Saturday, November 4
Bethlehem, Pa.
12:00 PM
Lehigh University
vs
Holy Cross
Photo by: Hannahally Photography
Lehigh Returns From Bye Week To Host Holy Cross Saturday
10/31/2023 2:19:00 PM | Football
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Returning to action after its bye week, Lehigh welcomes four-time defending Patriot League champion Holy Cross to Goodman Stadium Saturday on Salute to Service, presented by Weis Markets. The Mountain Hawks headed into their bye week on a high note after defeating Bucknell 27-18 Oct. 21 at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium in Lewisburg. Lehigh picked up its first Patriot League win on the strength of a defensive effort that yielded just 252 total yards to the Bison, a running game that churned out 188 rushing yards and the Mountain Hawks' first punt return touchdown in 15 years on a 57-yard return by sophomore Nick Peltekian. First-year Luke Yoder carried 38 times for 138 yards and two touchdowns.
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Holy Cross won a 49-47 shootout at Fordham last week to improve to 5-3 overall. The Crusaders are 3-1 in league play with a three point home loss to Lafayette on Oct. 21.
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Sophomore safety Nick Peltekian enjoyed a pair of strong outings leading into Lehigh's bye week. Peltekian registered a game-high 13 tackles including three tackles for loss against Georgetown and added seven tackles and two pass breakups at Bucknell. The Mahwah, N.J. native delivered one of the biggest plays against Bucknell on special teams, when he returned a Bison punt 57 yards for a touchdown to give Lehigh a 20-0 second quarter lead. The punt return touchdown was the first for a Lehigh players since Jarard Cribbs returned a punt 84 yards for a score against Cornell on Oct. 4, 2008. For his efforts, Peltekian was named Patriot League Special Teams Player of the Week. Peltekian ranks second on the Mountain Hawks with 58 tackles and has added four tackles for loss and five pass breakups. He has started all eight games at safety after missing the entire 2022 season due to injury.
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Lehigh churned out a season-best 188 rushing yards at Bucknell with first-year running back Luke Yoder shouldering much of the load. Yoder carried 38 times for 138 yards and scored two touchdowns in Lehigh's 27-18 win. He was named Patriot League Rookie of the Week for the second time in three weeks for his efforts. Two weeks prior, Yoder enjoyed a 103-yard effort at Fordham, that included a 51-yard rush, Lehigh's longest run from scrimmage this season. Yoder leads the Mountain Hawks with 421 rushing yards and is averaging 4.6 yards per carry. He has scored three touchdowns, with his first coming in his debut against Cornell on Sept. 16.
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One of Lehigh's strengths over the last two seasons has been its ability to get to opposing quarterbacks. The Mountain Hawks tallied 25 sacks in 2021 to rank second in the Patriot League and once again ranked second in the league last season with 23 sacks. Lehigh registered a sack in nine of 11 games in 2022, with a high of five against Princeton. The Mountain Hawks currently rank second in the Patriot League with 17 sacks through eight games. Those 17 sacks have come from 10 different players. Lehigh has had at least one sack in seven of its eight games so far, with a high of four last time out at Bucknell. Sophomore Matt Spatny leads the way with five sacks, while fifth-year Dean Colton and first-year Jadin Nelson have two. Seniors Mike DeNucci and Drew DeMorat have both contributed 1.5 sacks.
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Four-time defending Patriot League champion Holy Cross enters Saturday's game at 5-3 overall and 3-1 in Patriot League play. The Crusaders bounced back from a rare Patriot League loss to Lafayette on Oct. 21 by winning a wild 49-47 shootout at Fordham last weekend. Holy Cross is led by dual threat quarterback Matthew Sluka, who rushed for a Division I record (for quarterbacks) 330 yards against Lafayette. Sluka did not start the Fordham game and was limited to just two rushing attempts on the day. Top Crusader playmakers include running back Jordan Fuller and receiver Jalen Coker. Linebacker Jacob Dobbs anchors the defense. Dobbs already has 111 tackles this season, including 10 tackles for loss and five sacks. Holy Cross is ranked 21st in the AFCA poll and is receiving votes in the Stats Perform FCS Top 25.
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Lehigh and Holy Cross get together for the 39th time with Lehigh holding a 19-18-1 lead in the series. These teams first met in 1924 and did not meet again until 1986. Holy Cross has won the last five meetings. Lehigh and Holy Cross will meet at Goodman Stadium for the fifth time in the last seven meetings.
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Saturday's game kicks off just after noon from Goodman Stadium. Tickets are still available and can be purchased at LehighTickets.com and by calling 610-758-4263.
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Lehigh will take to the road for the final time in 2023 when the Mountain Hawks visit Colgate on Saturday Nov. 11. Game time is set for 1 p.m. from Andy Kerr Stadium in Hamilton, N.Y. as Lehigh looks to defeat Colgate for the second straight year and win in Hamilton for the third time in four trips.
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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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Holy Cross won a 49-47 shootout at Fordham last week to improve to 5-3 overall. The Crusaders are 3-1 in league play with a three point home loss to Lafayette on Oct. 21.
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Sophomore safety Nick Peltekian enjoyed a pair of strong outings leading into Lehigh's bye week. Peltekian registered a game-high 13 tackles including three tackles for loss against Georgetown and added seven tackles and two pass breakups at Bucknell. The Mahwah, N.J. native delivered one of the biggest plays against Bucknell on special teams, when he returned a Bison punt 57 yards for a touchdown to give Lehigh a 20-0 second quarter lead. The punt return touchdown was the first for a Lehigh players since Jarard Cribbs returned a punt 84 yards for a score against Cornell on Oct. 4, 2008. For his efforts, Peltekian was named Patriot League Special Teams Player of the Week. Peltekian ranks second on the Mountain Hawks with 58 tackles and has added four tackles for loss and five pass breakups. He has started all eight games at safety after missing the entire 2022 season due to injury.
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Lehigh churned out a season-best 188 rushing yards at Bucknell with first-year running back Luke Yoder shouldering much of the load. Yoder carried 38 times for 138 yards and scored two touchdowns in Lehigh's 27-18 win. He was named Patriot League Rookie of the Week for the second time in three weeks for his efforts. Two weeks prior, Yoder enjoyed a 103-yard effort at Fordham, that included a 51-yard rush, Lehigh's longest run from scrimmage this season. Yoder leads the Mountain Hawks with 421 rushing yards and is averaging 4.6 yards per carry. He has scored three touchdowns, with his first coming in his debut against Cornell on Sept. 16.
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One of Lehigh's strengths over the last two seasons has been its ability to get to opposing quarterbacks. The Mountain Hawks tallied 25 sacks in 2021 to rank second in the Patriot League and once again ranked second in the league last season with 23 sacks. Lehigh registered a sack in nine of 11 games in 2022, with a high of five against Princeton. The Mountain Hawks currently rank second in the Patriot League with 17 sacks through eight games. Those 17 sacks have come from 10 different players. Lehigh has had at least one sack in seven of its eight games so far, with a high of four last time out at Bucknell. Sophomore Matt Spatny leads the way with five sacks, while fifth-year Dean Colton and first-year Jadin Nelson have two. Seniors Mike DeNucci and Drew DeMorat have both contributed 1.5 sacks.
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Four-time defending Patriot League champion Holy Cross enters Saturday's game at 5-3 overall and 3-1 in Patriot League play. The Crusaders bounced back from a rare Patriot League loss to Lafayette on Oct. 21 by winning a wild 49-47 shootout at Fordham last weekend. Holy Cross is led by dual threat quarterback Matthew Sluka, who rushed for a Division I record (for quarterbacks) 330 yards against Lafayette. Sluka did not start the Fordham game and was limited to just two rushing attempts on the day. Top Crusader playmakers include running back Jordan Fuller and receiver Jalen Coker. Linebacker Jacob Dobbs anchors the defense. Dobbs already has 111 tackles this season, including 10 tackles for loss and five sacks. Holy Cross is ranked 21st in the AFCA poll and is receiving votes in the Stats Perform FCS Top 25.
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Lehigh and Holy Cross get together for the 39th time with Lehigh holding a 19-18-1 lead in the series. These teams first met in 1924 and did not meet again until 1986. Holy Cross has won the last five meetings. Lehigh and Holy Cross will meet at Goodman Stadium for the fifth time in the last seven meetings.
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Saturday's game kicks off just after noon from Goodman Stadium. Tickets are still available and can be purchased at LehighTickets.com and by calling 610-758-4263.
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Lehigh will take to the road for the final time in 2023 when the Mountain Hawks visit Colgate on Saturday Nov. 11. Game time is set for 1 p.m. from Andy Kerr Stadium in Hamilton, N.Y. as Lehigh looks to defeat Colgate for the second straight year and win in Hamilton for the third time in four trips.
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| Date: | November 4, 2023 |
| Opponent: | No. 21/RV Holy Cross Crusaders |
| Kickoff: | 12:02 p.m. |
| Stadium: | Goodman Stadium |
| Location: | Bethlehem, Pa. |
| Lehigh's record: | 2-6 overall, 1-2 Patriot League |
| Holy Cross' record: | 5-3 overall, 3-1 Patriot League |
| Series: | Lehigh leads 19-18-1 |
| Video: | ESPN+ with Marco Socci and Lance Haynes '94 |
| Radio: | Fox Sports Radio 94.7 FM and 1230 AM and LVFoxSports.com with Matt Kerr, Mike Yadush '93 and Connor Mills beginning at 12 p.m. |
| Key Stats: | •Lehigh leads the Patriot League in fewest sacks allowed and ranks second in the league in sacks for. •Over their last four games the Mountain Hawks have registered 11 sacks while allowing zero. •Luke Yoder's 38 rushing attempts at Bucknell were the most for a Lehigh player since Matt McGowan carried 39 times in a win over Drake on Sept. 6, 2008. |
Like Lehigh Football on Facebook and follow on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive updates throughout the season.Â
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Players Mentioned
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