EASTON, Pa. (www.lafayette.edu) - In the 136th meeting of college football's most played rivalry, Lehigh came out victorious with a 31-17 decision over Lafayette on Saturday at Fisher Field.

On the Leopards' first offensive play of the game, Phil Yarberough reeled in a 68-yard grab to become Lafayette's all-time leading receiver with 2,385 career yards. Yarberough finished the day with 152 yards on eight catches and just three votes shy of the game's MVP award.

The Leopards scored on the first drive thanks to a Martin Brecht 33-yard field goal that gave Lafayette a 3-0 lead at 11:45 in the first.

In the second quarter, Lehigh tied the game with a 21-yard field goal by Brian Kelley at 13:37. On the ensueing drive, Lafayette marched 81 yards on seven plays. The drive culminated in a 44-yard pass from Marko Glavic to Andrew May who outleaped a Lehigh defender and tiptoed along the sideline and eventually into the endzone for the score. Brecht added the extra point to give Lafayette a 10-7 advantage.

After a Lehigh punt, Lafayette began to drive down the field, but Glavic was picked off by Matt Salvaterra at the 50 yard line. Salvaterra, who finished with two interceptions on the day and was voted the game's MVP, returned the interception 10 yards to the Lafayette 40. Lehigh capitalized on the interception, scoring on the resulting drive on a nine-yard run by Phil Pleasant. Kelley's extra point tied the game at 10-10.

Lafayette got the ball back, but was stopped on three plays. With a fourth and eight situation, the Leopards' punted but had the kick blocked by Lehigh's Sam Perryman who also recovered the kick. Lehigh took over on the Lafayette 23. Derek Merrifield took an inside hand off and rambled five yards for the score, as Lehigh took a 17-10 lead going into the locker room.

A second Salvaterra interception, this time off of Lafayette back-up QB Chad Ritchie, would lead to another Lehigh score. Hall completed a 48-yard pass to Brian Endler to put Lehigh at the Lafayette 15. After a rush by Pleasant, Hall finished off the scoring drive with a six-yard pass to Josh Snyder. Hall ended the day 13-25 for 241 yards.

Lafayette tacked on a score with 3:49 left on the scoreboard, as the Leopards covered 74 yards on 13 plays. Scott Warden capped off the drive, rumbling in from two yards out to put the final at 31-17.

Lafayette, which finished the season at 2-9 overall and 1-5 in the Patriot League, leads Lehigh (11-0 overall, 5-0 P.L.) in the all-time series, 71-60-5.