Honestly, if you weren't keeping a close eye on College Hill this past fall, you missed one of the most chaotic and high-scoring stretches of football in the 199-year history of the school. The Lafayette College football schedule 2025 wasn't just a list of dates; it was a gauntlet that took the Leopards from the humidity of Ohio to a cross-country flight to Oregon, and finally back to a heart-wrenching finale at Fisher Stadium.
Most people look at the 8-4 record and see a "good" season. But that doesn't even begin to cover the weirdness. We’re talking about a year where a running back named Kente Edwards basically became a human highlight reel overnight, and where the "Rivalry" game against Lehigh actually lived up to the massive hype—even if the ending stung for the Maroon and White.
The Brutal Three-Game Road Trip to Start 2025
Lafayette didn't make it easy on themselves. They opened the season with three straight games away from Easton. That’s a long time to be living out of suitcases before you even see the student section.
It started on a Thursday night in late August. August 28th, to be exact. The Leopards traveled to Bowling Green to take on an FBS opponent. It went about how you’d expect a game against a scholarship-heavy FBS school to go—a 26-7 loss. But it set a tone. The defense showed they could hold their own for three quarters before the depth disadvantage really started to show.
Then things got interesting.
On September 6th, they went to Stonehill and absolutely went off. A 42-26 win. This was the first time we saw what this offense could do. Then, a week later on September 13th, they opened Patriot League play in D.C. against Georgetown. That 42-37 win was a track meet. Kente Edwards ran for 255 yards. Let that sink in. He had four touchdowns and earned a helmet sticker on ESPN’s College Football Final. Not bad for a kid making his second career start.
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The Fisher Stadium Stand: Four Straight at Home
After a month on the road, the Lafayette College football schedule 2025 finally brought the team home for a massive four-game homestead.
- Sept 19 vs. Columbia: This was the first Friday night game at Fisher Stadium since 2018. The atmosphere was electric. Lafayette rolled 38-14.
- Sept 27 vs. Princeton: This was Homecoming and the official kickoff for the school's Bicentennial. Unfortunately, the Tigers spoiled the party. A 38-28 loss that felt closer than the score suggested.
- Oct 4 vs. Fordham: This was "Community Day." The Leopards got back on track with a gritty 24-10 win.
- Oct 11 vs. Bucknell: This was just a beatdown. A 62-24 win where the Leopards seemingly scored every time they touched the ball.
The home stretch was supposed to be the "easy" part of the schedule, but sitting at 5-2 at this point, the real test was waiting across the country.
The Oregon State Trip and the Patriot League Grind
October 18th is a date most Lafayette fans want to forget but also kind of respect. The team flew to Corvallis to play Oregon State. It was a 10:00 PM ET kickoff. Most of the Lehigh Valley was asleep when the Leopards were getting handled 45-13.
But coming back from a West Coast trip is a nightmare for your internal clock.
Lafayette had a bye week to recover, which was lucky. They used it to prep for the final three-game stretch that would decide the league title. They went to Holy Cross on November 1st and gutted out a 21-13 win. Then they came home and dropped 59 points on Colgate. 59! The score was 59-42. It felt like defense was optional that afternoon, but it set up a winner-takes-all scenario.
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Rivalry 161: The Heartbreak in Easton
Everything came down to November 22nd. Rivalry 161. Lehigh at Lafayette.
Fisher Stadium was packed to the gills. Both teams were ranked in the Top 25 (Lehigh at #4, Lafayette at #24). The stakes couldn't have been higher: the Patriot League title and an automatic bid to the FCS Playoffs.
It was a slugfest.
Luke Yoder from Lehigh had the game of his life, rushing for 234 yards. Lafayette’s Dean DeNobile threw the ball well, but a late 80-yard touchdown run by Yoder sealed the deal. Lehigh won 42-32. Watching the Mountain Hawks celebrate on the Fisher Stadium turf is a sight no Leopard fan ever wants to see, especially when a playoff spot is on the line.
What You Should Do Next
The 2025 season is in the books, but the momentum on College Hill is real. If you’re looking to stay ahead of the curve for the 2026 season, here’s how to prep:
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Check the 2026 Schedule Early
The Patriot League already released the 2026 dates on January 2nd. Lafayette is starting at home this time around, which is a massive shift from the road-heavy start they had in 2025.
Watch the Transfer Portal
With guys like Dean DeNobile and Kente Edwards setting school records, the coaching staff will be looking to plug a few holes in the defensive secondary to make sure they don't give up 42 points in the Rivalry game again.
Secure Your Season Tickets by May
If 2025 taught us anything, it's that Fisher Stadium sells out fast for the big games. Season tickets usually go on sale in early May, and with the 2026 Rivalry game also being hosted in Easton (a rare back-to-back hosting duty), those seats will be gone in minutes.
The 8-4 finish in 2025 was a massive step for the program. Even though they missed the playoffs, the foundation is clearly there for a deep run next year. Keep an eye on the spring practice reports starting in March to see how the new recruiting class is fitting in.