Saturday, November 9
Worcester, Mass.
12:00 PM
Lehigh University
at
Holy Cross
Photo by: Dan Stalsitz
Mountain Hawks To Visit League-Leading Holy Cross Saturday
11/5/2024 2:34:00 PM | Football
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – It's a November clash for first place in the Patriot League as Lehigh and Holy Cross square off Saturday at Fitton Field. The Mountain Hawks are coming off back-to-back league wins over Fordham and Georgetown to move to 2-1 in league play. Lehigh has outscored its last two opponents 55-3 in the first half and the Mountain Hawk defense has allowed an average of 230.5 yards of offense over those last two games. Last week in Washington, Lehigh rushed for 310 yards while the defense limited Georgetown to 262 yards, while picking off three passes, highlighted by senior Jordan Adderley's 61-yard return touchdown. Holy Cross tops the league standings with a 3-0 mark. The Crusaders have won or shared the last five Patriot League titles and enter the contest with a one-game lead over both Lehigh and Bucknell.
Lehigh has benefitted from some outstanding first-half performances on the way to its 5-3 record. The Mountain Hawks are outscoring opponents 162-80 in first halves in 2024 and have outscored opponents 131-17 in the first halves of their five wins. Lehigh has been especially tough in the second quarter, outscoring foes 110-42 in the second period this season. In Lehigh's five wins, the Mountain Hawks have outscored opponents 96-0 in the second quarter. In its last two games, Lehigh has outscored Fordham and Georgetown by a combined 55-3 in the first half.
After scoring a career-best 10 points in the win at Georgetown, junior kicker Nick Garrido was named Patriot League Special Teams Player of the Week on Monday. Garrido was a perfect 4-for-4 on extra point attempts and made both of his field goals at Georgetown, converting from 29 and then 30 points. His 10 kicking points were the most for a Lehigh player since Dylan Van Dusen kicked 11 points in a victory over Georgetown in 2011. Garrido is 29-for-30 on extra points and 4-for-5 on field goals this season, matching a career-long with a make from 41 yards in the win over Fordham.
Pass defense has become a strength for the Mountain Hawks in 2024. The Mountain Hawks lead the Patriot League and rank seventh nationally, allowing just 145.5 yards per game through the air. Lehigh also has 12 interceptions in eight games after recording just three during the entire 2023 campaign. Take out Lehigh's opener against run-heavy Army and the Mountain Hawks are still allowing just 158.1 passing yards, after allowing an average of 243.8 passing yards per game last season.
Lehigh has now eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark in 15 straight games dating back to last season, with the Mountain Hawks rushing for more than 200 yards in four straight contests. The Mountain Hawks' 202 rushing yards against Bucknell were their most since gaining 260 on the ground against Fordham in 2021. Lehigh's 310 rushing yards at Georgetown were its most since gaining 306 at Fordham in 2017. Prior to this season, the last time Lehigh rushed for 200 or more yards in four straight games was in 2015, when the Mountain Hawks eclipsed the 200-yard mark in their final four contests.
Holy Cross returns from its bye week looking to remain at the top of the Patriot League standings. The Crusaders have won or shared the last five league titles and are 3-0 in the league with wins over Colgate, Fordham and Lafayette. Holy Cross is 4-5 overall. The Crusaders lead the Patriot League in total offense and rush defense. Joe Pesansky has started all nine games at quarterback for the Crusaders. Jayden Clerveaux has rushed for 632 yards and seven touchdowns, while picking up a pair of Patriot League Offensive Player of the Week honors. Max Mosey and Justin Shorter are the top receivers and won the other two Offensive Player of the Week awards in October. Linebacker Frankie Monte leads the Crusader defense with 83 tackles.
Lehigh and Holy Cross get together for the 40th time with the series now tied at 19-19-1. Holy Cross has won the last six meetings. These teams first met in 1924 and did not meet again until 1986. Prior to Holy Cross' six-game winning streak in the series, Lehigh won the previous three meetings and seven of eight between 2010 and 2017.
Saturday's game kicks off just after 12 p.m. from Fitton Field. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ with audio coverage on FOX Sports Radio 94.7 FM and 1230 AM and LVFoxSports.com beginning 11 a.m.
Lehigh will play its final two regular season games at home, beginning next Saturday when the Mountain Hawks host Colgate on Salute to Service, presented by Weis Markets. Game time is set for noon. The Mountain Hawks will then close out the regular season against Lafayette in Rivalry 160 on Nov. 23.
Follow Lehigh Football on X/Twitter and Instagram and like on Facebook for exclusive updates throughout the season.
Lehigh has benefitted from some outstanding first-half performances on the way to its 5-3 record. The Mountain Hawks are outscoring opponents 162-80 in first halves in 2024 and have outscored opponents 131-17 in the first halves of their five wins. Lehigh has been especially tough in the second quarter, outscoring foes 110-42 in the second period this season. In Lehigh's five wins, the Mountain Hawks have outscored opponents 96-0 in the second quarter. In its last two games, Lehigh has outscored Fordham and Georgetown by a combined 55-3 in the first half.
After scoring a career-best 10 points in the win at Georgetown, junior kicker Nick Garrido was named Patriot League Special Teams Player of the Week on Monday. Garrido was a perfect 4-for-4 on extra point attempts and made both of his field goals at Georgetown, converting from 29 and then 30 points. His 10 kicking points were the most for a Lehigh player since Dylan Van Dusen kicked 11 points in a victory over Georgetown in 2011. Garrido is 29-for-30 on extra points and 4-for-5 on field goals this season, matching a career-long with a make from 41 yards in the win over Fordham.
Pass defense has become a strength for the Mountain Hawks in 2024. The Mountain Hawks lead the Patriot League and rank seventh nationally, allowing just 145.5 yards per game through the air. Lehigh also has 12 interceptions in eight games after recording just three during the entire 2023 campaign. Take out Lehigh's opener against run-heavy Army and the Mountain Hawks are still allowing just 158.1 passing yards, after allowing an average of 243.8 passing yards per game last season.
Lehigh has now eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark in 15 straight games dating back to last season, with the Mountain Hawks rushing for more than 200 yards in four straight contests. The Mountain Hawks' 202 rushing yards against Bucknell were their most since gaining 260 on the ground against Fordham in 2021. Lehigh's 310 rushing yards at Georgetown were its most since gaining 306 at Fordham in 2017. Prior to this season, the last time Lehigh rushed for 200 or more yards in four straight games was in 2015, when the Mountain Hawks eclipsed the 200-yard mark in their final four contests.
Holy Cross returns from its bye week looking to remain at the top of the Patriot League standings. The Crusaders have won or shared the last five league titles and are 3-0 in the league with wins over Colgate, Fordham and Lafayette. Holy Cross is 4-5 overall. The Crusaders lead the Patriot League in total offense and rush defense. Joe Pesansky has started all nine games at quarterback for the Crusaders. Jayden Clerveaux has rushed for 632 yards and seven touchdowns, while picking up a pair of Patriot League Offensive Player of the Week honors. Max Mosey and Justin Shorter are the top receivers and won the other two Offensive Player of the Week awards in October. Linebacker Frankie Monte leads the Crusader defense with 83 tackles.
Lehigh and Holy Cross get together for the 40th time with the series now tied at 19-19-1. Holy Cross has won the last six meetings. These teams first met in 1924 and did not meet again until 1986. Prior to Holy Cross' six-game winning streak in the series, Lehigh won the previous three meetings and seven of eight between 2010 and 2017.
Saturday's game kicks off just after 12 p.m. from Fitton Field. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ with audio coverage on FOX Sports Radio 94.7 FM and 1230 AM and LVFoxSports.com beginning 11 a.m.
Lehigh will play its final two regular season games at home, beginning next Saturday when the Mountain Hawks host Colgate on Salute to Service, presented by Weis Markets. Game time is set for noon. The Mountain Hawks will then close out the regular season against Lafayette in Rivalry 160 on Nov. 23.
| Date: | November 9, 2024 |
| Opponent: | Holy Cross Crusaders |
| Kickoff: | 12:02 p.m. |
| Stadium: | Fitton Field/23,500/Natural Grass |
| Location: | Worcester, Mass. |
| Lehigh's record: | 5-3 overall, 2-1 Patriot League |
| Holy Cross' record: | 4-5 overall, 3-0 Patriot League |
| Series: | Tied 19-19-1 |
| Video: | ESPN+ |
| Radio: | Fox Sports Radio 94.7 FM and 1230 AM and LVFoxSports.com with Matt Kerr, Steve Lomangino and Connor Brown beginning at 11 a.m. |
| Key Stats: | •The Mountain Hawks are averaging 252 rushing yards per game over their last four games. •Lehigh ranks seventh nationally in both passing defense (145.5 ypg.) and total defense (292.0 ypg.) •Saturday's game is a meeting between the Patriot League's top total offense (Holy Cross) and leader in total defense (Lehigh); and it's top rushing offense (Lehigh) against the No. 1 rush defense (Holy Cross). |
Follow Lehigh Football on X/Twitter and Instagram and like on Facebook for exclusive updates throughout the season.
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