Lehigh welcomes rival Lafayette in 143rd meeting

11/13/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football

Lehigh closes out its season on Saturday afternoon with the 143rd meeting of college football’s most played rivalry as the Mountain Hawks welcome archrival Lafayette to Goodman Stadium.  Lehigh is coming off one of its most well-rounded performances of the season last weekend in a 38-10 win at Bucknell, which featured a stingy defense that held the Bison to eight total yards in the second half and a strong rushing attack that gained 238 total yards and scored three touchdowns.  Lafayette has won its last two contests, including an eye-opening 31-21 victory at Holy Cross last weekend.  This weekend’s meeting is the 75th all-time between Lehigh and Lafayette in Bethlehem and the tenth time they have played at Goodman Stadium. 

 

With two straight victories, including a convincing 31-21 win at Holy Cross last weekend, Lafayette comes into this game riding high.  The Leopards feature the Patriot League’s top defense in terms of both points allowed and yards surrendered.  Leading the way is junior linebacker Andy Romans, who enters today with 103 tackles, good for second best in the Patriot League.  Kyle Sprenkle anchors a strong defensive line with 53 total tackles, including 5.5 for loss.  On offense Lafayette has found its niche with a re-newed commitment to the run that has yielded an average of 197.8 yards per game in the last four.  Five Leopards have rushed for at least 220 yards this season, led by Anthony D’Urso who has totaled 318 yards, while Brandon Mitchell is the team’s top scorer with six touchdowns.  At quarterback, sophomore Rob Curley has started the last three games for the Leopards and has looked sharp in doing so.  He threw for 174 yards and three scores in his debut versus Colgate and followed that up with a 13-for-20 showing for 161 yards and one score versus Bucknell.  Last weekend in Worcester, Massachusetts, the New Jerey native threw for 185 yards and one score in the win over Holy Cross. 

 

Against Bucknell, Lehigh turned the ball over two times, while forcing three Bison turnovers.  That pushed the Mountain Hawks record to a perfect 5-0 this season when creating more turnovers than their opponent.  The last time Lehigh had more turnovers than its opponent and still managed to win was last season at Villanova.

 

Saturday’s kick off is set for just after 12:30 from Goodman Stadium.  The game is officially sold out, but will be shown live on WFMZ-TV, Fox Sports Net Pittsburgh and Fox College Sports Atlantic as well as Lehighsports.com with Steve Degler, Marty Horn ’86 and Troy Hein on the call.  The game will also be broadcast live on ESPN Radio 1230 and 1320 AM as well as Lehighsports.com with Matt Kerr, Kody Fedorcha ’00 and ESPN Radio’s Matt Markus providing the commentary.

 

Date:

November 17, 2007

Opponent:

Lafayette Leopards

Kickoff:

12:30 pm

Stadium:

Goodman Stadium/16,000/Natural Grass

Location:

Bethlehem, Pa.

Tickets:

The game is sold out

Lehigh’s Record:

5-5 overall, 2-3 Patriot League

Lafayette’s Record:

6-4 overall, 3-2 Patriot League

Series:

Lafayette leads 75-62-5

Last Meeting:

Lafayette 49, Lehigh 27 (at Lafayette, 2006)

Television:

WFMZ-TV, Fox Sports Net Pittsburgh, Fox College Sports Atlantic (live) with Steve Degler, Marty Horn ’86 and Troy Hein

Radio:

ESPN Radio 1230 and 1320 AM with Matt Kerr, Kody Fedorcha ‘00 and ESPN Radio’s Matt Markus at 11:00 am

Internet Broadcast:

Lehighsports.com

Weekly Luncheon:

Luncheons are held the Wednesday prior to each game at Starter’s Restaurant on Rte. 378 in Bethlehem, from 11:30 am – 1:00 pm

Game Notes:

Click Here

Key Stats:

• Lehigh has allowed an average of only 10.3 points per game in its last three contests.

• Saturday’s game features a pair of strong defensive units with Lehigh ranked 26th in FCS, allowing 21.1 points per game, and Lafayette allowing just 16.9 points, good for 13th.

• In the nine previous games played between these rivals at Goodman Stadium, only twice has the winner scored fewer than 30 points (1999, 2005).

• Lafayette enters this game ranked second in the nation in total defense, allowing an average of just 262.6 yards per game.  The Leopards are surrendering only 83.7 yards rushing per game, good for fourth in all of America.

Behind Enemy Lines:

http://goleopards.com

 

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