Saturday, November 21
12:30 PM
Lehigh University
vs
Lafayette (151st meeting of The Rivalry)
Lehigh seeks strong finish as Lafayette visits for 151st meeting of The Rivalry
11/17/2015 11:46:00 AM | Football, Tickets
Game Notes | Grass Bank Tickets | Lehigh Athletics Bag Policy for Saturday | Watch on PLN | Listen | The Rivalry: Lehigh vs. Lafayette
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Lehigh and Lafayette look to end the season on a high note in the 151st meeting of college football's most-played rivalry Saturday at Goodman Stadium. The Mountain Hawks can clinch a winning campaign with a victory over the Leopards after being eliminated from Patriot League championship contention with their 49-42 loss at Colgate last week. Freshman Dominick Bragalone rushed for 164 yards and three touchdowns and quarterback Nick Shafnisky played well in his first start in three weeks but the Raiders won the high-scoring affair to clinch the league title.
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Lafayette enters this rivalry showdown at 1-9 overall and 0-5 in the Patriot League, but a third straight win over Lehigh would certainly make the Leopards' season. The Leopards' lone win came at Wagner by a 35-24 score on September 26. Lafayette has lost its last six games leading into its bye last weekend.
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Offensively, Lafayette averages just 11.5 points per game, and a rash of injuries on the offensive line have left the Leopards averaging just under 59 yards per game on the ground. Drew Reed returns as Lafayette's quarterback after missing last year's 150th meeting due to injury. DeSean Brown paces the running game with 434 yards and two touchdowns, while Matt Mrazek has 44 receptions to lead the Leopard receivers. Linebacker Brandon Bryant (109 tackles) leads a Lafayette defense that yields 33.7 points and 449.7 yards per game.
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Junior quarterback Nick Shafnisky will appear in his third rivalry game. Shafnisky has enjoyed a strong junior season both throwing and running the football. He accounted for 345 yards of total offense and five total touchdowns in Lehigh's 42-21 victory over Penn and ranked in the top ten in the FCS in total offense prior to suffering an injury in the second quarter at Fordham. Shafnisky rushed for three touchdowns in limited duty in wins over Georgetown and Holy Cross and returned to the starting lineup at Colgate, where he accounted for 332 yards of total offense and three touchdowns.
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Freshman tailback Dominick Bragalone has rushed for 100-plus yards in six of Lehigh's last seven games, highlighted by a 169-yard effort against Georgetown. Bragalone rushed for 107 yards playing close to his South Williamsport hometown at Bucknell. Last week, Bragalone posted his fifth consecutive 100-yard game, rushing 25 times for 164 yards and three touchdowns at Colgate, including a career-long 62-yard run. Bragalone captured his fourth Patriot League Rookie of the Week award on Monday and needs just 80 yards to become the 11th player and first Lehigh freshman to rush for 1,000 yards in a season.
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Much of Lehigh's offensive success in 2015 can be attributed to an improved offensive line. The Mountain Hawks' top five linemen have made 49 out of 50 starts this season and have paved the way for a Lehigh offense that averages 186.8 rushing yards and 273.4 passing yards per game. Sophomore Tim O'Hara is in his first season as Lehigh's starting left tackle. Senior captain Matt Ford has made 22 straight starts at left guard. Junior center Brandon Short is a two-year starter. Senior right guard Matt Cohen has seen significant action over the last two seasons, while junior right tackle Zach Duffy has started nine of Lehigh's ten games this season.
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Through ten games this season, the numbers indicate that when Lehigh's defense plays well, the Mountain Hawks win and when they struggle, the Mountain Hawks lose. In five victories, Lehigh's defense has allowed an average of 363 yards and 22 points per game. In those games the Mountain Hawks have 18 sacks and have allowed opponents to convert just 44 percent (32-of-73) of their third downs. In five losses, Lehigh is yielding an average of 532 yards and 48 points per game. The Mountain Hawks have also allowed opponents to convert 54 percent of their third downs in those five games.
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The 131st clash may go down as the most exciting and dramatic of all because it was the first one to go to overtime. Following a scoreless first possession of overtime, Lehigh broke the tie when Brian Klingerman caught Bob Aylsworth's pass with one hand in the back of the end zone as darkness fell on Goodman Stadium. The miraculous catch all but clinched a 37-30 win and the league title for Lehigh, which trailed 30-14 midway through the fourth quarter. This year marks the 20th anniversary of that game and The Catch.
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The last three seasons have seen an increase in first year players making bigger contributions across the Patriot League. Four freshmen have been named MVP of the Lehigh-Lafayette game since the award was established in 1960. Quarterback Phil Stambaugh '00, Lehigh's all-time passing leader, was named MVP as a freshman in 1996. Three Lafayette freshmen have won the award, including quarterback Drew Reed in 2013.
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Lehigh and Lafayette meet for the 151st time with the Leopards holding a 78-67 lead. There have also been five ties in the series with the last occurring in 1964. Lafayette has won the last two meetings after a five-game Lehigh winning streak from 2008-2012. Last year's Lafayette victory snapped a five-game Lehigh winning streak. The Mountain Hawks have won 13 of the last 21 meetings in the series. While Lafayette dominated the early years of the Rivalry, Lehigh owns an impressive 40-23-2 record since 1950. This will be the 78th meeting in Bethlehem and the 14th at Goodman Stadium. Lehigh has won nine of the 13 games played at Goodman Stadium.
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Saturday's game kicks off just after 12:30 p.m. from Goodman Stadium. Lehigh's ticket allotment is sold out, aside from a limited number of grass bank tickets that can be purchased at LehighTickets.com. Fans unable to make it to Goodman Stadium can watch the game on WFMZ-TV (Service Electric dial position 8/508), Fox College Sports Pacific and the Patriot League Network. Audio coverage will be available on ESPN Radio 1230 and 1320 and ESPNLV.com beginning at 11:30 a.m.
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Fans attending Saturday's rivalry game should leave time to enter Goodman Stadium. Lehigh will be following Homeland Security stadium guidelines and best practices. All bags will be subject to search prior to entering Goodman Stadium. More information can be found HERE.
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Like Lehigh Football on Facebook and follow on Twitter for exclusive updates throughout the season.
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BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Lehigh and Lafayette look to end the season on a high note in the 151st meeting of college football's most-played rivalry Saturday at Goodman Stadium. The Mountain Hawks can clinch a winning campaign with a victory over the Leopards after being eliminated from Patriot League championship contention with their 49-42 loss at Colgate last week. Freshman Dominick Bragalone rushed for 164 yards and three touchdowns and quarterback Nick Shafnisky played well in his first start in three weeks but the Raiders won the high-scoring affair to clinch the league title.
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Lafayette enters this rivalry showdown at 1-9 overall and 0-5 in the Patriot League, but a third straight win over Lehigh would certainly make the Leopards' season. The Leopards' lone win came at Wagner by a 35-24 score on September 26. Lafayette has lost its last six games leading into its bye last weekend.
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Offensively, Lafayette averages just 11.5 points per game, and a rash of injuries on the offensive line have left the Leopards averaging just under 59 yards per game on the ground. Drew Reed returns as Lafayette's quarterback after missing last year's 150th meeting due to injury. DeSean Brown paces the running game with 434 yards and two touchdowns, while Matt Mrazek has 44 receptions to lead the Leopard receivers. Linebacker Brandon Bryant (109 tackles) leads a Lafayette defense that yields 33.7 points and 449.7 yards per game.
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Junior quarterback Nick Shafnisky will appear in his third rivalry game. Shafnisky has enjoyed a strong junior season both throwing and running the football. He accounted for 345 yards of total offense and five total touchdowns in Lehigh's 42-21 victory over Penn and ranked in the top ten in the FCS in total offense prior to suffering an injury in the second quarter at Fordham. Shafnisky rushed for three touchdowns in limited duty in wins over Georgetown and Holy Cross and returned to the starting lineup at Colgate, where he accounted for 332 yards of total offense and three touchdowns.
 Freshman tailback Dominick Bragalone has rushed for 100-plus yards in six of Lehigh's last seven games, highlighted by a 169-yard effort against Georgetown. Bragalone rushed for 107 yards playing close to his South Williamsport hometown at Bucknell. Last week, Bragalone posted his fifth consecutive 100-yard game, rushing 25 times for 164 yards and three touchdowns at Colgate, including a career-long 62-yard run. Bragalone captured his fourth Patriot League Rookie of the Week award on Monday and needs just 80 yards to become the 11th player and first Lehigh freshman to rush for 1,000 yards in a season.
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Much of Lehigh's offensive success in 2015 can be attributed to an improved offensive line. The Mountain Hawks' top five linemen have made 49 out of 50 starts this season and have paved the way for a Lehigh offense that averages 186.8 rushing yards and 273.4 passing yards per game. Sophomore Tim O'Hara is in his first season as Lehigh's starting left tackle. Senior captain Matt Ford has made 22 straight starts at left guard. Junior center Brandon Short is a two-year starter. Senior right guard Matt Cohen has seen significant action over the last two seasons, while junior right tackle Zach Duffy has started nine of Lehigh's ten games this season.
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Through ten games this season, the numbers indicate that when Lehigh's defense plays well, the Mountain Hawks win and when they struggle, the Mountain Hawks lose. In five victories, Lehigh's defense has allowed an average of 363 yards and 22 points per game. In those games the Mountain Hawks have 18 sacks and have allowed opponents to convert just 44 percent (32-of-73) of their third downs. In five losses, Lehigh is yielding an average of 532 yards and 48 points per game. The Mountain Hawks have also allowed opponents to convert 54 percent of their third downs in those five games.
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The 131st clash may go down as the most exciting and dramatic of all because it was the first one to go to overtime. Following a scoreless first possession of overtime, Lehigh broke the tie when Brian Klingerman caught Bob Aylsworth's pass with one hand in the back of the end zone as darkness fell on Goodman Stadium. The miraculous catch all but clinched a 37-30 win and the league title for Lehigh, which trailed 30-14 midway through the fourth quarter. This year marks the 20th anniversary of that game and The Catch.
Â
The last three seasons have seen an increase in first year players making bigger contributions across the Patriot League. Four freshmen have been named MVP of the Lehigh-Lafayette game since the award was established in 1960. Quarterback Phil Stambaugh '00, Lehigh's all-time passing leader, was named MVP as a freshman in 1996. Three Lafayette freshmen have won the award, including quarterback Drew Reed in 2013.
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Lehigh and Lafayette meet for the 151st time with the Leopards holding a 78-67 lead. There have also been five ties in the series with the last occurring in 1964. Lafayette has won the last two meetings after a five-game Lehigh winning streak from 2008-2012. Last year's Lafayette victory snapped a five-game Lehigh winning streak. The Mountain Hawks have won 13 of the last 21 meetings in the series. While Lafayette dominated the early years of the Rivalry, Lehigh owns an impressive 40-23-2 record since 1950. This will be the 78th meeting in Bethlehem and the 14th at Goodman Stadium. Lehigh has won nine of the 13 games played at Goodman Stadium.
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Saturday's game kicks off just after 12:30 p.m. from Goodman Stadium. Lehigh's ticket allotment is sold out, aside from a limited number of grass bank tickets that can be purchased at LehighTickets.com. Fans unable to make it to Goodman Stadium can watch the game on WFMZ-TV (Service Electric dial position 8/508), Fox College Sports Pacific and the Patriot League Network. Audio coverage will be available on ESPN Radio 1230 and 1320 and ESPNLV.com beginning at 11:30 a.m.
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Fans attending Saturday's rivalry game should leave time to enter Goodman Stadium. Lehigh will be following Homeland Security stadium guidelines and best practices. All bags will be subject to search prior to entering Goodman Stadium. More information can be found HERE.
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| Date: | November 21, 2015 |
| Opponent: | Lafayette Leopards |
| Kickoff: | 12:37 p.m. |
| Stadium: | Goodman Stadium/16,000/Natural Grass |
| Location: | Bethlehem, Pa. |
| Tickets: | A limited number of grass bank tickets are available HERE |
| Lehigh's Record: | 5-5 overall, 3-2 Patriot League |
| Lafayette's Record | 1-9 overall, 1-9 Patriot League |
| Series: | Lafayette leads 78-67-5 |
| Television | WFMZ-TV and Fox College Sports Pacific with Steve Degler, Mike Yadush '93 and Troy Hein. A special pregame show will air beginning at noon. |
| Radio | ESPN Radio 1230 and 1320 AM with Matt Kerr and ESPN Radio's Tom Fallon and Matt Markus beginning at 11:30 a.m. |
| Internet Broadcast: | Video at PatriotLeague.TV Audio at ESPNLV.com |
| Key Stats: | •Lehigh has won 31 of 50 games versus Lafayette since the teams played to a 6-6 tie in the 100th meeting in 1964. •Dominick Bragalone needs 80 rushing yards to become Lehigh's first freshman 1,000 yard rusher, and just the 11th overall in program history. •Lehigh ranks second nationally in third down conversions (52.3%). |
| 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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