Saturday, September 2
Bethlehem, Pa.
12:00 PM
Lehigh University
0-1 , 0-0
10
vs
38
Villanova
1-0 , 0-0
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
F
Villanova
14
17
7
0
38
Lehigh
0
3
0
7
10
Photo by: Hannahally Photography
Lehigh Can't Overcome First Half Turnovers In Season-Opening Setback to Villanova
9/2/2023 5:04:00 PM | Football
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – A game-opening onside kick shifted early momentum into Lehigh's favor, but three first-half turnovers led to 21 Villanova points as the visiting Wildcats claimed a 38-10 victory over the Mountain Hawks Saturday on Dog Day at Goodman Stadium presented by JFR Salvage, Inc.
The Mountain Hawks trailed 31-3 at halftime and matched the Wildcats in the second half with both teams tallying one touchdown after halftime. Lehigh's score came from a seven-yard pass from sophomore Brayten Silbor to junior Gaige Garcia with 8:02 to play. Villanova's Jalen Jackson and Rayjuon Pringle both scored twice as the Wildcats spoiled the debut of head coach Kevin Cahill.
"I told our team just now that I was proud of the way they fought," Cahill said. "We fought through the fourth quarter. That has to be a growth point for us. I'm not happy with the way we executed nor the way we played overall. A lot of that credit goes to Villanova. They looked a little different than we did, but I'm proud of the way our kids fought."
Villanova won the toss and elected to receive and Lehigh chose to be aggressive from the get-go. Sophomore Nick Garrido executed an onside kick with junior Michael McCormick recovering to give Lehigh the opening possession.
The Wildcats opened the scoring as Jackson scored on a one-yard run capping an 11-play, 75-yard drive with just under four minutes left in the first quarter. Lehigh fumbled the ball away on its next drive and the Wildcats capitalized, with Pringle hauling in a 28-yard pass from Connor Watkins to put Villanova up 14-0 after one quarter.
Garrido put Lehigh on the board with a 38-yard field goal with 9:21 to play in the half. Villanova scored the final 21 points of the half, capitalizing on a pair of interceptions to lead 31-3 at the break.
DeeWil Barlee scored the only points of the third quarter with a one-yard touchdown run for Villanova, while Garcia's first career receiving touchdown capped a seven-play, 55-yard drive.
Lehigh was out-gained by Villanova 412-284 and the Wildcats garnered 284 yards on the ground.
Silbor finished 23-of-38 for 206 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions in his first career start. Sophomore Geoffrey Jamiel led Lehigh with six receptions for 28 yards, while sophomore tight end Nick Williams led Lehigh with 38 receiving yards on four receptions. Silbor completed passes to nine difference receivers. Garcia finished with 21 rushing yards on six carries and caught three passes for 29 yards. Senior Jack DiPietro ran six times for a team-leading 23 yards.
Gallery: (9-2-2023) Football vs. Villanova, 9/2/23
Jackson and Barlee both eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark for Villanova. Watkins completed 13-of-23 for 119 yards with two touchdowns and an interception.
"Give 'Nova credit," Cahill said. "They came in and did what they were supposed to do. We have to stop beating ourselves. The turnovers and penalties. You're not going to win games doing things like that."
Senior linebacker Mike DeNucci led the defensive effort with seven tackles and a tackle for loss.
The Mountain Hawks will take to the road for the first time in 2023 next Saturday when they travel to Merrimack. Game time is set for 4 p.m. The game will be broadcast on NESN+ with audio coverage on Fox Sports Radio 94.7 FM and 1230 AM and LVFoxSports.com.
EXTRA POINTS… Lehigh is now 84-50-6 in season-opening contests… Lehigh Athletics recognized its six newest Hall of Fame inductees in the second quarter and the 1998 Patriot League champion football team during the third quarter… the Mountain Hawks finished with two sacks, courtesy of fifth-year Dean Colton and sophomore Tyler Ochojski… senior Donovan Lassiter made his second career interception in the third quarter for Lehigh's lone takeaway... seven players made their first career starts: Silbor, Williams, Ochojski, defensive linemen Matt Spatny and TJ Burke and defensive backs Javin Adderley and Nick Peltekian… Saturday's attendance was 4,360 with the game played under sunny skies.
Like Lehigh Football on Facebook and follow on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive updates throughout the season.
The Mountain Hawks trailed 31-3 at halftime and matched the Wildcats in the second half with both teams tallying one touchdown after halftime. Lehigh's score came from a seven-yard pass from sophomore Brayten Silbor to junior Gaige Garcia with 8:02 to play. Villanova's Jalen Jackson and Rayjuon Pringle both scored twice as the Wildcats spoiled the debut of head coach Kevin Cahill.
"I told our team just now that I was proud of the way they fought," Cahill said. "We fought through the fourth quarter. That has to be a growth point for us. I'm not happy with the way we executed nor the way we played overall. A lot of that credit goes to Villanova. They looked a little different than we did, but I'm proud of the way our kids fought."
Check out Gaige Garcia's first touchdown of the season ⬇️#GoLehigh pic.twitter.com/OPtbMKhcu5
— Lehigh Football (@LehighFootball) September 2, 2023
Villanova won the toss and elected to receive and Lehigh chose to be aggressive from the get-go. Sophomore Nick Garrido executed an onside kick with junior Michael McCormick recovering to give Lehigh the opening possession.
The Wildcats opened the scoring as Jackson scored on a one-yard run capping an 11-play, 75-yard drive with just under four minutes left in the first quarter. Lehigh fumbled the ball away on its next drive and the Wildcats capitalized, with Pringle hauling in a 28-yard pass from Connor Watkins to put Villanova up 14-0 after one quarter.
Garrido put Lehigh on the board with a 38-yard field goal with 9:21 to play in the half. Villanova scored the final 21 points of the half, capitalizing on a pair of interceptions to lead 31-3 at the break.
DeeWil Barlee scored the only points of the third quarter with a one-yard touchdown run for Villanova, while Garcia's first career receiving touchdown capped a seven-play, 55-yard drive.
Lehigh was out-gained by Villanova 412-284 and the Wildcats garnered 284 yards on the ground.
Silbor finished 23-of-38 for 206 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions in his first career start. Sophomore Geoffrey Jamiel led Lehigh with six receptions for 28 yards, while sophomore tight end Nick Williams led Lehigh with 38 receiving yards on four receptions. Silbor completed passes to nine difference receivers. Garcia finished with 21 rushing yards on six carries and caught three passes for 29 yards. Senior Jack DiPietro ran six times for a team-leading 23 yards.
Jackson and Barlee both eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark for Villanova. Watkins completed 13-of-23 for 119 yards with two touchdowns and an interception.
"Give 'Nova credit," Cahill said. "They came in and did what they were supposed to do. We have to stop beating ourselves. The turnovers and penalties. You're not going to win games doing things like that."
Senior linebacker Mike DeNucci led the defensive effort with seven tackles and a tackle for loss.
The Mountain Hawks will take to the road for the first time in 2023 next Saturday when they travel to Merrimack. Game time is set for 4 p.m. The game will be broadcast on NESN+ with audio coverage on Fox Sports Radio 94.7 FM and 1230 AM and LVFoxSports.com.
EXTRA POINTS… Lehigh is now 84-50-6 in season-opening contests… Lehigh Athletics recognized its six newest Hall of Fame inductees in the second quarter and the 1998 Patriot League champion football team during the third quarter… the Mountain Hawks finished with two sacks, courtesy of fifth-year Dean Colton and sophomore Tyler Ochojski… senior Donovan Lassiter made his second career interception in the third quarter for Lehigh's lone takeaway... seven players made their first career starts: Silbor, Williams, Ochojski, defensive linemen Matt Spatny and TJ Burke and defensive backs Javin Adderley and Nick Peltekian… Saturday's attendance was 4,360 with the game played under sunny skies.
Like Lehigh Football on Facebook and follow on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive updates throughout the season.
Team Stats
VIL
LEH
Total Yards
412
284
Pass Yards
128
206
Rushing Yards
284
78
Penalty Yards
45
45
1st Downs
18
13
3rd Downs
1
2
4th Downs
2
1
TOP
31:51
28:09
1st Quarter
VIL 7, LEH 0
VIL - Jackson,Jalen 1 yd run (Mercurio,Matthew kick), 11 plays, 75 yards, TOP 06:26
VIL 14, LEH 0
VIL - Pringle,Rayjuon 28 yd pass from Watkins,Connor (Mercurio,Matthew kick) 2 plays, 28 yards, TOP 00:46
2nd Quarter
VIL 14, LEH 3
LEH - Garrido,Nick 38 yd field goal 8 plays, 27 yards, TOP 03:52
VIL 17, LEH 3
VIL - Mercurio,Matthew 37 yd field goal 6 plays, 58 yards, TOP 03:48
VIL 24, LEH 3
VIL - Pringle,Rayjuon 7 yd pass from Watkins,Connor (Mercurio,Matthew kick) 2 plays, 17 yards, TOP 00:44
VIL 31, LEH 3
VIL - Jackson,Jalen 46 yd run (Mercurio,Matthew kick), 2 plays, 51 yards, TOP 00:51
3rd Quarter
VIL 38, LEH 3
VIL - Barlee,DeeWil 1 yd run (Mercurio,Matthew kick), 9 plays, 97 yards, TOP 05:15
4th Quarter
VIL 38, LEH 10
LEH - Garcia,Gaige 7 yd pass from Silbor,Brayten (Garrido,Nick kick) 7 plays, 55 yards, TOP 02:43
Game Leaders
Passing Leaders
CMP
23
TD
1
YDS
206
INT
2
CMP
0
TD
0
YDS
0
INT
0
Players Mentioned
DB
/ Football
DL
/ Football
LB
/ Football
RB
/ Football
RB
/ Football
K/P
/ Football
WR
/ Football
DB
/ Football
LB
/ Football
LB
/ Football
DB
/ FootballQB
/ Football
DL
/ Football
TE
/ FootballLehigh Sports Central: Football
Wednesday, August 27
2025 Lehigh Football Season Preview: Special Teams
Thursday, August 21
2025 Lehigh Football Season Preview: Defense
Thursday, August 21
2025 Lehigh Football Season Preview: Offense
Wednesday, August 20
