Three Mountain Hawks honored by Patriot League
11/16/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
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BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Following its road win at Fordham this past weekend Lehigh captured three of the Patriot League’s weekly awards on Monday as senior Troy Taylor was named the Defensive Player of the Week, junior Jarard Cribbs earned Special Teams Player of the Week accolades and freshman Bryan Andrews was deemed the Rookie of the Week. That trio helped lift the Mountain Hawks to a 35-28 victory over the Rams in the Bronx.
Taylor recorded a career-best 11 tackles at Fordham, which vaulted him to the top of the team standings with 58 total tackles for the season. Taylor also posted one sack, two tackles-for-loss, one pass break-up and he forced a fumble. The fumble Taylor forced eventually led to a Lehigh touchdown that tied the game at 14. For the season Taylor has registered 7.5 tackles-for-loss and two of the Mountain Hawks’ nation leading 37 sacks. In his last four games alone the Arizona native has 35 tackles, 6.5 tackles-for-loss and two sacks.
Cribbs had a great day returning seven punts for a total of 107 yards, including a season best 60-yarder. The Maryland native also had a 36-yard return in the second quarter and a 20-yard return in the third. The seven returns and 107 return yards were both career-highs and the Mountain Hawks wound up scoring touchdowns following two of his returns. Cribbs, who doubles as one of Lehigh’s starting cornerbacks, also totaled six tackles and an interception versus Fordham. For the season he has returned 36 punts for 306 yards and totaled 40 tackles on defense.
Andrews was thrust into action due to an injury on Saturday and the first-year standout did not disappoint as he registered four tackles and three pass breakups including one in the end zone on Fordham’s final play of the afternoon. Andrews' four tackles and three pass breakups are a career-high.
Lehigh closes out its 2009 season on Saturday when the Mountain Hawks play host to archrival Lafayette in the 145th meeting of college football’s most played rivalry. Kick-off from Goodman Stadium is set for 12:37. The game is sold out but will be shown live on WFMZ, FCS-Central as well as Lehighsports.com. It will also be broadcast live on ESPN Radio 1230 and 1320.
