Lehigh wins Patriot League, beats Lafayette in 153rd meeting

BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- Brad Mayes threw for 397 yards and three touchdowns, and defending champion Lehigh won another Patriot League title with a 38-31 victory over Lafayette on Saturday in the 153rd meeting of college football's most-played rivalry.

Lehigh (5-6, 5-1), which started the season 0-5, won its 12th title in program history.

Lafayette scored 17 unanswered points in the second quarter to take a 24-14 lead on scoring runs by Selwyn Simpson and C.J. Amill. The Leopards retook the lead, 31-28, midway through the third on Amill's 96-yard kick return for a touchdown.

But Lehigh scored the next 17 points to take a 38-31 lead with 7:49 remaining on Mayes' pass to Gatlin Casey for a 41-yard touchdown. Lafayette punted after three plays and Lehigh was able to run out the clock after Mayes' sneak for a first down with 1:48 left.

Dominick Bragalone rushed for 113 yards and two scores for the Mountain Hawks.

Lafayette (3-8, 3-3) had just 230 total yards, including 43 rushing.