The Morning Call from Allentown, Pennsylvania • 58

C12 SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2005 THE MORNING CALL Lafayette gets offensive with HC LAFAYETTE 41, HOLY CROSS 21 BOTTOM LINE: Lafayette scored a season high in points to maintain a share of first place in the Patriot League. HOW THEY SCORED: r.ys Lafayette 7-3 Overall 4-1 Patriot League FIRST QUARTER Lafayette 7, Holy Cross 0 (10.15) Joe Ort 2 pass from Brad Maurer (Rick Ziska kick). The drive: Nine plays, 86 yards, 3:43. The key: Maurer and Brandon Stanford hooked up three times for 76. yards.

Lafayette 14, Holy Cross 0 (837) Shaun Adair 36 pass from Maurer (Ziska kick). The drive: Three plays, 57 yards, 1:34. The key: Ziska's kickoff bounced off Holy Cross' Ryan McGuire near the Lafayette 45-yard line, and the Leopards' Taj Murphy recovered at the 43. Lafayette 14, Holy Cross 7 (0:14.5) Sean Gruber 12 pass from John O'Neil (Mike DeSantis kick). The drive: Four plays, 29 yards, 1:46.

The key: Holy Cross' Tyler Nugent intercepted Maurer at the Lafayette 29-yard line. SECOND QUARTER Lafayette 21, Holy Cross 7 (11:26) Jonathan Hurt 1 run (Ziska kick). The drive: 10 plays, 64 yards, 3:48. The key: Hurt accounted for 47 yards of total offense. Lafayette 21, Holy Cross 14 (5:19) Gruber 8 pass from O'Neil (DeSantis kick).

The drive: 12 plays, 87 yards, 6:07. "There was just no letdowns today," Stanford said. "Today we did the little things. We executed and played that extra two percent, which made a big difference." Patriot League) amassed 448 yards of total offense and scored their most points since a 56-20 win over Holy Cross on Nov. 13, 2004.

"It was important today to do that because we knew what an important day it was for their guys," Lafayette quarterback Brad Maurer said. "They were coming out here with a lot of emotion on their Senior Day. These guys have been through a lot at Holy Cross. "It was very important that we try to neutralize that emotion early. Fortunately, we were able to do that with some long passes." Maurer started slinging the ball from the start After a 7-yard pass to Brandon Stanford (six catches, 122 yards) on Lafayette's first play from scrimmage, Maurer went deep down the left sideline to Stanford for 44 yards.

Lafayette's drive was in danger of stalling at Holy Cross' 32-yard line after Joe Ort and Archie Fisher dropped passes, but Maurer and Stanford connected again, this time for 25 yards on fourth-and-seven. Three plays later, Maurer (16-for-28, 242 yards) tossed the first of his career-high three touchdown passes, a 2-yarder to Ort. It was the first time this season Lafayette scored on its opening drive. The Leopards followed that score with a bit of good fortune. Rick Ziska tried a hard squib kick to the left that deflected off Holy Cross' Ryan McGuire Rick Bumham Special to The Morning Call LAFAYLTTFS JONATHAN HURT picks up tough yards on a 2nd-quarter drive in which he ran for 47 of the team's 64 yards, and had a 1-yard TD.

sandwiched two touchdowns around a Lafayette touchdown to close within 21-14, the Leopards finished the first half with two Ziska field goals. The second was a career-long 51-yard-er, the longest modern-day field goal in Lafayette history. George McCaa kicked a 53-yard-er against Brown in 1909. Lafayette then clinched the game away with a 67-yard scoring drive that bridged the third and fourth quarters. Maurer completed the drive with a 13-yard scoring pass to Nelson, and Ziska's extra point pushed the Leopards ahead 34-14.

HC First downs 26 19 Rushes-yards 47-206 29-105 Passing 242 182 Comp-Att-Int 16-28-1 16-38-1 Fumbles-tost 0-0 2-1 Penalties-yards 4-35 7-75 Punts-average 1-29 Holy Cross 5-5 Overall 2-3 Patriot League The key: O'Neil completed all four of his passes for 53 yards. Lafayette 24, Holy Cross 14 (1:10) Ziska 23 field goal. The drive: 12 plays, 61 yards, 4:09. The key: Maurer carried three times for 27 yards. Lafayette 27, Holy Cross 14 (0:00) Ziska 51 field goal.

The drive: Four plays, 21 yards, 0:22. The key. Maurer found Stanford for 22 yards on third-and-10 at the Lafayette 45-yard line to set up Ziska's career-long field goal. FOURTH QUARTER Lafayette 34, Holy Cross 14 (13:11) Dave Nelson 13 pass from Maurer (Ziska kick). The drive: 12 plays, 67 yards, 4:47.

The key: Lafayette went 3-for-3 on third downs. Lafayette 34, Holy Cross 21 (7:33) Luke Dugan 19 pass from O'Neil (DeSantis kick). The drive: 14 plays, 74 yards, 5:38. The key: A roughing-the-kicker penalty against Blake Costanzo gave Holy Cross a first down on a fourth-and-22 from the Holy Cross 26-yard line. Lafayette 41, Holy Cross 21 (5:28) Hurt 1 run (Ziska kick).

The drive: Five plays, 50 yards, 2:05. The key: Hurt carried four times for 49 yards, including a 36-yard run to the Holy Cross 2. RUSHING: Lafayette Jonathan Hurt 25-125, 2 TDs; Brad Maurer 12-55; Anthony D'Urso 4-10; Chris Williams 3-8; Michael Bernhard 1-3; Dave Nelson 1-3; Joe Russo 1-2. Holy Cross- Steve Silva 23-103; John O'Neil 5-14; TEAM Hminus-12). PASSING: Lafayette Maurer 16-28-1, 242 yards, 3 TDs.

Holy Cross O'Neil 15-37-1, 169 yards, 3 TDs; Ryan McManaway 1-1-0, 13 yards. RECEIVING; Lafayette-Brandon Stanford 6-122; Nelson 3-41, 1 TD; Hurt 2-13; Joe Ort 2-6. 1 TD; Shaun Adair 1-36, 1 TD; Brandon Hall 1-17; D'Urso 1-7. Holy Cross Luke Dugan 8-109, 1 TD; Sean Gruber 3-36. 2 TDs; Bob Turkovich 2-9; Thomas Harrison 1-16; Silva 1-6; Frank Herlihy 1-6.

stephen.milleramcall.com 610-820-6750 M-12). PASSING Threatt 18-30-1-258, Probst 2-4-1-8, Walker 1-1-0-36. Daniels 8-22-1-48, Fullman 2- 5-0-15. RECEIVING Porter 4-81, Walker 3-61, Rath 3- 34, Zeblium 3-18. Kovacs 2-40, Maggs 2-20, Thompson 1-29, Argenta 1-9, Thomas 1-7, Fay 1-3.

Melvin 2-17, Clarke 2-7, Coven 1-9, Haynes 1-8, Rayborn 1-7, Kirlew 1-6, Conroy 1-6, Prydatko 1-3. keith.grolleramcall.com 610-820-6740 1 LT25570R16 nzs, tonnnemai' SPECIAL VALUES! Viking Snomrtech 44.M 18S 60R1S 64.05 205 S5HR18 79 5 21S5SHR16. 81.95 FKtE lifetime Vav Stem lifetime Tirt RoMonl Extras Ever! down the field and we got a good pass rush all afternoon and controlled the line of scrimmage." Fordham's net-128 yards of offense was the lowest allowed by Lehigh this season, remarkable considering that both starting defensive ends Matt Mohler and Owen Breininger were out with injuries. The Mountain Hawks notched eight sacks, including three by Cooney, a Central Catholic graduate. "We started the season with a couple of new coaches and putting some new stuff in here and there, but it's coming together and we're playing our best defense of the season," Cooney said.

"We're peaking just before the last game of the regular season and that's exactly what you want to do." Leopards' 448 yards and 41 points are season-bests in win over Holy Cross. By Stephen Miller Of The Morning Call WORCESTER, Mass. When Dave Nelson crossed the goal line early in the fourth quarter, the home stands at Fitton Field started to empty. For the first time in a long time, Lafayette's offense had buried an opponent. The Leopards began their onslaught Saturday afternoon with touchdowns on their first two possessions.

By the time they finished their 41-21 Patriot League win over Holy Cross, they had a season-high point total. "I told them I was tired of reading that we were last in the league in red-zone offense," Lafayette coach Frank Tavani said. "We've got to finish things off. That's what it's about putting the ball in the end zone. Certainly we were able to do that." Saturday's victory kept Lafayette tied with Colgate and Lehigh atop the Patriot League standings.

The Leopards will play for at least a share of the league title next week at Lehigh in the 141st meeting with their archrivals. Lafayette will travel to Bethlehem brimming with confidence after its offense produced its best game of the season. The Leopards (7-3, 4-1 LEHIGH FROM PAGE CI Hawks have opportunity for title, revenge Field en route to a 24-10 win leaving both teams as league co-champs, but the Mountain Hawks with the sickening feeling of knowing it was whipped by its rival. The bitter memory of what happened that dreary day in Easton last November has been embedded in Lehigh minds for a year, but needed to be cast aside for 10 games. Now, even Mr.

One-Game-At-A-Time himself, coach Pete Lembo, can bring up Lafayette without chastising himself. "They won big today, right?" Lembo asked before getting confirmation of the Leopards' 41-21 rout of Holy Cross. "They scored a lot of points, their most since their Marist win. Obviously, they're playing very well, too." Lehigh has been "playing very well" ever since it lost in the mud to Holy Cross Oct. 8.

The Mountain Hawks' fifth straight win overall and fourth since sophomore Sedale Threatt became the starting quarterback was impressive. Lehigh (8-2, 4-1) scored touchdowns on four of its five possessions and outgained Fordham 347-48 in rolling to a 27-3 halftime lead. The Mountain Hawks then scored on their first possession of the second half before minds seemed to drift toward next week. Not even a fumble, interception and blocked punt, all in the third quarter, allowed the Rams (2-8, 2-4) to get back in it. And when freshman defensive end Paul Bode rumbled 60 yards with a fumble for a TD on the day's final day, Lehigh's best defensive showing of the season was complete.

"This was our most consistent defensive effort of the season," Lembo said. "The score indicates that, but also, with the exception of that one long run a 48-yarder by Jonte Coven we didn't give up any big plays. "We played the ball well in the air when they took shots Call Today 610435-8880 Mark Walter, DC INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS and it means everything. First downs 25 10 Rushes-yards 215 65 Passing 302 63 Comp-Att-Int 21-35-2 10-27-1 Punts 4-29 7-42 Fumbles-lost 1-1 3-2 Penalties-yards 5-50 1-15 INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS RUSHING Threatt 12-81, Rath 17-58, Thompson 12-51, Walker 1-16, Fay 2-9, Probst 1-0. Coven 6-52, Prydatko 14-33, Haynes 1-0, Daniels 1H-8), Fullman 18575R14 -ajv ar that it's a one-week seasoa So, I just wanted to come out focused and execute.

Our offensive line played great and the wide receivers made plays. "I was throwing up ducks and they were going up and getting them." Now, there's no ducking the issue. Lafayette week is here 175 80R13 PBWwmw mm LEHIGH 40, FORDHAM 3 BOTTOM LINE: Lehigh prepped for its showdown with Lafayette with season-best offensive and defensive performances. HOW THEY SCORED: at Lafayette's 45-yard line. Taj Murphy recovered at the Lafayette 43 to put Maurer and the offense back on the field.

"I wasn't really trying to hit him," Ziska said. "It was a squib kick and I was just trying to keep it low. I just got fortunate that their guy turned and ran, and I hit him in the back." Lafayette capitalized with another touchdown drive, this one ending with a 36-yard pass from Maurer to freshman wide receiver Shaun Adair, for a 14-0 lead. The Leopards never relented. After Holy Cross (5-5, 2-3) The job of the defense was made easier by Lehigh's offense.

It was unstoppable early in building the big lead, which made the Rams' attack one-dimensional. Threatt, coming off a so-so 10-for-23, 95-yard passing day against Georgetown, completed his first six passes. He wound up 18-for-30 for 258 yards and three touchdowns, while also running for 81 yards and another TD. He sparked a balanced attack that produced a 2005-best 517 yards of offense. "They say a quarterback has to have a short memory," Threatt said after leading Lehigh to its fourth straight 40-point performance.

"Last week I didn't play my best, but that was out the window. Coach Lembo stresses every day Fordham 2-8 Overall 2-4 League name Lehigh 21, Fordham 3 (8:24) Thompson 29 pass from Threatt (Musiek kick). The drive: Four plays, 77 yards, 0:54. The keys: Threatt hit Winfred Porter for 42 yards down the left sideline to the Fordham 29. Two plays later, Threatt found Thompson wide open in the right flat Lehigh 27 Fordham 3 (2:57) Rath 2 run (kick failed).

The drive: 12 plays, 62 yards, 4:52. The keys: Threatt kept for 19 yards and was 3-for-4 passing for 27 yards. THIRD QUARTER Lehigh 34, Fordham 3 (11:28) Maggs 2 pass from Threatt, (Musiek kick). The drive: Eight plays, 71 yards, 3:23. The keys: Threatt completed a 42-yard pass to Gerran Walker to the Fordham 19.

Threatt kept for 16 yards to set up first-and-goal at the 3. FOURTH QUARTER Lehigh 40, Fordham 3 (0:00) Paul Bode 60 fumble recovery. Memorial Hall Muhlenberg College Men's Tournament Friday, November 18 Lynchburg vs. Oneonta State 3 p.m. Muhlenberg vs.

Staten Island 8 p.m. Saturday, November 19 consolation, 3 pm championship, 8 p.m. sar Large selection of name Brand Winter Tires! im' imr.e 7W4 rKKienn i fjy iTYRES Lehigh 8-2 Overall 4-1 Patriot League FIRST QUARTER Lehigh 7, Fordham 0 (9:34) Eric Rath 14 pass from Sedale Threatt (Justin Musiek kick). The drive: Nine plays, 91 yards, 3:18. The keys: After a 15-yard pass-interference penalty got things started, Threatt went 4-for-4 for 39 yards and gained 23 yards on two carries.

Lehigh 7, Fordham 3 (4:31) FG, Benjamin Dato 44. The drive: 11 plays, 48 yards, 4:54. The keys: QB Derric Daniels had keepers of 8 and 19 yards and completed a 6-yard pass to Mike Melvin to the Lehigh 34 to convert on fourth-and-four. SECOND QUARTER Lehigh 14, Fordham 3 (14:56) Threatt 4 run (Musiek kick). The drive: 11 plays, 84 yards, 4:29.

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