EASTON, Pa. — Jamar Curtis made a significant impact in the first half, scoring two touchdowns as Lafayette bounced back from a previous shutout to secure a 31-17 victory against Sacred Heart in a non-conference matchup on Saturday.

The Leopards (4-3) had suffered a tough defeat against Georgetown the weekend before, ending in a 17-0 loss where they struggled to possess the ball for nearly 18 minutes less than their opponents. In contrast, this week, Lafayette outperformed the Pioneers by controlling the ball for over seven minutes longer.

Curtis initiated the scoring during a lengthy 12-play, 70-yard opening drive in the first quarter that lasted over five minutes. He pushed through from the one-yard line for the touchdown. Although Jalen Madison equalized with a 6-yard touchdown for Sacred Heart (3-5), Lafayette quickly regained control with back-to-back touchdowns from Troy Bruce and Curtis, bringing the score to 21-7 early in the second quarter.

Madison responded with a 27-yard touchdown run midway through the second quarter, but Jack Simonetta’s 23-yard field goal extended Lafayette’s lead to 24-14 by halftime.

The Leopards’ rushing attack was impressive, accumulating 297 yards total. Curtis was the standout, amassing 156 yards on 27 carries, while Bruce contributed 83 yards and a touchdown on 14 runs. Dean DeNobile completed 9 of 15 passes for 84 yards, also throwing an interception and scoring the final touchdown on a one-yard run early in the fourth quarter.

On the other side, Madison led Sacred Heart with 91 rushing yards on 17 attempts, scoring both of the team’s touchdowns. Sacred Heart now faces a challenging season, having lost all four of their games on the road.