Saturday, September 10
Villanova, Pa.
6:00 PM
Lehigh University
at
Villanova
Mountain Hawks to face first road test Saturday at No. 22/19 Villanova
9/6/2016 11:49:00 AM | Football
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BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Looking to bounce back from a two-point home loss to Monmouth last week, Lehigh heads down the Main Line to face No. 22/19 Villanova Saturday at Villanova Stadium. A sluggish first half offensively combined with a defense that was on the field for more than 37 minutes hurt the Mountain Hawks in their season-opening 23-21 loss to Monmouth. After being shut out in the first half, senior Nick Shafnisky engineered three second-half touchdown drives but Monmouth was able to kill the final four minutes off the clock to spoil Lehigh's season-opener.
Villanova welcomes Lehigh for its home opener after the Wildcats opened their season with a 28-7 loss to ACC member Pitt Saturday at Heinz Field. The Wildcat defense limited the Panthers to just 261 total yards of offense while also accounting for Villanova's points on a Rob Rolle fumble return touchdown. Villanova, ranked 22/19 in the two FCS polls, was picked fourth in the CAA preseason poll following a 6-5 campaign in 2015.
Defensive lineman Tanoh Kpassagnon represented Villanova on the Preseason All-CAA team, while offensively, 2015 CAA Co-Rookie of the Year Zach Bednarczyk returns for his first full season as 'Nova's starting quarterback. The Wildcats averaged more than 185 yards per game on the ground last season, with leading rusher Bednarczyk and second leading rusher Javon White returning to lead the Villanova offense.
It took more than 30 minutes of football for Lehigh's high-powered offense to get going in its season-opening loss to Monmouth. The Mountain Hawks were limited to just 19 plays for 49 total yards through 30 minutes and were kept off the scoreboard. Lehigh generated 190 yards and 21 points in the second half and erased a 14-point third quarter deficit, but the Mountain Hawks' lone turnover helped create a nine-point fourth-quarter hole that was too much to overcome. Lehigh was only held scoreless in a half once in 2015, when the Mountain Hawks were blanked in the first half in a 27-12 loss to Yale in what was Lehigh's worst offensive performance in an otherwise strong season.
While Lehigh's defense hung tough and limited Monmouth to just 23 points after yielding an average of 35 points in 2015, the Mountain Hawks were hurt by a large disparity in time of possession. Monmouth held the ball for 37:38 and ran offensive 75 plays, compared to 52 for Lehigh as the Mountain Hawks' defense spent too much time on the field. The Hawks also converted 7-of-15 third downs and 2-of-3 fourth downs to prolong drives. The last time a Lehigh opponent held the ball for more than 38 minutes was Central Connecticut State, which held the ball for 39:18 in the 2013 season-opener won by Lehigh in double overtime.
With captain Colton Caslow out due to injury, senior Evan Kauffman made his first career start at inside linebacker and led the Mountain Hawks with 12 tackles, while recording Lehigh's lone sack. Kauffman missed all of 2015 due to injury and the Bethlehem native moved back to linebacker after switching to fullback prior to the 2014 season.
Seven Mountain Hawks made their first career starts against Monmouth. Offensively, guards Micah Tennant and Liborio Ricottilli and tight end Drew Paulsen all started for the first time. On defense, nose guard Jimmy Mitchell, linebacker Evan Kauffman, nickel corner Kareem Montgomery and freshman safety Riley O'Neil all started for the first time last week.
Lehigh and Villanova will meet for the 13th time, with the Wildcats holding a 7-5 edge in the series. Villanova has won the last four meetings. Lehigh's last win in the series, a 31-28 triumph at Villanova in 2006 was Andy Coen's first win as a head coach. These teams last met at Villanova in 2009.
For the third time in Andy Coen's coaching career, Lehigh heads to Villanova for its second game after opening with a home loss. In 2006, Lehigh bounced back from a one-point loss to Albany by beating Villanova 31-28 for Coen's first win as a head coach. That team went on to share the Patriot League title. In 2009, Lehigh lost its opener to CCSU then fell to the eventual national champion Wildcats 38-17.
Saturday's game kicks off just after 6 p.m. from Villanova Stadium. The game will not be televised but streaming video will be available on NovaNation All-Access via Villanova.com.
Radio coverage for Saturday's game will be available on ESPN Radio of the Lehigh Valley (1230-1320-1160 AM) with pregame coverage beginning at 5 p.m.
Lehigh will travel past the Main Line into Philadelphia to close out a two-game road swing with a game at Penn next Saturday. The defending Ivy League co-champion Quakers will be opening their 2016 campaign as Lehigh visits historic Franklin Field for the first time since 2002. Game time is set for 5 p.m.
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BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Looking to bounce back from a two-point home loss to Monmouth last week, Lehigh heads down the Main Line to face No. 22/19 Villanova Saturday at Villanova Stadium. A sluggish first half offensively combined with a defense that was on the field for more than 37 minutes hurt the Mountain Hawks in their season-opening 23-21 loss to Monmouth. After being shut out in the first half, senior Nick Shafnisky engineered three second-half touchdown drives but Monmouth was able to kill the final four minutes off the clock to spoil Lehigh's season-opener.
Villanova welcomes Lehigh for its home opener after the Wildcats opened their season with a 28-7 loss to ACC member Pitt Saturday at Heinz Field. The Wildcat defense limited the Panthers to just 261 total yards of offense while also accounting for Villanova's points on a Rob Rolle fumble return touchdown. Villanova, ranked 22/19 in the two FCS polls, was picked fourth in the CAA preseason poll following a 6-5 campaign in 2015.
Defensive lineman Tanoh Kpassagnon represented Villanova on the Preseason All-CAA team, while offensively, 2015 CAA Co-Rookie of the Year Zach Bednarczyk returns for his first full season as 'Nova's starting quarterback. The Wildcats averaged more than 185 yards per game on the ground last season, with leading rusher Bednarczyk and second leading rusher Javon White returning to lead the Villanova offense.
It took more than 30 minutes of football for Lehigh's high-powered offense to get going in its season-opening loss to Monmouth. The Mountain Hawks were limited to just 19 plays for 49 total yards through 30 minutes and were kept off the scoreboard. Lehigh generated 190 yards and 21 points in the second half and erased a 14-point third quarter deficit, but the Mountain Hawks' lone turnover helped create a nine-point fourth-quarter hole that was too much to overcome. Lehigh was only held scoreless in a half once in 2015, when the Mountain Hawks were blanked in the first half in a 27-12 loss to Yale in what was Lehigh's worst offensive performance in an otherwise strong season.
While Lehigh's defense hung tough and limited Monmouth to just 23 points after yielding an average of 35 points in 2015, the Mountain Hawks were hurt by a large disparity in time of possession. Monmouth held the ball for 37:38 and ran offensive 75 plays, compared to 52 for Lehigh as the Mountain Hawks' defense spent too much time on the field. The Hawks also converted 7-of-15 third downs and 2-of-3 fourth downs to prolong drives. The last time a Lehigh opponent held the ball for more than 38 minutes was Central Connecticut State, which held the ball for 39:18 in the 2013 season-opener won by Lehigh in double overtime.
With captain Colton Caslow out due to injury, senior Evan Kauffman made his first career start at inside linebacker and led the Mountain Hawks with 12 tackles, while recording Lehigh's lone sack. Kauffman missed all of 2015 due to injury and the Bethlehem native moved back to linebacker after switching to fullback prior to the 2014 season.
Seven Mountain Hawks made their first career starts against Monmouth. Offensively, guards Micah Tennant and Liborio Ricottilli and tight end Drew Paulsen all started for the first time. On defense, nose guard Jimmy Mitchell, linebacker Evan Kauffman, nickel corner Kareem Montgomery and freshman safety Riley O'Neil all started for the first time last week.
Lehigh and Villanova will meet for the 13th time, with the Wildcats holding a 7-5 edge in the series. Villanova has won the last four meetings. Lehigh's last win in the series, a 31-28 triumph at Villanova in 2006 was Andy Coen's first win as a head coach. These teams last met at Villanova in 2009.
For the third time in Andy Coen's coaching career, Lehigh heads to Villanova for its second game after opening with a home loss. In 2006, Lehigh bounced back from a one-point loss to Albany by beating Villanova 31-28 for Coen's first win as a head coach. That team went on to share the Patriot League title. In 2009, Lehigh lost its opener to CCSU then fell to the eventual national champion Wildcats 38-17.
Saturday's game kicks off just after 6 p.m. from Villanova Stadium. The game will not be televised but streaming video will be available on NovaNation All-Access via Villanova.com.
Radio coverage for Saturday's game will be available on ESPN Radio of the Lehigh Valley (1230-1320-1160 AM) with pregame coverage beginning at 5 p.m.
Lehigh will travel past the Main Line into Philadelphia to close out a two-game road swing with a game at Penn next Saturday. The defending Ivy League co-champion Quakers will be opening their 2016 campaign as Lehigh visits historic Franklin Field for the first time since 2002. Game time is set for 5 p.m.
| Date: | September 10, 2016 |
| Opponent: | No. 22/19 Villanova Wildcats |
| Kickoff: | 6 p.m. |
| Stadium: | Villanova Stadium/12,000/AstroPlay |
| Location: | Villanova, Pa. |
| Tickets: | Tickets can be purchased through Villanova at (610) 519-4100 |
| Lehigh's Record: | 0-1 overall, 0-0 Patriot League |
| Villanova's Record: | 0-1 overall, 0-0 CAA |
| Series: | Villanova leads 7-5 |
| Television | None |
| Radio | ESPN Radio of the Lehigh Valley (1160, 1230 and 1320-AM) beginning at 5 p.m. with Matt Kerr, Mike Yadush '93 and Matt Markus |
| Internet Broadcast: | Video on NovaNation All-Access Audio at ESPNLV.com |
| Key Stats: | •Lehigh's 239 yards of total offense last week were its fewest since the 2014 season finale. •The Mountain Hawks' time of possession of 22:22 against Monmouth was their lowest since having just over 20 minutes in the 2013 season-opener versus CCSU. •Lehigh's roster features 21 freshmen, 31 sophomores, 16 juniors and 17 seniors. |
| Behind Enemy Lines: | http://www.villanova.com |
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