Around The Horn, 10/21/2007

• I'm really starting to like coach Tom Masella of Fordham. He goes out and coaches a huge win for Fordham by pretty much dominating Lafayette 34-23, and then he turns around and says, "I'd say we're officially in the mix for a Patriot League championship." Um, coach? If you beat Bucknell, who's winless in the league, and beat Holy Cross at home, you ARE the championship... that, sir, is not "in the mix". That's "in the driver's seat". Sophomore QB Josh Skelton is just getting stronger and stronger, completing his first 11 passes on the day on his way to a 323 yard passing day with 2 touchdowns passing and one running. He says how they kept Lafayette on their back foot: "We knew they'd blitz a lot and I think our first three of four passes were all screen passes and that helped us get them off balance. Then once we were able to figure out their blitz we were able to get it downfield." Here's something else: they're the first team to have figured out Lafayette's blitz all season. Two weeks from now, Fordham will in all likelihood be facing Holy Cross in the Bronx for the championship, and I think they have a great chance to do it.
• With Lehigh's tough time this weekend, what has fallen under the radar a little bit is how Lafayette has lost their last two games. That school in Easton is 4-3, but with wins over Marist, Columbia, a Joe Sandberg-less Penn, and Georgetown, their fans are also wondering how they will be finishing up the year as well. Although still techincally in the playoff chase, they need some help as they've now lost to Fordham (who beat Lehigh) and lost to Princeton and Harvard (whom Lehigh beat). Granted, their backfield has been injured extensively, and sophomore RB De'Andre Morrow has taken up the rushing load, but senior QB Mike DiPaola has struggled being "the man", especially against the better teams. Last week, he went 16 for 34 for 166 yards, 1 TD and an interception, prompting Tavani to put in sophomore QB Rob Curley who promptly went 11 for 12 for 107 yards and 1 TD. Can you say, "QB Controversy"?
• Colgate refused to go away in the Patriot League title chase as well, as they picked up a nice out-of-conference victory against an old "friend" in Towson. In their 27-17 victory over the Tigers, they also got an assist from Towson QB Sean Schaefer, who lofted three interceptions. But super junior RB Jordan Scott ultimately wore down Towson's defense, pummeling them for six first down runs in the fourth quarter and putting away the game-clincher with 45 seconds left. "I think we just stepped our game up as an offensive unit," Scott said in typical understated fashion. They will be a tough out the rest of the way, and their game against Lafayette next week will be in effect an elimination game for the loser. Should be a dandy.
• Finally, Georgetown won their first game of the year in Lewisburg, PA by a 20-17 score and giving head coach Kevin Kelly his first-ever Patriot League win as well. It was a game where the Hoyas battled through their own mistakes, with a fumble and senior QB Matt Bassuener throwing two interceptions. But Bucknell could not capitalize on the errors, and after Bucknell tied the game at 17 on 8 yard TD pass to freshman WR Shaun Pasternak from sophomore QB Marcelo Trigg with under 1 minute remaining. But a bad squib kick allowed the Georgetown offense to drive to the Bucknell 21 and allowed Georgetown to boot the game-winner through. Unfortunately for the Hoyas, though, senior WR Kyle Van Fleet, who had two key receptions on the game-winning drive, had a broken hand with torn ligaments - which could deprive Georgetown of one of their better offensive players.