Lehigh runs to victory in opener

Washington, D.C. – Tenth ranked Lehigh opened its 2001 season with a warm welcome for Patriot League newcomer Georgetown defeating the Hoyas 41-14 at Kehoe Field in front of 2,512, many of which were dressed in Lehigh brown. The three time defending League champion Mountain Hawks moved the ball effortlessly early taking a 24-7 lead, into the locker room at halftime and never looked back scoring three times in the second half to run away with the victory and improve its season opener record to 73-39-6 overall and 14-2 in Patriot League openers. The win marked the 14^th straight regular season win for the Mountain Hawks who are now 33-1 in the regular season since the start of the 1998 season.
      While Lehigh had some question marks entering the game, it was evident that Pete Lembo’s Mountain Hawks had some answers. The offensive line showed that although it is young and inexperienced it could move the ball clicking to the tune of 445 yards. Brant Hall led the passing attack completing 17-of-30 attempts for 306 yards and one touchdown. Not surprisingly, Josh Snyder was his favorite receiver as the two connected nine times for 182 yards and a touchdown. The debut of Lehigh Valley native Dave Wilson as the starting tailback was quite impressive as the sophomore carried 23 times for 122 yards and three touchdowns.
      "I was very excited about the way we came out at the start of the game," said head coach Pete Lembo who picked up his first collegiate head coaching victory against his alma mater. "I thought we did some things very well and overall I was pleased with our performance. We have a number of things to work on but I thought our offensive line looked strong and physical. Our defense really got after it and we blocked a punt so that was nice."
      Lehigh opened the game with four straight scores to take a 24-0 lead while squandering two other scoring opportunities. Josh Snyder opened the scoring with an 11-yard catch from Brant Hall with 13:20 to go in the first. Brian Kelley added to the Lehigh lead with a 33-yard field goal before Dave Wilson tacked on a pair of rushing touchdowns, the first from two yards out and the second from five yards out. It appeared as if Snyder would go in for his second touchdown of the game after he caught a Hall pass down the middle and scampered 62 yards but fumbled on the one-yard line just before the score giving the Hoyas the ball on the 20. After another defensive stop by the Lehigh "D", Lehigh failed to score again as Kelley’s attempt at a 35-yard field goal failed. Georgetown managed to get on the scoreboard late in the second half when Craig Agnello caught a seven-yard pass from Sean Peterson to make it 24-7.
      The second half proved to be a long one for the Georgetown defense as Lehigh’s offense scored three times using its ground game as its primary weapon. Wilson scored from one yard out in the third to give the Mountain Hawks a 31-7 lead and Kelley made it 34-7 with a 26-yard field goal. Midway through the fourth Howard Ward scampered in from a yard out on fourth down behind the strong blocking of Mike Gregorek at full back to make it 41-7.
      Lehigh will take next Saturday off and will resume action on September 15^th when it travels to Philadelphia to take on Pennsylvania at Franklin Field. The season opener for the Quakers is scheduled for 6:30 P.M.

Scoring Summary

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Lehigh-GU

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