Lehigh defeats Lafayette in 161st edition of The Rivalry

EASTON, Pa. — No. 4 Lehigh (12-0, 7-0 PL) defeated No. 25/RV Lafayette (8-4, 6-1 PL), 42-32, on Nov. 22 at Fisher Stadium in the 161st edition of The Rivalry.

With the win, Lehigh claimed its second consecutive Patriot League championship, an automatic FCS playoff bid and its first undefeated regular season since 2001. Junior running back Luke Yoder capped the game with 234 rushing yards and four touchdowns to earn MVP honors.

“I just went to bed knowing that I had to do my job every single play,” Yoder said. “I trust the offensive line, trust the receivers, trust (in our) quarterback, obviously, and when we have that trust, it’s pretty hard to deny us.”

First quarter

Both teams came in undefeated in league play for the first time in Patriot League history. Lehigh entered as the favorite, protecting its highest ranking since 2002. Despite boasting the league’s top defenses, the game quickly became an offensive showcase.

Lafayette leaned on junior running back Kente Edwards early, who had 10 carries for 50 yards on the first drive and capped it with a one-yard touchdown.

“It’s a very, very efficient offense,” Lehigh coach Kevin Cahill said. “When you got a back like that, that runs really, really hard, and can score at any moment, you’re trying to bottle him up, so they take advantage with all the quick game on the outside.”

Lehigh responded on the next drive, with Yoder breaking free for a 29-yard touchdown. Lafayette answered when quarterback Dean Denobile ran for a two-yard score, taking a 14-7 lead.

Second quarter

Lafayette’s defense made the first stop, but an attempted trick play was intercepted by Lehigh safety Nick Peltekian.

“(Peltekian) sniffed it out, saw it coming, and found a way to catch it and stay in bounds,” Cahill said.

Lehigh tied it at 14 on a 77-yard touchdown pass from Dante Johnson to Mason Humphrey. Lafayette controlled possession behind Edwards’ heavy workload, but settled for a field goal to take a 17-14 halftime lead. Denobile finished the half 14-for-17 for 97 yards.

It marked the first time all season Lehigh trailed at halftime.

Third quarter

Lehigh quickly reclaimed the lead when Yoder broke loose for an 80-yard touchdown run 18 seconds into the half.

“Everybody knew that we didn’t play great,” Cahill said. “We were only down three. (Yoder) comes out and does what he’s done all year long for us, just be a big playmaker for us.”

The teams traded possessions until Lafayette drove to the 1-yard line. Edwards scored on his 35th carry, but Lehigh answered with long runs from Yoder and Johnson, setting up Yoder’s third touchdown for a 28-24 lead.

Fourth quarter

Lafayette went for it on fourth-and-1 at midfield, but Edwards was stopped by senior defensive lineman TJ Burke. Lehigh then converted its own fourth-and-short on a push from Johnson and Yoder, leading to Yoder’s fourth touchdown, 35-24.

“(The offensive line) said, ‘coach, we got it, we got it, we got it,’” Cahill said. “So you call what the players feel like they can execute and we just did it.”

Lafayette cut the deficit to 35-32 with a quick 75-yard drive, but Lehigh marched 74 yards to the 1-yard line. Johnson dove in for the final touchdown with two minutes left to seal the 42-32 victory.

As the final minutes ticked away, the clouds broke, reflecting light off the gold helmets of the Lehigh players as they celebrated the end of their historic regular season at midfield.