Lehigh University Athletics
Mountain Hawks set to open 2011 campaign at Monmouth
8/31/2011 1:19:00 AM | Football
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The 128th season of Lehigh football kicks off Saturday afternoon in West Long Branch, N.J. as the Mountain Hawks square off against the Hawks of Monmouth. Lehigh comes in off a year in which it won its ninth Patriot League football title and defeated UNI in the opening round of the FCS Playoffs. The Mountain Hawks were picked first in the Patriot League preseason poll and enter the season ranked 13th by the Sports Network and 15th by the FCS Coaches.
Monmouth is looking to bounce back from a 3-8 campaign that saw the Hawks drop four one-point decisions. The Hawks were picked sixth in the Northeast Conference preseason poll and are led by preseason All-America safety Jose Gumbs. The Hawks return 35 letterwinners and 11 starters, including quarterback Kyle Frazier and three members of the defensive line. Kevin Callahan is the only coach Monmouth football has ever had, and has won five NEC titles in his 18 previous seasons.
Lehigh returns eight players from last season's All-Patriot League teams. Quarterback Chris Lum, wide receiver Ryan Spadola and linebacker Mike Groome are Lehigh's three returning first team selections. The Mountain Hawks also return five second team selections: center Jim Liebler, wide receiver Jake Drwal, defensive linemen Andrew Knapp and Ben Flizack and linebacker Tanner Rivas. Lehigh's eight returning All-League selections lead the Patriot League.
While the Lehigh offense will need to break in new starters at tailback and on the offensive line, the Mountain Hawks' passing game should be in good hands. Quarterback Chris Lum will throw to All-League wideouts Ryan Spadola and Jake Drwal. Lehigh returns 68% of its receiving yardage from last year, including 11 players who caught at least one pass.Spadola (1,130 yards in 2010) was the breakout star for Lehigh's offense in 2010; Groome was the emerging force for the Mountain Hawks defense. Groome was thrust into the starting lineup when Troy Taylor injured a knee two days before the season opener and never looked back, leading the Mountain Hawks with 131 tackles and earning first team All-Patriot League honors and a fourth team All-America nod from Phil Steele. Groome was named a preseason All-American and the Patriot League's Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.
Lehigh has a 79-42-6 all-time record in its opening contests. The Mountain Hawks are 2-3 in season openers under Andy Coen with both wins coming against Drake, in 2008 and 2010. Lehigh opened at home for seven straight years before opening last season in Des Moines, Iowa. The Mountain Hawks have won the last five season openers that they've played away from home.
Saturday's game kicks off at 1 p.m. Kessler Field. The contest will not be televised, but will be broadcast live on ESPN Radio 1230 and 1320 as well as Lehighsports.com with pregame coverage beginning at noon.
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Date:
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September 3, 2011
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Opponent:
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Monmouth Hawks
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Kickoff:
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1:00 p.m.
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Stadium:
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Kessler Field/4,600/Field Turf
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Location:
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West Long Branch, N.J.
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Tickets:
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Tickets can be purchased by calling Monmouth at (732) 263-5188
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Lehigh's Record:
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10-3 overall, 5-0 Patriot League
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Monmouth's Record:
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3-8 overall, 3-5 Northeast Conference
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Series:
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Lehigh leads 2-0
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Television
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None
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Radio
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ESPN Radio 1230 and 1320 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 has beaten Monmouth by an average score of 55-18 in two previous meetings
•The Mountain Hawks led the Patriot League in scoring defense, red zone defense and sacks in 2010
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Behind Enemy Lines:
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