Saturday, October 11
12:30 PM

Lehigh University

vs

Bucknell

Team Running Out MU 14 7041

Mountain Hawks return from bye to host Bucknell in league opener

10/7/2014 11:55:00 AM | Football

 
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The last two teams to open Patriot League play, Lehigh and Bucknell, meet Saturday afternoon at Goodman Stadium. The Mountain Hawks come off their bye week still looking for their first victory of the season, following a heartbreaking 28-21 loss to Monmouth on September 27, when the Hawks scored the game-winning touchdown with 12 seconds remaining. Senior Rich Sodeke had a career-best rushing day to lead another strong effort on the ground but it wasn't enough to give Lehigh its first win.
 
Off to its best start since 1997, Bucknell carries a 4-1 mark into Saturday's game. The Bison opened with four consecutive wins, defeating VMI, Marist, Sacred Heart and Cornell, before stumbling in its non-league finale at Bryant last weekend. Bucknell once again features a strong defense that allows just under 20 points and 300 yards of offense per game, including a league-leading 115.8 on the ground.
 
10324The Bison have improved significantly on offense, with sophomore tailback C.J. Williams leading the way with 681 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. Sophomore R.J. Nitti has taken over as Bucknell's starting quarterback and has completed 54 percent of his passes with ten touchdowns compared to just five interceptions. Bucknell was picked fourth in the Patriot League preseason poll.
 
Sodeke has enjoyed the two finest games of his Lehigh career in the Mountain Hawks' first two home games this season. In the season opener against James Madison, Sodeke rushed for 96 yards and his first career touchdown, and added 48 yards on four receptions. Last time out against Monmouth, Sodeke established a new career high with 119 rushing yards and a touchdown. Sodeke leads the Mountain Hawks with 529 rushing yards and has averaged 5.5 yards per carry this season.
 
Lehigh blocked a pair of Monmouth field goals in its last game, marking the third time since the start of the 2013 season that Lehigh blocked two kicks in one game. Senior Arturo Gyles and freshman Tyler Cavenas registered the blocks against Monmouth. Gyles has now blocked three kicks in his career. The Mountain Hawks also blocked two kicks last year against Lafayette (punt and field goal) and Princeton (two field goals). The last time Bucknell visited Goodman Stadium, Lehigh blocked four kicks including two punts blocked by then-freshman LaQuan Lambert; the first of which he returned 60 yards for a touchdown.
 
On Saturday, Lehigh will compete in the Game Day Recycling Challenge, a nationwide competition between universities to reduce waste at football games. The challenge is to educate fans about waste reduction, and weigh all trash and recycling from one game. Lehigh will implement its waste production program and will track and report waste reduction and disposal data.
 
Lehigh has played Bucknell more times than any Patriot League opponent in school annals other than rival Lafayette.  The Mountain Hawks and Bison meet for the 78th time on Saturday with Lehigh holding a 44-30 advantage (there have also been three ties). Bucknell snapped a 15-game Lehigh winning streak in the series with its victory last October.
 
Saturday's game kicks off just after 12:30 at Goodman Stadium. 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 LehighTickets.com.
 
Lehigh heads back on the road for its final non-league game of the season as the Mountain Hawks visit Cornell on October 18. The Mountain Hawks and Big Red last met in 2008 and last squared off in Ithaca, N.Y. in 2001. Game time is set for 3 p.m. from Schoellkopf Field.
 
Date:October 11, 2014
Opponent:Bucknell Bison
Kickoff:12:37 p.m.
Stadium:Goodman Stadium/16,000/Natural Grass
Location:Bethlehem, Pa.
Tickets:Tickets can be purchased by calling (610) 7LU-GAME, or on-line at LehighTickets.com
Lehigh's Record:0-4, 0-0 Patriot League
Bucknell's Record:4-1, 0-0 Patriot League
Series:Lehigh leads 44-30-3
Television:Service Electric 2 Sports with Mike Zambelli, Mike Yadush '93 and Al Di Carlo
Radio:ESPN Radio 1230 and 1320 with Matt Kerr, Lance Haynes, Matt Markus and Tom Fallon beginning at 11:30 a.m.
Internet:Video on the Patriot League Network
Audio at ESPNLV.com
Key Stats:• Lehigh ranks 28th nationally in rushing offense (209.0 ypg.), but Bucknell ranks 19th in rushing defense (115.8 ypg.).
•While the Mountain Hawks have struggled defensively (121st in the FCS), Lehigh's defense has been stout in the red zone, allowing scores a league-low 70% of the time
•Lehigh averaged 36 points per game in 15 games vs. Bucknell from 1998-2012, but the Mountain Hawks were limited to just 10 in last year's meeting.
Behind Enemy Lines:http://www.bucknellbison.com
 
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