Lafayette uses Curtis and late end zone pick by Smallwood to run Sacred Heart's season opener

Updated Sep. 2, 2023 9:30 p.m. ET

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FAIRFIELD, Conn. (AP) — Jamar Curtis ran for 171 yards and backup quarterback Dean DeNobile helped lead a late drive to help Lafayette spoil Sacred Heart's home opener with a 19-14 win to start the season for both teams on Saturday.

Curtis ran 47 yards to the Pioneers' 31-yard line with 1:35 left and Lafayette ran out the clock from there. Just two plays prior, Lafayette's Taylor Smallwood intercepted Sacred Heart's Cade Pribula in the end zone to preserve the 19-14 lead.

Lafayette reclaimed the lead when DeNobile guided the Leopards on a 13-play, 75-yard drive that ended with Nahjee Adams scoring from a yard out with 7:14 remaining.

The Leopards built a 13-0 advantage when Curtis ran for a 28-yard score early in the game, and just into the second quarter, Ryan Schuster ran it in from the 4 but the point-after kick missed.

Jalen Madison put the Pioneers on the scoreboard when he ran it from 17 yards with 1:28 before halftime. After a scoreless third, Sacred Heart took its lone lead when Pribula connected with Ethan Hillman on an 11-yard score with 11:41 remaining.

Pribula finished with 139 yards passing.

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AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll

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