NCAA playoffs return to Goodman Stadium on Saturday
11/23/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
Lehigh returns to the Division I-AA playoffs for the first time since 2001 as the Mountain Hawks play host to the Dukes of James Madison at Goodman Stadium. The Patriot League co-champs captured a share of their seventh league title, more than any other league school. The Dukes, ranked eighth nationally, are Atlantic 10 co-champs, returning to the playoffs for the first time since 1999. The Mountain Hawks feature one of the best defenses in Division I-AA, while the Dukes boast an extremely potent ground attack. No. 16 Lehigh is 5-1 at Goodman Stadium in 2004, while James Madison is 4-1 away from “Saturday’s loss was disappointing, and was not a good reflection of the season we have had,” said Lehigh head coach Pete Lembo. “We feel fortunate to have the opportunity to participate in the field of 16. James Madison is a 9-2 team that competes against some of the best competition in all of I-AA football.” The Atlantic 10 conference features four teams in this year’s playoff field. Despite the fact that JMU has been playing football since 1972, Lehigh and James Madison have met only once before. In 1980, the two teams squared off at Lehigh’s Taylor Stadium, with the Engineers earning a 31-14 victory over the visitors. Lehigh is 1-1 against the Atlantic 10 under Pete Lembo; the Dukes have never played a school in the Patriot League. Saturday’s game kicks off at just after 12:30 from Goodman Stadium. Tickets for the game are still available, and may be purchased three ways: in person during normal business hours at the Grace Hall ticket window, by phone during normal business hours at (610) 7LU-GAME, or on-line anytime at lehighsports.com. Date: November 27, 2004 Event: The first round of the 2004 NCAA Division I-AA playoffs Opponent: James Madison Dukes Kickoff: 12:37 pm Stadium: Goodman Stadium/16,000/Natural Grass Location: Tickets: Tickets can be purchased by calling (610) 7LU-GAME, or on-line via the link above Lehigh’s Record: 9-2 overall, 5-1 Patriot League JMU’s Record: 9-2 overall, 7-1 Series: Lehigh leads, 1-0 Television: WFMZ-TV live Radio: ESPN Radio 1230 and 1320 AM with Matt Kerr, Kody Fedorcha, Tom Fallon, and Harry Mayes at 11:30 am Internet Broadcast: www.lehighsports.com Weekly Luncheon: Luncheons are held the Wednesday prior to each game at Starter’s Restaurant on Rte. 378 in Game Notes: Key Stats: • Lehigh holds a 7-8 record all-time in the postseason, including a 3-4 mark at the Division I-AA level. JMU is 2-5. • The Lehigh defense ranks seventh nationally, allowing just 16.3 points per contest. • Lehigh has now compiled its seventh straight eight-plus win season - the best streak in school history. • The Lehigh offense averages 30.2 points per game. The Dukes’ defense allows fewer than 90 rushing yards per game. • Lehigh’s Mark Borda ranks eighth nationally in passing efficiency at 155.25. • James Madison is 21st in the country, averaging 212.6 yards per game on the ground. • Lehigh is a perfect 8-0 when allowing fewer than 20 points in a game. • Lehigh has the best winning percentage (83.56%) of any I-AA school from 1998-2003. Behind Enemy Lines:
