The biggest game of the year has produced defining moments for Lehigh players who rose to the occasion and helped their team earn the W.
Pete Fenton ’78, Mike Rieker ’78, and Steve Kreider ’79
Rivalry 113: Lehigh 35, Lafayette 17
The 1977 team won the national championship, but it might not have happened had it not been for the come-from-behind Rivalry victory. Down 17-14, defensive back Fenton blocked a 50-yard Lafayette field goal, helping spark three unanswered touchdowns. Quarterback Rieker and receiver Kreider connected for the go-ahead touchdown in the third quarter, and Rieker tossed two more touchdown passes in the fourth quarter, earning game MVP honors.
Mark McGowan ’89
Rivalry 123: Lehigh 17, Lafayette 10
Down 10-9 in the fourth quarter of the final game played at Taylor Stadium, on a day when the wind chill hit minus 17 degrees, quarterback McGowan engineered a 10-play, 59-yard, game-clinching scoring drive. He capped it by running the ball over the goal line himself.
Brian Klingerman ’96
Rivalry 131: Lehigh 37, Lafayette 30 (2 OT)
Lehigh rallied from a 30-14 deficit in the fourth quarter to tie the game. In the second overtime, wideout Klingerman made a spectacular one-handed grab of Bob Aylsworth's pass in the end zone to take the lead… and win the Patriot League championship.
Rabih Abdullah ’97 and Phil Stambaugh ’00
Rivalry 133: Lehigh 43, Lafayette 31
Down 21-0 early, Lehigh stormed back, outscoring Lafayette 43-10. Quarterback Stambaugh completed 32 of 49 passes for 323 yards, while running back Abdullah earned MVP honors with 143 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns.
Jason Pinckney ’01
Rivalry 135: Lehigh 14, Lafayette 12
Lafayette went for a game-tying two-point conversion, but Pickney knocked the pass away, cementing Lehigh’s win and its second straight berth in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) playoffs.
Al Pierce ’11
Rivalry 145: Lehigh 27, Lafayette 21 (OT)
Lafayette needed the win to clinch the Patriot League title and an FCS playoff appearance. Lehigh struck first in overtime, though it missed the extra point. Lafayette then marched downfield, but Pierce intercepted an underthrown ball in the end zone and clinched the win for Lehigh.
Mike Groome ’12
Rivalry 146: Lehigh 20, Lafayette 13
The linebacker made huge tackles and led a goal-line stand. Twice, Groome hurdled a teammate to stop a Lafayette running back from entering the end zone.
Chris Lum ’12 M.Eng.’17
Rivalry 147: Lehigh 37, Lafayette 13
Lum was named game MVP and set Lehigh single-season records for completions and passing yards while tying the record for touchdowns. The victory secured Lehigh’s second consecutive undefeated season in league play.
Michael Colvin ’13
Rivalry 148: Lehigh 38, Lafayette 21
The game MVP, Colvin threw for 362 yards and four touchdowns and ran for 85 yards and another touchdown. The win ensured that the Class of 2013 never lost a football game to Lafayette.
Evan Harvey ’17 and Brandon Leaks ’17
Rivalry 151: Lehigh 49, Lafayette 35
Lafayette opened the third quarter with an onside kick that Harvey recovered, which helped set up a quick Lehigh touchdown. Later Lafayette drove into Lehigh territory, but Leaks scooped up a fumble and returned it 84 yards for a defensive touchdown.
Dom Bragalone ’19
Rivalry 154: Lehigh 34, Lafayette 3
Bragalone rushed for 107 yards and scored three touchdowns. The performance helped him break Lehigh’s career records for touchdowns and scoring.
Lehigh Students
Rivalry 160: Lehigh 38, Lafayette 14
Students stormed the field after the win and tore down a goalpost for the first time since 1989. They then marched it down to the river for a ceremonial kerplunk!
