EASTON, Mass. - Junior Kente Edwards rushed for three touchdowns and his first 100-yard career rushing game on Saturday in the Leopards' 42-26 win over Stonehill. The junior tailback accounted for 127 of Lafayette's 319 yards on the ground as Lafayette controlled the pace of the game from start to finish.
 
Edwards was one of four players to score a touchdown, joining classmate Ethan Weber (36-yard run), sophomore Jason Penza (29-yard run) and senior Dean DeNobile (1-yard run). Junior WR Carson Persing ended the day with a career-best 108 receiving yards. Sophomore S Kevin Dodard led the defensive effort for the Maroon and White, pacing the team with eight tackles.
 
Stonehill received the ball first to open the contest, using run-pass options to move the chains downfield. The Skyhawks' first drive stalled around midfield when Dodard made a diving play to swat the ball away.
 
Following a punt, DeNobile and company took over at their own 25-yard line. Weber got things started with a 20-yard run on the offense's first play of the game, setting the tone for the rest of the drive. Lafayette moved the ball with ease, with back-to-back runs of 10 and 11 yards from Penza and Edwards, respectively, before DeNobile connected with Ethan Hosak for a nine-yard gain. Shortly after, Edwards notched his first touchdown of the game on a four-yard carry and a 7-0 lead.
 
Ryan Gadson's interception off the hands of the receiver stopped the Skyhawks' next drive and allowed the Maroon and White to take over in the Stonehill half of the field. Edwards remained a focal point, picking up rushes of five and 11 yards. The Annandale, N.J. native found the endzone yet again, with his second score that pushed the Leopards' lead to 14 with 14:12 left in the second quarter.
 
Stonehill QB Jack O'Connell kept things close in the second quarter, completing an 18-yard touchdown pass to Zachary Kim that cut the Lafayette advantage to 14-6. After the score, the hosts' point after attempt was blocked by Jalen Edwards, who flew off the edge untouched to tip the kick. 
 
Following the tipped PAT, Lafayette regained possession and created breathing room after Penza took the quarterback option 29 yards for the house. Near the end of the second quarter, Weber broke free for a 36-yard touchdown, pushing the lead to 28-6.
 
In the first half, Stonehill held a 18:08 time of possession, in comparison to the Maroon and White's 11:52. Despite the difference, the Leopard offense outgained the Skyhawks 224-146.
 
The Leopards opened the second half with a hand-off to Edwards, who proceeded to scamper 78 yards untouched for the hat trick. In the third quarter, Lafayette led 35-6 with 14:40 left.
 
Stonehill added in two late touchdowns to wrap things up in the Leopards victory.
 
Lafayette's 319 rushing yards marks the first time since Sep. 30, 2023 that the Maroon and White have ran for 300+ yards in a game (316 vs. Bucknell). DeNobile finished the contest by completing 11 of his 18 passes for 132 yards and an interception. The senior chipped in 13 yards on the ground and a touchdown.
 
Defensively, Darien Riley, Ahmir Crawley and Dominic Selvitelli all registered a sack with Crawley managing three tackles for loss. Linebacker Beckham Dee recorded seven tackles, with Joey Shimko following behind with six.
 
 Lafayette continues its three-game roadtrip next weekend, with a 1 p.m. Saturday matchup with Patriot League foe Georgetown.