Lehigh University Athletics
Four Mountain Hawks recognized by College Sports Journal
1/20/2012 7:31:00 PM | Football
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Four of the key catalysts in one of the finest seasons in Lehigh football history were recognized by the College Sports Journal (CSJ) when it announced its Football Championship Subdivision All-American teams. Senior quarterback Chris Lum, junior wide receiver Ryan Spadola, and senior wide receiver Jake Drwal were named to the offensive team, while senior linebacker Mike Groome was the team's lone defensive selection. It was yet another postseason All-American honor for Lum and Spadola while Drwal received his first All-American nod. Groome earned his second postseason All-American honor for 2011.
Lum was named the CSJ Offensive Player of the Year in addition to being named to the first team offense. Spadola joined Lum on the first team while Drwal and Groome were both honorable mention selections.The engine that drove the Lehigh offense, Lum enjoyed one of the finest seasons for a quarterback in school history. He compiled 4,499 yards of total offense- the best on the FCS- and tossed 32 touchdown passes. His 4,378 passing yards were a school and Patriot League record. He also set a school and league record for completions (358). In addition to being named Patriot League Offensive Player of Year, Lum opened the season with seven consecutive 300-yard passing games. He finished third in the FCS in total offense averaging 346.6 yards per game. Lum finished as the runner-up in the voting for the Walter Payton Award, which is presented to the top player in the FCS.
Spadola enjoyed the best statistical season for a wide receiver in school annals. His 96 receptions and 1,614 receiving yards were school and league records. His highlight performance came in a mid-season win at Fordham in which he caught 13 passes for 216 yards. Spadola showed up big in the team's biggest win of the season as well, catching 13 passes for 152 yards and a touchdown in Lehigh's 40-38 playoff win at Towson. The New Jersey native was second in the FCS in receiving yards per game (134.5) and sixth in receptions per game (eight). Spadola has also been named to a number of All-America teams including the AFCA, Associated Press and Sports Network.
Perhaps overshadowed by Spadola, Drwal also enjoyed one of the finer receiving seasons in school history. One of the tougher and more physical players on the team, the Nebraska native caught 92 passes for 1,060 yards. Drwal opened the season with a bang at Monmouth in posting eight catches for 117 yards, and never looked back. His best performance came against Yale in which he registered 10 catches for 112 yards and three touchdowns. He eclipsed the 100-yard receiving mark five times this season and ranked eleventh in the FCS in receptions per game (7.08).
The leader on a stout Lehigh defense, Groome lived up to his preseason Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year honor. He registered a team-leading 117 tackles and made a number of key plays in crucial situations. Groome also led the team with 50 solo tackles and was tied for first in interceptions with four. The New Jersey native's best performance of the season came in, fittingly, a defensive struggle against Holy Cross. Groome's 13 tackles and sack were huge in the team's victory. But it was his late fourth quarter interception, in which he returned over 50 yards into Crusader territory; just-about sealed the victory.The College Sports Journal also recognized a number of other players nationally. Prairie View defensive end Adrian Hamilton won the Defensive Player of the Year. Towson received two major awards, Coach of the Year (Rob Ambrose) and Freshman of the Year (running back Terrance West). South Dakota offensive tackle Tom Compton was named Lineman of the Year while Georgia Southern's Laron Scott was named the Special Teams Player of the Year. North Dakota State linebacker Preston Evans was named the FCS Playoff Most Valuable Player.
The College Sports Journal selected 63 players, to signify the 63 scholarships awarded to teams playing at the FCS level, and an additional honorable mention team. Four players from the Patriot League were named to the CSJ All-America team: Lum, Spadola, Georgetown defensive end Andrew Schaetzke and Bucknell cornerback Bryce Robertson. Fordham punter Patrick Murray joined Drwal and Groome in earning honorable mention recognition.
Story by Antoine Williams '12
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