Lehigh University Athletics
Lehigh's Padezanin, Spatny Named Honorable Mention AP All-Americans
12/17/2024 3:25:00 PM | Football
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Two members of the Patriot League champion Lehigh football team garnered honorable mention recognition as the Associated Press announced its FCS football All-America teams on Tuesday. Fifth-year offensive lineman George Padezanin and junior defensive end Matt Spatny were named honorable mention All-Americans, with the duo garnering Lehigh football's first All-America honors in five years.
Both Padezanin and Spatny were first team All-Patriot League honorees and key contributors to Lehigh's 9-4 campaign in 2024.
After missing the final 10 games of the 2023 campaign due to injury, Padezanin made the most of his fifth year in the Brown and White, starting all 13 games at center. Padezanin served as the anchor of an offensive line that paved the way for Lehigh to lead the Patriot League and rank 12th nationally in rushing offense, with the Mountain Hawks averaging 201.8 yards per game. The Mountain Hawks also ranked in the top 15 nationally in fewest sacks allowed, with Lehigh yielding just 1.15 per game.
Spatny established himself as one of the nation's top pass rushers with a league-leading 11.5 sacks in 2024. He tied for fifth in the FCS in overall sacks and ranks third nationally in sacks per game, with 0.96. Spatny also registered 36 tackles, with 19 solo stops, three quarterback hurries and one pass breakup. In 12 games played in 2024, Spatny had five games with more than one sack, including 2.5 in Lehigh's 35-20 win over Princeton on Sept. 21 and two in a 45-17 win over Colgate on Nov. 16.
Prior to Padezanin and Spatny, Lehigh's last AP All-American was linebacker Keith Woetzel, who was a third team honoree in 2019.
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Both Padezanin and Spatny were first team All-Patriot League honorees and key contributors to Lehigh's 9-4 campaign in 2024.
After missing the final 10 games of the 2023 campaign due to injury, Padezanin made the most of his fifth year in the Brown and White, starting all 13 games at center. Padezanin served as the anchor of an offensive line that paved the way for Lehigh to lead the Patriot League and rank 12th nationally in rushing offense, with the Mountain Hawks averaging 201.8 yards per game. The Mountain Hawks also ranked in the top 15 nationally in fewest sacks allowed, with Lehigh yielding just 1.15 per game.
Spatny established himself as one of the nation's top pass rushers with a league-leading 11.5 sacks in 2024. He tied for fifth in the FCS in overall sacks and ranks third nationally in sacks per game, with 0.96. Spatny also registered 36 tackles, with 19 solo stops, three quarterback hurries and one pass breakup. In 12 games played in 2024, Spatny had five games with more than one sack, including 2.5 in Lehigh's 35-20 win over Princeton on Sept. 21 and two in a 45-17 win over Colgate on Nov. 16.
Prior to Padezanin and Spatny, Lehigh's last AP All-American was linebacker Keith Woetzel, who was a third team honoree in 2019.
Follow Lehigh Football on X/Twitter and Instagram and like on Facebook for exclusive updates throughout the season.
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