Lehigh University Athletics
Lehigh earns No. 13 preseason ranking from the Sports Network
8/15/2011 11:13:00 PM | Football
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – As the Lehigh football team opens its second week of preseason camp, the Mountain Hawks learned Monday that they earned a preseason national ranking in the first of two major polls to be released. Lehigh is ranked 13th in The Sports Network/Fathead.com FCS Top 25 announced Monday. The Mountain Hawks won their ninth Patriot League title in 2010 and are the only Patriot League squad to be ranked in the top 25.
The Sports Network/Fathead.com FCS Top 25 includes votes from sports information directors and media members covering FCS Football.
Following its 10-3 2010 campaign, which featured an eight game winning streak and a first round FCS Playoff win at Northern Iowa, the Mountain Hawks ended the season ranked No. 14 in both The Sports Network and FCS Coaches year-end polls.
Lehigh was picked to win its tenth Patriot League title two weeks ago at the league's annual media day. The Mountain Hawks return 13 starters including first team All-League quarterback Chris Lum and wide receiver Ryan Spadola on offense, and All-American and preseason Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year Mike Groome at linebacker. The Mountain Hawks garnered 1,351 points in the poll, 317 behind 12th place Montana and 89 more than Villanova, which came in at No. 14. Defending National Champion Eastern Washington earned the top spot in the poll with 90 of a possible 140 first place votes. The rest of the top five consists of Appalachian State, William & Mary, Georgia Southern and Delaware.
Two teams on Lehigh's 2011 home slate are ranked in the top 25. The Mountain Hawks will open their home schedule against preseason No. 10 New Hampshire on September 10. The Wildcats were a NCAA quarterfinalist a year ago and were one of seven teams to earn at least one first place vote in this year's preseason poll. Preseason No. 22 Liberty will also visit Goodman Stadium on September 24.
The Mountain Hawks have two more weeks of preseason camp before shifting focus to their season opener at Monmouth on September 3 in West Long Branch, N.J.
Tuesday, December 02
Thursday, November 20
Friday, November 14
Friday, October 31
