No. 15/17 Lehigh and Lafayette to battle for Patriot League title in 149th meeting
11/19/2013 11:36:00 AM | Football
Game Notes | Watch on PLN | The Rivalry: Lehigh vs. Lafayette | Grass Bank Tickets (Wed. 9 a.m.)
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The 149th meeting of college football's most-played rivalry features a battle for the Patriot League championship and a berth in the NCAA FCS playoffs as No. 15/17 Lehigh hosts Lafayette Saturday at Goodman Stadium. The Mountain Hawks have won their last two games including a 31-14 win at Colgate last week to set up this winner-take-all showdown. Keith Sherman rushed for a career-high 184 yards while the Lehigh defense stepped up with three first-half turnovers.
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Lehigh is gunning for its sixth straight win over Lafayette, which would give the Mountain Hawks a third Patriot League title in the last four years. The Mountain Hawks are also playing their third home Patriot League championship game in as many years. Lehigh defeated Georgetown in 2011 and fell to Colgate in 2012.
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Lafayette comes in at just 4-6 on the season, but the Leopards have won three of their last four including a 27-14 home win over previously unbeaten Fordham last week. The Leopards are looking for their seventh league title and first since 2006.
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Saturday's game marks the seventh time Lehigh and Lafayette will play with the Patriot League championship at stake for both teams and the fourth time they will meet with the league's automatic playoff berth on the line. Five of the previous six championship games have been won by the home team, with Lafayette grabbing the lone road win in 2005. The 2005 game also marked the only other time Lehigh and Lafayette entered the rivalry game tied for first place in the league standings. Other championship games were played in 1993, 1994, 1995, 2004 and 2006.
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Lehigh's senior class will look to become the 11th class to go 4-0 versus Lafayette. The graduating classes of 1964, 1975, 1976, 1981, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2012 and 2013 all previously accomplished the feat. With a win today, Lehigh's seniors would win their third outright Patriot League championship in four years.
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Sherman has enjoyed career rushing days in three of his last four outings, most recently a 27 carry, 184 yard effort in Lehigh's win at Colgate. Sherman's performance against the Raiders came one week after rushing 20 times for 166 yards and totaling three touchdowns against Holy Cross. That game featured a 60 yard touchdown run, the longest of Sherman's career. Sherman's recent performances have garnered him the last two Patriot League Offensive Player of the Week awards. He enters the Lafayette game 77 yards shy of becoming Lehigh's first 1,000 yard rusher since Jermaine Pugh (1,339) in 2002. Sherman has enjoyed success against Lafayette, with a 52 yard touchdown run in the 2011 game and a season-high 69 rushing yards plus the go-ahead 14 yard touchdown reception last year.
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Lehigh and Lafayette meet for the 149th time Saturday afternoon with the Leopards holding a 76-67 lead. There have also been five ties in the series with the last occurring in 1964. Lehigh has won the last five meetings against Lafayette, while the Leopards won the previous four. The Mountain Hawks have won 13 of the last 18 meetings in the series. Today's game marks the 77th meeting in Bethlehem and the 13th at Goodman Stadium. Lehigh has won nine of the first 12 games played at Goodman Stadium.
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LOOKING FOR ADDITIONAL TICKETS? All reserved seats for the rivalry game are sold out, but tickets for the grass bank will go on sale online only at 9 a.m. on Wednedsay, Nov. 20 at LehighTickets.com. These tickets will be sold on first-come, first-served basis and are limited. These tickets can be purchased for family, friends, etc, and will be print-at-home only. Fans who purchase grass bank tickets are advised to bring a blanket or something to sit on in case the grass is still damp from the morning.Â
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Saturday's game kicks off just after 12:30 from Goodman Stadium. Fans unable to make it to the game can watch the 149th meeting live on WFMZ-TV as well as Fox College Sports Pacfici and online via the Patriot League Network. Steve Degler, Mike Yadush '93 and Troy Hein will handle the commentary. Audio of the game will be available on ESPN Radio 1230 and 1320, ESPNLV.com and Lehighsports.com.
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Lehigh Athletics advises fans to arrive early for Saturday's game due to expected heavy traffic. Fans are also encouraged to head to the stadium gates early to avoid entry lines and ensure that all fans can be at their seats by kickoff. To help accomplish this, please allow a minimum of 40 minutes to get from the parking lot to your seat.
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Like Lehigh Football on Facebook and follow on Twitter for exclusive updates throughout the season.
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The 149th meeting of college football's most-played rivalry features a battle for the Patriot League championship and a berth in the NCAA FCS playoffs as No. 15/17 Lehigh hosts Lafayette Saturday at Goodman Stadium. The Mountain Hawks have won their last two games including a 31-14 win at Colgate last week to set up this winner-take-all showdown. Keith Sherman rushed for a career-high 184 yards while the Lehigh defense stepped up with three first-half turnovers.
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Lehigh is gunning for its sixth straight win over Lafayette, which would give the Mountain Hawks a third Patriot League title in the last four years. The Mountain Hawks are also playing their third home Patriot League championship game in as many years. Lehigh defeated Georgetown in 2011 and fell to Colgate in 2012.
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Lafayette comes in at just 4-6 on the season, but the Leopards have won three of their last four including a 27-14 home win over previously unbeaten Fordham last week. The Leopards are looking for their seventh league title and first since 2006.
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Saturday's game marks the seventh time Lehigh and Lafayette will play with the Patriot League championship at stake for both teams and the fourth time they will meet with the league's automatic playoff berth on the line. Five of the previous six championship games have been won by the home team, with Lafayette grabbing the lone road win in 2005. The 2005 game also marked the only other time Lehigh and Lafayette entered the rivalry game tied for first place in the league standings. Other championship games were played in 1993, 1994, 1995, 2004 and 2006.
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Lehigh's senior class will look to become the 11th class to go 4-0 versus Lafayette. The graduating classes of 1964, 1975, 1976, 1981, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2012 and 2013 all previously accomplished the feat. With a win today, Lehigh's seniors would win their third outright Patriot League championship in four years.
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Sherman has enjoyed career rushing days in three of his last four outings, most recently a 27 carry, 184 yard effort in Lehigh's win at Colgate. Sherman's performance against the Raiders came one week after rushing 20 times for 166 yards and totaling three touchdowns against Holy Cross. That game featured a 60 yard touchdown run, the longest of Sherman's career. Sherman's recent performances have garnered him the last two Patriot League Offensive Player of the Week awards. He enters the Lafayette game 77 yards shy of becoming Lehigh's first 1,000 yard rusher since Jermaine Pugh (1,339) in 2002. Sherman has enjoyed success against Lafayette, with a 52 yard touchdown run in the 2011 game and a season-high 69 rushing yards plus the go-ahead 14 yard touchdown reception last year.
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Lehigh and Lafayette meet for the 149th time Saturday afternoon with the Leopards holding a 76-67 lead. There have also been five ties in the series with the last occurring in 1964. Lehigh has won the last five meetings against Lafayette, while the Leopards won the previous four. The Mountain Hawks have won 13 of the last 18 meetings in the series. Today's game marks the 77th meeting in Bethlehem and the 13th at Goodman Stadium. Lehigh has won nine of the first 12 games played at Goodman Stadium.
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LOOKING FOR ADDITIONAL TICKETS? All reserved seats for the rivalry game are sold out, but tickets for the grass bank will go on sale online only at 9 a.m. on Wednedsay, Nov. 20 at LehighTickets.com. These tickets will be sold on first-come, first-served basis and are limited. These tickets can be purchased for family, friends, etc, and will be print-at-home only. Fans who purchase grass bank tickets are advised to bring a blanket or something to sit on in case the grass is still damp from the morning.Â
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Saturday's game kicks off just after 12:30 from Goodman Stadium. Fans unable to make it to the game can watch the 149th meeting live on WFMZ-TV as well as Fox College Sports Pacfici and online via the Patriot League Network. Steve Degler, Mike Yadush '93 and Troy Hein will handle the commentary. Audio of the game will be available on ESPN Radio 1230 and 1320, ESPNLV.com and Lehighsports.com.
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Lehigh Athletics advises fans to arrive early for Saturday's game due to expected heavy traffic. Fans are also encouraged to head to the stadium gates early to avoid entry lines and ensure that all fans can be at their seats by kickoff. To help accomplish this, please allow a minimum of 40 minutes to get from the parking lot to your seat.
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| Date: | November 23, 2013 |
| Opponent: | Lafayette Leopards |
| Kickoff: | 12:37 p.m. |
| Stadium: | Goodman Stadium/16,000/Natural Grass |
| Location: | Bethlehem, Pa. |
| Tickets: | All reserved seats are sold out |
| Lehigh's Record: | 8-2 overall, 3-1 Patriot League |
| Lafayette's Record | 4-6 overall, 3-1 Patriot League |
| Series: | Lafayette leads 76-67-5 |
| Television | Live on WFMZ-TV, FCS Pacific with Steve Degler, Mike Yadush '93 and Troy Hein. A pregame show will air on WFMZ-TV beginning at noon. |
| Radio | ESPN Radio 1230 and 1320 AM with Matt Kerr, Marty Horn '86 and ESPN Radio's Tom Fallon beginning at 11:30 a.m. |
| Internet Broadcast: |
Video on the Patriot League Network Audio at ESPNLV.com and Lehighsports.com |
| Key Stats: |
•Senior Keith Sherman has rushed 47 times for 350 yards and totaled four touchdowns in his last two games. He needs 77 yards to become Lehigh's first 1,000 yard rusher since 2002. •Senior Lee Kurfis leads the FCS in receiving yards per game (127.2). •Lehigh is minus-7 in turnover margin this season but plus-4 in its last two games. |
| Behind Enemy Lines: | http://www.goleopards.com |
Like Lehigh Football on Facebook and follow on Twitter for exclusive updates throughout the season.
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