College Football’s Most Historic — “The Rivalry”

LEHIGH VALLEY (PA) — Step foot in the Lehigh Valley and you may be lost in where you can find a mainstream sports event, but you surely won’t get lost in finding a good one.

Above the surface, all you may see is the IronPigs, who are the Minor League affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies, and the Phantoms, who are also a minor league affiliate — of the Philadelphia Flyers.

If you look under the surface, there is so much more.

Deep in the roots of the Lehigh Valley, there is one rivalry that tops any other — Lehigh vs Lafayette.

Sporting the nickname “The Rivalry”, Lehigh vs Lafayette is one of the oldest rivalries in college football history, dating back to October 25th in 1884. It is the most played rivalry in the history of college football.

For Lehigh freshman wide-receiver Geoffrey Jamiel, the game is one that he, like many others, is excited to experience: “I can watch youtube videos and re-runs, but I don’t think any of that does it justice.. Jamiel said, “.. Being in a sold-out stadium, feeling the energy, and experiencing the atmosphere is something I can’t wait for.”

Rivalries are one of, if not the best aspects of sports. Rivalries bring out the best, but also the worst in people which makes for an exhilarating battle fueled by hatred and an intense competitive edge.

Rivalries go much further than bragging rights and can originate from a multitude of things. Singular events such as high-tempered affairs or frequent meetings of teams and geographical tensions between teams from the same area are common origins of rivalries.

You likely haven’t heard of a rivalry that began thanks to some trash talk, though.

This was how the Lehigh vs Lafayette rivalry began in 1881, which for reference was the same year that the first international telephone conversation took place…and yes, trash talk was a thing in the 1800s.

Some say bad blood previously existed when a religious dispute took place causing a “to be” professor at Lafayette University to found Lehigh University.
It really started with a comment made by Lafayette student journalists after a Leopards’ track and field loss to Lehigh in 1881:

“Defeat in our recent contest with Lehigh University, a defeat, too, doubly humiliating, coming, as it did, from an adversary in every other respect our inferior,” a piece published in the Lafayette College Journal stated.

This 1800’s style of trash talk per say didn’t sit well with any of the Mountain Hawks athletic teams and it also didn’t help that the two universities were about 20 minutes from one other. It only further intensified when Lehigh formed their first football team in 1884, two years after Lafayette, and were slated to play each other two times a season moving on.

The first official meeting between the teams occurred on October 25th, 1884 where the bad blood between the schools and athletic rivalries shifted onto the football field.

In the inaugural meeting between the two teams, the Mountain Hawks failed to get their revenge as they were trampled 56-0 by the Leopards, but this was just the start of one of the most historic rivalries ever.

Fast forward 157 meetings and this matchup between the two teams has become the most-played college football rivalry game of all time.

Lehigh Football Junior LaTreil Wimberly, who has multiple experiences with the rivalry, said that the energy is what he looks forward to the most:

The rivalry is one of a kind. The build up to the game is somewhat unexplainable. The energy it brings out from the community is unmatched.

LaTreil Wimberly

The Mountain Hawks will be looking for their second win in a row against the Leopards as they came out on top last year with a score of 17-10, while the Leopards will look to add to their series lead of 80–72-5.

Both teams have been struggling in recent seasons including the current 2022 season where the teams have a combined record of 3-12, but this game adds a ton of meaning to both of these programs’ seasons as it is such a huge part of college football and program history.

Famous Moments

In a 1918 matchup between the two teams, it is rumored that Lehigh halfback Raymond B. “Snooks” Dowd ran 115 yards for a touchdown. Lehigh Athletic Media Relations stated, “Dowd ran the wrong way, circled his own goalposts,” and then ran the length of the field for the touchdown. Lehigh went on to win this game 17-0.

A few decades later, the memorable moments continued.

It was 1995 and it was also the first year in which the Patriot League used overtime. Lehigh trailed Lafayette 30-14 midway through the fourth quarter, but the Mountain Hawks were able to rally together to tie the game at 30 a piece at the end of regulation. After a scoreless first overtime, the teams entered into the second overtime period where Lehigh wide receiver Brian Klingerman caught a pass with one hand from quarterback Bob Aylsworth in the back of the end zone. This overtime victory for Lehigh helped them clinch the Patriot League championship and would go down as the first overtime game in the 131st renewal of college football’s most-played rivalry.

Exactly ten years later in 2005, one of Lafayette’s most historic moments of “The Rivalry” occurred.

After Lafayette’s star quarterback went down with an injury on the game’s first series, everyone thought that Lehigh would walk away with the win, but Lafayette backup quarterback Pat Davis had other intentions.

Davis went 15-36 for 178 yards, throwing two touchdowns — one of which included a 37-yard touchdown pass to running back Jonathan Hurt on 4th and 10 with 38 seconds left to give the Leopards a 23-19 win.

This victory gave Lafayette their second of three straight Patriot League championships and FCS Playoff appearances.

LaTreil Wimberly said that each game has a unique effect on the history of the rivalry, “The impact it has on the two schools’ history is what makes it special,” Wimberly told The Sports Place.

Lehigh

Sitting at a record of 2-8 during the 2022 season, the Lehigh University Mountainhawks aren’t a team that you likely are used to hearing about.

The 2-8 record isn’t particularly a pretty season on paper, especially entering this game on an 8 game losing streak, but the Mountainhawks have some players on all sides of the ball that can make an impact.

On the offensive end of the ball, impact players come in different forms. Some players to watch for the Mountainhawks:
Dante Perri, QB (12) – 176-299, 1,869 YDS, 11 TDs, 8 INTs
Gaige Garcia, RB (23) – 122 ATT, 570 YDS, and 4 TDs
Geoffrey Jamiel, WR (9) – 46 REC, 558 YDS, 1 TD Eric Johnson, WR (88) – 42 REC, 524 YDS, 4 TDs
Jalen Burbage, WR (3) – 39 REC, 440 YDS, 3 TDs

Lehigh is stable on the offensive end of the ball. Their rushing game is headed by University of Michigan transfer Gaige Garcia, who is a hard, down-hill rusher. In the passing game, Geoffrey Jamiel is typically targeted a lot. He has 4 games with over five receptions and 3 games with 80+ receiving yards.

Jamiel said that the game means a lot to the team, telling The Sports Place, “To send [our seniors] out with a win over Lafayette is something that means a lot to all of us.”

Wide receivers Jalen Burbage and Eric Johnson will also fill out the passing game. Both of the two have more than 300 receiving yards on the season.

On the defensive end of the ball, Lehigh is solid. Some impact players include:
Mike DeNucci, LB (41) – 58 SOLO, 88 TOT, 2 PDs, 8.5 SACKS
Logan Jones, DB (10) – 40 TOT, 3 PDs, 1 INT
TyGee Leach, DB (1) – 71 TOT, 1 SACK, 1 PD, 1 INT, 1 FF

Their pass defense has a tendency to be taken advantage of, but in a game with the atmosphere of “The Rivalry”, anything can happen.

LaTreil Wimberly told The Sports Place that “The Rivalry” is always close, saying “Based off of my two experiences with the Lehigh vs Lafayette rivalry, it has always come down to the wire.”

Lehigh will come into the game against Lafayette with tons of momentum after winning a thriller on a game-winning drive against the Colgate University Raiders (3-7) this past Saturday. They put together a beautifully executed 74-yard drive in 53 seconds which ended with an 11-yard touchdown reception from Eric Johnson with just 22 seconds remaining. The Mountain Hawks were able to hold on to their 39-36 lead, to secure their second win of the year after senior linebacker Nate Norris came up with a huge interception on Colgate’s preceding drive.

Lafayette

The Lafayette University Leopards have had their fair share of ups and downs so far this season and will look to end their season on a high note against their cross-town rivals, the Lehigh University Mountain Hawks.

Lafayette comes into this game with a record of 3-7 following their recent 45-10 rout at the hand of Fordham this past Saturday.

Some players to watch for the Leopards:
Jamar Curtis, RB (22) – 105 ATT, 357 YDS, 0 TDs
Marco Olivas, LB (26) – 85 TOT, 2.5 SACKS, 2 FF/RF
Saiku White, DB (11) – 75 TOT, 1 INT, 2 FF, 1 FR
Malik Hamm, DL (99) – 7 SACKS, 2 FF
Ah-Shaun Davis QB (14) 62-113, 588 YDS, 6 TDs, 4 INTs

Their quarterback situation has been an exciting topic throughout the season for them as they have played three quarterbacks, Ah-Shaun Davis, Rent Montie, and Ryan Schuster, all a considerably even amount, but based on how their last few games have gone, it looks as if Davis will get the start. Davis is an athletic quarterback who can scramble and throw on the run well and that is something that he will have to do at a high level as he will be lining up across from one of the best linebackers throughout all of FCS football, Lehigh’s Mike DeNucci (49). DeNucci has 8 sacks on the season including 62 sack yards and has been named to the watch list for the Buck Buchanan Award, which is awarded annually to the most outstanding defensive player in Division 1 FCS football.

On top of this deadly defensive weapon of Lehigh’s, Lafayette’s offensive line has been particularly weak as they have allowed 34 sacks to their quarterbacks this season including 8 to Temple alone.

Lafayette’s rushing attack hasn’t been overwhelmingly strong either and that only adds to their offensive woes, which can be seen with their average points per game being 12.5 so far this season. Although the Leopards’ offense hasn’t been all that good this season, they have lots of potential and shouldn’t be taken lightly.

On the other side of the ball, Lafayette’s defense has been much better as they have allowed 22.8 PPG this season and held very talented teams such as undefeated Holy Cross, who averages 38.3 PPG, to 24 points, the Crusaders lowest scoring game this season.

The Leopards’ defense has caused havoc all year forcing 6 INTs and forcing 11 fumbles, recovering nine. They’ve also recorded 20 total sacks on the year. However, a clear weakness of this Leopards’ defense has been their pass coverage as they let up 505 yards through the air this past Saturday against Fordham.

The defense is statistically led by #26 Marco Olivas in tackles, #99 Malik Hamm in sacks, and #5 A.T. Ntantang in interceptions and pass breakups. We discussed the impact of Olivas and Hamm above, but A.T. Ntantang has just as much of an impact as he is the anchor of the Leopards’ secondary, which is often a deciding factor in games.

Junior DB A.T. Ntantang (#5) has recorded 7 pass deflections and 2 interceptions including an 85 yard pick six which came against Bucknell. In order for Lafayette to come out on top he will have to hold himself and his fellow secondary strong against the Mountain Hawks’ passing attack.

Where Can You See This Game?

This storied rivalry between the Lehigh University Mountain Hawks and the Lafayette University Leopards will be a defensive showdown and come down to which team makes the least mistakes. The game will be taking place at Fisher Stadium in Easton, PA this Saturday. Beginning at 12:30 PM EST this will be a must-watch game and fans will be on the edge of their seats until the end! The game will also be available via stream on ESPN+.