Back to work after bye, No. 6/8 Lehigh visits Holy Cross
10/31/2012 4:02:00 PM | Football
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Fresh off its bye week, No. 6/8 Lehigh heads to Worcester, Massachusetts to face the Holy Cross Crusaders Saturday at Fitton Field. Prior to the bye the Mountain Hawks capitalized on four blocked kicks to defeat Bucknell 42-19 on October 20 to move to 8-0 on the season. The lone undefeated team in the FCS, Lehigh has won its last 17 regular season games overall and its last 17 games against Patriot League opponents.
Holy Cross enters Saturday's game at 1-7 overall. The Crusaders, picked second behind Lehigh in the league's preseason poll have lost three straight games to league opponents, including a 36-32 home setback to Fordham last weekend. The road team has won seven of the last ten games in the Lehigh-Holy Cross series.
Special teams paved the way for the Mountain Hawks in their 42-19 win over Bucknell last time out. Lehigh blocked four kicks in the first half, including three punts and an extra point. Freshman Laquan Lambert blocked two punts and ran the first block back 60 yards for the game's first touchdown. For his efforts, Lambert earned Special Teams Player of the Week honors from the Patriot League, 
ECAC and nationally from the Sports Network. Senior Anthony Verderame blocked an extra point, his second blocked kick in as many games, while sophomore Tashan Mitchell blocked a Bison punt on the last play of the first half.
ECAC and nationally from the Sports Network. Senior Anthony Verderame blocked an extra point, his second blocked kick in as many games, while sophomore Tashan Mitchell blocked a Bison punt on the last play of the first half. With All-America wide receiver Ryan Spadola out with mononucleosis, junior Lee Kurfis and sophomore Josh Parris have stepped up with strong performances in Lehigh's last two games. Kurfis has totaled 19 catches for 261 yards in his last two outings and caught two touchdowns in the win over Bucknell. Parris enjoyed his first career 100-yard game with 114 yards on five receptions versus the Bison.
One of the keys for Lehigh defensively entering the season was to get off the field on third downs. The Mountain Hawks have done well in this area, allowing opponents to convert on third downs at a league-low 31.8 percent rate. Lehigh's last three opponents have converted just 11 of 43 (26 percent) third downs.
Lehigh and Holy Cross get together for the 28th time on Saturday with Lehigh holding a slight 14-12 lead. There has also been one tie. Lehigh has won the last two games over Holy Cross following a three-game winning streak for the Crusaders from 2007-2009. Lehigh has won eight of the last nine meetings in Worcester dating back to 1994.
Saturday's game gets underway at 12:30 from Fitton Field in Worcester, Mass. The game will not be televised, but Holy Cross will offer a live video stream on its web site, GoHolyCross.com. The contest will be broadcast live on ESPN Radio 1230 and 1320 as well as Lehighsports.com with Matt Kerr, Matt Markus and Steve Lomangino on the call. Pre-game coverage gets underway at 11:30 a.m.
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Date:
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November 3, 2012
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Opponent:
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Holy Cross Crusaders
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Kickoff:
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12:05 p.m.
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Stadium:
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Fitton Field/23,500/Natural Grass
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Location:
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Worcester, Mass.
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Tickets:
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Tickets can be purchased by calling Holy Cross at (508) 793-2573
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Lehigh's Record:
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8-0 overall, 2-0 Patriot League
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Holy Cross' Record:
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1-7 overall, 1-2 Patriot League
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Series:
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Lehigh leads 14-12-1
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Television
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None
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Radio
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ESPN Radio 1230 and 1320 AM with Matt Kerr, Matt Markus and Steve Lomangino
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Internet Broadcast:
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Live video through Holy Cross at GoHolyCross.com
Audio broadcast at 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 leads the Patriot League in scoring defense, total defense, pass defense, third down defense and sacks.
• The Mountain Hawks are averaging 27 points per game in their last nine trips to Holy Cross. Lehigh is 8-1 in its last nine games at Fitton Field.
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