Regional rivals Lehigh and Delaware to meet in FCS second round
11/30/2010 8:33:00 PM | Football
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – After defeating UNI 14-7 last week for its first NCAA playoff win since 2001, Lehigh travels to Newark, Delaware to face the national No. 3 seed Blue Hens in a second round game Saturday at Delaware Stadium. The Mountain Hawks defense shut down the Panthers potent rushing attack and Chris Lum connected on a pair of third-quarter touchdown passes to lead Lehigh back from a 7-0 halftime deficit. Lehigh's eight-game winning streak will be on the line against a Delaware team that finished the regular season at 9-2 and was ranked No. 1 in the nation before dropping its finale to Villanova 28-21 in overtime. Quarterback Pat Devlin and running back Andrew Pierce lead the offense, while the Blue Hens also feature one of the nation's top defensive units.
Lehigh's defense put together one of its best performances of the season in last week's win at UNI. The Mountain Hawks allowed just 251 total yards to the Panthers, including 189 on the ground, 30 less than UNI's season average. Lehigh bottled up Panther 
quarterback Tirrell Rennie, sacking him three times and forcing him into numerous short gains that were almost sacks. Junior Colin Newton led the defensive effort with ten tackles and 2.5 sacks.
quarterback Tirrell Rennie, sacking him three times and forcing him into numerous short gains that were almost sacks. Junior Colin Newton led the defensive effort with ten tackles and 2.5 sacks. The Mountain Hawks' four senior defensive backs all enjoyed big days in the win at UNI. Safeties John Veniero and Casey Eldemire and cornerback John Kennedy each picked off passes, while the Mountain Hawks' leading interceptor, Jarard Cribbs, didn't get any picks but did block a field goal in the fourth quarter.
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Delaware has won 29 of 45 all time meetings between these two teams, including eight of the last nine meetings since 1986. The 1986 UD triumph snapped a three-game Lehigh winning streak in the series. This is the second postseason meeting between Lehigh and Delaware. The Blue Hens defeated the Mountain Hawks 47-22 in the 2000 quarterfinals.
Saturday's game gets underway at noon from Delaware Stadium. The contest will be broadcast live on ESPN Radio 1230 and 1320 as well as Lehighsports.com with Matt Kerr and Kody Fedorcha '00 on the call. Pregame coverage begins at 11 a.m. Live video of the game will also be streamed at NCAA.com.
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Date:
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December 4, 2010
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Event:
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NCAA FCS Playoffs, Second Round
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Opponent:
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No. 3 Delaware Blue Hens
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Kickoff:
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12:05 p.m.
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Stadium:
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Raymond Field at Delaware Stadium/22,000/FieldTurf
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Location:
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Newark, Del.
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Tickets:
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Tickets can be purchased by calling 610-7LU-GAME or through Delaware
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Lehigh's Record:
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10-2 overall, 5-0 Patriot League
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Delaware's Record
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9-2 overall, 6-2 CAA
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Series:
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Delaware leads 29-16
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Television
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TBA
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Radio
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ESPN Radio 1230 and 1320 AM with Matt Kerr and Kody Fedorcha '00 beginning at 11 a.m.
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Internet Broadcast:
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Lehighsports.com (audio), NCAA.com (video)
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Key Stats:
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• Lehigh owns the nation's longest winning streak among currently active FCS teams.
• The Mountain Hawks' 14 points scored against UNI were their fewest in a winning effort since 2002.
• Delaware leads the nation in scoring defense and ranks third in total defense.
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