Lehigh University Athletics
Lehigh rallies to beat Hofstra in OT
9/19/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Lehigh’s first home playoff game in 21 years resulted in one of Goodman Stadium’s most exciting finishes ever, as the Mountain Hawks rallied for a thrilling 27-24 overtime victory over Hofstra in the first round of the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs.
Lehigh’s Jermaine Pugh muscled his way into the end zone after a short dump off pass from backup quarterback Luke Ciannello on third and goal from the four-yard line with 19 seconds to play in the fourth quarter, tying the game at 24, and sending the game into overtime.
Lehigh’s Abdul Byron picked a Rocky Butler pass on Hofstra’s opening attempt of the overtime, and Lehigh’s Brian Kelley sent his team to the second round with a 23-yard field goal, as Lehigh fans celebrated the team’s third trip into the NCAA playoffs second round in four seasons.
Lehigh (11-0, 7-0 Patriot League) extended its 22-game home winning streak, and Hofstra was sent home after a 9-2 regular season, and 7-2 record in the Atlantic 10.
Hofstra seemed to have the game in hand with 3:07 to play, a seven-point lead, and the ball on the Lehigh eight-yard line, when Hofstra tailback Trevor Dimmie fumbled a pitch from quarterback Rocky Butler and Lehigh’s Theo Moss recovered.
Ciannello, who took over for all-conference quarterback Brant Hall after he threw a intercepted returned for a touchdown in the third quarter, took Lehigh 92 yards on 14 plays with the game and the season on the line, before finding Pugh for the score.
"That was pretty exciting," an understated Ciannello said in the post-game press conference. "I’m just very excited to be able to help the team. We showed a lot of heart out there and just played Mountain Hawk football down the stretch."
"I give a lot of credit to Lehigh," Hofstra head coach Joe Gardi said. "They have some good athletes and they just don’t beat themselves."
Hofstra’s offense came out clicking, opening the scoring with 6:32 to play in the first quarter, with a two-yard run by Trevor Dimmie. The scored capped a seven play, 59-yard drive.
Lehigh’s offense, which sputtered early, followed with a three-and-out, and Hofstra wasted no time doubling their lead. Senior quarterback Rocky Butler hit Kahmal Roy with a 38-yard touchdown pass.
Roy caught a 40-yard pass on an identical post-pattern on the previous play, and Hofstra moved the ball 79 yards in just three plays for the score.
Hofstra’s defense allowed senior quarterback Brant Hall, and the Lehigh offense just three first downs and 47 total yards in the first quarter.
As the opening quarter wound down Hofstra was primed to find the end zone for their third consecutive possession, when Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year Abdul Byron ripped Butler to the ground for a six yard loss back to Lehigh’s 21 on a sprint right. After a Lehigh sack pushed them back to the 32, Hofstra place kicker Chris Onorato missed a 49-yard attempt.
Lehigh’s Sam Roberts picked up a punt blocked by junior captain Matt Salvaterra and fell into the end zone with 6:28 to play in the second quarter, making it 14-7.
Hofstra’s Doug Shanahan made it 24-7 with 8:08 to play in the third, when he stepped in front of a Brant Hall pass and took it 27 yards for the score.
Ciannello, Lehigh’s backup quarterback entered the game on the ensuing drive, and after a 7 yard sack, hit Mike Sutton on a quarterback screen that went for an 86 yard touchdown, making it 24-17 Hofstra.
With 11:33 to play Ciannello was headed for the end zone on a keeper to the right side, for what would have been a tying score, when Renauld Williams knocked the ball loose at the two-yard line. The ball bounded out of the back of the end zone, and Hofstra took over on the touchback.
Ciannello was 13-19 for 249 yards and two touchdowns, in just a quarter and a half. He was also without the services of Lehigh’s top receiver, Josh Snyder, who left the game in the first half with a torn MCL.
Lehigh will head to Greenville, South Carolina next Saturday, December 8, for their second round match-up with Furman, who took care of Western Kentucky, 24-20.
