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The Lafayette

The Oldest College Newspaper in Pennsylvania

The Lafayette

The Oldest College Newspaper in Pennsylvania

The Lafayette

Colvin shreds Lafayette defense in 38-21 rout

By Michael Kelley ’14

Photos by Ally Hill ’15/ The Lafayette

After a 21-point outburst in the first quarter, Lafayette (5-6) was held scoreless the rest of the way in a 38-21 loss to Lehigh (10-1) this afternoon at Fisher Stadium. It is their third straight losing season.

Lehigh has now won five straight games against Lafayette in college football’s most played rivalry.

Quarterback Michael Colvin won game MVP after completing 25 of 41 passes for 362 yards and four touchdowns. The senior was also effective on the ground, rushing 11 times for 82 yards and one touchdown.

With most attention focused on Ryan Spadola ‘13, wide receiver LeeKurfis ‘14 broke out, catching three passes for 137 yards and one touchdown.

The first half belonged to Lafayette, which led 21-17 before allowing 21 unanswered points in the second half – a 14-yard pass from Colvin to running back Keith Sherman, an 11-yard rush by Colvin, and a 5-yard pass from Colvin to tight end Tyler Coyle ‘15.

Lafayette quarterback Andrew Shoop ‘13, playing in his final game for Lafayette, completed 14 of 23 passes for 174 yards and two touchdowns, but also a costly interception midway through the fourth quarter that led to the game-clinching score. Shoop split time with Zach Zweizig, who completed all four of his pass attempts for 56 yards, including a 27-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Mark Ross ‘14.

Ross finished the day with nine catches for 118 yards and two touchdowns. It was his seventh 100-yard receiving game this season and his 19 career receiving touchdowns tied a school record.

For the second time this season, Lafayette yielded over 500 yards of offense to an opponent. The defense was not without their chances, but Lehigh converted 11 of 15 third down attempts to control the time of possession (30:59 to 29:01).

Coach Frank Tavani could not have envisioned a better start for his team. After winning the toss and choosing to defer, defensive lineman Rick Lyster ‘13 intercepted a Colvin pass and returned it to the 15-yard line. Three plays later, Shoop threw a nine-yard touchdown pass to Ross, who made a leaping catch in double coverage.

From there, it was a shootout. Neither team punted until Lafayette forced a Lehigh punt – one of their two total – with 4:46 remaining in the second quarter.

Allowing a field goal after the initial touchdown, Shoop and the offense marched right back down the field, capping off a 75-yard drive with an 18-yard touchdown pass to Jamel Smith ‘16 between two Mountain Hawk defenders.

But Lehigh responded – immediately. Colvin identified single coverage and found Kurfis over the top for a 75-yard touchdown pass.

As per game plan, Zweizig was substituted in and didn’t miss a beat, leading a 75-yard drive that was finished with the touchdown pass to Ross.

Lehigh made use of quick passes and screens all afternoon. Many times, it seemed the Lafayette defense knew where the play was going, but couldn’t stop it, including a quick screen to Spadola that went for a 16-yard touchdown.

After trading defensive stops, Smith returned the Lehigh punt 46 yards. But the eventual 28-yard field goal attempt was blocked and the score remained 21-17.

Lehigh threatened another score at the end of the first half, but safety Kyle Sakowski ‘16 – filling in for the concussed Jared Roberts ‘15 – intercepted a Colvin pass on the four yard line just seconds before halftime.

Perhaps the most exciting moment for Lafayette fans from that point came during the halftime show. While the Lafayette band was performing, a man in a green suit ran onto the field and wove in between band members. Seconds later, security ran onto the field and arrested the culprit.

Just prior to kickoff, the athletic department announced that the 150th meeting between the two rivals will be held at Yankee Stadium. The announcement was made at the annual President’s Brunch by Lafayette president Daniel H. Weiss and Lehigh president Alice Gast.

Series Update: Lafayette leads the rivalry 76-66-5. Historically, the Leopards have thrived at home (41-28-5) against the Mountain Hawks, but have now lost three straight at Fisher Stadium.

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