Lehigh University Athletics
Lehigh cruises to 47-12 victory
9/18/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Bethlehem, PA – Sixth ranked Lehigh extended its winning streaks to 20 straight at home, and 18 straight regular season victories, with a 47-12 win over Towson on a warm afternoon at picturesque Goodman Stadium in front of 10,645 fans.
Senior quarterback Brant Hall took only 3:03 to march Lehigh (5-0, 2-0) down the field on their opening possession. He found junior receiver Phil Eversley open in the end zone for a nine-yard touchdown pass.
Theo Moss and Lehigh’s defensive unit followed suit. Moss spearheaded a three-and-out hold; by sacking Towson quarterback Val Troiani for a 7-yard loss on Towson’s first offensive play.
After setting the tone on offense and defense, Lehigh was off and running.
The Mountain Hawks turned a Mike Taggart fumble recovery into a 19-yard Brian Kelley field goal, and a 10-0 lead.
Brant Hall runs of 14, 12, and 11 yards set up a one-yard Phil Pleasant score, putting Lehigh on top 17-0.
Towson got on the board with 3:03 to go in the 2nd after a blocked punt by Malwan Johnson produced a safety.
Hall and Lehigh answered right back however, as the senior quarterback led Lehigh 60 yards on 6 plays, and capped the drive by rolling to his right, and firing a 31 yard bullet across his body to a wide open Dave Crockett. The Lehigh score came with only 26 seconds to play in the half, and gave the Mountain Hawks a 24-2 lead going into the locker room.
While Hall and the offense posted 247 yards on offense in the first half, it was Lehigh’s defense that stole the show during the game’s first 30 minutes. The unit surrendered only 18 yards on 21 plays, forced three turnovers, and yielded only a pair of first downs.
After Lehigh’s Brian Kelley hit his second field goal of the game, Towson found the end zone for the first time. The Tigers went 80 yards on 12 plays, and Noah Reed capped the drive with a 13 yard touchdown run, pulling Towson within 18 points with 4:25 to go in the 3rd quarter.
Lehigh’s relentless attack would not be slowed, however, as Byron Abdul took the ensuing kickoff 47 yards out to the Towson 45, and six plays later Hall found tight end Darin Henry on a three yard touchdown pass.
But Hall wasn’t done. After Towson tacked on three points on an Ed Kulic field goal, Hall hit Brad Sersch with a 70-yard touchdown pass. Jermaine Pugh hit pay dirt as well – on a two yard run – making it 47-12, after reserve quarterback Kevin Weschler took the reigns of the Lehigh offense.
Lehigh’s stellar defensive performance was highlighted by Ken Pitter’s Houdini-like interception in the 2nd quarter. Pitter dove in front of a Troiani pass, and juggled the ball while lying on his back in front of the Lehigh sideline, before securing it for the pick on Towson’s 28.
Towson’s offense finished with just 164 yards against Lehigh’s stingy defense, and Troiani was held to just 16 yards passing on 3 completions, before giving way to backup Jay Amer, who was 10-18 for 93 yards.
Hall finished 18-25 for 283 yards with 4 TDs, and rushed 14 times for 58 yards.
Lehigh’s running attack was led by Pugh, who carried 12 times for 79 yards. Josh Snyder hauled in 5 passes for 79 yards to lead the Mountain Hawks receiving core.
Lehigh entered the game ranked #6 in The Sports Network poll, and #9 in the ESPN/USA Today polls. They have been ranked in the top ten since October 30, 2000.
The Mountain Hawks return to action on October 20, when Lehigh visits Patriot League foe Fordham. Game time is scheduled for 1p.m.
Team Stats
Towson | Lehigh | |
First Downs | 13 | 23 |
Yards Rushing | 55 | 187 |
Yards Passing | 109 | 283 |
Total Yards | 164 | 470 |
Penalties | 5-31 | 10-80 |
Time of Possession | 28:23 | 31:37 |
Passing
Player | Att-Cmp-Int | Yds | TD |
Brant Hall, Lehigh | 25-18-0 | 283 | 4 |
Jay Amer, Towson | 18-10-0 | 93 | 0 |
Val Troiani, Towson | 10-3-2 | 16 | 0 |
Rushing
Player | Carries | Yds | TD |
Jermaine Pugh, Lehigh | 12 | 79 | 1 |
Brant Hall, Lehigh | 14 | 58 | 0 |
Phil Pleasant, Lehigh | 10 | 42 | 1 |
Noah Read, Towson | 19 | 74 | 1 |
Receiving
Player | Catches | Yds | TD |
Josh Snyder, Lehigh | 5 | 79 | 0 |
Darin Henry, Lehigh | 3 | 30 | 1 |
Dave Crockett, Lehigh | 2 | 47 | 1 |
Jason Galloway, Towson | 6 | 48 | 0 |
Defensive
Player | Solo Tackles | Assisted Tackles | TFL | Int. | Sacks |
Abdul Byron, Lehigh | 7 | 3 | 1-3 | 0 | 0 |
Theo Moss, Lehigh | 4 | 0 | 1-7 | 0 | 1-7 |
Sam Perryman, Lehigh | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Keith Meeney, Towson | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
