Saturday, November 3
Bethlehem, Pa.
12:30 PM
Lehigh University
2-7 , 1-3
45
vs
17
Bucknell
1-8 , 1-3
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
F
Bucknell
0
14
3
0
17
Lehigh
7
14
10
14
45
Lehigh rolls past Bucknell 45-17 for first Patriot League win
11/3/2018 5:03:00 PM | Football
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Leading 21-14 at the half, the Lehigh football team erased any doubt by outscoring Bucknell 24-3 in the second half, on its way to a dominant 45-17 victory over the Bison on Saturday afternoon at Goodman Stadium. The Mountain Hawks' offense had a big day, posting a season-high 550 yards, while the defense did its part, holding Bucknell to just 255 total yards and adding a defensive score as well. Senior Brad Mayes was 17-of-28 through the air for 335 yards. Sophomore Jorge Portorreal posted career highs in receiving yards (216) and touchdowns (2), while tying a career high for catches (9).
All 17 of Mayes' completions were to three different receivers. Along with Portorreal, junior Devon Bibbens added five receptions for 89 yards while freshman Raymond Falcone had three catches for 30 yards. Senior Dominick Bragalone was stellar on the ground, rushing for 177 yards on 29 carries and a score. With his first-quarter score, Bragalone broke the school record for career rushing touchdowns with 43.
Junior Riley O'Neil and sophomore Pete Haffner led the defense with 10 tackles apiece. Junior Marquis Wilson came up with a fourth-quarter interception, and ran it back 65 yards for the touchdown to put the Mountain Hawks up 45-17 after the extra point.
Senior Ed Mish also enjoyed a record-setting day, scoring nine points on six extra points and a field goal to become Lehigh's career leader in kick scoring with 226 points, surpassing the mark set by Erik Bird in the early 1990s.
The win was Lehigh's first in the league this season and snapped the Mountain Hawks' seven-game losing streak. Lehigh is now 2-7 overall and 1-3 in the league, while Bucknell falls to 1-8 overall and 1-3 in the league.
"A lot of things came back today that we haven't seen in a while," Lehigh head coach Andy Coen said. "This is how we should be playing and the guys played really well. They showed a lot of heart and they played a lot tougher, but that was my message to them. You (the team) have the talent, you just need to step up and do some good things."
Lehigh took advantage of an early Bucknell muffed punt to regain possession midway through the first quarter. Just four plays later, the Mountain Hawks took the lead, as Mayes found Bibbens for 35 and then eight yards on consecutive plays before Bragalone scampered in from 27 yards out to give Lehigh a 7-0 advantage with 8:59 remaining in the first.
In the second quarter, the Bison turned good field position into its first score as a 34-yard drive ended with a nine-yard touchdown reception from Jared Cooper. Lehigh junior Davis Maxie blocked the extra point to keep Lehigh in front 7-6 with 7:06 left in the second quarter.
Late in the half, the Mountain Hawks used a 10-play, 80-yard drive, capped off by a Mayes one-yard run, to take a 14-6 advantage with 3:45 on the clock. Less than three minutes later, they tacked onto their lead as Mayes found Portorreal for a 56-yard score, and a 21-6 lead, with 49 seconds left in the second quarter.
"Brad did a really good job, probably one of his best games this season," Coen said. "He wasn't brought down for a sack. There are a lot of positive vibes, and that's what I want the kids to have as we move into next week."
Bucknell returned the ensuing kickoff to the Lehigh 34-yard line, eventually punching it in with 14 seconds left. The two-point conversion was good as the Bison pulled back within 21-14 at the half.
The teams traded field goals to begin the third quarter before the Mountain Hawks ended the game with 21 unanswered points. Right after the Bison pulled within 24-17, Mayes found Portorreal on the first play for a 72-yard touchdown to give Lehigh a 31-17 advantage. The lead swelled to 38-17 as freshman Rashawn Allen ran it in from 17 yards out less than a minute into the fourth quarter. Wilson rounded out the scoring with his pick-six with 6:03 remaining.
"The defense did a great job, a tremendous job," Coen said. "Even when Bucknell was trying to get back into the game, we came up with the interception."
"Once you're in this type of situation that we're in it just feels great (to win)." Coen said. "The staff has been through a lot, the kids have been through a lot and hopefully when we go back to practice these guys will be really excited. We play a really good football team (Colgate) next week and that'll be exciting."
Lehigh will close out its home schedule next Saturday when the Mountain Hawks host Colgate as part of Family Weekend. The Mountain Hawks and Raiders have won or shared the last three league titles with Colgate bidding for this year's title this week at Fordham. Game time is set for 12:30. The Lehigh-Colgate game is presented by PSECU. Tickets can be purchased by visiting LehighTickets.com or by calling 610-7LU-GAME during business hours.
EXTRA POINTS… Lehigh defeated Bucknell for the fourth straight season and the 19th time in the last 21 years… prior to Saturday, Lehigh's season-high for points was 21 (twice) and season-high for total offense was 370 (vs. Fordham)… the Mountain Hawks avoided their first-ever four-game Patriot League losing streak… Bragalone surpassed Rod Gardner's career rushing touchdown record that stood since 1976… he posted his third 100-yard rushing game of the season… Portorreal posted Lehigh's first 200-yard receiving game since Troy Pelletier had 213 versus Georgetown last season… Wilson's interception return touchdown was the first the Mountain Hawks since Brandon Leaks scored on a 23-yard return at Yale in 2014… Lehigh recorded one sack, by sophomore Zac Troxell, while the Mountain Hawks' offensive line did not allow any sacks… Lehigh's 45 points were its most scored following a game in which it was shut out in 50 years… Lehigh lost 6-0 to Lafayette to end the 1967 season and then opened the 1968 campaign with a 59-21 win over Drexel… attendance was 4,203 on Heroes Day at Goodman Stadium.
Like Lehigh Football on Facebook and follow on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive updates throughout the season.
All 17 of Mayes' completions were to three different receivers. Along with Portorreal, junior Devon Bibbens added five receptions for 89 yards while freshman Raymond Falcone had three catches for 30 yards. Senior Dominick Bragalone was stellar on the ground, rushing for 177 yards on 29 carries and a score. With his first-quarter score, Bragalone broke the school record for career rushing touchdowns with 43.
Junior Riley O'Neil and sophomore Pete Haffner led the defense with 10 tackles apiece. Junior Marquis Wilson came up with a fourth-quarter interception, and ran it back 65 yards for the touchdown to put the Mountain Hawks up 45-17 after the extra point.
Senior Ed Mish also enjoyed a record-setting day, scoring nine points on six extra points and a field goal to become Lehigh's career leader in kick scoring with 226 points, surpassing the mark set by Erik Bird in the early 1990s.
The win was Lehigh's first in the league this season and snapped the Mountain Hawks' seven-game losing streak. Lehigh is now 2-7 overall and 1-3 in the league, while Bucknell falls to 1-8 overall and 1-3 in the league.
"A lot of things came back today that we haven't seen in a while," Lehigh head coach Andy Coen said. "This is how we should be playing and the guys played really well. They showed a lot of heart and they played a lot tougher, but that was my message to them. You (the team) have the talent, you just need to step up and do some good things."
Lehigh took advantage of an early Bucknell muffed punt to regain possession midway through the first quarter. Just four plays later, the Mountain Hawks took the lead, as Mayes found Bibbens for 35 and then eight yards on consecutive plays before Bragalone scampered in from 27 yards out to give Lehigh a 7-0 advantage with 8:59 remaining in the first.
Here's a look at Bragalone's rushing touchdown pic.twitter.com/bHsCp7PSgl
— Lehigh Football (@LehighFootball) November 3, 2018
In the second quarter, the Bison turned good field position into its first score as a 34-yard drive ended with a nine-yard touchdown reception from Jared Cooper. Lehigh junior Davis Maxie blocked the extra point to keep Lehigh in front 7-6 with 7:06 left in the second quarter.
Late in the half, the Mountain Hawks used a 10-play, 80-yard drive, capped off by a Mayes one-yard run, to take a 14-6 advantage with 3:45 on the clock. Less than three minutes later, they tacked onto their lead as Mayes found Portorreal for a 56-yard score, and a 21-6 lead, with 49 seconds left in the second quarter.
"Brad did a really good job, probably one of his best games this season," Coen said. "He wasn't brought down for a sack. There are a lot of positive vibes, and that's what I want the kids to have as we move into next week."
Bucknell returned the ensuing kickoff to the Lehigh 34-yard line, eventually punching it in with 14 seconds left. The two-point conversion was good as the Bison pulled back within 21-14 at the half.
The teams traded field goals to begin the third quarter before the Mountain Hawks ended the game with 21 unanswered points. Right after the Bison pulled within 24-17, Mayes found Portorreal on the first play for a 72-yard touchdown to give Lehigh a 31-17 advantage. The lead swelled to 38-17 as freshman Rashawn Allen ran it in from 17 yards out less than a minute into the fourth quarter. Wilson rounded out the scoring with his pick-six with 6:03 remaining.
YOU CAN'T TOUCH HIM, YOU CAN'T STOP HIM. Portorreal burns Bucknell for a 72-yard touchdown. Lehigh up 31-17 pic.twitter.com/BJuHw4vYoO
— Lehigh Football (@LehighFootball) November 3, 2018
"The defense did a great job, a tremendous job," Coen said. "Even when Bucknell was trying to get back into the game, we came up with the interception."
Lehigh finished with a 550-255 edge in total yards, including 335-174 passing and 215-81 rushing.Who needs the offense to score. Marquis Wilson takes the interception 65-yards for the score. Mish converts on the PAT. Lehigh up 45-17. 6:03 left in the 4th pic.twitter.com/83dVTcq0jV
— Lehigh Football (@LehighFootball) November 3, 2018
"Once you're in this type of situation that we're in it just feels great (to win)." Coen said. "The staff has been through a lot, the kids have been through a lot and hopefully when we go back to practice these guys will be really excited. We play a really good football team (Colgate) next week and that'll be exciting."
Lehigh will close out its home schedule next Saturday when the Mountain Hawks host Colgate as part of Family Weekend. The Mountain Hawks and Raiders have won or shared the last three league titles with Colgate bidding for this year's title this week at Fordham. Game time is set for 12:30. The Lehigh-Colgate game is presented by PSECU. Tickets can be purchased by visiting LehighTickets.com or by calling 610-7LU-GAME during business hours.
EXTRA POINTS… Lehigh defeated Bucknell for the fourth straight season and the 19th time in the last 21 years… prior to Saturday, Lehigh's season-high for points was 21 (twice) and season-high for total offense was 370 (vs. Fordham)… the Mountain Hawks avoided their first-ever four-game Patriot League losing streak… Bragalone surpassed Rod Gardner's career rushing touchdown record that stood since 1976… he posted his third 100-yard rushing game of the season… Portorreal posted Lehigh's first 200-yard receiving game since Troy Pelletier had 213 versus Georgetown last season… Wilson's interception return touchdown was the first the Mountain Hawks since Brandon Leaks scored on a 23-yard return at Yale in 2014… Lehigh recorded one sack, by sophomore Zac Troxell, while the Mountain Hawks' offensive line did not allow any sacks… Lehigh's 45 points were its most scored following a game in which it was shut out in 50 years… Lehigh lost 6-0 to Lafayette to end the 1967 season and then opened the 1968 campaign with a 59-21 win over Drexel… attendance was 4,203 on Heroes Day at Goodman Stadium.
Like Lehigh Football on Facebook and follow on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive updates throughout the season.
Team Stats
BUCKNELL
LEHIGH
Total Yards
255
550
Pass Yards
174
335
Rushing Yards
81
215
Penalty Yards
25
94
1st Downs
15
20
3rd Downs
5
6
4th Downs
1
0
TOP
31:32
28:28
1st Quarter
BUCKNELL 0, LEHIGH 7
LEHIGH - Bragalone, Dom 27 yd run (Mish, Ed kick), 4 plays, 65 yards, TOP 1:17
2nd Quarter
BUCKNELL 6, LEHIGH 7
BUCKNELL - Cooper, Jared 9 yd pass from Earle, Tarrin (Torres, Ethan kickblocked) 4 plays, 34 yards, TOP 1:54
BUCKNELL 6, LEHIGH 14
LEHIGH - Mayes, Brad 1 yd run (Mish, Ed kick), 10 plays, 80 yards, TOP 3:17
BUCKNELL 6, LEHIGH 21
LEHIGH - Portorreal, J. 56 yd pass from Mayes, Brad (Mish, Ed kick) 2 plays, 81 yards, TOP 0:14
BUCKNELL 14, LEHIGH 21
BUCKNELL - Butler, Alan 2 yd pass from Earle, Tarrin (Cooper, Jared rush) 4 plays, 34 yards, TOP 0:26
3rd Quarter
BUCKNELL 14, LEHIGH 24
LEHIGH - Mish, Ed 27 yd field goal 9 plays, 70 yards, TOP 3:22
BUCKNELL 17, LEHIGH 24
BUCKNELL - Torres, Ethan 35 yd field goal 6 plays, 31 yards, TOP 2:39
BUCKNELL 17, LEHIGH 31
LEHIGH - Portorreal, J. 72 yd pass from Mayes, Brad (Mish, Ed kick) 1 plays, 72 yards, TOP 0:12
4th Quarter
BUCKNELL 17, LEHIGH 38
LEHIGH - Allen, Rashawn 17 yd run (Mish, Ed kick), 4 plays, 61 yards, TOP 1:34
BUCKNELL 17, LEHIGH 45
LEHIGH - Wilson, Marquis 65 yd interception (Mish, Ed kick)
Game Leaders
Passing Leaders
CMP
17
TD
2
YDS
335
INT
1
Players Mentioned
RB
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WR
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RB
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WR
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LB
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DB
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DL
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/ FootballLehigh Sports Central: Football
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