Lehigh University Athletics
No. 10 Lehigh opens Patriot League slate Saturday at Bucknell
10/4/2011 10:15:00 PM | Football
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The tenth-ranked Lehigh football team opens Patriot League play Saturday afternoon as the Mountain Hawks meet the Bucknell Bison in a matchup of 4-1 teams. Lehigh has won three straight, including a 37-7 win over Yale last week to move into the top ten in the national polls for the first time in six years. The Mountain Hawk defense played its best game of the year, while Chris Lum and receivers Jake Drwal and Ryan Spadola enjoyed productive days to pace the offense.
Bucknell is off to its best start since 2001, after downing Georgetown 35-18 in its league opener last weekend.
Drwal enjoyed one of the finest days of his career versus Yale, catching ten passes for 112 yards and a career-high three touchdowns. The ten receptions marked Drwal's second 10-plus catch game this season as the Nebraska native caught a career-high 11 passes versus UNH. Drwal is tied for fifth nationally in receptions, averaging eight per game.After a slow start to the season statistically, Lehigh's defense enjoyed its most impressive performance of the season against Yale. The Mountain Hawks entered last week's game having allowed an average of 29.5 points and 400 yards of offense in their first four games. Against the Bulldogs, Lehigh allowed just 10 first downs and seven points, while yielding just 203 yards of total offense and forcing five turnovers. Lehigh limited Yale quarterback Patrick Witt to 12-of-31 passing for 120 yards and a touchdown. Witt also threw a pair of first-half interceptions.
Lehigh has played Bucknell more times than any Patriot League opponent in school annals other than arch rival Lafayette. The Mountain Hawks and Bison meet for the 75th time on Saturday with Lehigh holding a 42-29 advantage (there have also been three ties). The Brown and White have won 13 straight meetings versus Bucknell, which is the longest win streak for either school in the history of the series.
Saturday's game kicks off just after 1:00 from Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium in Lewisburg. There is no television coverage of the game, but it will be broadcast live on ESPN Radio 1230 and 1320 AM as well as Lehighsports.com with pre-game coverage getting underway at noon.
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Date:
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October 8, 2011
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Opponent:
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Bucknell Bison
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Kickoff:
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1:03 p.m.
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Stadium:
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Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium/13,100/FieldTurf
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Location:
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Lewisburg, Pa.
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Tickets:
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Tickets can be purchased by calling Bucknell at (570) 577-1000
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Lehigh's Record:
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4-1 overall, 0-0 Patriot League
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Bucknell's Record:
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4-1 overall, 1-0 Patriot League
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Series:
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Lehigh leads 42-29-3
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Television
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None
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Radio
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ESPN Radio 1230 and 1320 AM with Matt Kerr, Matt Markus and Steve Lomangino beginning at noon.
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Internet Broadcast:
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Lehighsports.com
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Key Stats:
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• Lehigh is ranked in the top ten nationally in passing offense (3rd), total offense (4th) and scoring offense (9th).
• Mountain Hawks senior quarterback Chris Lum leads the nation in total offense (371 ypg.), passing yards (1,809) and passing touchdowns (19).
• Bucknell ranks second in the nation in turnover margin (+12), third in rushing defense and eighth in total defense.
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Behind Enemy Lines:
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Lehigh Sports Central: Football
Tuesday, December 02
MHT EP6 - Football
Thursday, November 20
Brown & Flight - Episode 4
Friday, November 14
Football Blitz
Friday, October 31
