Lehigh University Athletics
Lehigh announces 2003 schedule
9/19/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Bethlehem, PA – With spring football practice set to begin on March 26, the Lehigh football program has announced its 2003 schedule. Eleven games grace the slate of the six-time Patriot League champions, including six contests at Goodman Stadium for the second straight season.
"We begin with two critical Patriot League games," commented Lehigh head coach Pete Lembo. "We’ll be tested early and have a sense of where we stand right off the bat."
Lehigh opens its season at home on September 6 against Holy Cross, and then hosts defending league champion Fordham a week later. The showdown with the Crusaders coincides with the ever-popular Youth Activity Day, while the Fordham game is also Volunteer Day at Goodman Stadium. The Mountain Hawks have experienced success against these two teams, defeating both on the road a season ago – including a 26-23 overtime win over the Rams in the Bronx.
A week later, on September 20, the Mountain Hawks hit the road for the first time to take on Princeton. That contest, tentatively scheduled to be played under the lights at Princeton’s Palmer Stadium, marks the season opener for the Tigers. The following week, Lehigh returns to Bethlehem to host Pennsylvania on Scout Day. The Quakers are the defending Ivy League champions, having captured league titles twice in the last three years.
"Princeton and Penn are always physical and well-coached," Lembo points out. "Those two teams are likely to finish at the top of their conference again this year."
On October 4, Lehigh takes to the road to do battle with a Division I-A opponent for the second straight season, when the Mountain Hawks visit the University of Connecticut. Lehigh opened up the 2002 campaign with a win over the University at Buffalo.
"UConn finished last season by beating Iowa State and Navy handily on the road," Lembo explains. "They were one of the most improved I-A football programs in the nation last year."
Lehigh’s game at Connecticut will be just the second contest to be played at the Huskies’ sparkling new stadium in East Hartford. The Mountain Hawks are the lone I-AA team on Connecticut’s schedule, which includes opponents such as Virginia Tech and North Carolina State.
The following week, Lehigh returns home to host St. Mary’s (California) at Goodman Stadium on Alumni Reunion Day. The Gaels’ visit to Bethlehem marks Lehigh’s final non-league contest on the docket.
"We traveled to Moraga in 1998 and won a close, physical football game," Lembo recalls. "Since then, the Gaels have upgraded their schedule and have competed successfully against some quality I-AA competition on the west coast."
After the showdown with St. Mary’s, Lehigh has a crucial week off from game competition to prepare for the home stretch: five straight league contests to wrap up the regular season.
"That bye week presents us with an opportunity to catch our breath before we hit that challenging five-game stretch of Patriot League opponents," said Lembo.
Lehigh then returns to the gridiron on October 25 when the Mountain Hawks visit Georgetown, Lembo’s alma mater. The Hoyas are entering their third season as members of the Patriot League. On November 1, Lehigh hosts Towson in a league showdown on Family Day.
On November 8, the Mountain Hawks take to the road once again, for the first of two straight away contests. Lehigh visits perennial power Colgate on the 8th, and will head to Lewisburg to battle intrastate foe Bucknell on November 15.
Lehigh returns home to close out the 2003 regular season when the Mountain Hawks host arch-rival Lafayette on November 22 in the 139th meeting of college football’s most played rivalry.
"Without a doubt, this is the most challenging schedule our program has faced in recent years," Lembo says.
Lehigh will play its annual Brown and White spring game on April 19, and the Mountain Hawks, who have led the Patriot League in attendance in each of the last 12 years, kick off their 2003 season on September 6 vs. Holy Cross. For season ticket information, contact the Lehigh Ticket Office at (610) 7LU-GAME.
To view the entire 2003 Lehigh football schedule, click here.
For more information, contact Jeff Tourial, Lehigh Sports Media Relations.
Posted March 12, 2003.
