Bethlehem, PA - November 18, 2023: The Lafayette College football team shut out Lehigh University in the second half to not only win "Rivalry 159" but also win the Patriot League Championship Saturday afternoon at Lehigh's Goodman Stadium. The 49-21 win was Lafayette's 9th of the season (9-2) and it secured the Leopards a spot in the FCS Playoffs. Lafayette took the opening kickoff and marched right down the field for the game's first score. But, it was Lehigh's big 2nd quarter that gave the Mountain Hawks the 21-14 halftime lead, leading fans to say: "We have a game!" Lafayette's defense however stepped it up in the second half, holding Lehigh to just 53 yards, while the offense scored five times. The momentum swung big time with Lehigh's three turnovers, which Lafayette turned into 21 points. Lafayette had 459 total yards on offense (214 rushing) with RB Jamar Curtis (pictured below) having 166 yards on 27 carries and 3 touchdowns. Lafayette QB Dean DeNobile, who completed 19 of 27 passes for 245 yards and scored on a one-yard rushing TD, was voted the game's MVP. Lafayette's win put the record at 82-72-5 (Lafayette) in college footballs longest played rivalry.
