Lehigh set to visit Towson in second round playoff showdown
11/29/2011 7:27:00 PM | Football
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – No. 6 Lehigh will make its second FCS Playoff appearance in as many years on Saturday as the Patriot League champion Mountain Hawks battle No. 8/9 Towson, champions of the CAA in a second round playoff game at Johnny Unitas Stadium. Lehigh ended the regular season on a nine-game win streak and earned a first round bye after dismantling rival Lafayette 37-13 on November 19.
Towson won the CAA title outright with a 7-1 conference record after being picked last in the CAA preseason poll. The Tigers posted an eight game improvement after a 1-10 season in 2010. The winner of Saturday's game will face the winner of the James Madison-North Dakota State game in the quarterfinals next week.
After a slow start to the season statistically, Lehigh's defense has come to life over the Mountain Hawks' last seven games. The Mountain Hawks allowed an average of 29.5 points and 400 yards in their first four games, but over its last seven games Lehigh is allowing an average of 254.4 yards and 11.7 points per game. Lehigh has held six of its last seven opponents to 13 points or less. The Mountain Hawks have forced 19 turnovers (11 interceptions and eight fumble recoveries) and have racked up 24 sacks over their last seven games.
Lehigh placed a Patriot League-best 16 players on the All-League teams, which were announced on November 22. Eleven Mountain Hawks were named to the first team including nine players on offense: quarterback Chris Lum, tailback Zach Barket, wide receivers Ryan Spadola and Jake Drwal, tight ends Jamel Haggins and Mark Wickware and linemen Jim Liebler, Troy McKenna and Mike Vuono. Seniors Mike Groome and Ben Flizack represented the Mountain hawks on the first team defense. .
Towson's only two losses in 2011 were to FBS member Maryland and perennial CAA power Delaware. The Tigers boast the nation's ninth-ranked rushing offense averaging 239.45 yards per game. Running back Terrance West has established himself as one of the nation's top freshmen, as he leads the FCS with 27 touchdowns, while ranking tenth nationally in rushing, averaging 124.2 yards per game. Sophomore quarterback Grant Enders has emerged as a leader for the Tiger offense. Towson's defense has been opportunistic, ranking 24th nationally in turnover margin.
Lehigh and Towson will meet for the 12th time on Saturday, with the Brown and White owning a 10-1 series edge. The Tigers were an associate member of the Patriot League from 1997-2003, when the last seven meetings took place. Lehigh won the first nine meetings in a series that began in 1986, before Towson picked up its only win 23-19 in 2002. The Mountain Hawks won the most recent meeting, 35-3 at Goodman Stadium in 2003.
Saturday's game gets underway at 3:30 from Johnny Unitas Stadium. The game can be seen online via ESPN3, while audio coverage of the game will be broadcast live on ESPN Radio 1230 and 1320 as well as online at Lehighsports.com. Due to NCAA broadcast rules, Saturday's Lehighsports.com audio broadcast will be available for free.
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Date:
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December 3, 2011
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Event:
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NCAA FCS Playoffs, Second Round
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Opponent:
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No. 8/9 Towson Tigers
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Kickoff:
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3:35 p.m.
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Stadium:
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Johnny Unitas Stadium/11,198/FieldTurf
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Location:
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Towson, Md.
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Tickets:
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Tickets can be purchased by calling 610-7LU-GAME or through Towson
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Lehigh's Record:
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10-1 overall, 5-0 Patriot League
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Towson's Record
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9-2 overall, 7-1 CAA
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Series:
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Lehigh leads 10-1
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Television
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ESPN3 with Bob Picozzi and John Gregory
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Radio
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ESPN Radio 1230 and 1320 AM with Matt Kerr, Mike Yadush '93 and Steve Lomangino beginning at 2:30 p.m.
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Internet Broadcast:
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Lehighsports.com (audio), ESPN3 (video)
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Key Stats:
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• Lehigh ranks in the top five nationally in total offense and passing offense and ranks in the top ten nationally in rushing defense and scoring defense.
• Lehigh has scored 30 or more points in nine of its 11 games this season.
• Towson freshman running back Terrance West ranks tenth nationally in rushing and leads the FCS with 27 touchdowns.
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