Dawson drives Crimson

EASTON, Pa. -- Lafayette's offense excited its homecoming crowd of 5,365 with 399 total yards yesterday, but it was still no match for Harvard.

The Crimson (3-0), sparked by another dominant performance from sophomore tailback Clifton Dawson, took control in the second quarter en route to a 38-23 nonleague win. Dawson, who entered the game leading Division 1-AA in scoring, rushed for 172 yards and three touchdowns on 31 carries, passing the 100-yard mark for the ninth consecutive game.

In last year's meeting at Harvard Stadium, Dawson ran for a career-high 218 yards. Yesterday, he picked up where he left off, taking advantage of an explosive front line that blew open big holes for the 190-pounder from Scarborough, Ontario.

Dawson began his college career as a red-shirted freshman at Northwestern. "He's just a solid back," said Lafayette coach Frank Tavani. "He's a 1-A player playing at the 1-AA level, and that's to his credit that he has the academics. But he didn't go to Northwestern because he's not a good football player."

Lafayette, behind Joe McCourt's 101 rushing yards and Brad Maurer's 148 passing yards, was able to move the ball before running into red-zone problems. In the second quarter, a 22-play drive came up empty.

Harvard's Bobby Everett and Sean Tracy combined for 29 tackles and Tracy had three sacks and two interceptions.

"Our kids were very focused," said Harvard coach Tim Murphy. "Obviously, ball security has been important to us. When you have one turnover in three games you're going to win some football games."

Harvard opened the scoring midway through the first quarter after Tracy intercepted Maurer. Dawson capped the drive, vaulting in from the 1. Matt Schindel then missed his first extra point of the season.

Six minutes later, Brendan Stanford scored on a 19-yard reverse and Lafayette took its only lead, 7-6.

Harvard scored two touchdowns to take control in the second quarter. Corey Mazza scored on a 61-yard pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick after Fitzpatrick ran in from 4 yards.

"We sent our receivers vertical [on the TD pass] and scrambled a little bit," said Fitzpatrick. "Once the corners saw me rolling, we were able to make a big play off the scramble. We practiced that play all week."

With at least one school record -- touchdowns for a season -- well within his reach, Dawson praised the men in front of him. "Our offensive line is excellent," he said. "To break any record at Harvard would be an honor for me. There have been a lot of great players at Harvard. I'd be honored."

With nine TDs already this season, Dawson is four shy of the mark held by Chris Menick and Mike Giardi.