Lehigh University Athletics
Benning and Kennedy honored by Patriot League
9/7/2009 12:15:00 PM | Football
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BETHLEHEM, Pa. – A pair of Mountain Hawks were honored on Monday by the Patriot League as senior captain BJ Benning was named the Defensive Player of the Week and junior John Kennedy earned Special Teams Player of the Week accolades. Benning notched a career-high 12 tackles in Lehigh’s season opener versus Central Connecticut State this past weekend while Kennedy returned a kick-off 92 yards to pay dirt for his second career touchdown. This is the first career award for both student-athletes.
A native of Maryland, Benning totaled a career-best 12 stops last weekend, including one sack and one-tackle-for-loss. The captain posted his first career game of double digit tackles, registering five tackles in the second quarter alone. Benning now has eight career sacks.
Kennedy returned just one kick versus the Blue Devils but he made the most of it, sprinting 92 yards to the end zone for his second career TD, and first on special teams. The Philadelphia native became the first Mountain Hawk to return a kick-off for a touchdown since 2004, and the 92 yards were the most on a kick return by a Lehigh player since Ronald Jean took one back 95 yards against Bucknell in 1999.
The Mountain Hawks and their pair of award winners will return to action on Saturday evening when they travel to face the nationally ranked Villanova Wildcats at Villanova Stadium. Kick-off is set for 7:00 and the game will be shown live on WFMZ-TV, Fox College Sports Atlantic and Lehighsports.com with Steve Degler and Mike Yadush ’93 providing the commentary. The game will also be broadcast live on ESPN Radio 1230 and 1320 AM with Matt Kerr, Kody Fedorcha ’00 and Matt Markus on the call. Pre-game coverage gets underway at 6:00 PM.
