Lehigh University Athletics
Sherman and Shafnisky honored by league as Lehigh rises in polls
11/11/2013 1:32:00 PM | Football
Sports Network Poll | FCS Coaches Poll
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Two members of the Lehigh football team garnered Patriot League weekly awards Monday for their efforts in the Mountain Hawks' 34-20 win over Holy Cross Saturday at Goodman Stadium. Senior running back Keith Sherman was named Offensive Player of the Week while freshman Nick Shafnisky earned Rookie of the Week honors.
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Sherman enjoyed the finest game of his career rushing 20 times for 166 yards and scoring three total touchdowns including a career-long 60 yard sprint in the second quarter. He set career single-game bests for carries, rushing yards, total touchdowns and all-purpose yards (196).
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The Bucksport, S.C. native also caught two passes for 30 yards and two scores. Sherman caught a 19 yard pass late in the first half to give Lehigh a 27-13 lead and added an 11 yard touchdown reception in the third quarter to increase the Mountain Hawks' lead to 34-13. On a day where he did not have a rush for negative yardage, Sherman helped the Mountain Hawks kill the clock in the fourth quarter with five rushes for 38 yards as Lehigh ran off the final 3:11.
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For the season, Sherman leads the Mountain Hawks with 739 rushing yards on 131 carries, an impressive 5.6 yard per carry average. He has six rushing touchdowns and has also caught 20 passes for 271 yards and four scores. Saturday's 166-yard effort marked Sherman's third 100 yard rushing game this season and the third of his career. Â
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Junior Matt McHale started Saturday's game at quarterback with Shafnisky coming on for two series in the second quarter. Shafnisky's playing time increased once McHale was sidelined with an injury and he responded by guiding Lehigh on touchdown drives on his first three possessions under center. He gave Lehigh the lead for good with a five yard touchdown run with 2:26 left in the first half and then relieved McHale on Lehigh's next possession, capping a six play drive with the first of two touchdown passes to Sherman on the day.
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Shafnisky completed 11-of-12 passes Saturday for 136 yards and the two touchdowns to Sherman. He was also Lehigh's second leading rusher with 55 yards on 13 carries. Saturday's game marked the first extensive action for the Whitehall, Pa. native who has served as Lehigh's holder on placements in his freshman campaign.
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Lehigh moved up slightly in both polls after improving to 7-2 overall and 2-1 in the Patriot League with Saturday's win. The Mountain Hawks are up one spot to No. 20 in the Sports Network FCS Top 25 and up two places to No. 17 in the FCS Coaches Poll.
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The Mountain Hawks head to Hamilton, N.Y. Saturday to face the Colgate Raiders. Lehigh needs to win its final two games to claim its 11th Patriot League title and the league's automatic berth into the NCAA FCS playoffs. Game time Saturday is set for 1 p.m. from Andy Kerr Stadium. The game will air live on the Patriot League Network with audio coverage on ESPN Radio 1230 and 1320, ESPNLV.com and Lehighsports.com.
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Two members of the Lehigh football team garnered Patriot League weekly awards Monday for their efforts in the Mountain Hawks' 34-20 win over Holy Cross Saturday at Goodman Stadium. Senior running back Keith Sherman was named Offensive Player of the Week while freshman Nick Shafnisky earned Rookie of the Week honors.
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Sherman enjoyed the finest game of his career rushing 20 times for 166 yards and scoring three total touchdowns including a career-long 60 yard sprint in the second quarter. He set career single-game bests for carries, rushing yards, total touchdowns and all-purpose yards (196).
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The Bucksport, S.C. native also caught two passes for 30 yards and two scores. Sherman caught a 19 yard pass late in the first half to give Lehigh a 27-13 lead and added an 11 yard touchdown reception in the third quarter to increase the Mountain Hawks' lead to 34-13. On a day where he did not have a rush for negative yardage, Sherman helped the Mountain Hawks kill the clock in the fourth quarter with five rushes for 38 yards as Lehigh ran off the final 3:11.
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For the season, Sherman leads the Mountain Hawks with 739 rushing yards on 131 carries, an impressive 5.6 yard per carry average. He has six rushing touchdowns and has also caught 20 passes for 271 yards and four scores. Saturday's 166-yard effort marked Sherman's third 100 yard rushing game this season and the third of his career. Â
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Junior Matt McHale started Saturday's game at quarterback with Shafnisky coming on for two series in the second quarter. Shafnisky's playing time increased once McHale was sidelined with an injury and he responded by guiding Lehigh on touchdown drives on his first three possessions under center. He gave Lehigh the lead for good with a five yard touchdown run with 2:26 left in the first half and then relieved McHale on Lehigh's next possession, capping a six play drive with the first of two touchdown passes to Sherman on the day.
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Shafnisky completed 11-of-12 passes Saturday for 136 yards and the two touchdowns to Sherman. He was also Lehigh's second leading rusher with 55 yards on 13 carries. Saturday's game marked the first extensive action for the Whitehall, Pa. native who has served as Lehigh's holder on placements in his freshman campaign.
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Lehigh moved up slightly in both polls after improving to 7-2 overall and 2-1 in the Patriot League with Saturday's win. The Mountain Hawks are up one spot to No. 20 in the Sports Network FCS Top 25 and up two places to No. 17 in the FCS Coaches Poll.
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The Mountain Hawks head to Hamilton, N.Y. Saturday to face the Colgate Raiders. Lehigh needs to win its final two games to claim its 11th Patriot League title and the league's automatic berth into the NCAA FCS playoffs. Game time Saturday is set for 1 p.m. from Andy Kerr Stadium. The game will air live on the Patriot League Network with audio coverage on ESPN Radio 1230 and 1320, ESPNLV.com and Lehighsports.com.
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