EASTON, Pa. – Lafayette's 35-28 win at Richmond on Saturday included several outstanding individual performances, one resulting in Patriot League Offensive Player of the Week plaudits.
Junior RB Kente Edwards continued to make his case for Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year honors by securing his sixth Offensive Player of the Week award. Edwards carried 26 times for a career-best 265 yards, including two touchdowns in the road victory which improved Lafayette to 6-0 in Patriot League play for the first time in school history.
It was the third-best single-game rushing performance in Lafayette history and Edwards' third game with 200-plus rushing yards. His touchdowns of 61 and 70 yards set a new Lafayette single-season rushing TD mark, eclipsing the record (16) established in 1989. The Annadale, N.J. native has 1,297 yards on the season, the sixth best rushing season in school history.
Freshman WR Nick Bierman introduced himself in a big way against the Spiders. The Marvin, N.C. native made three catches (two for TDs) for 52 yards. His 26-yard score gave Lafayette a 14-7 lead in the second quarter and his 21-yard TD reception extended the Leopard margin to 21-7 early in the third quarter.
Senior Dean DeNobile was on the front end of three TD's, completing 14-of-21 for 165 yards. Defensively, sophomore CB Ryan Gadson had nine tackles and five pass breakups to lead the Leopards.
With the win at Richmond, Lafayette improved to 8-3 overall. The outcome set up a de facto Patriot League championship game of nationally-ranked teams. No. 24 Lafayette hosts an undefeated No. 4 Lehigh squad on Saturday at Fisher Stadium in the 161st Meeting of college football's most-played rivalry.
