Lehigh University Athletics
Lehigh football kicks off 2013 preseason camp
8/8/2013 11:25:00 PM | Football
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BETHLEHEM, Pa. – With just under a month to the season opener, the Lehigh football team held its first practice of preseason camp Thursday evening. The Mountain Hawks reported to campus Wednesday for physicals and meetings and held their first workout of camp Thursday under the lights on a muggy evening at Frank Banko Field. Lehigh will have a full month of preseason work before kicking off the 2013 season against Central Connecticut State September 7 at Goodman Stadium.
Eighth year head coach Andy Coen was pleased with the effort in the Mountain Hawks' first time out.
"We had great energy out there," he said. "Kids were flying around in what was a longer practice. We did a lot of teaching before we came together for about a 20 minute team period. The kids handled themselves well. I didn't see a lot of mistakes. Coming out for the first time, I thought the kids did a great job."
The Mountain Hawks open preseason camp looking to work their way back to the top of the Patriot League. After winning league titles and winning NCAA playoff games in 2010 and 2011, Lehigh finished 10-1 in 2012 but a home loss to Colgate cost the Mountain Hawks a third straight crown. The Mountain Hawks were picked second in the Patriot League preseason poll unveiled at last week's football media day.
With a less experienced team than in previous seasons and a longer than usual preseason camp, Coen says a lot of the early emphasis will be on education and gaining valuable experience.
"We have to do a lot of teaching and get as many reps as we can for these guys," Coen said. "We're young in terms of being inexperienced. We have some seniors who may get their first starting opportunity as a senior but they're still young as a football player. We need to a great job teaching and do a great job getting kids opportunities to show what they can do so we can get good evaluations.
Coen continued, "We're going to go hard early the first few weeks. We'll get a few scrimmages in, and then the tempo is going to change, but we need to come out and see who can make plays on both sides of the ball."
One of the biggest question marks entering preseason camp may be at quarterback, where senior Brandon Bialkowski has the most experience and could get the first shot, while juniors Matt McHale and A.J. Visconti and freshman Nick Shafnisky will all compete for time as well. Junior Gerard Poutier is currently sidelined with an injury.
"The quarterback situation has to sort itself out." Coen said. "I'd like to see that happen in the next two weeks or so and I'm confident that it will, but we need to find depth in that position as well.
"On the other side of the ball it's really about the front group," Coen continued. "It was really Bianchi, Verderame and Chagani last year. We have some guys who have played but they haven't had as many reps. Between our interior guys and our inside linebackers we need to figure that out in camp."
In accordance with NCAA rules, Thursday's workout was conducted without pads, just helmets for the Brown and White. Over the next few days Lehigh will progress to uppers (helmets and shoulder pads only) before donning full pads for the first time Monday afternoon. The first double session will take place on Tuesday.
Lehigh's preseason camp will run through Sunday, August 25 with the annual Alumni Steak Fry taking place that afternoon.
"We have a lot of work across the board, but it's an exciting time," Coen said. "We need to find players who will become household names both this year and in years to follow."
Earlier this week, the first of two major FCS polls was released with Lehigh coming in at No. 17 in the FCS Coaches Poll unveiled Tuesday. The Mountain Hawks garnered 198 points in the poll, which is voted on by 26 FCS coaches. Lehigh finished 14th in last year's final poll. Among 2013 Lehigh opponents in the poll, New Hampshire comes in at No. 8, while Colgate is listed among others receiving votes. The preseason Sports Network FCS Top 25 is expected to be announced next week.
The Mountain Hawks will open the 2013 season on Saturday September 7 when they host the Blue Devils of Central Connecticut State at Goodman Stadium. Kickoff is set for just after 12:30 p.m. Tickets to the CCSU game and all Lehigh home football games can be purchased by calling 610-7LU-GAME or by visiting LehighTickets.com.
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