BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Lehigh jumped out to a ten-nothing first quarter lead over visiting Princeton on Saturday, but the Tigers’ defense buckled down as the visitors rallied for a 14-10 win on Wachovia Community Day at Goodman Stadium. The win gives the Tigers a 1-0 start in 2006, and their first win over Lehigh since 1993. The loss drops the Mountain Hawks to 1-2 on the season.
Head coach Andy Coen spoke after the game. "I still believe this team has the potential to be a very good team. But we have to cut out the mistakes. We had a nice 15-yard gain there at one point, and it was called back for a five-yard penalty. You can't win ballgames with plays like that." He continued, "We'll go into this off-week and get back to work. I know these kids will be fired up when we practice and they'll be ready to work. I wish we had a game next weekend because I know we all want to get back out there as soon as possible."
Things started out in promising fashion, as the Mountain Hawks took a 3-0 lead with just under eight and a half minutes left to play in the first quarter. Sedale Threatt connected with senior Frank Trovato on a 69-yard pass which set up a 23-yard field goal by sophomore Jason Leo. Later in the quarter, Lehigh marched on a nine play 72-yard drive that culminated in a three yard run from Threatt to put the Brown and White up 10-0.
The second quarter featured no scoring. Connor Louden missed a short field goal for Princeton, while Lehigh was able to put together a long drive, before failing to convert a fourth and one. The Mountain Hawks out-gained the Tigers 221-115 in the opening half and led 10-0 at the break.
Threatt finished the half 9-of-11 for 138 yards passing and added 18 yards on six carries.
The Tigers cut into Lehigh’s lead on the opening drive of the third quarter, driving 58 yards in four plays, and getting on the board on a seven-yard run by Rob Toresco.
Following a Lehigh turnover, Princeton marched down the field and took the lead on a 12-yard scoring strike from Jeff Terrell to Adam Berry with 6:56 to play in the third quarter.
That would be all of the scoring on the afternoon.
Lehigh had 389 yards of total offense, compared to 313 for the Tigers. Princeton had 19 first downs to Lehigh’s 16, and the Tigers held a slight edge in time of possession.
Threatt was 13-of-21 for 207 yards on the day. Princeton’s Terrell was 16-of-27 with a touchdown, though he threw three interceptions. Senior Marques Thompson gained 85 yards on 7 carries for Lehigh, while Trovato hauled in four receptions for 133 yards, which is the top receiving performance in the Patriot League this season. Senior Micah Greene led the Brown and White with eight total tackles, while sophomore Quadir Carter added seven stops and an interception. Junior Ernest Moore picked off two passes on the afternoon and added five tackles.
Princeton was led in rushing by Toresco's 41 yards, while Brendan Circle hauled in a team-high four catches for 55 yards. Tim Strickland and Kevin Kelleher led the Tigers on defense with seven total tackles each, while Strickland picked off two Lehigh passes and returned them 47 yards.
Lehigh will have a bye this week before returning to action on Sept. 30, when the Mountain Hawks host Harvard at Goodman Stadium on Volunteer Day.
EXTRA POINTS: Saturday’s attendance was 8,667… Wachovia Community Day activities were held outside the stadium prior to kickoff, including the AAA No. 6 NASCAR vehicle driven by Mark Martin, a Bethlehem city fire truck, and a Lehigh University police car. Members of the Lehigh men’s lacrosse were also on hand helping scouts learn skills of that sport, which is rapidly gaining popularity nationwide … Actor Dean Cain, a former Princeton quarterback, was in attendance … Dating back to the end of the 2005 season, Lehigh has dropped three straight home games for the first time since 1996.
Photos Copyright (2006), Specialty Photographic.
