Will next week's 149th meeting between Lehigh and Lafayette be extra special, or just the normally special event it usually is?
That's the question.
Next week's game at Goodman Stadium becomes a championship game if Lehigh can prevail today at Colgate. If Colgate wins, the league title and the automatic playoff berth will go to the team in Hamilton, N.Y.
Five things to look for:
1. The play of freshman quarterback Nick Shafnisky, the Whitehall product. It's one thing to come in and potentially catch a defense by surprise and it's another to have the other defense plan for you. Shafnisky was great coming off the bench against Holy Cross. Colgate, I am sure, has planned for Shafnisky even though LU coach Andy Coen left the door open to junior Matt McHale, injured last week, sharing the quarterback duties.
2. The play of two Nazareth prodcuts Kris Kent and Adam Bridgeforth for the Colgate defense. Of all weeks, Lehigh had to be facing a team with guys that played against Shafnisky in high school. Any extra hints is valuable in this situation. Kent, a linebacker, has been one of Colgate's best players all season. He will have an impact one way or another.
3. The play of the Lehigh defense. They were aggressive and attacking against Holy Cross and got to the Crusaders quarterback Pete Pujals. Colgate QB Gavin McCarney is a different deal. He's poised, experienced and potentially deadly to a defense. The Mountain Hawks played their best defensive game of the season against Holy Cross. They will have to follow it up with an even better performance today.
4. Turnovers and intangibles. Lehigh won the turnover battle last week against Holy Cross with an immediate fumble recovery setting the stage. They must hold their own in this category today to have a chance. They also must win other areas such as special teams, penalties, and must be able to stay strong mentally because this will be a back-and-forth battle most likely. They can't allow things to snowball out of control after some early adversity as they did at Bucknell.
5. Dick Biddle Bobblehead Day. It's going to be a great keepsake for Colgate fans to have of Biddle, who has never been one of the league's great personalities, But he has been a successful coach. Who knows? If it's anything like the IronPigs, the fans will come out in droves to get Biddle's ever-smiling face for their offices and mantles at hall. And more people means a better gameday atmosphere for Colgate. Here's a video to capture the essence of Biddle Bobblehead Day.
And here's the preview version from the print version of today's Morning Call:
No. 17/20 LEHIGH (7-2, 2-1) AT COLGATE (4-6, 3-1)
When/Where: 1 p.m. today at Andy Kerr Stadium, Hamilton, N.Y.
Internet: Patriot League Network.
Radio: ESPN Radio of LV (1230, 1320 AM).
Series: Colgate 28-21.
Last meeting: Colgate 35-24 on Nov. 10, 2012 at Goodman Stadium.
Lehigh stat leaders: Brandon Bialkowski 216-337, 2,647 yds, 18 TDs, 10 INTs; Keith Sherman 131 car., 739 yds, 5.6 ypc; 6 TDs; Lee Kurfis 84 rec., 1,169 yds, 6 TDs; Josh Parris 38 rec., 445 yds, 2 TDs; Tyler Ward 80 TT, 2 TFL, 2 INTs; Nigel Muhammad 45 TT, 4 TFL, sack.
Colgate stat leaders: Gavin McCarney131-189, 1,529 yds, 10 TDs, 5 INTs and 94 car., 614 yds, 6.5 ypc, 3 TDs; Jimmy DeCicco 49 car., 303 yds, 6.2 ypc, 3 TDs; Dan Cason 34 rec., 496 yds, 2 TDs; Kris Kent 80 TT, 9 TFL.
The skinny: The backs-against-the-wall tour continues for Lehigh, which kept alive its hopes for a share of the Patriot League title and a playoff berth by beating Holy Cross. Freshman Nick Shafnisky from Whitehall was a sparkplug and took full reins of the offense when junior Matt McHale was injured. Both Shafnisky and McHale could see time again against Colgate, which can win the title and earn the league’s automatic playoff berth by beating Lehigh. The Mountain Hawks defense stepped up against Holy Cross with an aggressive effort, but McCarney brings a whole new challenge. Nazareth grad Kris Kent has been a leader on defense for the Raiders. This one figures to be decided late, and it’s going to take continued solid play by Shafnisky and the revitalized defense for Lehigh to have a chance.
Keith Groller’s prediction: Colgate 30, Lehigh 24.
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