Saturday, September 8
Bethlehem, Pa.
12:30 PM
Lehigh University
vs
Villanova
Lehigh hosts No. 12/11 Villanova in battle of 1-0 regional foes
9/4/2018 11:07:00 AM | Football
Game Notes | Tickets | Video | Audio | Live Stats
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Two regional rivals who opened their seasons with two-point victories meet Saturday at Goodman Stadium as Lehigh hosts No. 12/11 Villanova on Fan and Alumni Appreciation Day.
Senior Dominick Bragalone became Lehigh's all-time leading rusher and scored on touchdown runs of 52, two and 11 yards, while Lehigh's defense enjoyed one of its best all-around performances in recent years in a 21-19 win over Saint Francis. The Mountain Hawks blocked SFU's go-ahead field goal attempt with 33 seconds remaining to preserve the win.
The Lehigh-Villanova game is presented by the Northampton and Lehigh County Drug and Alcohol Administrations with the Center for Humanistic Change.
Lehigh and Northampton Counties Drug & Alcohol Divisions plan, coordinate, fund and monitor drug and alcohol services for their respective counties through contracts with local providers. These services include prevention education, intervention programs, and both inpatient and outpatient treatment. If you or a loved one has a substance use disorder, there is help available through your county Drug & Alcohol Division. They can answer your questions, help coordinate services, and provide funding for treatment. In Lehigh County, call 610-782-3555; in Northampton County, call 610-829-4725. The Center for Humanistic Change is a not-for-profit agency that gives community members the knowledge and tools they need to make better-informed and more positive life choices. For 39 years, CHC has developed and delivered high quality prevention education and life skills programming in the Lehigh Valley. CHC, through funding from both counties, has educated thousands throughout the valley about the opioid crisis through HOPE (Heroin & Opioid Prevention Education), focusing on the fact that, "Yes, it CAN happen to you."
As part of Fan & Alumni Appreciation Day, the first 100 fans to enter Goodman Stadium and claim a wristband form Fan Services will be able to join the Marching 97 and cheerleaders on the field to cheer on Lehigh as they take the field for the final time before kickoff."
Lehigh will be participating in Game Day Challenge, a friendly nationwide competition for colleges and universities to promote waste reduction at their football games. The overall goal is to reduce trash generation inside/outside the stadium and to increase recycling rates. Help Lehigh win the Game Day Challenge by recycling as much as possible! Volunteers in green vests will be engaging fans with recycling games and giveaways. Visit the Game Day Challenge table inside Goodman Stadium for more information and to participate.
Lehigh's season-opener was a memorable one for senior running back Dom Bragalone, who set one school record and tied another in the Mountain Hawks' win over Saint Francis. Bragalone carried 29 times for 137 yards and three touchdowns against the Red Flash. His 28th carry, a 10-yard rush in the fourth quarter, gave him Lehigh's career rushing record, passing the mark of 3,696 previously held by Rabih Abdullah '97. The three rushing touchdowns give Bragalone 42 for his career, tying Rod Gardner '77 for that school record. Bragalone won his fifth career Patriot League Offensive Player of the Week award on Monday. He has rushed for 100-plus yards in eight straight regular season games.
Following a tough year defensively in 2017, the Mountain Hawks showed considerable improvement in their season-opener as Lehigh limited Saint Francis to just 300 yards of total offense and just 19 points, both well below last season's averages. Lehigh allowed just 58 rushing yards, its fewest allowed since yielding 55 in a Patriot League win at Bucknell in 2015. The Mountain Hawks added 10 tackles for loss, one interception and used a collective team effort to block the Red Flash's go-ahead field goal attempt with 33 seconds remaining. Sophomore Divine Buckrham led Lehigh with 11 tackles, while junior Riley O'Neil added eight tackles and two tackles-for-loss.
Lehigh's strong defensive effort against Saint Francis was highlighted by an ability to make stops behind the line of scrimmage. The Mountain Hawks had 10 tackles for loss, marking the third time since the start of the 2013 season that Lehigh had 10 or more tackles for loss in one game. Sophomore Jack Kircher led the way with three tackles for loss, while juniors Riley O'Neil and Colin Nace each added two. Lehigh had 11 tackles for loss in wins against Georgetown in 2015 and Holy Cross in 2016.
Villanova opened its season with a 19-17 win over FBS member Temple at Lincoln Financial Field. The Wildcats had a strong effort on both sides of the ball, out-gaining the Owls 405-251 and intercepting two fourth quarter passes after taking the lead. Villanova was picked sixth in the CAA preseason poll following a 5-6 campaign last season. The Wildcats lost four of their final five games after a 5-2 start, with quarterback Zach Bednarczyk lost for the season with an injury. Bednarczyk is back healthy with Villanova also returning two strong runners in Aaron Forbes and Matt Gudzak. The Wildcats have always been tough defensively, led by preseason All-America safety Rob Rolle, who also missed time last season. Offensive tackle Ethan Greenidge is also a preseason All-American.
Lehigh and Villanova will meet for the 15th time, with the Wildcats holding a 9-5 edge in the series. Villanova has won the last six 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.
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.
Lehigh will play its first FBS opponent since 2003 when the Mountain Hawks travel to Annapolis, Maryland to face Navy next Saturday. The Mountain Hawks' last FBS game was a loss to UConn in 2003. Lehigh and Navy last met in 1987, a 24-9 Lehigh victory in Annapolis. Game time is set for 3:30 p.m. from Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.
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BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Two regional rivals who opened their seasons with two-point victories meet Saturday at Goodman Stadium as Lehigh hosts No. 12/11 Villanova on Fan and Alumni Appreciation Day.
Senior Dominick Bragalone became Lehigh's all-time leading rusher and scored on touchdown runs of 52, two and 11 yards, while Lehigh's defense enjoyed one of its best all-around performances in recent years in a 21-19 win over Saint Francis. The Mountain Hawks blocked SFU's go-ahead field goal attempt with 33 seconds remaining to preserve the win.
The Lehigh-Villanova game is presented by the Northampton and Lehigh County Drug and Alcohol Administrations with the Center for Humanistic Change.
Lehigh and Northampton Counties Drug & Alcohol Divisions plan, coordinate, fund and monitor drug and alcohol services for their respective counties through contracts with local providers. These services include prevention education, intervention programs, and both inpatient and outpatient treatment. If you or a loved one has a substance use disorder, there is help available through your county Drug & Alcohol Division. They can answer your questions, help coordinate services, and provide funding for treatment. In Lehigh County, call 610-782-3555; in Northampton County, call 610-829-4725. The Center for Humanistic Change is a not-for-profit agency that gives community members the knowledge and tools they need to make better-informed and more positive life choices. For 39 years, CHC has developed and delivered high quality prevention education and life skills programming in the Lehigh Valley. CHC, through funding from both counties, has educated thousands throughout the valley about the opioid crisis through HOPE (Heroin & Opioid Prevention Education), focusing on the fact that, "Yes, it CAN happen to you."
As part of Fan & Alumni Appreciation Day, the first 100 fans to enter Goodman Stadium and claim a wristband form Fan Services will be able to join the Marching 97 and cheerleaders on the field to cheer on Lehigh as they take the field for the final time before kickoff."
Lehigh will be participating in Game Day Challenge, a friendly nationwide competition for colleges and universities to promote waste reduction at their football games. The overall goal is to reduce trash generation inside/outside the stadium and to increase recycling rates. Help Lehigh win the Game Day Challenge by recycling as much as possible! Volunteers in green vests will be engaging fans with recycling games and giveaways. Visit the Game Day Challenge table inside Goodman Stadium for more information and to participate.
Lehigh's season-opener was a memorable one for senior running back Dom Bragalone, who set one school record and tied another in the Mountain Hawks' win over Saint Francis. Bragalone carried 29 times for 137 yards and three touchdowns against the Red Flash. His 28th carry, a 10-yard rush in the fourth quarter, gave him Lehigh's career rushing record, passing the mark of 3,696 previously held by Rabih Abdullah '97. The three rushing touchdowns give Bragalone 42 for his career, tying Rod Gardner '77 for that school record. Bragalone won his fifth career Patriot League Offensive Player of the Week award on Monday. He has rushed for 100-plus yards in eight straight regular season games.
Following a tough year defensively in 2017, the Mountain Hawks showed considerable improvement in their season-opener as Lehigh limited Saint Francis to just 300 yards of total offense and just 19 points, both well below last season's averages. Lehigh allowed just 58 rushing yards, its fewest allowed since yielding 55 in a Patriot League win at Bucknell in 2015. The Mountain Hawks added 10 tackles for loss, one interception and used a collective team effort to block the Red Flash's go-ahead field goal attempt with 33 seconds remaining. Sophomore Divine Buckrham led Lehigh with 11 tackles, while junior Riley O'Neil added eight tackles and two tackles-for-loss.
Lehigh's strong defensive effort against Saint Francis was highlighted by an ability to make stops behind the line of scrimmage. The Mountain Hawks had 10 tackles for loss, marking the third time since the start of the 2013 season that Lehigh had 10 or more tackles for loss in one game. Sophomore Jack Kircher led the way with three tackles for loss, while juniors Riley O'Neil and Colin Nace each added two. Lehigh had 11 tackles for loss in wins against Georgetown in 2015 and Holy Cross in 2016.
Villanova opened its season with a 19-17 win over FBS member Temple at Lincoln Financial Field. The Wildcats had a strong effort on both sides of the ball, out-gaining the Owls 405-251 and intercepting two fourth quarter passes after taking the lead. Villanova was picked sixth in the CAA preseason poll following a 5-6 campaign last season. The Wildcats lost four of their final five games after a 5-2 start, with quarterback Zach Bednarczyk lost for the season with an injury. Bednarczyk is back healthy with Villanova also returning two strong runners in Aaron Forbes and Matt Gudzak. The Wildcats have always been tough defensively, led by preseason All-America safety Rob Rolle, who also missed time last season. Offensive tackle Ethan Greenidge is also a preseason All-American.
Lehigh and Villanova will meet for the 15th time, with the Wildcats holding a 9-5 edge in the series. Villanova has won the last six 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.
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.
Lehigh will play its first FBS opponent since 2003 when the Mountain Hawks travel to Annapolis, Maryland to face Navy next Saturday. The Mountain Hawks' last FBS game was a loss to UConn in 2003. Lehigh and Navy last met in 1987, a 24-9 Lehigh victory in Annapolis. Game time is set for 3:30 p.m. from Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.
| Date: | September 8, 2018 |
| Opponent: | No. 12/11 Villanova Wildcats |
| 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 Record: | 1-0 overall, 0-0 Patriot League |
| Villanova's Record: | 1-0 overall, 1-0 CAA |
| Series: | Villanova leads 9-5 |
| 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, Tom Fallon and Matt Markus |
| Internet Broadcast: | Video on the Patriot League Network (PatriotLeague.TV) Audio at LVFoxSports.com |
| Key Stats: | •Lehigh limited Saint Francis to just 58 rushing yards last week, its lowest total allowed in nearly three seasons. The Mountain Hawks also had 10 tackles for loss. •Running back Dominick Bragalone became Lehigh's all-time leading rusher last week. He is tied for Lehigh's career rushing touchdown record and is two touchdowns and 18 points shy of Lehigh career records in those categories. •Villanova's last two wins over Lehigh have been by a combined eight points. |
| Behind Enemy Lines: | http://www.villanova.com |
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