Lehigh University
Yale
Mountain Hawks hold on at home
9/19/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Bethlehem, PA – Lehigh needed a total team effort and got just that in defeating Yale by a score of 14-7 in front of 8,670 at Goodman Stadium. The victory increased Lehigh’s consecutive home winning streak to 27 games and got the 19th ranked Mountain Hawks back on the winning side, as they prepare to enter their toughest stretch of the season. The win improves Lehigh’s record to 5-2 (1-1 Patriot), while the setback drops the Bulldogs to 3-2 (1-1 Ivy) on the season.
With seven starters out, Lehigh needed everyone to contribute in any way possible, and there were some surprise stars for the Brown and White. Kyle Keating got the unexpected start at quarterback due to injuries to all three of Lehigh’s upperclassmen quarterbacks and after shaking off some early jitters, the sophomore recovered to have a very solid game. Keating got the scoring started for Lehigh when he hit Mike Kelleher for a 36-yard touchdown pass to put the Mountain Hawks up 7-0. The score stayed like that until the third quarter when Keating hit freshman sensation Eric Rath for a 15-yard score, which proved to be the difference. Keating finished with 106 yards on nine completions in 15 attempts and looked very comfortable under center.
Jermaine Pugh again had an outstanding game for the Mountain Hawks as he went over the 100-yard mark for the fifth time this season. David Wilson gained 74 yards on the ground and showed exceptional speed and quickness, as he did last season before injuring his knee. Aaron Argenta had two nice catches as he continued his steady play for the Brown and White. Sophomore Karrie Ford had an excellent game from his safety position, with an interception, a sack and seven tackles. The entire team stepped up for Lehigh and the end result was their fifth victory of the season.
Lehigh received a scare late in the fourth quarter as the Bulldogs drove deep into Mountain Hawk territory and were pounding on the door. But, as they have done all season, the Lehigh defense shut its opponent down in crunch time, ending with Matt Salvaterra’s interception with just two ticks left on the clock. Coach Lembo’s defensive unit has still yet to let the opposition cross the goal line in the fourth quarter.
The game featured two of the top scoring teams in America, but in the end it was defense that decided this one. Lehigh had been averaging over thirty points and almost 410 yards a contest, but could only manage 301 yards against a stingy Yale defense.
Lehigh returns to action next week as they travel up to Massachusetts for a pivotal Patriot League contest with Holy Cross. Kickoff is set for 1:00.
Scoring
Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Yale | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
Lehigh | 0 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 14 |
Team Stats
Yale | Lehigh | |
First Downs | 21 | 18 |
Yards Rushing | 14 | 195 |
Yards Passing | 223 | 106 |
Total Yards | 237 | 301 |
Penalties | 6-30 | 8-67 |
Time of Possession | 30:07 | 29:53 |
Passing
Player | Att-Cmp-Int | Yds | TD |
Jeff Mroz, Yale | 47-24-2 | 223 | 0 |
Kyle Keating, Lehigh | 15-9-1 | 106 | 2 |
Rushing
Player | Carries | Yards | TD |
Robert Carr, Yale | 22 | 65 | 1 |
Jermaine Pugh, Lehigh | 24 | 109 | 0 |
David Wilson, Lehigh | 18 | 74 | 0 |
Receiving
Player | Catches | Yards | TD |
Nated Lawrie, Yale | 8 | 58 | 0 |
Eric Rath, Lehigh | 3 | 19 | 1 |
Mike Kelleher, Lehigh | 1 | 36 | 1 |
Defensive
Player | Solo Tackles | Assisted Tackles | TFL | Int. | Sacks |
Ken Estrera, Yale | 9 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Lawrence Williams, Lehigh | 9 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Karrie Ford, Lehigh | 7 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Michael Taggart, Lehigh | 5 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
