Lehigh and Lafayette: the 144th edition
11/18/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
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BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Lehigh meets archrival Lafayette on Saturday afternoon in the 144th meeting of college football’s most played rivalry at Fisher Stadium. The Mountain Hawks defeated Bucknell last weekend at home 31-15 behind the play of linebackers Tim Diamond (15 tackles) and Matt Cohen (five tackles, one interception, one fumble returned for touchdown). It was Lehigh’s 11th straight win over the Bison and sixth straight at home. Lafayette enters this weekend’s contest having lost to Holy Cross at home last week 27-26 on a last second touchdown pass from Dominic Randolph to Rob Koster. The Leopards have lost two straight games at home and are only 5-5 at Fisher Stadium since the start of the 2007 season.
Lafayette is led once again by one of the nation’s stingiest defenses, which has allowed only 16.2 points per game, good for eighth in the nation. The Leopards feature a strong defensive front and linebacking corps led by senior captain Andy Romans, the reigning Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year. Romans has accounted for a team-leading 87 tackles, including five-for-loss, as well as a pair of fumble recoveries. Junior linebacker Mark Leggiero is Lafayette’s second leading tackler with 85 total stops, including a team-best 12-for-loss. On offense, the Leopards rely on one of the largest offensive lines in the Patriot League (304-pound average) and a deep stable of running backs to churn out nearly 180 rushing yards per game. Five different Leopards have carried the ball at least 35 times, led by Tyrell Coon’s 96 attempts for 445 yards, and Maurice White’s 80 carries for 469 yards. Junior Rob Curley, the MVP of this game a year ago, was the starting quarterback for the majority of this season, totaling 1,302 passing yards and nine touchdowns, before suffering an injury versus Colgate three weeks ago. Sophomore Marc Quilling has since taken the reigns of the Leopard “O” and thrown for 498 yards and four touchdowns, amassing a passer rating of 150.84 in that time.
Lehigh and Lafayette feature two of the strongest linebacking corps in the Patriot League. Led by All-American Tim Diamond and All-League performer Matt Cohen, the Mountain Hawks starting foursome of Diamond, Cohen, Al Pierce, and Heath Brickner has combined for 230 tackles, including 28.5-for-loss, eight sacks and six interceptions. The Leopards are led by senior Andy Romans, and their starting trio of Romans, Mark Leggiero, and Neil Goldsmith has totaled 201 stops, including 20-for-loss, four-and-a-half sacks and four picks.
Saturday’s game will kick-off just after 1:00 in Easton. The game is sold out so those wishing to watch the 144th meeting can tune into live coverage on WFMZ-TV as well as Fox College Sports Pacific and Lehighsports.com. Steve Degler and Marty Horn will handle the commentary.
The contest will also be broadcast live on ESPN Radio 1230 and 1320 AM with Matt Kerr, Kody Fedorcha ’00 and Matt Markus. Pre-game coverage gets underway at 12:00.
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Date: |
November 22, 2008 |
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Opponent: |
Lafayette Leopards |
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Kickoff: |
1:00 PM |
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Stadium: |
Fisher Stadium/13,132/FieldTurf |
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Location: |
Easton, Pa. |
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Tickets: |
The game is sold out |
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Lehigh’s Record: |
4-6 overall, 3-2 Patriot League |
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Lafayette’s Record: |
7-3 overall, 3-2 Patriot League |
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Series: |
Lafayette leads 76-62. There have been five ties. |
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Television |
Live on WFMZ-TV and Fox College Sports Pacific with Steve Degler and Marty Horn ’86 |
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Radio |
ESPN Radio 1230 and 1320 AM with Matt Kerr, Kody Fedorcha ‘00, and Matt Markus beginning at 12:00 pm |
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Internet Broadcast: |
Lehighsports.com |
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Weekly Luncheon: |
Luncheons are held the Wednesday prior to each game at Copperhead Grille on Airport Road in Allentown, from 11:30 am – 1:00 pm |
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Key Stats: |
• Lehigh is fourth in the country in net punting, averaging 36.55 yards per punt. • The Mountain Hawks are averaging only 18.3 points in the last six meetings with Lafayette. • The Leopards have outscored their opponents by a combined 218 to 108 during the first three quarters this season, but have been outscored 54 to 44 in the fourth quarter. • Lafayette is eighth in America in scoring defense, allowing only 16.20 points per game |
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Behind Enemy Lines: |
