By Eric Goldwein

Photo by Steve Tringali/ The Lafayette

The rejuvenated Lafayette Leopards (3-4, 0-1) will look for their third straight win tomorrow night at 6:00 p.m. against the Bucknell Bison (4-4, 1-2) in their first league matchup since the week-two loss to Georgetown (6-2, 2-1).

The Leopards defeated the Fordham Rams 45-24 on homecoming, giving the team its first two-game winning streak since 2009.

Lafayette fell behind 14-7 in the first quarter but tacked on 20 second-quarter points to take a double-digit lead heading into half time. Quarterback Andrew Shoop ‘13, tailback Vaughn Hebron ‘13 and fullback Greg Kessel ‘14 each had rushing touchdowns in the quarter.

“We’re finally to the point where we are playing as a team,” Shoop, who threw for 259 yards and a touchdown in the homecoming victory, said

First year kicker Austin O’Brien’s 31-yard field goal extended the Leopards’ lead in the third quarter.

The Rams trimmed Lafayette’s lead to six points late in the fourth quarter, but the Leopards recovered an onside kick and tailback Patrick Mputu ‘15 took the drive’s opening play 39-yards for a touchdown. Minutes later, Hebron rushed for a seven-yard touchdown to put the game away.

Lafayette heads into the game hungry and healthy. Hebron and receiver Kyle Hayes ‘12 have missed most of the season due to injury, but were a key part of the Leopard attack on Saturday.

“We’re getting a lot of guys back that we didn’t have at the beginning of the season,” quarterback Andrew Shoop ‘13 said. “[They] are stepping in and really helping this offense.”

Hebron rushed for 65 yards, while Mputu had 119 and Ross Scheuerman ‘15 added 55. After recovering from an ACL tear, Hebron returned this season only to injure an ankle against Georgetown.

Receiver Kyle Hayes ‘12 had four catches for 98 yards in his second game back.

“Getting everybody healthy has given the whole team another bounce on our step,” Shoop said.

Mputu has been the team’s top rusher the last two games, after missing the first five weeks due to a suspension.

Scheuerman continues to impress, averaging 11 yards-per-carry in the win and taking home Patriot League Rookie of the Week honors.

Linebacker Leroy Butler ‘12 led the defensive effort and had a career-high 20 tackles, while cornerback Brandon Ellis ‘12 and Tyler McFarlane ‘12 each had double-digit tackles.

Linebacker Ben Eaton ‘12 had nine tackles and had a key interception in the third quarter.

The Leopards look for their tenth consecutive victory over the Bison at Fisher Stadium.

“We’re talking about the next game and trying to beat Bucknell. That’s our focus,” Head Coach Frank Tavani said. “We believe we can overcome anything.”