We can't get to Lehigh/Lafayette without celebrating the week that was: the Fordham game which got us to this game for "all the marbles" in the Patriot League. There will be plenty of time for breaking down "THE Rivalry" (Wednesday), talking about the personal side of "THE Rivalry" (Thursday), and, of course, what folks are saying around the water cooler (Friday). For now, we give out game balls for last week's game.On offense, it's fitting that we give balls to senior RB Marques Thompson and the "O" Line, junior T Jimmy Kehs, senior G Pete Morelli, senior C John Reese, senior G Jim Petrucelli, and senior T Jason Russell. The line simply smothered the Fordham defensive line and forged 237 net rushing yards for our offense, while Thompson scorched the Rams to the tune of 144 all-purpose yards and 3 TDs. A completely dominating performance for a boatload of seniors who are the reason why we're here this year.
Defensively I'll give the ball to three more seniors: LB Micah Greene, LB Chris LaMont, and CB Brannan Thomas. Micah's pursuit inside and outside and Chris LaMont's pass rush were especially disruptive to Fordham's young QB, with LaMont getting 2 sacks and Micah getting 8 tackles. For momentum-changers, you can't get much better than Brannan Thomas' two huge interceptions in the first half, directly leading to 10 unanswered Lehigh points. Overall, a great effort.
Since I'm not being stingy with the game balls today, I'm also going to give out two special teams game balls this week too. Senior WR/PR Frank "Al Del Greco" Trovato gets one, while sophomore RB/KR Josh Pastore gets another. Not only did they both combine for 140 return yards, they also added 2 TDs on offense as well. Before this game I said Fordham's special teams were an advantage over Lehigh, but they went out and proved who the better unit was today.
Congratulations to all the seniors who really made "Senior Day" special! Now, all we need is one more big day from them...
Press Roundup
Allentown Morning Call:
Lehigh's Marques Thompson Earns Marquee Status
Upshot: ''We lost the last two years, and for the seniors, this is our last go-around,'' Marques said. ''We just have to step up and make the plays necessary to win this game. We want to go to the playoffs. Losing to Lafayette is unacceptable.''
Groller: Lehigh Has Rallied From Poor Start, But Next Week Is True Test
Upshot: The frustration of '04 and the despair of '05 haven't been forgotten by Lehigh's players [against Lafayette].''Those two losses have been on everyone's mind,'' said senior wide receiver Frank Trovato. ''We can finally talk about it now. We know what we have to do. If we play our football, Lehigh football, I think we'll come out on top.'' ''It would be hard,'' Coen said when asked if he'd consider the season a success even with a loss in Easton. ''We know what's at stake. Whoever loses next week, that taste will be pretty sour. I'll still respect the kids no matter what happens and appreciate the work they've put in. But they want to win. I do, too.''
Easton Express-Times:
Lehigh/Lafayette For Playoffs
Upshot: "I'm obviously very excited," said Lehigh coach Andy Coen, whose team moved to 6-4 overall and 5-0 in league play with its fourth straight win. "The goal this year was to play well so our seniors could walk off Goodman Stadium with a good memory and at least part of a championship. But we all know there's bigger fish to fry coming up."
Brown & White:
Win Sets Up Pivotal Lafayette Clash
Upshot: Lehigh Head Coach Andy Coen said [RB Marques "Mud"]Thompson can make something out of nothing. “His vision is as good as any back I’ve coached.” “As a team we’re beginning to put four quarters together,” Thompson said. “The guys are working real hard in practice and I think that’s transferring over to the game.”
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