League title, playoff berth at stake as No. 5/8 Lehigh hosts Colgate
11/6/2012 3:21:00 PM | Football
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Patriot League's automatic berth in the NCAA FCS Playoffs is on the line Saturday at Goodman Stadium as No. 5/8 Lehigh welcomes the Colgate Raiders and their high-powered offense. The Mountain Hawks moved to 9-0 on the season after erasing a 12-point fourth quarter deficit to hold off Holy Cross 36-35 last weekend. Lehigh is looking to win its third consecutive league title and league-best 11th overall.
Colgate comes in seeking its first league title since 2008. The Raiders have rebounded from a 1-3 start to roll off five straight wins, averaging over 53 points per game during that streak. With quarterback Gavin McCarney and Jordan McCord leading the way, Colgate ranks third nationally in total offense (510.33 ypg.) and fourth nationally in scoring offense (41.89). McCarney, the reigning Patriot League Offensive Player of the Week, has rushed for 1010 yards and 18 touchdowns, and has passed for 1861 yards with 14 touchdowns and just five interceptions.
The winner of Saturday's game will capture at least a share of the Patriot League Championship and will earn the league's automatic berth to the NCAA FCS Playoffs. Lehigh and Colgate are the Patriot League's two most successful programs with ten and six league 
titles respectively. With a win, the Mountain Hawks would win their third straight league title, while the Raiders will be gunning for their first championship since 2008.
titles respectively. With a win, the Mountain Hawks would win their third straight league title, while the Raiders will be gunning for their first championship since 2008.Senior wide receiver Ryan Spadola made the most of his first game back after missing two games due to mononucleosis. Spadola had eight catches for 202 yards and two touchdowns at Holy Cross, including the go-ahead 33 yard touchdown with just two minutes remaining. He now has four 200-plus yard receiving games in his career. Spadola moved into second place in school history with 3,438 receiving yards, 224 behind the leader, Rennie Benn, who had 3,662. He is also 20 receptions shy of Benn's career record of 237.
One of the keys for Lehigh's success over the last two-plus seasons has been its ability to win close games. Since the start of the 2010 season, the Mountain Hawks are 12-1 in games decided by seven points or less and 9-0 in games decided by a field goal or less. In Andy Coen's first four seasons, Lehigh was just 4-14 in games decided by seven points or less. Five of Lehigh's nine wins this season have been by a field goal or less.
Lehigh meets Colgate for the 51st time Saturday with the Raiders holding a 27-21 lead. There have also been two ties. Lehigh has won the last two meetings, defeating Colgate 45-25 last year at Andy Kerr Stadium and winning 44-14 at Goodman Stadium in 2010. Andy Coen is 3-3 versus Colgate, including a 2-1 mark at Goodman Stadium.
Saturday's game kicks off just after 12:30 on Military Appreciation Day at Goodman Stadium. Tickets for the game are still available, and may be purchased in one of three ways: by visiting the Lehigh ticket office located in Stabler Arena, by calling (610) 7LU-GAME, or on-line anytime at Lehighsports.com. Fans who cannot make it out to Goodman Stadium can also watch the game live on CBS Sports Network.
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Date:
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November 10, 2012
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Opponent:
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Colgate Raiders
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Kickoff:
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12:34 p.m.
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Stadium:
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Goodman Stadium/16,000/Natural Grass
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Location:
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Bethlehem, Pa.
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Tickets:
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Tickets can be purchased by calling (610) 7LU-GAME, or on-line via the link above
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Lehigh's Record:
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9-0 overall, 3-0 Patriot League
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Colgate's Record:
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6-3 overall, 4-0 Patriot League
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Series:
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Colgate leads 27-21-2
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Television
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CBS Sports Network (Service Electric DP 176) with Dave Ryan, Todd Christensen and Evan Washburn
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Radio
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ESPN Radio 1230 and 1320 AM with Matt Kerr, Kody Fedorcha '00, and Mike Yadush '93 beginning at 11:30 a.m.
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Internet Broadcast:
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Live audio Lehighsports.com
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Key Stats:
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• The Mountain Hawks have won 18 straight regular season games, good for the longest active streak in the FCS.
•Lehigh leads the Patriot League in scoring defense and total defense, while Colgate tops the league in both scoring offense and total offense.
•Today's starting quarterbacks, Mike Colvin and Gavin McCarney, rank 1-2 in the Patriot League and 8-9 nationally in total offense.
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