No. 7/9 Lehigh welcomes Bucknell Saturday in Homecoming clash
10/16/2012 5:55:00 PM | Football
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – One of four undefeated teams remaining in the FCS, No. 7/9 Lehigh returns to Goodman Stadium Saturday to host the Bucknell Bison on Homecoming. The Mountain Hawks moved to 7-0 last weekend, overcoming seven turnovers in a 17-14 win over Georgetown in Washington, D.C. Senior Zach Barket rushed for a season-high 123 yards and a touchdown, while kicker Jake Peery booted a go-ahead 29-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter.
Bucknell opened its season with a win at Marist, but comes to Bethlehem looking to stop a five-game slide. The Bison are 0-2 in the Patriot League and are coming off a 35-7 loss at Harvard last weekend. Bucknell boasts the league's top rushing defense and ranks second to Lehigh in scoring defense, total defense and sacks. The Bison are still looking to get their offense going as they are averaging less than ten points per game. Running back Tyler Smith is a returning first team All-Patriot League selection.
The Mountain Hawks defeated Georgetown despite committing seven turnovers on the day. Mike Colvin threw four interceptions and Lehigh lost three fumbles, but the defense did its part to minimize the damage. The last time Lehigh committed seven turnovers in a game was in a 54-20 loss to Lafayette on November 19, 1994. The last time Lehigh won a game in which it committed at least five turnovers was September 24, 2005 when the Mountain Hawks held off VMI 28-26 in Lexington, Va.
Barket enjoyed his best day of the season against Georgetown, rushing for 123 yards and a touchdown on a career-high 28 carries. Lehigh has received balanced rushing contributions from Barket, Colvin, junior Keith Sherman and sophomore Rich Sodeke in 2012, but Barket delivered the first 100-yard rushing game for a Lehigh runner this season and the fourth of his career. After giving up 31 points to Fordham on September 29, the Lehigh defense has asserted itself the last two weeks, allowing just two offensive touchdowns during that time. In wins over Columbia and Georgetown, Lehigh has allowed just two offensive touchdowns, on drives of 26 and 31 yards, both of which followed Mountain Hawk turnovers. The Mountain Hawks have recorded eight sacks in those games, while allowing an average of just 287 yards per game. Lehigh leads the Patriot League in both scoring defense and total defense.
Lehigh has played Bucknell more times than any Patriot League opponent in school annals other than arch rival Lafayette. The Mountain Hawks and Bison meet for the 76th time Saturday with Lehigh holding a 43-29 advantage (there have also been three ties). The Brown and White have won 14 straight meetings versus Bucknell, which is the longest win streak for either school in the history of the series.
In addition to Homecoming festivities, Saturday's game will be the Zeta Tau Alpha Pink Out game. Fans are encouraged to wear pink and arrive early for pink giveaways. Donations will be accepted throughout the game with proceeds benefitting the Zeta Tau Alpha Foundation for breast cancer education and awareness.
Saturday's game kicks off just after 12:30 from Goodman Stadium. Tickets are still available, and may be purchased in one of three ways: by visiting the Lehigh ticket office located in Stabler Arena, by calling (610) 7LU-GAME, or on-line anytime at Lehighsports.com.
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Date:
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October 20, 2012
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Opponent:
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Bucknell Bison
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Kickoff:
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12:37 p.m.
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Stadium:
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Goodman Stadium/16,000/Natural Grass
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Location:
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Bethlehem, Pa.
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Tickets:
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Tickets can be purchased by calling (610) 7LU-GAME, or on-line via the link above
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Lehigh's Record:
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7-0 overall, 1-0 Patriot League
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Bucknell's Record:
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1-5 overall, 0-2 Patriot League
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Series:
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Lehigh leads 43-29-3
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Television
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Service Electric 2 Sports live with Mike Zambelli, Mike Yadush '93 and Al DiCarlo
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Radio
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ESPN Radio 1230 and 1320 AM with Matt Kerr, Lance Haynes '94, Tom Fallon and Matt Markus beginning at 11:30 a.m.
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Internet Broadcast:
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Lehighsports.com
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Key Stats:
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• The Mountain Hawks have won 17 straight regular season games, good for the longest active streak in the FCS.
•Lehigh and Bucknell are ranked 1-2 in the Patriot League in scoring defense, total defense and sacks.
•The Mountain Hawks have eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark in all seven games this season, but Bucknell allows just 88.5 yards per game on the ground.
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