Lehigh University Athletics
Mountain Hawks finish 2016 ranked in both major FCS polls
1/9/2017 2:55:00 PM | Football
STATS FCS Top 25 | FCS Coaches Poll
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – For the first time since 2012 the Lehigh football team finished the season ranked in both major FCS polls, with the final polls for the 2016 season unveiled Monday. The Patriot League champion Mountain Hawks finished the season ranked 18th in the FCS Coaches Poll and 21st in the STATS FCS Top 25.
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Lehigh posted its league-best 11th Patriot League football title in 2016, overcoming an 0-2 start by winning nine consecutive games to close out the regular season. The Mountain Hawks posted a perfect 6-0 Patriot League record and defeated rival Lafayette for the second straight year and the seventh time in the last nine seasons.
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The Mountain Hawks won their first Patriot League title and made their first FCS playoff appearance since 2011. Lehigh was sent to Durham, N.H. for the first round of the playoffs, where the Mountain Hawks dropped a 64-21 contest at New Hampshire, snapping Lehigh's nine-game winning streak and giving the brown and white a final season record of 9-3.
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James Madison captured its second FCS national championship with a 28-14 victory over Youngstown State in the title game Saturday in Frisco, Texas. The runner-up Penguins finished second in both polls. Winners of the five previous national titles before losing to James Madison in the semifinals, North Dakota State checked in at No. 3 in both polls, followed by Eastern Washington and Sam Houston State.
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Among Lehigh's 2016 opponents, Villanova finished the season ranked 11th by STATS and 13th in the Coaches Poll, while New Hampshire was ranked 17th in both polls. The Mountain Hawks posted victories over Penn, Princeton and Fordham, all of who finished the year receiving votes in both polls.
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Led by Patriot League Coach of the Year Andy Coen, Offensive Player of the Year Nick Shafnisky and All-America wide receiver Troy Pelletier, the Mountain Hawks were ranked 15th (Coaches) and 18th (STATS) in the final regular season polls. Eleven Lehigh players earned a total of 13 All-Patriot League accolades in addition to the major awards for Coen and Shafnisky.
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Like Lehigh Football on Facebook and follow on Twitter for exclusive updates throughout the season.
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – For the first time since 2012 the Lehigh football team finished the season ranked in both major FCS polls, with the final polls for the 2016 season unveiled Monday. The Patriot League champion Mountain Hawks finished the season ranked 18th in the FCS Coaches Poll and 21st in the STATS FCS Top 25.
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Lehigh posted its league-best 11th Patriot League football title in 2016, overcoming an 0-2 start by winning nine consecutive games to close out the regular season. The Mountain Hawks posted a perfect 6-0 Patriot League record and defeated rival Lafayette for the second straight year and the seventh time in the last nine seasons.
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The Mountain Hawks won their first Patriot League title and made their first FCS playoff appearance since 2011. Lehigh was sent to Durham, N.H. for the first round of the playoffs, where the Mountain Hawks dropped a 64-21 contest at New Hampshire, snapping Lehigh's nine-game winning streak and giving the brown and white a final season record of 9-3.
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James Madison captured its second FCS national championship with a 28-14 victory over Youngstown State in the title game Saturday in Frisco, Texas. The runner-up Penguins finished second in both polls. Winners of the five previous national titles before losing to James Madison in the semifinals, North Dakota State checked in at No. 3 in both polls, followed by Eastern Washington and Sam Houston State.
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Among Lehigh's 2016 opponents, Villanova finished the season ranked 11th by STATS and 13th in the Coaches Poll, while New Hampshire was ranked 17th in both polls. The Mountain Hawks posted victories over Penn, Princeton and Fordham, all of who finished the year receiving votes in both polls.
Â
Led by Patriot League Coach of the Year Andy Coen, Offensive Player of the Year Nick Shafnisky and All-America wide receiver Troy Pelletier, the Mountain Hawks were ranked 15th (Coaches) and 18th (STATS) in the final regular season polls. Eleven Lehigh players earned a total of 13 All-Patriot League accolades in addition to the major awards for Coen and Shafnisky.
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Like Lehigh Football on Facebook and follow on Twitter for exclusive updates throughout the season.
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