Saturday, August 31
Bethlehem, Pa.
12:30 PM
Lehigh University
vs
Saint Francis (Pa.)
Photo by: Alec Turner/tfp.nyc
Lehigh to Kick Off 136th Season, Gilmore Era at Home Against Saint Francis
8/27/2019 12:42:00 PM | Football
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Lehigh ushers in its 136th season of football and the Tom Gilmore era as the Mountain Hawks welcome Saint Francis (Pa.) to Goodman Stadium Saturday on Dog Day. Gilmore, a former Lehigh defensive coordinator and longtime Holy Cross head coach, was hired as the 29th head coach in program history in January. He takes over a program looking to bounce back from a 3-8 season in 2018, but also one that is just two seasons removed from back-to-back Patriot League titles.
The Mountain Hawks return 16 starters from a season ago, including All-Patriot League honorees Jorge Portorreal and Sam McCloskey. Saint Francis is looking to bounce back from a 4-7 campaign. Lehigh defeated Saint Francis 21-19 in last year's opener at Goodman Stadium.
Saturday's season-opener has been dubbed Dog Day at Goodman Stadium for the second straight year. 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.
Near the end of preseason camp, coach Tom Gilmore named four captains for the 2019 season. Senior offensive lineman Nick Rosen (Ellicott City, Md.), senior defensive back Riley O'Neil (Tewksbury, N.J.), fifth-year defensive back Sam McCloskey (Altoona, Pa.) and fifth-year defensive lineman Juwan Morrow (New Castle, Del.) will lead this year's squad. McCloskey will serve as a captain for the third consecutive season.
Senior Tyler Monaco is expected to take the reins as Lehigh's starting quarterback. The Davie, Fla., native is the only Lehigh quarterback to throw a pass in a college game. Monaco appeared in three games last season, completing 7-of-15 passes for 74 yards and a touchdown. He started last year's opener versus Saint Francis, completing 4-of-6 passes for 58 yards in a quarter of action. Monaco's lone career touchdown pass came last year at Navy. If Lehigh beats Saint Francis, Monaco will become the sixth straight Lehigh quarterback to win his first (full) career start, joining Mike Colvin (2012), Brandon Bialkowski (2013), Matt McHale (2013), Nick Shafnisky (2013) and Brad Mayes (2015).
After saying goodbye to Dom Bragalone, Lehigh's career leader in rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, total touchdowns and scoring, sophomore Rashawn Allen will have an opportunity to showcase his skills in Lehigh's backfield. Allen rushed for 328 yards and three touchdowns on 68 carries as a freshman, highlighted by a 147-yard, two touchdown effort in place of an injured Bragalone at Navy last season. The Canton, Mich., native had a strong freshman year off the field as well, putting together a 3.67 GPA in Lehigh's rigorous electrical engineering program. The Mountain Hawks have had a 1,000-yard rusher in four of the last six seasons after not having one previously between 2002 (Jermaine Pugh) and 2013 (Keith Sherman).
Lehigh has added 34 first-year student-athletes to its 2019 roster, including several who could contribute right away. Ten freshmen appear on Lehigh's depth chart. Four of Lehigh's 14 sophomores started at least one game as freshmen, led by Justin Gurth who started all 11 games at right tackle, and was named Lehigh's outstanding offensive lineman at the year-end banquet.
Lehigh's roster regularly features student-athletes who earned fifth years of eligibility due to medical hardships. This year, the Mountain Hawks' defense will benefit from fifth-year players Sam McCloskey and Juwan Morrow. McCloskey, a two-year captain and All-Patriot League performer a season ago, returns at safety, while Morrow will be a key performer on the interior of Lehigh's defensive line.
Fifteen of Lehigh's 28 previous head coaches were victorious in their first game at the helm of the Brown and White. Tom Gilmore will look to become the 16th Lehigh coach to win his first game and the fourth of Lehigh's last six.
Saint Francis was picked sixth in the NEC preseason poll. The Red Flash finished 4-7 last season and went 2-4 against NEC foes. SFU has gone 9-13 over the last two seasons after winning the NEC championship in 2016. Saint Francis returns 11 starters, with five on offense and six on defense. Three Red Flash players picked up preseason All-NEC recognition, with offensive lineman Christian Eubanks, linebacker Da'Jon Lee and safety/return specialist Nick Rinella all recognized. Defensively, Saint Francis ranked in the top 10 in the FCS against the pass and top 20 against the rush. Sophomore defensive lineman Jalen Brown is the reigning NEC Rookie of the Year. The Red Flash will have a new starting quarterback with the graduation of Bear Fenimore.
Lehigh and Saint Francis have met just twice previously. The Mountain Hawks edged the Red Flash 21-19 in last year's season opener. The first meeting was a 37-0 victory for the Brown and White in 1922. The first meeting was 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 will be playing a football game in the month of August for just the second time in program history. The Mountain Hawks' only other August game, and the earliest Lehigh opener in program annals was a 37-26 win at FBS Buffalo on Thursday, August 29, 2002. Current Lehigh head coach Tom Gilmore was the defensive coordinator of that team, the last Lehigh team to beat a FBS opponent.
Saturday's game kicks off just after 12:30 from Goodman Stadium. Tickets are still available, and may be purchased by visiting LehighTickets.com or by calling (610) 7LU-GAME during business hours.
Lehigh hits the road for the first time this season as the Mountain Hawks travel to Villanova next Saturday for the Wildcats' home opener. The Mountain Hawks will be looking to beat Villanova for the first time since 2006. Game time is set for 6 p.m. from Villanova Stadium.
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The Mountain Hawks return 16 starters from a season ago, including All-Patriot League honorees Jorge Portorreal and Sam McCloskey. Saint Francis is looking to bounce back from a 4-7 campaign. Lehigh defeated Saint Francis 21-19 in last year's opener at Goodman Stadium.
Saturday's season-opener has been dubbed Dog Day at Goodman Stadium for the second straight year. 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.
Near the end of preseason camp, coach Tom Gilmore named four captains for the 2019 season. Senior offensive lineman Nick Rosen (Ellicott City, Md.), senior defensive back Riley O'Neil (Tewksbury, N.J.), fifth-year defensive back Sam McCloskey (Altoona, Pa.) and fifth-year defensive lineman Juwan Morrow (New Castle, Del.) will lead this year's squad. McCloskey will serve as a captain for the third consecutive season.
Senior Tyler Monaco is expected to take the reins as Lehigh's starting quarterback. The Davie, Fla., native is the only Lehigh quarterback to throw a pass in a college game. Monaco appeared in three games last season, completing 7-of-15 passes for 74 yards and a touchdown. He started last year's opener versus Saint Francis, completing 4-of-6 passes for 58 yards in a quarter of action. Monaco's lone career touchdown pass came last year at Navy. If Lehigh beats Saint Francis, Monaco will become the sixth straight Lehigh quarterback to win his first (full) career start, joining Mike Colvin (2012), Brandon Bialkowski (2013), Matt McHale (2013), Nick Shafnisky (2013) and Brad Mayes (2015).
After saying goodbye to Dom Bragalone, Lehigh's career leader in rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, total touchdowns and scoring, sophomore Rashawn Allen will have an opportunity to showcase his skills in Lehigh's backfield. Allen rushed for 328 yards and three touchdowns on 68 carries as a freshman, highlighted by a 147-yard, two touchdown effort in place of an injured Bragalone at Navy last season. The Canton, Mich., native had a strong freshman year off the field as well, putting together a 3.67 GPA in Lehigh's rigorous electrical engineering program. The Mountain Hawks have had a 1,000-yard rusher in four of the last six seasons after not having one previously between 2002 (Jermaine Pugh) and 2013 (Keith Sherman).
Lehigh has added 34 first-year student-athletes to its 2019 roster, including several who could contribute right away. Ten freshmen appear on Lehigh's depth chart. Four of Lehigh's 14 sophomores started at least one game as freshmen, led by Justin Gurth who started all 11 games at right tackle, and was named Lehigh's outstanding offensive lineman at the year-end banquet.
Lehigh's roster regularly features student-athletes who earned fifth years of eligibility due to medical hardships. This year, the Mountain Hawks' defense will benefit from fifth-year players Sam McCloskey and Juwan Morrow. McCloskey, a two-year captain and All-Patriot League performer a season ago, returns at safety, while Morrow will be a key performer on the interior of Lehigh's defensive line.
Fifteen of Lehigh's 28 previous head coaches were victorious in their first game at the helm of the Brown and White. Tom Gilmore will look to become the 16th Lehigh coach to win his first game and the fourth of Lehigh's last six.
Saint Francis was picked sixth in the NEC preseason poll. The Red Flash finished 4-7 last season and went 2-4 against NEC foes. SFU has gone 9-13 over the last two seasons after winning the NEC championship in 2016. Saint Francis returns 11 starters, with five on offense and six on defense. Three Red Flash players picked up preseason All-NEC recognition, with offensive lineman Christian Eubanks, linebacker Da'Jon Lee and safety/return specialist Nick Rinella all recognized. Defensively, Saint Francis ranked in the top 10 in the FCS against the pass and top 20 against the rush. Sophomore defensive lineman Jalen Brown is the reigning NEC Rookie of the Year. The Red Flash will have a new starting quarterback with the graduation of Bear Fenimore.
Lehigh and Saint Francis have met just twice previously. The Mountain Hawks edged the Red Flash 21-19 in last year's season opener. The first meeting was a 37-0 victory for the Brown and White in 1922. The first meeting was 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 will be playing a football game in the month of August for just the second time in program history. The Mountain Hawks' only other August game, and the earliest Lehigh opener in program annals was a 37-26 win at FBS Buffalo on Thursday, August 29, 2002. Current Lehigh head coach Tom Gilmore was the defensive coordinator of that team, the last Lehigh team to beat a FBS opponent.
Saturday's game kicks off just after 12:30 from Goodman Stadium. Tickets are still available, and may be purchased by visiting LehighTickets.com or by calling (610) 7LU-GAME during business hours.
Lehigh hits the road for the first time this season as the Mountain Hawks travel to Villanova next Saturday for the Wildcats' home opener. The Mountain Hawks will be looking to beat Villanova for the first time since 2006. Game time is set for 6 p.m. from Villanova Stadium.
| Date: | August 31, 2019 |
| 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 '18 Record: | 3-8 overall, 2-4 Patriot League |
| SFU's '18 Record: | 4-7 overall, 2-4 NEC |
| Series: | Lehigh leads 2-0 |
| 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, Lance Haynes '94, Matt Markus and Tom Fallon |
| Internet Broadcast: | Video on the Patriot League Network (PatriotLeague.TV) Audio at LVFoxSports.com |
| Key Stats: | •Lehigh's defense allowed a season-low 58 rushing yards to Saint Francis in last year's opener. •Quarterback Tyler Monaco made his first career start last year against Saint Francis, going 4-of-6 for 58 yards in one quarter of action. •Lehigh's roster features 34 freshmen, 14 sophomores, 20 juniors and 16 seniors (2 fifth-years). |
| Behind Enemy Lines: | http://www.sfuathletics.com |
Players Mentioned
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