Nov. 22, 2008
Final Stats | Photo Gallery 1 
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EASTON, Pa. - Lafayette lost its first in game in five years to Lehigh on Saturday afternoon, 31-15, in the 144th meeting of college football's most played rivalry. Lafayette held a substantial advantage in time of possession and churned out more than 100 yards of offense compared to Lehigh, but timely defensive plays helped the Mountain Hawks pull out the win.
Facing a nine-point deficit with barely more than seven minutes remaining, Lafayette marched 61 yards downfield into the red zone. Quarterback Rob Curley looked to fullback Joe Russo near the end zone, but his pass was intercepted by Lehigh cornerback John Kennedy, who returned it 94 yards for a touchdown and dashed any hope of a Leopards' comeback.
The most anticipated game of the season lived up to its billing in the first half.
Lehigh linebacker Heath Brickner intercepted Lafayette quarterback Marc Quilling at Lafayette's 48-yard line. The Leopards (7-4, 3-3) stopped the Mountain Hawks' drive on the 22-yard line, forcing a field goal on fourth and four. Jason Leo converted the 40-yarder, and Lehigh (5-6, 3-3) lit up the scoreboard first, 3-0, with 10:58 remaining in the first quarter.
Lehigh strutted out to a 10-0 lead roughly three minutes later when quarterback J.B. Clark connected with wide receiver Mike Fitzgerald on a 29-yard touchdown pass.
Lafayette wasn't silenced for much longer. Senior Shaun Adair electrified the crowd and the Leopards' sideline when he juked his way through 62 yards to score Lafayette's first touchdown of the game. The PAT was good, 10-7, at 5:34 remaining.
Following a safety that inched Lafayette within one point of Lehigh's lead, Russo barreled down the field to the 18-yard line off a 33-yard completion from Quilling. The play set up Davis Rodriguez for a 34-yard field goal, and the Leopards took their first lead of the game, 12-10, with 9:50 remaining in the half.
Lehigh responded with a six-play, 85-yard drive capped off by Nick Johnson's 14-yard touchdown reception. The Brown and White regained the lead, 17-12, at the half.
After sitting out the last two games due to injury, Curley made his return to the field for Lafayette's first possession of the second half. He led the Leopards on a 15-play, 71-yard drive that culminated in a 22-yard field goal. During the drive, DeAndre' Morrow picked up 44 yards on six touches, which included two third-down conversions.
Lehigh capitalized three possessions later. After downing a punt at the 1-yard line and forcing Lafayette to go three and out, the Mountain Hawks received the ball back on the Leopards' 39 yard line.
On third and four, Clark connected with Sekou Yansane on the one yard line off of a 36-yard pass. Adam Watson broke through the end zone with 7:11 remaining to give Lehigh a 24-15 advantage.
Less than three minutes later, Kennedy came up with the interception that secured the win.
Game Notes
Despite Saturday's loss, Lafayette still leads the overall series 76-63-5, including a 41-23-5 record at home.
Prior to Saturday, the last time Lafayette recorded a safety was on Nov. 6, 1999. Matt Curcio achieved the feat in a 27-7 win against Fordham.
Shaun Adair finished his career as one of the top receivers in Lafayette history. His 2,190 yards rank third on the career receiving yards list and his 148 career receptions ranks fourth.
