
Mountain Hawks to battle Stony Brook in first round playoff tilt Saturday on Long Island
11/21/2017 1:13:00 PM | Football
Game Notes | FCS Playoff Bracket | ESPN3 Video | Audio |
 All-League and major awards release | Lehigh Patriot League Champions Merchandise
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BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Lehigh returns to the FCS playoffs for the second consecutive year after defeating Lafayette 38-31 in the 153rd edition of The Rivalry to claim its 12th Patriot League title. The Mountain Hawks head to Long Island Saturday to face a 9-2 Stony Brook team that earned an at-large berth out of the CAA. Lehigh has won five of its last six games following an 0-5 start thanks to one of the nation's top offenses and an improving defense. The winner of the Lehigh-Stony Brook game gets No. 1 seed and defending national champion James Madison in the second round on Dec. 2.
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Quarterbacks always seem to play a major role in Lehigh-Lafayette games and this year was no different. Junior Brad Mayes earned game MVP honors in his first Rivalry start, completing 26-of-35 passes for 397 yards and three touchdowns. Mayes was 15-for-23 for 275 yards in the second half and threw two touchdown passes, including the go-ahead 41 strike to Gatlin Casey. Mayes was named Patriot League Offensive Player of the Week for the second time this season following his Rivalry performance.
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Lehigh's Rivalry win over Lafayette was a tale of two halves, much like the Mountain Hawks' season. Through five games, Lehigh was 0-5, allowing 48.4 points and 533 yards per game with a minus-8 turnover margin. In its next five games, Lehigh went 4-1, allowing 32 points and 443 yards per game while owning a plus-1 turnover margin. The first 30 minutes against Lafayette did not go well, as Lehigh yielded 24 points and 206 yards to a team ranked near the bottom of the FCS offensively. The Mountain Hawks also turned the ball over three times. Lehigh turned it around after halftime, allowing just one first down and 24 total yards. The Mountain Hawks also took care of the football on their way to the come-from-behind win.
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Lehigh placed nine players on the All-Patriot League teams, with all eight of the Mountain Hawks' returning all-league performers from 2016 recognized once again. Senior wide receiver Troy Pelletier became just the third four-time All-Patriot League selection in Lehigh history with his third straight first-team honor. Running back and Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year Dom Bragalone became a three-time all-league selection along with offensive tackles Zach Duffy and Tim O'Hara. Lehigh's lone first time All-Patriot League selection was junior Brad Mayes, the first team quarterback.
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Bragalone made history against Holy Cross, becoming the first Lehigh player to record three 1,000-yard rushing seasons. Bragalone ranks second in the FCS with 1,313 rushing yards and leads the FCS with 18 rushing touchdowns and 20 total touchdowns. He now owns three of the 13 1,000-yard rushing seasons in school history. The South Williamsport, Pa. native owns 17 career 100-yard rushing games, including seven straight. Bragalone has rushed for more than 200 yards in two of Lehigh's last four games, including a career-best 218 yards at Fordham. His 218 rushing yards against the Rams rank seventh on Lehigh's single game list and was the first since Jermaine Pugh versus Lafayette in 2003. Bragalone enters the postseason 223 yards shy of Lehigh's single-season rushing record (1,536) and 204 shy of the career record (3,696). Both records are held by Rabih Abdullah '97. Earlier this week Bragalone was named Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year, marking the second straight year a Lehigh player has won the award, as well as a finalist for the Walter Payton Award.
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When seniors Gatlin Casey (154) and Troy Pelletier (107) eclipsed the 100-yard receiving mark against Lafayette, it marked the seventh time in the last two seasons that Lehigh had multiple 100-yard receivers in the same game. Casey and Pelletier have now accomplished the feat five times, including three straight games in 2016 and the Penn game in 2017. Pelletier and freshman Jorge Portorreal both eclipsed the century mark at Wagner, while junior Luke Christiano joined Pelletier in accomplishing the feat against Villanova. Prior to last year, Lehigh had not had two 100-yard receivers in the same game since 2013, when Lee Kurfis (117) and Sergio Fernandez-Soto (123) accomplished the feat versus New Hampshire.
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Lehigh closed out the regular season with a hard-fought 38-31 win over Lafayette in the 153rd meeting of college football's most-played rivalry. The Mountain Hawks are making their 14th playoff appearance and are now 13-1 against Lafayette in the years in which Lehigh has qualified for the playoffs. In the 12 previous instances in which Lehigh closed out the regular season with a win over Lafayette prior to a playoff appearance, the Mountain Hawks are 7-5 in their first NCAA playoff game.
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Stony Brook returns to the FCS playoffs for the first time since 2012 and the third time overall, earning an at-large berth out of the CAA following a 9-2 regular season that included a 7-1 CAA record. The Seawolves have won five straight games, including a 20-19 win at Maine last week on a Hail Mary pass on the final play of the game.
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Offensively, Stony Brook tackle Timon Parris was recently invited to the Senior Bowl while wide receiver Ray Bolden ranks among the nation's leaders in touchdown receptions. Junior Joe Carbone is the Seawolves' quarterback. Stony Brook ranks 12th in the FCS in rushing defense, averaging 99.9 yards per game. Linebacker Shayne Lawless leads the team in tackles and sacks. The Seawolves take care of the football with a plus-8 turnover margin and just three interceptions thrown all season. Stony Brook is 2-2 all-time in the playoffs with wins over Albany in 2011 and Villanova in 2012.
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Lehigh is making its 14th all-time playoff appearance and 11th at the FCS level. The Mountain Hawks are making their second consecutive playoff appearance and fourth in the last eight seasons. Last year, Lehigh was sent to Durham, N.H. and dropped a 64-21 final to New Hampshire. Troy Pelletier caught eight passes for 138 yards and a touchdown playing in his home state. The Mountain Hawks' last playoff win was a 40-38 triumph at Towson in the 2011 second round.
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Lehigh and Stony Brook have met just once before, a 25-2 Mountain Hawk victory in the 2004 season-opener at Goodman Stadium. At the time, Stony Brook was a member of the Northeast Conference.
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Saturday's game kicks off just after 2 p.m. Saturday from Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium in Stony Brook, N.Y. The game will be broadcast on ESPN3 via the WatchESPN app. Audio coverage will be available on ESPN Radio of the Lehigh Valley (1230/1320/1160-AM) beginning at 1 p.m.
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The winner of the Lehigh-Stony Brook game will face No. 1 seed and defending national champion James Madison in the second round, Dec. 2 at 2 p.m. from Bridgeforth Stadium in Harrisonburg, Va. Lehigh recently lost to James Madison in the 2014 and 2015 seasons. The Dukes lead the all-time series 3-1, including a playoff win in 2004.
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Like Lehigh Football on Facebook and follow on Twitter for exclusive updates throughout the season.
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 All-League and major awards release | Lehigh Patriot League Champions Merchandise
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BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Lehigh returns to the FCS playoffs for the second consecutive year after defeating Lafayette 38-31 in the 153rd edition of The Rivalry to claim its 12th Patriot League title. The Mountain Hawks head to Long Island Saturday to face a 9-2 Stony Brook team that earned an at-large berth out of the CAA. Lehigh has won five of its last six games following an 0-5 start thanks to one of the nation's top offenses and an improving defense. The winner of the Lehigh-Stony Brook game gets No. 1 seed and defending national champion James Madison in the second round on Dec. 2.
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Quarterbacks always seem to play a major role in Lehigh-Lafayette games and this year was no different. Junior Brad Mayes earned game MVP honors in his first Rivalry start, completing 26-of-35 passes for 397 yards and three touchdowns. Mayes was 15-for-23 for 275 yards in the second half and threw two touchdown passes, including the go-ahead 41 strike to Gatlin Casey. Mayes was named Patriot League Offensive Player of the Week for the second time this season following his Rivalry performance.
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Lehigh's Rivalry win over Lafayette was a tale of two halves, much like the Mountain Hawks' season. Through five games, Lehigh was 0-5, allowing 48.4 points and 533 yards per game with a minus-8 turnover margin. In its next five games, Lehigh went 4-1, allowing 32 points and 443 yards per game while owning a plus-1 turnover margin. The first 30 minutes against Lafayette did not go well, as Lehigh yielded 24 points and 206 yards to a team ranked near the bottom of the FCS offensively. The Mountain Hawks also turned the ball over three times. Lehigh turned it around after halftime, allowing just one first down and 24 total yards. The Mountain Hawks also took care of the football on their way to the come-from-behind win.
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Lehigh placed nine players on the All-Patriot League teams, with all eight of the Mountain Hawks' returning all-league performers from 2016 recognized once again. Senior wide receiver Troy Pelletier became just the third four-time All-Patriot League selection in Lehigh history with his third straight first-team honor. Running back and Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year Dom Bragalone became a three-time all-league selection along with offensive tackles Zach Duffy and Tim O'Hara. Lehigh's lone first time All-Patriot League selection was junior Brad Mayes, the first team quarterback.
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Bragalone made history against Holy Cross, becoming the first Lehigh player to record three 1,000-yard rushing seasons. Bragalone ranks second in the FCS with 1,313 rushing yards and leads the FCS with 18 rushing touchdowns and 20 total touchdowns. He now owns three of the 13 1,000-yard rushing seasons in school history. The South Williamsport, Pa. native owns 17 career 100-yard rushing games, including seven straight. Bragalone has rushed for more than 200 yards in two of Lehigh's last four games, including a career-best 218 yards at Fordham. His 218 rushing yards against the Rams rank seventh on Lehigh's single game list and was the first since Jermaine Pugh versus Lafayette in 2003. Bragalone enters the postseason 223 yards shy of Lehigh's single-season rushing record (1,536) and 204 shy of the career record (3,696). Both records are held by Rabih Abdullah '97. Earlier this week Bragalone was named Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year, marking the second straight year a Lehigh player has won the award, as well as a finalist for the Walter Payton Award.
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When seniors Gatlin Casey (154) and Troy Pelletier (107) eclipsed the 100-yard receiving mark against Lafayette, it marked the seventh time in the last two seasons that Lehigh had multiple 100-yard receivers in the same game. Casey and Pelletier have now accomplished the feat five times, including three straight games in 2016 and the Penn game in 2017. Pelletier and freshman Jorge Portorreal both eclipsed the century mark at Wagner, while junior Luke Christiano joined Pelletier in accomplishing the feat against Villanova. Prior to last year, Lehigh had not had two 100-yard receivers in the same game since 2013, when Lee Kurfis (117) and Sergio Fernandez-Soto (123) accomplished the feat versus New Hampshire.
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Lehigh closed out the regular season with a hard-fought 38-31 win over Lafayette in the 153rd meeting of college football's most-played rivalry. The Mountain Hawks are making their 14th playoff appearance and are now 13-1 against Lafayette in the years in which Lehigh has qualified for the playoffs. In the 12 previous instances in which Lehigh closed out the regular season with a win over Lafayette prior to a playoff appearance, the Mountain Hawks are 7-5 in their first NCAA playoff game.
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Stony Brook returns to the FCS playoffs for the first time since 2012 and the third time overall, earning an at-large berth out of the CAA following a 9-2 regular season that included a 7-1 CAA record. The Seawolves have won five straight games, including a 20-19 win at Maine last week on a Hail Mary pass on the final play of the game.
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Offensively, Stony Brook tackle Timon Parris was recently invited to the Senior Bowl while wide receiver Ray Bolden ranks among the nation's leaders in touchdown receptions. Junior Joe Carbone is the Seawolves' quarterback. Stony Brook ranks 12th in the FCS in rushing defense, averaging 99.9 yards per game. Linebacker Shayne Lawless leads the team in tackles and sacks. The Seawolves take care of the football with a plus-8 turnover margin and just three interceptions thrown all season. Stony Brook is 2-2 all-time in the playoffs with wins over Albany in 2011 and Villanova in 2012.
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Lehigh is making its 14th all-time playoff appearance and 11th at the FCS level. The Mountain Hawks are making their second consecutive playoff appearance and fourth in the last eight seasons. Last year, Lehigh was sent to Durham, N.H. and dropped a 64-21 final to New Hampshire. Troy Pelletier caught eight passes for 138 yards and a touchdown playing in his home state. The Mountain Hawks' last playoff win was a 40-38 triumph at Towson in the 2011 second round.
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Lehigh and Stony Brook have met just once before, a 25-2 Mountain Hawk victory in the 2004 season-opener at Goodman Stadium. At the time, Stony Brook was a member of the Northeast Conference.
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Saturday's game kicks off just after 2 p.m. Saturday from Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium in Stony Brook, N.Y. The game will be broadcast on ESPN3 via the WatchESPN app. Audio coverage will be available on ESPN Radio of the Lehigh Valley (1230/1320/1160-AM) beginning at 1 p.m.
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The winner of the Lehigh-Stony Brook game will face No. 1 seed and defending national champion James Madison in the second round, Dec. 2 at 2 p.m. from Bridgeforth Stadium in Harrisonburg, Va. Lehigh recently lost to James Madison in the 2014 and 2015 seasons. The Dukes lead the all-time series 3-1, including a playoff win in 2004.
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Date: | November 25, 2017 |
Event: | FCS Playoffs First Round |
Opponent: | No. 10/11 Stony Brook Seawolves |
Kickoff: | 2:04 p.m. |
Stadium: | Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium/12,300/FieldTurf |
Location: | Stony Brook, N.Y. |
Tickets: | Available at LehighTickets.com via the link above |
Lehigh's Record: | 5-6 overall, 5-1 Patriot League |
Stony Brook's Record: | 9-2 overall, 7-1 Patriot League |
Series: | Lehigh leads 1-0 |
Television: | ESPN3 with Mike Watts and Dustin Fox |
Radio: | ESPN Radio of the Lehigh Valley (1230/1320/1160-AM) with Matt Kerr, Mike Yadush '93 and Steve Lomangino. Pregame coverage begins at 1 p.m. |
Internet Broadcast: | Video at ESPN3.com and WatchESPN Audio at ESPNLV.com |
Key Stats: | •Lehigh limited Lafayette to just one first down and 24 total yards in the second half of last week's come-from-behind win. •Junior running back Dom Bragalone leads the FCS with 18 rushing touchdowns, 21 total touchdowns and ranks second with 1,313 rushing yards. •Senior wide receiver Troy Pelletier needs five receptions to break Lehigh's single-season record of 99, set by Lee Kurfis in 2013. |
Behind Enemy Lines: | http://www.stonybrookathletics.com |
Like Lehigh Football on Facebook and follow on Twitter for exclusive updates throughout the season.
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