By Michael Kelley ’14 and Ben Brown ’14
Photo by Kate Cherney ’15/ The Lafayette
The Lafayette defense, though tested repeatedly, made multiple big plays, including three turnovers, leading Lafayette to a 20-14 victory against Bucknell University (1-2) this afternoon.
The victory makes Lafayette 3-0 for the first time since 2008.
Leading the nation with a +3.5 turnover differential, the defense added another chapter to its impressive season start, intercepting two passes and forcing a fumble, running its season turnover total to 13. Last season, Lafayette recorded just 12 turnovers.
In his first game back since his suspension, quarterback AndrewShoop ‘13 completed 22 of 34 passes for 278 yards and one touchdown. Shoop, a Danville, Pa. native, played before more than 100 family and friends and led scoring drives of 58, 34, 70, and five yards.
Obviously coming back home is a good feeling,” Shoop said. “Having a lot of friends and family here to support you and show love for what it is we do.”
Senior Kyni Scott’s interception on Bucknell’s second drive gave the Lafayette offense the ball. Five plays later, fullback Greg Kessel ‘14 dove over the top of the Bucknell defense from the one-yard line to score the game’s first touchdown.
Punts were exchanged until Lafayette drove into field goal range for Ryan Gralish ‘16, who converted a 46-yarder with room to spare.
The long field goal was no surprise to Head Coach Frank Tavani and the coaching staff, who consistently watch the “strong-legged” Gralish kick 62 yarders in practice.
Bucknell, whose offense performed poorly in the first half, finally struck through when quarterback Brandon Wesley ‘14 broke two Lafayette tackles to scramble for 45 yards. Wesley then completed a 12-yard touchdown pass to tight end Nick Gatto ‘13.
The offense responded with a 70-yard drive that ended with an eight-yard touchdown pass to tight end Brandon Hall ‘14. Hall made a diving catch in the back of the end zone.
Shoop was forced to rely on his arm all game as the running game struggled heavily. Overall, Lafayette rushed 31 times for 11 yards, averaging a mere 0.4 yards per carry, something Tavani is very displeased with.
“As a former tailback, that’s not going to sit well,” Tavani said. “We’ve got a lot of work to do.”
The third quarter was scoreless. Bucknell missed a field goal wide left as time expired, allowing Lafayette to maintain its 17-7 lead heading into the fourth.
On Bucknell’s next drive, co-captain Darius Safford ‘13 forced a fumble that was recovered by Kyle Sakowski ‘16. Although the offense couldn’t convert off the turnover, the defense gave them the ball right back with an interception by safety Jared Roberts ‘15.
Roberts ran sideline-to-sideline, zigzagging his way down to the Bucknell 14 yard line. Three plays later, Gralish entered to kick a 26-yard field goal.
“The pick was just great blocking by everybody on defense,” Roberts said. “They sustained their blocks for as long as I was running.”
With seven minutes to go and Bucknell still unable to move the ball offensively, the game seemed out of reach. But after a fourth down conversion and then a 12-yard touchdown run by Wesley, the game was still in reach with 2:34 seconds left.
An onside kick was recovered by running back Ross Scheuerman ‘15. The offense stuttered though, leaving Bucknellwith one last chance.
But a sack by Chris Brockman ‘16 ended any hopes for a comeback, sealing the victory for Lafayette.
Bucknell had eight penalties for 70 yards, most at inopportune times. Whenever momentum seemed to shift to their side, a holding call or illegal procedure halted their drive.
Punter Ethan Swerdlow ‘13 put Bucknell in tough field position time and again, landing three punts inside the 20-yard line.
Lafayette will attempt to stay undefeated next week when they travel to Robert Morris (0-3). Kick off is set for 6 p.m.
