Lehigh University Athletics
Mountain Hawks to kick off 2012 season at home vs. Monmouth
8/28/2012 10:47:00 PM | Football
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The 129th season of Lehigh football begins Saturday at Goodman Stadium as the Mountain Hawks host the Hawks of Monmouth. Lehigh comes in off back-to-back Patriot League championships including an 11-2 campaign a year ago where the Mountain Hawks won a playoff game for the second straight season, and captured the Lambert Cup as the top Eastern team in FCS football.
Lehigh was once again picked first in the Patriot League preseason poll, and the Mountain Hawks enter the season ranked 11th by the FCS Coaches and 16th by the Sports Network.
Monmouth opens its 20th season of football looking to bounce back from a 5-6 campaign a year ago that saw the Hawks go 0-6 at home and 5-0 on the road. Monmouth was picked fifth in the NEC preseason poll with offensive lineman Mike Murphy, tight end Tyler George, and defensive lineman Eric Macik earning preseason All-Conference honors. Kevin Callahan is the only coach Monmouth football has ever had, and has won five NEC titles in his 19 previous seasons.
Lehigh returns seven players from last season's All-Patriot League teams, all of whom were named to the inaugural preseason All-Patriot League team. Running back Zach Barket, wide receiver Ryan Spadola, tight end Jamel Haggins and tackle Mike Vuono represent the offense, while nose guard Sajjad Chagani and defensive backs Bryan Andrews and Billy O'Brien represent the defense. Lehigh's seven returning All-League selections lead the Patriot League.
Spadola enjoyed a record-setting junior campaign for the Mountain Hawks, hauling in 96 passes for a Lehigh and Patriot League record 1,614 yards, to go along with 11 touchdowns. He finished second nationally averaging 134.5 receiving yards per game. He finished the season 98 yards shy of the single-season FCS receiving yardage record set by Delaware's Eddie Conti in 1998. Spadola was a first-team All-Patriot League selection and earned five first team All-America honors following the 2011 season. Spadola is a preseason All-American and was voted the Patriot League's Preseason Offensive Player of the Year at the league's annual media day in July.
With All-American and Walter Payton Award runner-up Chris Lum having graduated senior Mike Colvin takes the reins as the Mountain Hawks' starting quarterback this afternoon. The Morristown, N.J. native has appeared in 29 games, and is a three-year letter winner. Colvin has rushed for 549 yards and seven touchdowns in his career, while the strong-armed right-hander has completed 33-of-75 passes for 272 yards, three touchdowns and five interceptions in his career. Colvin has made one previous start in his career, in a loss at New Hampshire in 2010. Last year Colvin rushed for 77 yards and three scores, while completing 6-of-13 passes for 27 yards. Lehigh has an 80-42-6 all-time record in its opening contests. The Mountain Hawks are 3-3 in season openers under Andy Coen with wins over Drake in 2008 and 2010 and last year's win at Monmouth. Saturday marks the first time Lehigh has opened at home since 2009. The Mountain Hawks will look to reverse the trend of home-opener losses under Andy Coen. Lehigh has won just one of six home openers in Coen's six seasons.
Saturday's game kicks off just after 12:30 on Fan Appreciation Day at Goodman Stadium. Fans are invited come out early and take photos with the Patriot League Football Championship Trophy before the game. Lehigh's Patriot League Champion men's basketball team will be recognized at halftime as well.
Tickets for the game 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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September 1, 2012
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Opponent:
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Monmouth Hawks
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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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11-2 overall, 5-0 Patriot League
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Monmouth's Record:
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5-6 overall, 4-4 Northeast Conference
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Series:
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Lehigh leads 3-0
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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, Kody Fedorcha '00, 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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• Lehigh has beaten Monmouth by an average score of 53-20 in three previous meetings.
•The Mountain Hawks led the Patriot League and ranked in the top five nationally in passing offense and total offense in 2011.
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Behind Enemy Lines:
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Brown & Flight - Episode 4
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Football Blitz
Friday, October 31
