Holy Cross at Lehigh Tailgate Report 11/2/2019: Saluting Service, Smashing Pumpkins References, Clams, And More

Welcome back to the Lehigh Tailgate Report, a free public service from your pals over at Lehigh Football Nation.

The idea of the Lehigh Tailgate Report is to provide a fun report on what to expect at the game, or not at the game, for this week's upcoming game.

If you're planning to go to the game, great! It's at Murray Goodman Stadium this Saturday at 12:30PM.

If you can't make it to the game, it's is available to watch or listen in a variety of ways.

The local radio broadcast, which starts an hour before kickoff and sets the table for the day's game, can be caught on your AM dial on Fox Sports Radio AM 1230 or 1320. Matt Kerr, Mike Yadush, Tom Fallon and Matt Markus are on the call this Saturday.  (I also am hearing that there is going to be a pair of special guests, quite possibly, during the pregame, whom I can't wait to hear from.)

Through internet radio, the pregame, game, and postgame can be streamed through TuneIn or just simply going to the LVFoxSports.com webpage. Full disclosure: When I'm at home, this is my preferred method to catch the game action. Streaming the audio is #LFNApproved.

If not, you can stream the game over the internet, or over the air through a variety of Stadium Network channels.

Two undefeated teams in @PatriotLeagueFB clash this weekend on @Stadium! It's going to be a good one! @NCAA_FCS

🏈 @HCrossFB at @LehighFootball
🕧 12:30 p.m. ET, Saturday
📺 https://t.co/9rzUPCp6GG
🎙️ @ToochPXP, @DaveOwenssports, @Morgan_Uber pic.twitter.com/FoRo4JfLO2

— Patriot League Network | PatriotLeague.tv (@PatriotLeagueTV) October 31, 2019

This week's broadcast is Stadium Network's Game of the Week, and you can click the link above to get directly to the live stream where Matt Martucci, Dave Owens, and Morgan Uber are on the call.

You can also access the Stadium broadcast in a variety of ways, via free online streaming services like Roku, your phone, or even a digital antenna, if you have a local network that carries it.  To find out where it plays near you, go here. (You can also watch the hype video in the embedded tweet over and over, which I'm not ashamed to admit I've done.)

Weather Report

For the first time all season, it's time to bring your jackets and hoodies to a Lehigh football game.

Tonight, after the very first frost warning of the fall, the game today will feature a high in the low 50s, and early tailgate temperatures into the 40s.  After a slew of games played in downright Floridian weather, including one played in the dry heat of California, this week finally sees a return of prototypical football temperatures.

Salute to Service

As part of Salute to Service day, any first responder (Fire, Veteran, Active Military, Police, & EMS) can claim a free general admission ticket.  First Responders can use promo code THANKYOU at LehighTickets.com to redeem their free ticket. Tickets can also be obtained by calling Ticket Services at 610-7LU-GAME, or by stopping by the Ticket Office.

Lehigh Sports Previews Holy Cross With: LB Erik Slater

The Greatest Holy Cross/Lehigh Game Ever

The prospect of two undefeated teams in Patriot League playing in Murray Goodman this weekend made me think a lot about one of the best games I ever attended in person, the crazy 43-42 win between undefeated, nationally-ranked Holy Cross and Lehigh in 1991.  Tied at 7 at halftime, both squads had one of the crazier shootouts ever, with Lehigh executing a now-illegal "fumblerooski" play to take a temporary lead and just missing a two-point conversion pass in the final minute that would have had our student section storm the field.

Recently, I found a video of highlights of the game that will take you back, if you were there.  I know it did for me.

Honoring The 1979 Team

No, no, it's not a spontaneous Smashing Pumpkins reunion.  Lehigh will welcome back its 1979 team Saturday to celebrate the 40th anniversary of its national runner-up finish. In its second year in the newly-formed Division I-AA (now FCS), Lehigh posted a 10-3 overall record, including a 9-2 regular season, capped with a 24-3 victory over Lafayette. The Engineers won at Murray State in the national semifinals before falling 30-7 to Eastern Kentucky in the title game in Orlando, Fla. Lehigh was captained by Eric Yaszemski, Rich Andres and Jim McCormick. McCormick, a linebacker, and offensive lineman Dave Melone were recognized as All-Americans.

The 1979 Lehigh team had one of the best defenses in Engineer history.  Anchored by McCormick, Lehigh shut out two opponents and held their opponents under 10 points in nine of their thirteen games, and shutting out LIU and Davidson.

LFN's Tailgate Grub of the Week

I don't know where the tradition of the "clambake tailgate" tailgate came from in terms of Holy Cross - Worcester is not exactly close to the "nath shahre" - but nonetheless, the Lehigh diehards for years did a clambake tailgate that was always a big hit. Recently, I discovered that there is a way to do your own steamed clams over a tailgate grill that looks like something I will absolutely try.

The real genius here is having the grilled French or Italian bread with it to sop up the delicious liquor in the foil pack.  Not sure if it would work with mussels, too, but it might be something I end up trying, too.  Adding a dab of cream, too, is a good possibility.  Read the recipe, and try it yourself.  

LFN's Drink of the Week

Since the recipe calls for Chardonnay, let's also make that the Drink of the week as well.  My one rule is to always cook with a Chardonnay that I would actually drink, a Maggio 2018 Chardonnay.  You don't need to spend a lot of money on one, but I picked this one because it's more even.  You aren't looking for spicy funky spice or vanilla flavors for steaming shellfish - you want bold, straightforward white that pairs well with seafood.

As always, Drinks of the Week have a place in responsible tailgates, but only if you behave yourself, don't get behind the wheel while impaired (or worse), and are over 21. Please do that.