EASTON, Pa. – Lafayette football came to play on Saturday of Homecoming Weekend, battling No. 6/9 Holy Cross deep into the fourth quarter in an eventual 24-21 final from Fisher Stadium.
 
Senior LB Marco Olivas headlined a strong effort for the Lafayette defense, making 13 tackles, including 10 solo stops. The Leopards registered three sacks for a loss of 33 yards, including one by Malik Hamm, and also picked off a pass. The defense limited Holy Cross to 82 passing yards and 99 rushing yards while holding the Crusaders 15 points below their season scoring average.
 
Offensively, Lafayette pounded out 163 yards on the ground, its largest output of the season, thanks to 133 yards by senior Jaden Sutton. For Sutton, it was his third career 100-yard rushing game and the Leopards' first since Oct. 2, 2021. The running game allowed Lafayette to dominate time of possession by 13 minutes and be in position to win the game in the fourth quarter.
 
Holy Cross punched in the first score of game with 28 seconds left in the first quarter. Matthew Sluka's 42-yard pass to Jalen Coker set it up. Jordan Fuller's second run after the long reception, a one-yard plunge, gave the Crusaders a 7-0 lead.
 
On the first offensive possession of the second quarter, the Leopards evened the score. With sophomore Ah-Shaun Davis getting his first start of the season under center, Lafayette put together a seven-play, 75-yard scoring march over four minutes. The Leopards used the run and pass to move the ball with Sutton managing runs of 14 and 17 yards. Davis then hit sophomore Chris Carasia, who fended off a Crusader defender, for his first collegiate touchdown catch.
 
With 2:30 left in the half, Holy Cross took a 10-7 lead on a 31-yard Derek Ng field goal.
 
Special teams bit the Leopards just before end of the half. Holy Cross' Devin Haskins blocked Brian Henesey's punt, scooped it up at the 14-yard line and returned it for a touchdown. Holy Cross led 17-7 at halftime. For Haskins, it was his fourth straight game with a blocked punt.
 
The Leopards received the opening kick-off of the second half. Sutton's 41-yard run up the middle on the second play of the drive set them up at the Holy Cross 31-yard line. Lafayette went with the double-reverse flea flicker which eventually resulted in Davis hitting freshman Elijah Steward for a 31-yard scoring strike. Henesey's PAT was true and Lafayette cut the deficit to 17-14 just 1:34 into the second half.
 
Lafayette took its first lead of the game at 13:32 in the fourth quarter. The Leopards marched 71 yards on eight plays to snatch a 21-17 advantage. Davis found  Carl Smith in the near corner of the end zone where he made a leaping grab to reel in his first career touchdown.
 
On the ensuing possession, Holy Cross took over near midfield following a short kick, solid return, and penalty. On the second play from scrimmage junior LB Preston Forney made a leaping grab to pick off Sluka.
 
The Leopard offense was stifled by Holy Cross' defense on the subsequent possession and was forced to punt. On the punt, the low snap went through Henesey's hands and he covered it up at the Lafayette  32-yard line.
 
It was up to the Lafayette defense. The Maroon and White responded, forcing a 3rd-and-7 at the 18-yard line.  Sluka completed a strike to Fuller for a first down at the 21-yard line. The play was reviewed, as it appeared the ball came loose, but the call stood as ruled on the field. 
 
The defense continued to stand up. Lafayette forced a 4th-and-goal from the 16-yard line. With light pressure, Sluka stepped up and zipped a pass to Justin Shorter for the score. Ng added the PAT for the 24-21 Holy Cross lead with four minutes to go.
 
Lafayette took over at the 25-yard line after a fair catch on the kickoff. On the second play from scrimmage, Davis' pass hit off a Holy Cross defensive lineman and was intercepted by Haskins.
 
The defense forced a 26-yard field goal by Ng that missed wide right and gave the Leopards a final chance. They took over with 2:24 left, but could not move the ball, turning it over on downs after a penalty and a sack. Holy Cross got the ball back with 1:48 and ran out the clock on the 24-21 final.
 
The Leopards remain at home before two games on the road, hosting Georgetown on Oct. 29 at 12:30 p.m. It will be Senior Day at Fisher Stadium.