Lehigh seeks fifth straight win over Lafayette Saturday in 148th meeting
11/13/2012 3:32:00 PM | Football
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The 148th edition of college football's most played rivalry will take place Saturday at Fisher Stadium as No. 12/14 Lehigh battles Lafayette. The Mountain Hawks will be looking to bounce back last week's tough 35-24 setback to Colgate. Lehigh led 24-14 at halftime but was kept off the scoreboard in the second half as the Mountain Hawks suffered their first loss of the season.
The Mountain Hawks will be gunning for their fifth straight win over the Leopards while also looking to strengthen their resume for a potential at-large playoff berth.
A win Sat
urday gives Lafayette its first winning season since 2009. The Leopards will look to end their season on a high note after dropping three consecutive games, including a 36-27 setback at Fordham last Saturday.
urday gives Lafayette its first winning season since 2009. The Leopards will look to end their season on a high note after dropping three consecutive games, including a 36-27 setback at Fordham last Saturday.Not only has Lehigh won its last four games over Lafayette but the Mountain Hawks have scored a touchdown on defense or special teams in all four of those wins. n 2008, John Kennedy's fourth-quarter 94-yard interception return for a touchdown clinched the Mountain Hawks' first victory over the Leopards since 2003, lifting Andy Coen to his first victory over Lafayette. Two years ago, Jon Littlejohn's five yard return off a Shane Ryan blocked punt gave Lehigh a 13-10 lead in what ended up a 20-13 Mountain Hawks win.
With a victory on Saturday Lehigh would reach the ten win mark for the third straight season and the tenth time in school history. The Brown and White also posted seasons of ten or more wins in 1888, 1977, 1979, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2010 and 2011. The school record for wins in a season is 12, held by the 1977, 1998 and 2000 squads.
Lehigh and Lafayette meet for the 148th time Saturday afternoon with the Leopards holding a 76-66 lead. There have also been five ties in the series with the last occurring in 1964. Lehigh has won the last four meetings against Lafayette, while the Leopards won the previous four. The Mountain Hawks have won 12 of the last 17 meetings in the series. Saturday's game marks the 71st meeting in Easton and the fourth since the Fisher Stadium renovation.
Saturday's game will kick-off just after 1 p.m. in Easton. A limited number of tickets are available and can be purchased through Lafayette. The 148th meeting will be televised on WFMZ-TV, Fox College Sports Pacific, DirecTV Channel 626 and Lehighsports.com. Steve Degler and Mike Yadush '93 will handle the commentary. The contest will also be broadcast live on ESPN Radio 1230 and 1320 AM with Matt Kerr, Tom Fallon and Matt Markus. Pre-game coverage gets underway at noon.
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Date:
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November 17, 2012
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Opponent:
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Lafayette Leopards
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Kickoff:
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1:07 p.m.
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Stadium:
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Fisher Stadium/13,132/FieldTurf
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Location:
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Easton, Pa.
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Tickets:
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A limited number of tickets are available through Lafayette
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Lehigh's Record:
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9-1 overall, 3-1 Patriot League
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Lafayette's Record
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5-5 overall, 2-2 Patriot League
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Series:
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Lafayette leads 76-66-5
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Television
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Live on WFMZ-TV, FCS Pacific and DirecTV Channel 626 with Steve Degler, Mike Yadush '93 and Troy Hein
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Radio
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ESPN Radio 1230 and 1320 AM with Matt Kerr, and ESPN Radio's Tom Fallon and Matt Markus beginning at noon.
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Internet Broadcast:
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Lehighsports.com
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Key Stats:
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• Lehigh senior wide receiver Ryan Spadola needs 139 receiving The Mountain Hawks lead the Patriot League in total defense and scoring defense.
•Lehigh leads the Patriot League in passing offense, while the Leopards and Mountain Hawks rank 1-2 in the league in pass defense.
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Behind Enemy Lines:
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Lehigh Sports Central: Football
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Football Blitz
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