Saturday, September 30
Staten Island, N.Y.
6:00 PM
Lehigh University
at
Wagner
Mountain Hawks to close out non-league slate at Wagner
9/26/2017 11:23:00 AM | Football
Game Notes | Video | Audio | Live Stats
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – In its final test before Patriot League play begins next week, Lehigh will look to pick up its first win of 2017 and build momentum heading into the league season as the Mountain Hawks visit Wagner Saturday at Hameline Field. The Mountain Hawks came up on the short end of a 65-47 shootout against Penn last week at Goodman Stadium. Junior quarterback Brad Mayes threw for 444 yards and four touchdowns but three turnovers led to 21 Quaker points. Seniors Gatlin Casey and Troy Pelletier both went over 100 yards receiving with Casey hauling in 10 receptions for 193 yards and three touchdowns.
Slow starts have plagued the Mountain Hawks in their 0-4 start. Lehigh's opponents have scored touchdowns on their first possessions of all four games in 2017, while Lehigh has failed to score on its first possession in all four games. The Mountain Hawks have failed to score on their first offensive drive in seven consecutive games going back to last season. Last year's 58-37 win over Fordham marked the last time Lehigh scored on its first possession, with that score coming on a 19-yard Dom Bragalone rush.
Last week against Penn, Lehigh came up on the short end of the highest-scoring game in the 30-year history of Goodman Stadium. The 112 combined points surpassed the previous record of 95 set in Lehigh's 51-44, double-overtime win over Central Connecticut State in 2013, and matched in the Mountain Hawks' 58-37 win over Fordham last season.
Lehigh's 47 points scored in its loss to Penn are the most ever scored by the Brown and White in a losing effort. Prior to last week, the most points ever scored by Lehigh in a loss was 46, in a 48-46 loss at Bucknell in 1954. Since the start of the 2011 season, Lehigh has scored 40 or more points in a losing effort five times. During that same time frame, Lehigh has scored 40 or more points and won the game on 16 occasions.
While Troy Pelletier led Lehigh in receptions and yards in 2016, classmate Gatlin Casey emerged as a big play threat, leading the Mountain Hawks with 14 touchdown catches and an 18.3 yards-per-reception average. Casey had at least one touchdown catch in every game of Lehigh's nine-game win streak last season, highlighted by a four-touchdown effort (three receiving and one kickoff return) versus Colgate. In Lehigh's nine-game win streak, Casey averaged 5.8 catches for 113.7 yards and 1.6 touchdowns. Casey earned first team All-Patriot League honors and wide receiver, and kick returner, where he averaged 24.5 yards per return. Casey has reached the end zone in each of Lehigh's first four games in 2017 and leads the FCS with eight receiving touchdowns this season, including a career-long 66-yarder against Yale. Prior to this season, the Mountain Hawks had won 11 straight games in which Casey scored a touchdown.
It has been a tough go for the Lehigh defense through the first four weeks of the season. Out of 123 FCS programs, Lehigh ranks in the bottom five in rushing defense, total defense and scoring defense. Two areas that could help Lehigh's defense improve are sacks and turnovers. The Mountain Hawks have totaled just two sacks so far this season and the defense has forced zero turnovers. All three of Lehigh's takeaways have come off of muffed punts. Lehigh opponents are averaging 22 first downs per game and have converted 54 percent of their third downs against the Mountain Hawks.
Following three consecutive road games, Wagner returns home looking to snap a three-game slide. The Seahawks opened their season with a 37-7 win over Division II St. Anselm but have since dropped three straight to NEC rival Saint Francis (Pa.), Columbia and FBS member Western Michigan. Wagner was out-gained 527 to 113 by Western Michigan in a 49-14 Bronco victory.
The Seahawks are averaging just under 18 points 265 yards of offense per game, while yielding an average of 26 points and 355 yards per game defensively. All-NEC quarterback Alex Thomsen is out for the season with an injury, so Luke Massei is expected to start under center. Eight of Wagner's nine touchdowns this season have come on the ground, with Ryan Fulse gaining 312 yards and scoring four and Denzel Knight adding four touchdowns to go with 104 yards. Santoni Graham leads Wagner defensively with 33 tackles. He also has five tackles-for-loss, three sacks, an interception and a forced fumble. Wagner was 6-5 last year and was picked third in the NEC Preseason Poll.
Lehigh and Wagner will meet on the gridiron for the first time. The Mountain Hawks have a history with just two of the seven current Northeast Conference members that sponsor football. Lehigh is 4-1 versus Central Connecticut State in a series that dates back to 2001, with wins in 2001, 2012, 2013 and 2015. Lehigh also faced Saint Francis (Pa.) in 1922, defeating the Red Flash 37-0.
Saturday's game kicks off just after 6 p.m. from Hameline Field in Staten Island, N.Y. Wagner will offer streaming video for free via NEC Front Row, while audio coverage will be available on ESPN Radio of the Lehigh Valley (1230/1320/1160-AM) and ESPNLV.com.
The two most recent Patriot League football champions will open league play against one another when 2016 champ Lehigh visits 2015 champion Colgate next Saturday. The Mountain Hawks defeated the Raiders 45-31 last year at Goodman Stadium behind four touchdowns from Gatlin Casey to kick off a 6-0 league campaign. Game time next Saturday is set for 1 p.m. from Andy Kerr Stadium in Hamilton, N.Y.
Like Lehigh Football on Facebook and follow on Twitter for exclusive updates throughout the season.
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – In its final test before Patriot League play begins next week, Lehigh will look to pick up its first win of 2017 and build momentum heading into the league season as the Mountain Hawks visit Wagner Saturday at Hameline Field. The Mountain Hawks came up on the short end of a 65-47 shootout against Penn last week at Goodman Stadium. Junior quarterback Brad Mayes threw for 444 yards and four touchdowns but three turnovers led to 21 Quaker points. Seniors Gatlin Casey and Troy Pelletier both went over 100 yards receiving with Casey hauling in 10 receptions for 193 yards and three touchdowns.
Slow starts have plagued the Mountain Hawks in their 0-4 start. Lehigh's opponents have scored touchdowns on their first possessions of all four games in 2017, while Lehigh has failed to score on its first possession in all four games. The Mountain Hawks have failed to score on their first offensive drive in seven consecutive games going back to last season. Last year's 58-37 win over Fordham marked the last time Lehigh scored on its first possession, with that score coming on a 19-yard Dom Bragalone rush.
Last week against Penn, Lehigh came up on the short end of the highest-scoring game in the 30-year history of Goodman Stadium. The 112 combined points surpassed the previous record of 95 set in Lehigh's 51-44, double-overtime win over Central Connecticut State in 2013, and matched in the Mountain Hawks' 58-37 win over Fordham last season.
Lehigh's 47 points scored in its loss to Penn are the most ever scored by the Brown and White in a losing effort. Prior to last week, the most points ever scored by Lehigh in a loss was 46, in a 48-46 loss at Bucknell in 1954. Since the start of the 2011 season, Lehigh has scored 40 or more points in a losing effort five times. During that same time frame, Lehigh has scored 40 or more points and won the game on 16 occasions.
While Troy Pelletier led Lehigh in receptions and yards in 2016, classmate Gatlin Casey emerged as a big play threat, leading the Mountain Hawks with 14 touchdown catches and an 18.3 yards-per-reception average. Casey had at least one touchdown catch in every game of Lehigh's nine-game win streak last season, highlighted by a four-touchdown effort (three receiving and one kickoff return) versus Colgate. In Lehigh's nine-game win streak, Casey averaged 5.8 catches for 113.7 yards and 1.6 touchdowns. Casey earned first team All-Patriot League honors and wide receiver, and kick returner, where he averaged 24.5 yards per return. Casey has reached the end zone in each of Lehigh's first four games in 2017 and leads the FCS with eight receiving touchdowns this season, including a career-long 66-yarder against Yale. Prior to this season, the Mountain Hawks had won 11 straight games in which Casey scored a touchdown.
It has been a tough go for the Lehigh defense through the first four weeks of the season. Out of 123 FCS programs, Lehigh ranks in the bottom five in rushing defense, total defense and scoring defense. Two areas that could help Lehigh's defense improve are sacks and turnovers. The Mountain Hawks have totaled just two sacks so far this season and the defense has forced zero turnovers. All three of Lehigh's takeaways have come off of muffed punts. Lehigh opponents are averaging 22 first downs per game and have converted 54 percent of their third downs against the Mountain Hawks.
Following three consecutive road games, Wagner returns home looking to snap a three-game slide. The Seahawks opened their season with a 37-7 win over Division II St. Anselm but have since dropped three straight to NEC rival Saint Francis (Pa.), Columbia and FBS member Western Michigan. Wagner was out-gained 527 to 113 by Western Michigan in a 49-14 Bronco victory.
The Seahawks are averaging just under 18 points 265 yards of offense per game, while yielding an average of 26 points and 355 yards per game defensively. All-NEC quarterback Alex Thomsen is out for the season with an injury, so Luke Massei is expected to start under center. Eight of Wagner's nine touchdowns this season have come on the ground, with Ryan Fulse gaining 312 yards and scoring four and Denzel Knight adding four touchdowns to go with 104 yards. Santoni Graham leads Wagner defensively with 33 tackles. He also has five tackles-for-loss, three sacks, an interception and a forced fumble. Wagner was 6-5 last year and was picked third in the NEC Preseason Poll.
Lehigh and Wagner will meet on the gridiron for the first time. The Mountain Hawks have a history with just two of the seven current Northeast Conference members that sponsor football. Lehigh is 4-1 versus Central Connecticut State in a series that dates back to 2001, with wins in 2001, 2012, 2013 and 2015. Lehigh also faced Saint Francis (Pa.) in 1922, defeating the Red Flash 37-0.
Saturday's game kicks off just after 6 p.m. from Hameline Field in Staten Island, N.Y. Wagner will offer streaming video for free via NEC Front Row, while audio coverage will be available on ESPN Radio of the Lehigh Valley (1230/1320/1160-AM) and ESPNLV.com.
The two most recent Patriot League football champions will open league play against one another when 2016 champ Lehigh visits 2015 champion Colgate next Saturday. The Mountain Hawks defeated the Raiders 45-31 last year at Goodman Stadium behind four touchdowns from Gatlin Casey to kick off a 6-0 league campaign. Game time next Saturday is set for 1 p.m. from Andy Kerr Stadium in Hamilton, N.Y.
| Date: | September 30, 2017 |
| Opponent: | Wagner Seahawks |
| Kickoff: | 6 p.m. |
| Stadium: | Hameline Field/3,300/FieldTurf |
| Location: | Staten Island, N.Y. |
| Tickets: | Tickets can be purchased through Wagner by calling 718-420-4039 or online at WagnerAthletics.com |
| Lehigh's Record: | 0-4 overall, 0-0 Patriot League |
| Wagner's Record: | 1-3 overall, 0-1 NEC |
| Series: | First meeting |
| Television: | None |
| Radio: | ESPN Radio of the Lehigh Valley (1230/1320/1160-AM) with Matt Kerr, Matt Markus and Steve Lomangino. Pregame coverage begins at 5 p.m. |
| Internet Broadcast: | Video on NEC Front Row (Free) Audio at ESPNLV.com |
| Key Stats: | •Lehigh leads the Patriot League in scoring offense, total offense, passing offense and third down conversions. •The Mountain Hawks have the FCS co-leader in both passing touchdowns (Brad Mayes - 14) and receiving touchdowns (Gatlin Casey - 8). •Lehigh's 47 points scored against Penn were the most ever scored by the Brown and White in a losing effort. |
| Behind Enemy Lines: | http://www.wagnerathletics.com |
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