Photo by Ally Hill ‘15 | Photo Editor
Porous Run Defense
Dating back to last season, the Lafayette defense has allowed opponents to rush for more than 150 yards for six straight games. All six games were losses – not exactly the recipe for success for a team that desires to keep its defense on the field for as few plays as possible.
How much longer will the streak last? The University of Pennsylvania features dual threat quarterback Billy Ragone ‘14 who rushed for 476 yards on 114 attempts a season ago. Starting running back Brandon Colavita ‘14 played in just two games last season due to injury.
Defensive players insist the yards are due to missed assignments, especially this season against Sacred Heart and William and Mary.
“You obviously have to credit both teams on their performances, but a lot of it was assignment for us,” senior linebacker Ben Aloi said. “The next day when you look at [the film], you say if we did this or that right it would be a completely different ball game.”
Fellow linebacker Dion King ‘14 agreed.
“Defense played a big part in the loss,” King said.
Both players say assignments were hammered home all week.
“It comes down to drilling your assignment and doing your 1/11th,” Aloi said.
Time will tell if those assignments are indeed drilled down.
Final UPenn Matchup?
In Tuesday’s media luncheon, a reporter asked Tavani if this could be the last ever matchup with Penn due to the scholarships recently introduced to the Patriot League.
Recently, Harvard announced that it dropped its series against Holy Cross.
“I certainly hope not,” Tavani said. “We’re still the academic league along with [the Ivy League]. The fact that we’re giving scholarships, I hate to tell you, is no different than what they’re doing with the guys under need-based aid every year.”
“I don’t have a doctorate degree, but when you give money over demonstrated need and call it institutional discretion, I call it scholarship. That’s my opinion and take it for what it’s worth. Geographically it makes sense, academically it makes sense, and traditionally it makes sense.”
A reporter then asked whom the Ivy League would play if they were to drop the Patriot League from its schedule.
Tavani retorted, “That’s a problem for the Ivy League athletic directors to figure out.”
Protecting The Quarterback
Quarterback Zach Zweizig ‘15 was only sacked once against William and Mary but was often lying on the turf after getting hit. On two occasions under pressure, Zweizig threw interceptions that resulted in pick-sixes.
“When we came in for film on Sunday morning after the game, the first thing [Offensive Line] Coach Stan Clayton addressed with us was the number of hits on the quarterback,” said Brad Bormann ‘14, a captain and offensive lineman. “The onus is on us most definitely to eliminate them entirely. That is something we are really going to address aggressively in practice this week.”
Injury Situation Update
•Freshman defensive lineman Andy Labudev suffered what is believed to be a broken leg in practice on Wednesday, sources told The Lafayette. If confirmed, Labudev will miss the rest of the season. Through two games, Labudev has recorded five tackles including one for loss.
•King injured his kneecap during last week’s game and as a result, will miss tomorrow night’s game against UPenn.
•Tailback Greg Kessel ‘14 continues to suffer from a shoulder injury. Tavani said he would not factor into the running back rotation tomorrow night.
•Safety Jared Roberts ‘15 is expected to return to the lineup.