Lehigh University Athletics
Pierce named Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week
9/6/2010 6:14:00 PM | Football
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Lehigh senior linebacker Al Pierce was named the Patriot League's Defensive Player of the Week on Monday following his performance in the Mountain Hawks' season-opening 28-14 win at Drake Saturday night. Pierce led the Mountain Hawks with nine tackles and had two of Lehigh's seven sacks plus a forced fumble that helped Lehigh put the game away.
The fifth-year senior co-captain totaled six solo tackles and assisted on three others in Saturday night's win including 2.5 tackles for loss. Lehigh registered seven sacks on the night, with Pierce picking up one in the first half, then late in the fourth quarter, after the Mountain Hawks took a 28-14 lead, Pierce sacked Drake's Michael Piatkowski again and forced a fumble which Andrew Knapp recovered, allowing Lehigh to run out the clock.
Pierce now owns 114 career tackles and 6.5 career sacks. This is his second career Defensive Player of the Week award with the first coming in the final week of last season when he was honored for his performance in Lehigh's 27-21 overtime win over Lafayette where he totaled 12 tackles and had the game-clinching interception in overtime.
The Mountain Hawks will open up their home schedule on Saturday when Lehigh welcomes defending FCS National Champion Villanova to Goodman Stadium. Kickoff is set for 12:37 and tickets can be purchased by calling 610-7LU-GAME, by visiting the Lehigh Athletics Ticket Office, located in Grace Hall or by logging onto Lehighsports.com.
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