Saturday, November 5
Worcester, Mass.
12:00 PM
Lehigh University
at
Holy Cross
Photo by: Trent Weaver
Back From Bye Week, Lehigh Set to Visit No. 6/7 Holy Cross Saturday
11/1/2022 12:15:00 PM | Football
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Coming off of its bye week, Lehigh makes its first visit to Worcester, Mass., since 2018 as the Mountain Hawks face undefeated No. 6/7 Holy Cross Saturday at Fitton Field. The contest marks a return to Worcester for Lehigh head coach Tom Gilmore, who served as head coach of the Crusaders from 2004-2017. Lehigh is looking to bounce back from a heartbreaking 19-17 loss to Bucknell on Oct. 22, a game in which the Mountain Hawks allowed just 215 yards of total offense, but the Bison scored nine points over the game's final 2:05 to claim the victory. Lehigh will also be looking to play the role of spoiler, as a victory over Holy Cross would prevent the Crusaders from clinching their fourth consecutive Patriot League title. Holy Cross improved to 8-0 on the season with a 53-52 overtime win over Fordham at Fitton Field last Saturday.
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Last year, Lehigh led the FCS with five blocked punts, but it took until the Mountain Hawks' last game for the special teams to get back into the blocked kick swing of things. On the opening drive of the third quarter, senior Johnny Foley blocked a Bucknell punt, which junior Nick Lucien recovered in the end zone for a touchdown that gave Lehigh a 10-7 lead. When Bucknell scored a touchdown late in the fourth quarter, senior Tommy Lewis, who blocked two punts last year, broke through to block the extra point, which kept the Mountain Hawks in front 17-16. It marked Lehigh's first game with two blocked kicks since Oct. 20, 2018, when the Mountain Hawks blocked two field goals at Georgetown.
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Two members of the Lehigh coaching staff have connections to Holy Cross, most notably head coach Tom Gilmore, who spent 14 seasons as the Crusaders' head coach from 2004-17. Gilmore went 72-81 in Worcester and was 5-8 against Lehigh. Defensive coordinator Mike Kashurba spent four seasons in the same role for the Crusaders. Holy Cross' safeties coach Anthony DiMichele returned to his alma mater after three seasons on Lehigh's staff. He was an all-league performer under Gilmore as a defensive back for the Crusaders. Former All-Patriot League linebacker Pete Haffner '21 is also on the Holy Cross staff.
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One of Lehigh's strengths last season was its ability to get to opposing quarterbacks. The Mountain Hawks ranked second in the Patriot League with 25 sacks and registered at least two sacks in nine of their 11 games, with a season-high of four against Holy Cross. The Mountain Hawks were held sackless at Fordham but had 13 over their last four games. Lehigh utilized a balanced attack with Mikhari Sibblis leading the way with 4.5 Trevor Harris following with four. The Mountain Hawks have 18 sacks over their last six games and lead the Patriot League with 21. Junior Mike DeNucci leads the way with eight, while senior Nate Norris has three.
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The three-time defending Patriot League champions, Holy Cross has reeled off eight consecutive wins to open the 2022 campaign. The Crusaders are ranked sixth and seventh in the two major FCS polls and can clinch their fourth consecutive league title with a win over the Mountain Hawks. Holy Cross remained unbeaten with a 53-52 overtime win over Fordham last weekend as Ayir Asante rushed in the game-winning two-point conversion in overtime. The Crusaders boast the Patriot League's top rushing offense and the league's top scoring defense. Junior quarterback Matthew Sluka leads Holy Cross in both passing (1,730 yards, 19 touchdowns, 2 interceptions) and rushing (623 yards, 7 touchdowns). His top target is Jalen Coker, who has 788 yards and 10 touchdowns on 38 receptions. Linebacker Liam Anderson leads the Crusaders with 47 tackles including 8.5 tackles for loss.
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Lehigh and Holy Cross get together for the 38th time with Lehigh holding a 19-17-1 lead in the series. These teams first met in 1924 and did not meet again until 1986. Holy Cross has won the last four meetings. These teams are meeting at Fitton Field for the first time since 2018.
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Saturday's game kicks off just after noon from Fitton Field in Worcester, Mass. The game will be streamed on ESPN+ with audio coverage on Fox Sports Radio 94.7 FM and 1230 AM in Easton and online at LVFoxSports.com beginning at 11 a.m.
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The Mountain Hawks return to Goodman Stadium next Saturday for their home finale as Lehigh hosts Colgate on Salute to Service presented by Weis Markets. Lehigh will look to avenge a loss in Hamilton, N.Y. last September as the Raiders visit Bethlehem for the first time since 2018. Game time is set for noon.
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Like Lehigh Football on Facebook and follow on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive updates throughout the season.Â
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Last year, Lehigh led the FCS with five blocked punts, but it took until the Mountain Hawks' last game for the special teams to get back into the blocked kick swing of things. On the opening drive of the third quarter, senior Johnny Foley blocked a Bucknell punt, which junior Nick Lucien recovered in the end zone for a touchdown that gave Lehigh a 10-7 lead. When Bucknell scored a touchdown late in the fourth quarter, senior Tommy Lewis, who blocked two punts last year, broke through to block the extra point, which kept the Mountain Hawks in front 17-16. It marked Lehigh's first game with two blocked kicks since Oct. 20, 2018, when the Mountain Hawks blocked two field goals at Georgetown.
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Two members of the Lehigh coaching staff have connections to Holy Cross, most notably head coach Tom Gilmore, who spent 14 seasons as the Crusaders' head coach from 2004-17. Gilmore went 72-81 in Worcester and was 5-8 against Lehigh. Defensive coordinator Mike Kashurba spent four seasons in the same role for the Crusaders. Holy Cross' safeties coach Anthony DiMichele returned to his alma mater after three seasons on Lehigh's staff. He was an all-league performer under Gilmore as a defensive back for the Crusaders. Former All-Patriot League linebacker Pete Haffner '21 is also on the Holy Cross staff.
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One of Lehigh's strengths last season was its ability to get to opposing quarterbacks. The Mountain Hawks ranked second in the Patriot League with 25 sacks and registered at least two sacks in nine of their 11 games, with a season-high of four against Holy Cross. The Mountain Hawks were held sackless at Fordham but had 13 over their last four games. Lehigh utilized a balanced attack with Mikhari Sibblis leading the way with 4.5 Trevor Harris following with four. The Mountain Hawks have 18 sacks over their last six games and lead the Patriot League with 21. Junior Mike DeNucci leads the way with eight, while senior Nate Norris has three.
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The three-time defending Patriot League champions, Holy Cross has reeled off eight consecutive wins to open the 2022 campaign. The Crusaders are ranked sixth and seventh in the two major FCS polls and can clinch their fourth consecutive league title with a win over the Mountain Hawks. Holy Cross remained unbeaten with a 53-52 overtime win over Fordham last weekend as Ayir Asante rushed in the game-winning two-point conversion in overtime. The Crusaders boast the Patriot League's top rushing offense and the league's top scoring defense. Junior quarterback Matthew Sluka leads Holy Cross in both passing (1,730 yards, 19 touchdowns, 2 interceptions) and rushing (623 yards, 7 touchdowns). His top target is Jalen Coker, who has 788 yards and 10 touchdowns on 38 receptions. Linebacker Liam Anderson leads the Crusaders with 47 tackles including 8.5 tackles for loss.
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Lehigh and Holy Cross get together for the 38th time with Lehigh holding a 19-17-1 lead in the series. These teams first met in 1924 and did not meet again until 1986. Holy Cross has won the last four meetings. These teams are meeting at Fitton Field for the first time since 2018.
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Saturday's game kicks off just after noon from Fitton Field in Worcester, Mass. The game will be streamed on ESPN+ with audio coverage on Fox Sports Radio 94.7 FM and 1230 AM in Easton and online at LVFoxSports.com beginning at 11 a.m.
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The Mountain Hawks return to Goodman Stadium next Saturday for their home finale as Lehigh hosts Colgate on Salute to Service presented by Weis Markets. Lehigh will look to avenge a loss in Hamilton, N.Y. last September as the Raiders visit Bethlehem for the first time since 2018. Game time is set for noon.
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| Date: | November 5, 2022 |
| Opponent: | No. 6/7 Holy Cross Crusaders |
| Kickoff: | 12:02 p.m. |
| Stadium: | Fitton Field/23,500/Natural Grass |
| Location: | Worcester, Mass. |
| Lehigh's record: | 1-7 overall, 1-2 Patriot League |
| Holy Cross' record: | 8-0 overall, 4-0 Patriot League |
| Series: | Lehigh leads 19-17-1 |
| Video: | ESPN+ |
| Radio: | Fox Sports Radio 94.7 FM and 1230 AM and LVFoxSports.com with Matt Kerr, Matt Markus and Steve Lomangino, beginning at 11 a.m. |
| Key Stats: | •Lehigh allowed a season-low 215 yards of total offense to Bucknell in its last game. •The Mountain Hawks lead the Patriot League in sacks with 21 and have averaged three sacks per game over their last six outings. •Lehigh's pass defense has had its best two games of the season in its last two games, allowing 202 yards to Cornell and 146 to Bucknell. •Twenty-five percent of Lehigh's touchdowns this season have come from the Mountain Hawks' defense or special teams (4-of-16). •Lehigh boasts the No. 2 rushing defense in the Patriot League and will be tested by a Holy Cross team that features the No. 1 rushing offense in the league. |
Like Lehigh Football on Facebook and follow on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive updates throughout the season.Â
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