Mountain Hawks return home to face Holy Cross on Family Day

11/1/2011 3:52:00 PM | Football

BETHLEHEM, Pa. – After a month away from home, No. 7/8 Lehigh returns to Goodman Stadium for its final three games of the regular season, beginning Saturday as the Mountain Hawks host Holy Cross. Lehigh rushed for a season-high 268 yards as the Mountain Hawks downed Colgate 45-25 in front of a national television audience for their sixth straight win. Junior running back Zach Barket rushed for a career-high 188 yards and totaled four touchdowns on the day.
 
Holy Cross enters Saturday's game at 4-4 overall and 2-1 in the Patriot League. The Crusaders are looking to bounce back from a 19-6 setback to Georgetown in the snow at Fitton Field. Dual-threat quarterback Ryan Taggart leads the Holy Cross offense. The Crusader defense has allowed an average of 203 total yards and 16 points over their last three games. Holy Cross will combat Lehigh's high-powered pass offense with the league's top pass defense.
 
Barket was named Patriot League Offensive Player of the Week on Monday, after gaining a career-high 188 rushing yards and scoring four total touchdowns in the win over Colgate. Barket scored two rushing touchdowns, including a career-long 39 yarder and added two more on receptions. He became the first Mountain Hawk to score four touchdowns in one game since Eric Rath scored four at Colgate in 2005.
 
In five-plus seasons under Andy Coen Lehigh has had trouble winning games when it rushes for fewer than 100 yards. The Mountain Hawks have failed to reach the century mark 25 times under Coen and are 10-15 in those games. When Lehigh has surpassed 100 yards during that time, it is 27-13. Lehigh's 268 net rushing yards at Colgate were its most since gaining 238 yards on the ground at Bucknell in 2007.
 
Lehigh and Holy Cross get together for the 27th time Saturday with Lehigh holding a slight 13-12 lead. There has also been one tie. Lehigh snapped Holy Cross' three game winning streak in the series with last year's win in Worcester, Mass. The Mountain Hawks will be looking for their first win over the Crusaders at Goodman Stadium since 2003.
Saturday's game kicks off just after 12:30 on Family Day at Goodman Stadium. Tickets for the game are still available, and may be purchased in one of three ways: by visiting the Lehigh ticket office located in Grace Hall, by calling (610) 7LU-GAME, or on-line anytime at Lehighsports.com.
 
Date:
November 5, 2011
Opponent:
Holy Cross Crusaders
Kickoff:
12:37 p.m.
Stadium:
Goodman Stadium/16,000/Natural Grass
Location:
Bethlehem, Pa.
Tickets:
Tickets can be purchased by calling (610) 7LU-GAME, or on-line via the link above
Lehigh's Record:
7-1 overall, 2-0 Patriot League
Yale's Record
4-4 overall, 2-1 Patriot League
Series:
Lehigh leads 13-12-1
Television
Service Electric 2 Sports live with Mike Zambelli, Mike Yadush '93 and Al DiCarlo
Radio
ESPN Radio 1230 and 1320 AM with Matt Kerr, Kody Fedorcha '00, Tom Fallon, and Matt Markus beginning at 11:30 a.m.
Internet Broadcast:
Lehighsports.com
Key Stats:
Lehigh leads the nation in total offense (491 ypg) and ranks in the top five in both passing offense and scoring offense.
•Holy Cross boasts the Patriot League's top pass defense and ranks second to Lehigh in total offense and passing offense.
Lehigh had more rushing yards (268) than passing yards (226) at Colgate, marking the first time Lehigh rushed for more yards than it passed for since Nov. 14, 2009 at Fordham (235 rush, 201 pass).
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