Saturday, October 23
Bronx, N.Y.
1:00 PM
Lehigh University
0-7 , 0-2
28
at
35
Fordham
5-3 , 3-0
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
F
Lehigh
14
0
7
7
28
Fordham
7
7
0
21
35
Lehigh Offensive Outburst Spoiled By Fourth Quarter Fordham Comeback
10/23/2021 5:55:00 PM | Football
BRONX, N.Y. – Lehigh came out of its bye week with its best offensive performance in several years as the Mountain Hawks racked up 577 yards and scored their first four touchdowns of the season. The Mountain Hawks were unable to convert their best showing of 2021 into their first win, however, as Fordham scored three touchdowns in the final quarter to erase a 28-14 deficit and stun Lehigh 35-28 Saturday at Jack Coffey Field.
Junior Zaythan Hill scored his third touchdown of the game on the first play of the fourth quarter to give Lehigh a 28-14 lead, but Fordham quarterback Tim DeMorat answered by throwing for a touchdown and running for two more, including the eventual game-winner from two yards out with 1:45 to play.
Lehigh's big offensive day included 260 rushing yards and 317 through the air. The Mountain Hawks had 32 first downs to Fordham's 21 and held a 39 minute to 21 minute advantage in time of possession.
Hill finished with 159 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 27 carries. Sophomore quarterback Dante Perri completed 27-of-37 passes for 317 yards and a touchdown. Lehigh also had a pair of 100-yard receivers as sophomore Eric Johnson hauled in nine for 121 and classmate Roemello Miner added eight for 102.
"It's a shame because I thought we out-played them for much of the game, but we didn't make a couple of plays at the end and they made a couple of big plays," Lehigh head coach Tom Gilmore said. "The kids have faced so much adversity. They came out and played their hearts out. We did a lot of really good things. We just need to finish a couple of things off in order to win these games."
DeMorat completed 24-of-40 for 401 yards and three touchdowns for Fordham, while also running for 16 yards and two scores. Fotis Kokosioulis had 10 catches for 157 yards to lead the Rams as Fordham improves to 5-3 overall and 3-0 in the Patriot League.
Lehigh wasted no time getting into the end zone for the first time this season. The Mountain Hawks received the opening kickoff and marched 83 yards in six plays, with Hill scoring on a 28 yard scamper to put Lehigh in front just 2:18 into the contest.
The lead was short lived as DeMorat hit Garrett Cody on a 65 yard bomb on Fordham's first play from scrimmage.
The Mountain Hawks moved the ball at will in the first half, marching deep into Fordham territory on all five possessions. Lehigh went for a 4th and goal from the Fordham three and took a 14-7 lead after senior Alex Snyder caught a deflected pass at the end line for his first career touchdown.
Lehigh had opportunities for more first half damage, but a pair of short field goals banged off uprights and the Mountain Hawks were also stuffed on a 4th and 1 from the Fordham two.
A 50 yard completion from DeMorat to Dequece Carter set the Rams up late in the first half as Carter hauled in a 17 yard touchdown pass right before halftime that tied the game at 14-14 at the break.
The third quarter belonged to Lehigh as the Mountain Hawks stopped Fordham twice and capitalized on two short fields after poor punts. Hill capped a 58 yard drive with a three yard run to put Lehigh up 21-14 with 8:13 remaining in the quarter. Hill's third score of the game on the first play of the fourth put the Mountain Hawks up 14.
"We tried to focus on things we could do well and we got better at them," Gilmore said of the offensive performance. "A lot of players stepped up and had really good games. Dante Perri executed the game plan very well. It's something we can build on after a disappointing result."
On the first play of the next series Fordham answered with a 52 yard connection from DeMorat to Kokosioulis and DeMorat finished the drive with an 11 yard run.
Lehigh looked to answer and milk the clock on its next possession. The Mountain Hawks ran 10 plays and moved the ball into Fordham's red zone, but sophomore Jack DiPietro was stripped of the ball and the Rams recovered.
DeMorat capped a 13-play, 85-yard drive with an 11 yard touchdown pass to tight end Jack Lynch. Lehigh had its only three-and-out of the game on its next possession, and Fordham moved the ball 57 yards in six plays, setting up DeMorat's go-ahead two yard run.
Lehigh had 1:45 to try and move the ball for a tying score. Perri hit Miner for 36 yards to move to the Fordham 22 but on the play, Miner was stripped by Jesse Bramble and the Rams recovered and were able to run out the clock.
"This team has been a testament to sticking with it," Gilmore said. "Coming out and playing the way we did today is showing that the players and staff have continued to work hard. They've kept a positive attitude. I give them all the credit in the world. It has been difficult because we haven't been getting the rewards in terms of wins but we've stuck with it. We've come to work every day and we found ways to improve. Finally it showed up on the field today. We have to get better in that final department, finishing the game off and coming out with a win."
The Mountain Hawks return to Goodman Stadium next Saturday to host Holy Cross on Halloweekend, presented by Grandpa Joe's Candy Shop. Game time is set for noon. Tickets can be purchased at LehighTickets.com or by calling 610-7LU-GAME during business hours.
EXTRA POINTS… Lehigh's 577 yards were its most since gaining 550 in a win over Bucknell on Nov. 3, 2018… Hill had the first 100 yard rushing game for a Lehigh player since RaShawn Allen ran for 113 at Sacred Heart in 2019… he became the first Lehigh player to rush for three touchdowns in a game since Dom Bragalone scored three in the 2018 Lafayette game…junior TyGee Leach led the defensive effort with seven tackles and a pass breakup… freshmen Andrew Worthy and Xavier Stephens made their first career starts on defense… Perri was the first Lehigh quarterback to pass for 300 yards since Brad Mayes did so against Bucknell in 2018.
Like Lehigh Football on Facebook and follow on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive updates throughout the season.
Junior Zaythan Hill scored his third touchdown of the game on the first play of the fourth quarter to give Lehigh a 28-14 lead, but Fordham quarterback Tim DeMorat answered by throwing for a touchdown and running for two more, including the eventual game-winner from two yards out with 1:45 to play.
Lehigh's big offensive day included 260 rushing yards and 317 through the air. The Mountain Hawks had 32 first downs to Fordham's 21 and held a 39 minute to 21 minute advantage in time of possession.
Hill finished with 159 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 27 carries. Sophomore quarterback Dante Perri completed 27-of-37 passes for 317 yards and a touchdown. Lehigh also had a pair of 100-yard receivers as sophomore Eric Johnson hauled in nine for 121 and classmate Roemello Miner added eight for 102.
"It's a shame because I thought we out-played them for much of the game, but we didn't make a couple of plays at the end and they made a couple of big plays," Lehigh head coach Tom Gilmore said. "The kids have faced so much adversity. They came out and played their hearts out. We did a lot of really good things. We just need to finish a couple of things off in order to win these games."
DeMorat completed 24-of-40 for 401 yards and three touchdowns for Fordham, while also running for 16 yards and two scores. Fotis Kokosioulis had 10 catches for 157 yards to lead the Rams as Fordham improves to 5-3 overall and 3-0 in the Patriot League.
Lehigh wasted no time getting into the end zone for the first time this season. The Mountain Hawks received the opening kickoff and marched 83 yards in six plays, with Hill scoring on a 28 yard scamper to put Lehigh in front just 2:18 into the contest.
The lead was short lived as DeMorat hit Garrett Cody on a 65 yard bomb on Fordham's first play from scrimmage.
The Mountain Hawks moved the ball at will in the first half, marching deep into Fordham territory on all five possessions. Lehigh went for a 4th and goal from the Fordham three and took a 14-7 lead after senior Alex Snyder caught a deflected pass at the end line for his first career touchdown.
Lehigh had opportunities for more first half damage, but a pair of short field goals banged off uprights and the Mountain Hawks were also stuffed on a 4th and 1 from the Fordham two.
A 50 yard completion from DeMorat to Dequece Carter set the Rams up late in the first half as Carter hauled in a 17 yard touchdown pass right before halftime that tied the game at 14-14 at the break.
The third quarter belonged to Lehigh as the Mountain Hawks stopped Fordham twice and capitalized on two short fields after poor punts. Hill capped a 58 yard drive with a three yard run to put Lehigh up 21-14 with 8:13 remaining in the quarter. Hill's third score of the game on the first play of the fourth put the Mountain Hawks up 14.
"We tried to focus on things we could do well and we got better at them," Gilmore said of the offensive performance. "A lot of players stepped up and had really good games. Dante Perri executed the game plan very well. It's something we can build on after a disappointing result."
On the first play of the next series Fordham answered with a 52 yard connection from DeMorat to Kokosioulis and DeMorat finished the drive with an 11 yard run.
Lehigh looked to answer and milk the clock on its next possession. The Mountain Hawks ran 10 plays and moved the ball into Fordham's red zone, but sophomore Jack DiPietro was stripped of the ball and the Rams recovered.
DeMorat capped a 13-play, 85-yard drive with an 11 yard touchdown pass to tight end Jack Lynch. Lehigh had its only three-and-out of the game on its next possession, and Fordham moved the ball 57 yards in six plays, setting up DeMorat's go-ahead two yard run.
Lehigh had 1:45 to try and move the ball for a tying score. Perri hit Miner for 36 yards to move to the Fordham 22 but on the play, Miner was stripped by Jesse Bramble and the Rams recovered and were able to run out the clock.
"This team has been a testament to sticking with it," Gilmore said. "Coming out and playing the way we did today is showing that the players and staff have continued to work hard. They've kept a positive attitude. I give them all the credit in the world. It has been difficult because we haven't been getting the rewards in terms of wins but we've stuck with it. We've come to work every day and we found ways to improve. Finally it showed up on the field today. We have to get better in that final department, finishing the game off and coming out with a win."
The Mountain Hawks return to Goodman Stadium next Saturday to host Holy Cross on Halloweekend, presented by Grandpa Joe's Candy Shop. Game time is set for noon. Tickets can be purchased at LehighTickets.com or by calling 610-7LU-GAME during business hours.
EXTRA POINTS… Lehigh's 577 yards were its most since gaining 550 in a win over Bucknell on Nov. 3, 2018… Hill had the first 100 yard rushing game for a Lehigh player since RaShawn Allen ran for 113 at Sacred Heart in 2019… he became the first Lehigh player to rush for three touchdowns in a game since Dom Bragalone scored three in the 2018 Lafayette game…junior TyGee Leach led the defensive effort with seven tackles and a pass breakup… freshmen Andrew Worthy and Xavier Stephens made their first career starts on defense… Perri was the first Lehigh quarterback to pass for 300 yards since Brad Mayes did so against Bucknell in 2018.
Like Lehigh Football on Facebook and follow on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive updates throughout the season.
Team Stats
LEH
FOR
Total Yards
577
488
Pass Yards
317
401
Rushing Yards
260
87
Penalty Yards
25
64
1st Downs
32
21
3rd Downs
6
10
4th Downs
2
0
TOP
39:00
21:00
1st Quarter
LEH 7, FOR 0
LEH - Hill,Zaythan 28 yd run (Van Dusen,Dylan kick), 6 plays, 83 yards, TOP 02:18
LEH 7, FOR 7
FOR - Cody,Garrett 65 yd pass from DeMorat,Tim (Leinenweber,Nick kick) 1 plays, 65 yards, TOP 00:09
LEH 14, FOR 7
LEH - Snyder,Alex 3 yd pass from Perri,Dante (Van Dusen,Dylan kick) 9 plays, 63 yards, TOP 04:44
2nd Quarter
LEH 14, FOR 14
FOR - Carter,Dequece 17 yd pass from DeMorat,Tim (Leinenweber,Nick kick) 6 plays, 97 yards, TOP 01:54
3rd Quarter
LEH 21, FOR 14
LEH - Hill,Zaythan 3 yd run (Van Dusen,Dylan kick), 9 plays, 58 yards, TOP 04:07
4th Quarter
LEH 28, FOR 14
LEH - Hill,Zaythan 1 yd run (Van Dusen,Dylan kick), 13 plays, 67 yards, TOP 06:04
LEH 28, FOR 21
FOR - DeMorat,Tim 11 yd run (Leinenweber,Nick kick), 6 plays, 75 yards, TOP 01:53
LEH 28, FOR 28
FOR - Lynch,Jack 11 yd pass from DeMorat,Tim (Leinenweber,Nick kick) 13 plays, 85 yards, TOP 04:01
LEH 28, FOR 35
FOR - DeMorat,Tim 2 yd run (Leinenweber,Nick kick), 6 plays, 57 yards, TOP 01:42
Game Leaders
CMP
27
TD
1
YDS
317
INT
0
Players Mentioned
RB
/ Football
RB
/ Football
RB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
DB
/ Football
WR
/ FootballQB
/ Football
TE
/ Football
DL
/ Football
DB
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