a 21-9 advantage they took into the locker room. Shoop completed 13-of-14 for 143 yards and two TD's in the first half and finished the night 17-of-21 for 176 yards.
Yale closed the gap in the third quarter. Philippe Panico booted a 24-yard field goal with 5:03 left in the third. As the game moved to the final quarter, Yale needed just one play to cut a nine-point deficit to two on Witt's 50-yard touchdown pass. Witt finished the game 18-of-40 for 270 yards with a pair of TD's and interceptions. Lafayette led 21-19 with 13:17 left.
The Bulldogs attempted an onsides kick that backfired when the ball didn't travel the necessary 10 yards. Lafayette took over at the Yale 34. Even with the stellar field position, the offense faced 4th-and-8 on the 32, electing to go for the first down. An 11-yard pass from Shoop to the Ross covered the necessary yardage, and the drive continued. Shoop picked up another first down with a scramble across the field for 10 yards. O'Neil came in for the next play and scored on a six-yard QB draw to lead 28-19.
Yale had a chance to cut the lead to six with 6:42 left, but Panico's a 22-yard field goal missed wide left after a bad hold. The Leopards closed out the game on Yale's final possession with two minutes left. The Bulldogs had the ball 4th-and-1 at the Lafayette 24, but Tyler McFarlanestuffed Alex Thomas for a loss.
Defensively, Nick Nardone made 11 tackles after earning the start at linebacker for Leroy Butler. Butler, who played just the second half, made five tackles. Jordan Haynes had a game-high 12 stops for Yale from his linebacker spot.
Lafayette continues its five-game homestand on Oct. 22, hosting Fordham on Homecoming weekend.
NOTES: Lafayette played without senior captain Mitch Bennett who missed the game this week due to illness and starting safety Evan McGovernwho was absent because of a non-football related injury sustained during the bye week.
The last time Lafayette won a game by nine points was Nov. 7, 1992 vs. Holy Cross.
