Explorer football gets first win of season

By Adam Bagni
Collegian Staff
September 27, 2006

For Explorer kicker Anthony Perlozzo, the third time is the charm.

The sophomore nailed a 42-yard field goal with 1:53 remaining to help La Salle to a 24-21 victory over St. Francis (Pa.) Saturday at DeGol Field in Loretto, Pa. Perlozzo was unsuccessful in his first two field goal attempts of the year, missing from 48 and 36 yards. The win was La Salle’s first of the season, after dropping their first three games.

The game was actually iced not by Perlozzo, but rather his high school teammate and current roommate, sophomore Casey Walsh. In the game’s final minute, senior Morgan Lobelo sacked St. Francis quarterback Anthony Doria, forcing a fumble. Walsh jumped on the loose ball, allowing the Explorers to simply take a knee on their final possession. Walsh’s fumble recovery was the capper on a big day for the linebacker, who also had 5.5 tackles, and ran for a 25-yard gain on a fake punt early in the fourth quarter.

The fake-punt drive eventually led to Lou Russo’s third touchdown catch of the year, a 12-yard pass from sophomore Chris Hanson. The touchdown grab was Russo’s second of the game, and tied the score at 21. Russo scored his first touchdown of the game on a 13-yard catch with 9:02 remaining in the second quarter.

Hanson finally appeared to come into his own against the Red Flash, going 19-for-26 for 179 yards. Despite throwing an interception in his first offensive series, Hanson immediately bounced back with an 11-play, 65-yard drive that led to freshman Dave Macknet’s first collegiate touchdown run. Macknet barreled in from a yard out, after a fourth and goal offside penalty by St. Francis gave La Salle a new set of downs.

Despite the loss, the Red Flash (1-3) made a bit of history, thanks to wide receivers Michael Caputo and Luke Palko. The senior duo tied an NCAA Division I-AA record for most career catches by two players on the same team (395). The record has stood since 1986, when Darrell Colbert and Donald Narcisse of Texas Southern set the bar.

With the win, the Explorers likely avoided the dreaded “Battle of the Worst Teams in America” match-up. La Salle plays St. Peter’s in their season finale on Nov. 9, but is now ranked #237 of 241 in the BCS rankings. The Peacocks are ranked #240. La Salle is also ranked #237 according to USA Today. In addition, the Explorers are ranked 12th in total defense in Division I-AA, and seventh in pass defense, but these numbers are certainly skewed by the fact that they played two Division III teams earlier this season.

La Salle has a bye this week before they open up MAAC Football League play on Family Day. The Explorers will take on the Marist Red Foxes at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 7 at McCarthy Stadium.

bagnia1@lasalle.edu