Nov. 20, 2005

EASTON, Pa. (www.lafayette.edu) - Lafayette earned an at-large spot into the field of 16 teams in the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs for the first time in school history, and will travel to Boone, N.C. to play Appalachian State on Saturday, Nov. 26 at a time to be determined, the eight-member Division I-AA Football Committee announced on Sunday.

The Leopards, which claimed a share of their second straight Patriot League championship with a thrilling, come-from-behind 23-19 win at Lehigh on Saturday, earned the league's automatic berth and the first postseason appearance in school history a year ago after beating Lehigh 24-10.

Lafayette had to wait out the selection process this season, with Colgate earning the automatic qualifying spot by virtue of its 18-15 win at Fisher Field two weeks ago. The Leopards are one of eight teams to make the I-AA playoffs in each of the last two seasons.

Appalachian State (8-3) is the No. 2 seed in the field. The Mountaineers were 6-1 in the Southern Conference to earn their first outright championship since 1995. Currently ranked No. 6 by The Sports Network, ASU will be making its 13th appearance in the I-AA playoffs.

The Patriot League has emerged as one of the top I-AA football conferences in the nation, either sending multiple teams or winning at least one game in the tournament in each of the last eight seasons.

Ticket information and Maroon Club travel packages for Leopard fans will be announced Monday.