Saturday, September 1
Bethlehem, Pa.
12:30 PM
Lehigh University
vs
Saint Francis (Pa.)
Lehigh set to open 2018 season Saturday versus Saint Francis at Goodman Stadium
8/28/2018 11:28:00 AM | Football
Game Notes | Tickets | Dog Day Waiver |Â Video | Audio | Live Stats
Â
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The 135th season of Lehigh football officially begins Saturday as the Mountain Hawks welcome Saint Francis (Pa.) to Goodman Stadium on Dog Day. The Lehigh-Saint Francis game is presented by JFR Salvage Inc.
Â
The Mountain Hawks have won the last two Patriot League football championships, using a 5-1 run through the league slate to capture their 12th title in 2017. Lehigh's offense is led by first team All-America running back Dom Bragalone and first team All-Patriot League quarterback Brad Mayes, both of who were named to the preseason watch list for the Walter Payton Award.
Â
Saturday's season-opener has been dubbed Dog Day at Goodman Stadium. Dogs are welcome at the stadium with donations being accepted at the stadium gates with proceeds going to the Center for Animal Health and Welfare.
Â
Near the end of preseason camp, coach Andy Coen named four seniors as captains for the 2018 season. Running back Dom Bragalone (South Williamsport, Pa.), defensive lineman Harrison Kauffman (Kalispell, Mont.) and defensive backs Donavon Harris (Burlington, Twp., N.J.) and Sam McCloskey (Altoona, Pa.) will lead this year's squad. McCloskey will serve as a captain for the second consecutive season.
Â
Running back Dominick Bragalone returns for his senior season after establishing himself as one of the top offensive players in the FCS last year. Bragalone was the Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year and a consensus first team All-American after leading the FCS with 1,388 rushing yards, 18 rushing touchdowns and 22 total touchdowns, while averaging a FCS-best 12 points per game. The South Williamsport, Pa. product became the first Lehigh runner to post three 1,000-yard rushing seasons in his career. Bragalone ran for 100-plus yards in Lehigh's final seven regular season games in 2017, highlighted by a career-high 218-yard effort at Fordham and a 201-yard, four-touchdown game against Holy Cross; Lehigh's first individual 200-yard rushing games since 2003. Bragalone enters his senior season 129 yards shy of Lehigh's career record of 3,696, held by Rabih Abdullah '97 and three rushing touchdowns shy of the school mark of 42, held by Rod Gardner '77. Bragalone finished seventh in the balloting for last year's Walter Payton Award and appears on the preseason watch list for this year's award.
Â
Lehigh has added 21 first-year student-athletes to its 2018 roster, including several who could contribute right away. Five freshmen appear on Lehigh's depth chart (pages 24-25), including Justin Gurth, who is projected to start at right tackle. Six of Lehigh's 20 sophomores started at least one game as a freshmen, led by Jorge Portorreal, who made seven starts at wide receiver.
Â
Creating more turnovers defensively has been a major area of focus for the Mountain Hawks in recent years. Lehigh had a plus-9 turnover margin with 21 takeaways in 2016 but had negative turnover margins with just 13 takeaways in 2014, 2015 and 2017. The Mountain Hawks won the turnover battle in just three games last season, but all three were key league wins (Colgate, Bucknell, Holy Cross). Linebacker Mark Walker led Lehigh with three takeaways with two fumble recoveries and an interception. Sam McCloskey tied for the team lead with three interceptions as a sophomore in 2016.
Â
Saint Francis was picked fourth in the NEC preseason poll. The Red Flash won the NEC title in 2016 but slipped to a 5-6 mark last season, dropping their final three games in the process. Saint Francis returns 15 starters led by preseason All-America wide receiver Kamron Lewis. Five Red Flash players picked up preseason All-NEC recognition with tackle Mederick Flavius Jr., safeties Hakeem Kinard and Nick Rinella and punter Andrew Zecca joining Lewis. Graduate Student Bear Fenimore, who spent three seasons at the University of Houston, returns as Saint Francis' starting quarterback. Saint Francis returns its top three rushers from a season ago and three of its top four receivers. Defensively, the Red Flash allowed just 14.6 points and 287.2 yards per game.
Â
Lehigh has an 83-45-6 all-time record in its season-opening contests. The Mountain Hawks are 6-6 in season openers under Andy Coen but have won five of their last eight openers. Lehigh is just 4-8 in home openers under Andy Coen. This year marks the seventh time under Coen that Lehigh is opening against a Northeast Conference opponent. Lehigh is 2-1 in openers against Central Connecticut State under Coen with wins in 2013 and 2015. The Mountain Hawks opened with wins over Monmouth in 2011 and 2012 before the Hawks left the NEC and also lost to then-NEC member Albany in 2006.
Â
Lehigh and Saint Francis have met just once before, a 37-0 victory for the Brown and White in 1922. The first meeting long enough ago that Saint Francis (which did not sponsor a football team the prior two seasons) does not list the game in its records. Lehigh has a history with two of the seven other current NEC members that sponsor football. The Mountain Hawks are 4-1 versus Central Connecticut State in a series that dates back to 2001, with wins in 2001, 2012, 2013 and 2015. Lehigh lost its first-ever meeting with Wagner last September in Staten Island, N.Y.
Â
Saturday's game kicks off just after 12:30 from Goodman Stadium. Tickets for the game are still available, and may be purchased by visiting LehighTickets.com or by calling (610) 7LU-GAME.
Â
Lehigh continues its season-opening home stand next weekend when Villanova visits Goodman Stadium on Fan/Alumni appreciation day. The Wildcats have won six straight in the series including a 38-35 shootout in last year's opener. Game time is set for 12:30 p.m.
Â
Like Lehigh Football on Facebook and follow on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive updates throughout the season.Â
Â
Â
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The 135th season of Lehigh football officially begins Saturday as the Mountain Hawks welcome Saint Francis (Pa.) to Goodman Stadium on Dog Day. The Lehigh-Saint Francis game is presented by JFR Salvage Inc.
Â
The Mountain Hawks have won the last two Patriot League football championships, using a 5-1 run through the league slate to capture their 12th title in 2017. Lehigh's offense is led by first team All-America running back Dom Bragalone and first team All-Patriot League quarterback Brad Mayes, both of who were named to the preseason watch list for the Walter Payton Award.
Â
Saturday's season-opener has been dubbed Dog Day at Goodman Stadium. Dogs are welcome at the stadium with donations being accepted at the stadium gates with proceeds going to the Center for Animal Health and Welfare.
Â
Near the end of preseason camp, coach Andy Coen named four seniors as captains for the 2018 season. Running back Dom Bragalone (South Williamsport, Pa.), defensive lineman Harrison Kauffman (Kalispell, Mont.) and defensive backs Donavon Harris (Burlington, Twp., N.J.) and Sam McCloskey (Altoona, Pa.) will lead this year's squad. McCloskey will serve as a captain for the second consecutive season.
Â
Running back Dominick Bragalone returns for his senior season after establishing himself as one of the top offensive players in the FCS last year. Bragalone was the Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year and a consensus first team All-American after leading the FCS with 1,388 rushing yards, 18 rushing touchdowns and 22 total touchdowns, while averaging a FCS-best 12 points per game. The South Williamsport, Pa. product became the first Lehigh runner to post three 1,000-yard rushing seasons in his career. Bragalone ran for 100-plus yards in Lehigh's final seven regular season games in 2017, highlighted by a career-high 218-yard effort at Fordham and a 201-yard, four-touchdown game against Holy Cross; Lehigh's first individual 200-yard rushing games since 2003. Bragalone enters his senior season 129 yards shy of Lehigh's career record of 3,696, held by Rabih Abdullah '97 and three rushing touchdowns shy of the school mark of 42, held by Rod Gardner '77. Bragalone finished seventh in the balloting for last year's Walter Payton Award and appears on the preseason watch list for this year's award.
Â
Lehigh has added 21 first-year student-athletes to its 2018 roster, including several who could contribute right away. Five freshmen appear on Lehigh's depth chart (pages 24-25), including Justin Gurth, who is projected to start at right tackle. Six of Lehigh's 20 sophomores started at least one game as a freshmen, led by Jorge Portorreal, who made seven starts at wide receiver.
Â
Creating more turnovers defensively has been a major area of focus for the Mountain Hawks in recent years. Lehigh had a plus-9 turnover margin with 21 takeaways in 2016 but had negative turnover margins with just 13 takeaways in 2014, 2015 and 2017. The Mountain Hawks won the turnover battle in just three games last season, but all three were key league wins (Colgate, Bucknell, Holy Cross). Linebacker Mark Walker led Lehigh with three takeaways with two fumble recoveries and an interception. Sam McCloskey tied for the team lead with three interceptions as a sophomore in 2016.
Â
Saint Francis was picked fourth in the NEC preseason poll. The Red Flash won the NEC title in 2016 but slipped to a 5-6 mark last season, dropping their final three games in the process. Saint Francis returns 15 starters led by preseason All-America wide receiver Kamron Lewis. Five Red Flash players picked up preseason All-NEC recognition with tackle Mederick Flavius Jr., safeties Hakeem Kinard and Nick Rinella and punter Andrew Zecca joining Lewis. Graduate Student Bear Fenimore, who spent three seasons at the University of Houston, returns as Saint Francis' starting quarterback. Saint Francis returns its top three rushers from a season ago and three of its top four receivers. Defensively, the Red Flash allowed just 14.6 points and 287.2 yards per game.
Â
Lehigh has an 83-45-6 all-time record in its season-opening contests. The Mountain Hawks are 6-6 in season openers under Andy Coen but have won five of their last eight openers. Lehigh is just 4-8 in home openers under Andy Coen. This year marks the seventh time under Coen that Lehigh is opening against a Northeast Conference opponent. Lehigh is 2-1 in openers against Central Connecticut State under Coen with wins in 2013 and 2015. The Mountain Hawks opened with wins over Monmouth in 2011 and 2012 before the Hawks left the NEC and also lost to then-NEC member Albany in 2006.
Â
Lehigh and Saint Francis have met just once before, a 37-0 victory for the Brown and White in 1922. The first meeting long enough ago that Saint Francis (which did not sponsor a football team the prior two seasons) does not list the game in its records. Lehigh has a history with two of the seven other current NEC members that sponsor football. The Mountain Hawks are 4-1 versus Central Connecticut State in a series that dates back to 2001, with wins in 2001, 2012, 2013 and 2015. Lehigh lost its first-ever meeting with Wagner last September in Staten Island, N.Y.
Â
Saturday's game kicks off just after 12:30 from Goodman Stadium. Tickets for the game are still available, and may be purchased by visiting LehighTickets.com or by calling (610) 7LU-GAME.
Â
Lehigh continues its season-opening home stand next weekend when Villanova visits Goodman Stadium on Fan/Alumni appreciation day. The Wildcats have won six straight in the series including a 38-35 shootout in last year's opener. Game time is set for 12:30 p.m.
Â
| Date: | September 1, 2018 |
| Opponent: | Saint Francis Red Flash |
| 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 online at LehighTickets.com |
| Lehigh's '17 Record: | 5-7 overall, 5-1 Patriot League |
| SFU's '17 Record: | 5-6 overall, 3-3 NEC |
| Series: | Lehigh leads 1-0 |
| Television | Service Electric 2 Sports live with Steve Degler, Mike Yadush '93 and Kristi Fulkerson |
| Radio | Fox Sports Radio 1230 and 1320 with Matt Kerr, Jim Guzzo '95 Matt Markus and Tom Fallon |
| Internet Broadcast: | Video on the Patriot League Network (PatriotLeague.TV) Audio at LVFoxSports.com |
| Key Stats: | •Lehigh ranked sixth in the FCS in total offense (474.8 ypg.), seventh in passing offense (325.9 ypg.) and eighth in scoring offense (35.8 ppg.) in 2017. •Running back Dominick Bragalone enters his senior season 129 yards and three rushing touchdowns shy of Lehigh career records. Bragalone led the FCS in rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, total touchdowns and scoring last season. •Lehigh's roster features 21 freshmen, 20 sophomores, 17 juniors and 21 seniors (1 fifth-year). |
| Behind Enemy Lines: | http://www.sfuathletics.com   |
Â
Players Mentioned
RB
/ Football
OL
/ Football
DB
/ Football
DL
/ Football
QB
/ Football
DB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
LB
/ Football2025 Brown & Flight - Episode 1
Thursday, September 18
Lehigh Sports Central: Football
Wednesday, August 27
2025 Lehigh Football Season Preview: Special Teams
Thursday, August 21
2025 Lehigh Football Season Preview: Defense
Thursday, August 21
