HERO Sports welcomes you to "Two-a-Days", where we will preview every single one of the 125 FCS programs, with two being released each day from June 18 to August 18 (with the final day having three in one day). Today we give you … Lafayette.
[divider]MORE: Compare Any Two FCS Players or Any Two FCS Teams[divider]
FCS TEAM BY TEAM PREVIEW: The countdown
FCS PRESEASON TOP 25: The poll
FCS PRESEASON ALL-AMERICA: The teams
Lafayette (3-8 IN 2017)
Patriot League (Lafayette was T-3rd in 2017)
COACH: John Garrett – 2nd year (3-8)
2017 OFFENSE: 12.0 ppg (121st in FCS)
2017 DEFENSE: 27.2 ppg (71st in FCS)
SUM IT UP: John Garrett's second season with Lafayette should be called Operation Offense. The Leopards played decent defense in Garrett's inaugural season, but the offense ranked among the five worst in the entire subdivision. Among the unit's many issues: it averaged less than 40 rushing yards per game, and it scored 14 points or less in eight of 11 games. Of the three wins Lafayette did have, all three were primarily thanks to the defensive unit — the team won with offensive outputs of seven, 10 and 14 points.
In the off-season, Garrett brought in John Van Dam to work as the Leopards' offensive coordinator. Van Dam, who most recently worked as the OC at Southern Illinois, could breathe some life into an otherwise sputtering unit. He'll certainly have some talent to work with — rising sophomore Sean O'Malley looks impressive, regardless of what the overall numbers say.
BEST-CASE SCENARIO: It seems distinctly possible that Lafayette could open the season 0-5. The Leopards will have a chance to beat a young Sacred Heart team, but for now, games with Delaware, Monmouth, Colgate and Central Connecticut State all seem like matchups where Lafayette will be out of its depth. The Leopards should consider September an exhibition season where the primary goal is to get better, not necessarily to win games.
After a bye week to start October, Lafayette will host Georgetown in its homecoming game. That could end up being the first win of the fall, but it could also be a major stepping stone. A successful back end of the season with significant offensive development could put the Leopards in position to score a home upset of Lehigh in the final game of the regular season. Obviously, that would give everyone in Easton major cause for celebration, regardless of what the final tally on wins & losses looks like.
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BEST FCS PLAYER BY NUMBER: We count down, No. 99 through No. 1[divider]
TOP RETURNEE: LB Jerry Powe (Second-Team All-Patriot, 70 Tackles in 2017).
THE NEXT FIVE: DB Eric Mitchell (Second-Team All-Patriot, 17 Starts at Corner); QB Sean O'Malley (Set single-season program record with 241 completions); LB Michael Root (Leading returning tackler); RB Will Eisler (First-Team All-Patriot H-Back); DL Tony Giudice (33 Tackles, 4.5 TFL's).
TOP NEWCOMER: ATH Steven Stilianos (Unanimous First-Team All-State in Virginia)
DID YOU KNOW?: In 1896, Lafayette College produced the first non-Ivy football team to be recognized as national champions.
THE QUOTE: "Rich brings knowledge, experience and energy to our program. He has FBS and FCS coaching experience and a familiarity with recruiting Pennsylvania, as he grew up in State College with his dad working as part of the faculty at Penn State. He is an excellent teacher and a tireless worker who will be an excellent addition to our coaching staff." — Head Coach John Garrett, on new Linebackers coach Rich Yahner, after adding to the 2018 coaching staff in March.
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SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT
THE HASHTAG: #RollPards
FOOTBALL TWITTER: @LafColFootball
Spending the day at the iconic Wrigley Field. Thank you to Joe Maddon and the @Cubs for the hospitality today. #RollPards pic.twitter.com/38O4K1SrHp
— Lafayette Football (@LafColFootball) June 8, 2018
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BIG SKY BOMBSHELL: MSU Quarterback Chris Murray Won't Play in 2018
MORE PATRIOT LEAGUE PREVIEWS: Bucknell | Colgate | Fordham | Georgetown | Holy Cross
