By Eric Goldwein
Photos by Jack Fedak IV/ The Lafayette and courtesy of Tracey Kelly and Josh Sadlock
Lafayette Football’s (3-5, 0-2) winning streak froze on Saturday night after a 39-13 loss to the Bucknell Bison (5-4, 2-2). The loss eliminated the Leopards from Patriot League Title contention.
The wintry conditions proved costly to the Leopards, who dropped several passes and had trouble taking care of the football.
“It was certainly the worst conditions I’ve ever seen or been in 35 years of coaching,” Head Coach Frank Tavani said at Tuesday’s media luncheon.
“You got to overcome the circumstances,” linebacker Leroy Butler ‘12 said at the luncheon.
Lafayette was plagued by seven turnovers, two coming on special teams and the rest coming from quarterbacks Andrew Shoop ‘13 and Ryan O’Neil ‘12.
“You can’t turn the ball over like we did, at any level, and expect to win,” Head Coach Frank Tavani said at Tuesday’s media luncheon.
Lafayette took the lead in the first quarter when Shoop threw a 20-yard touchdown to receiver Mark Ross ‘14, but it went downhill from there for the Leopards. Bucknell regained the lead early in the second quarter and scored the game’s next 23 points.
The Bison put the game away with a 20-point fourth quarter.
Six of Lafayette’s seven turnovers came in the second half, including an interception midway through the third quarter where Bucknell defensive back Sean Rafferty ‘12 took it back 12 yards for a touchdown.
Shoop and O’Neil struggled, gaining only 166 yards passing. They combined for two touchdowns, two fumbles and three interceptions.
Hayes led the Leopards with 72 receiving yards. He and Ross were the only players to collect multiple receptions.
Lafayette’s running woes reappeared after gaining 260 yards and five touchdowns on the ground against Fordham in the previous game.
Tailback Vaughn Hebron ‘13 led the effort, rushing for 18 yards on seven carries. Pat Mputu ‘14 and Ross Scheuerman ‘15 combined for 18 rushing yards on 13 attempts.
Bucknell tailback Tyler Smith ‘13 ran over the Lafayette defense, gaining 212 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.
The Leopards face the Colgate Raiders (4-5, 0-2) tomorrow night at 6:00 p.m. in the final home game of the season. Colgate, also winless in the Patriot League, has had a down year.
“[Colgate has] had a lot of opportunities but been so inconsistent and let some things get away from them,” Tavani said.
The Leopards will keep a close eye on tailback Nate Eachus ‘12, who has been slowed down with injuries this season. Eachus has 599 yards and nine touchdowns in his three career games against Lafayette.
For Lafayette’s seniors, tomorrow night’s game will be their last on Fisher Field.
“Going out and getting a win in front of the home crowd is something that we would remember,” Hayes said.