Lehigh University Athletics
Spadola tabbed by Sports Network as one of top ten FCS receivers
5/22/2012 9:55:00 PM | Football
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Last season Lehigh wide receiver Ryan Spadola enjoyed a record-setting campaign, on the way to earning All-America honors for the second straight year. On Tuesday, Spadola was tabbed by the Sports Network as one of Ten Receivers to Watch for the second straight year. Spadola is the only Patriot League receiver on this list and was mentioned in the article as the league's top wideout heading into 2012.
Spadola enjoyed a breakout sophomore season in 2010 and followed it up with an even better junior campaign, catching a school-record 96 passes for a Lehigh and Patriot League record 1,614 yards and nine touchdowns. He earned first team All-America honors from the AFCA, Associated Press and the Sports Network among others. Over the last two seasons, the Howell N.J. native has averaged 87 receptions for 1,372 yards and ten touchdowns while helping lead the Mountain Hawks to back-to-back Patriot League titles.The Sports Network said this about Lehigh's 6-foot-3, 205-pound rising senior captain:
Over the last two seasons, Spadola has caught 174 passes for 2,754 yards and 20 touchdowns - Mellette-type numbers - to dominate the FCS ranks. This season, Spadola won't be catching passes from standout Chris Lum and will be the focal point of opposing defenses, so it will be interesting to chart his production. It will remain high in the Patriot League, where he is unstoppable. He has moved on from his suspension from the FCS quarterfinals at North Dakota State last season because of an offensive tweet.
Last season, Spadola eclipsed the 100-yard receiving mark in 11 of the 12 games he played in. Spadola caught nine passes for a then-career high 214 yards and three touchdowns in an early season win at Princeton. He later established a new career high with 216 yards on 13 catches in an October win at Fordham. Spadola also had 13 catches for 152 yards and a touchdown in Lehigh's second round FCS Playoff win at Towson December 3. He finished 98 yards shy of the FCS single-season receiving record.
Coming off its tenth Patriot League football championship, Lehigh will open the 2012 season on Saturday September 1 against the Monmouth Hawks at Goodman Stadium.
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