By Michael Kelley ’14
Photo by Kate Cherney ’15/ The Lafayette and The Morning Call
Tuesday’s football media luncheon opened up with a question about Holy Cross’s four straight victories against Lafayette and Head Coach Frank Tavani didn’t take kindly to it.
“It’s nice when you get me aggravated right at the beginning,” Tavani said, sarcastically.
For Lafayette (4-2, 1-0 PL), tomorrow’s Homecoming game against Holy Cross (1-5, 1-1 PL) marks a chance for revenge, but more importantly, an opportunity to continue to control their own destiny within the Patriot League. After defeating Yale 20-10 last Saturday to end a two game skid, Tavani and Lafayette are hoping to build momentum for the final stretch of the season with another win, a task Tavani describes as difficult.
“We’re not fooled by Holy Cross’s record in any shape or form,” Tavani said. “Up to this point, Holy Cross has played the most difficult schedule in the Patriot League. They’re going to be a desperate football team that needs a win to keep themselves in the hunt.”
Led by quarterback Steven Elder ‘15, Holy Cross features an explosive offense that “can hit you for some points quickly.” Elder recently returned after missing the first four games of the season to injury. Against Colgate last week, Elder completed 24 of 39 pass attempts for 313 yards and two touchdowns. The dual threat can also run, compiling 42 yards and two rushing touchdowns in the 51- 35 loss.
Catching passes from Elder are wide receivers Gerald Mistretta ‘13 and Mike Fess ‘14. Mistretta is the big play receiver and leads the team with 354 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Fess is more of a possession receiver, leading the team with 37 receptions for 312 yards. Last season against Lafayette, Mistretta caught six passes for 84 yards and a touchdown in a thrilling, but controversial, 29-24 victory.
But on defense, Holy Cross struggles mightily. The Crusaders rank last in the league in defense, allowing 30.7 points and 415 yards per game.
One of Lafayette’s major weaknesses could become a strength tomorrow afternoon. Lafayette’s rushing attack averages only 88 yards per game,
but Holy Cross’s rushing defense yields 209 yards per game. So look for Lafayette running back Ross Scheuerman ‘15 to find running lanes early and often.
Looking at the Crusaders’s defensive statistics must have made quarterback Andrew Shoop smile. If the ground attack can get going, Shoop will have opportunities to connect through the air with his favorite target, wide receiver Mark Ross ‘14. Ross has strung together three straight 100-plus yard receiving games and has 34 catches for 486 yards and four touchdowns thus far.
“We just kind of know about each other,” Shoop said. “I have faith in him to make plays no matter where I put the ball and I expect him to catch it.”
In last season’s game, Shoop and Ross connected for 102 yards and two touchdowns.
A balanced attack is key for the Lafayette offense, which has struggled to find consistency this season.
“If we’re able to have a balanced attack, that will help us out a lot,” fullback Greg Kessel ‘14 said. “We have to keep them on their toes and make them not ready for run or pass.”
Shoop has missed two games this season, one due to suspension, the other with concussion symptoms, and is hoping to find consistency.
When asked if any symptoms still remain, he said, “Nah, nah, man, I’m good. I’m 100 percent and ready to play.”
On defense, Lafayette will continue to win the turnover battle, an area Tavani called “ever important. The defense’s 15 interceptions lead the nation.
And Tavani expects to see strong performances out of his linebacking corps, a group that has been maligned with injuries. A converted safety, linebacker Dion King ‘14 thrived last week, making 13 tackles.
“Coach T is always harping on next man in. I just had to cease the opportunity and take advantage of it,” King said.
If Lafayette can win, their chances for a Patriot League Championship are that much more realistic.
“These seniors are determined to win a championship and they’re right in the midst of that,” Tavani said.
Emotional Times: Leading up to last week’s game against Yale, five different Lafayette players suffered deaths of loved ones, including linebacker Chris Brockman ‘16, who had to return home to Texas to bury his beloved grandfather. Against Yale in what was an extremely heartwarming moment, Brockman had arguably the best performance of his career, registering eight tackles with a sack and an interception to make him Patriot League Rookie of the Week.
Fear the Beards: Kessel and defensive lineman Rick Lyster ‘13 have been growing beards for quite some time now, taking a page from several NFL players, including Pittsburgh Steeler Brett Keisel.
“He started last fall and I didn’t start till the spring so I’m trying to catch up with him,” Kessel said, laughing.
