Friday, August 30
West Point, N.Y.
6:00 PM
Lehigh University
0-1 , 0-0
7
at
42
Army West Point
1-0 , 0-0
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
F
Lehigh
7
0
0
0
7
Army West Point
7
14
7
14
42
Photo by: Hannah Ally
Mountain Hawks Drop 2024 Opener At Army West Point
8/30/2024 10:26:00 PM | Football
WEST POINT, N.Y. – Facing its first FBS opponent in six years, the Lehigh football team opened its 2024 campaign with a 42-7 loss to Army West Point Friday night at Michie Stadium. An 18-yard touchdown rush by sophomore Luke Yoder tied the game at 7-7 late in the first quarter, before the homestanding Black Knights scored the game's final 35 points.
Army scored touchdowns on six of its seven offensive possessions with its ground game that perennially ranks among the best in the nation churning out 375 yards. The Black Knights had a 26-16 edge in first downs and a 33:04-26:56 edge in time of possession.
Lehigh's opening drive stalled in Army territory after two first downs. The Mountain Hawk defense appeared to post a 3-and-out on Army's first possession, but Andon Thomas rushed 35 yards on a fake punt on 4th-and-1 to extend the Black Knights drive. Army quarterback Bryson Daily finished the drive with the first of two one-yard touchdown runs to open the scoring.
The Mountain Hawks answered with a nine-play, 75-yard drive, highlighted by a 22-yard completion to sophomore Mason Humphrey. Facing 3rd-and-2 from the Army 18, graduate student Dante Perri handed to Yoder, who broke a couple tackles on the way to the end zone, with junior Nick Garrido's extra point tying the game at 7-7.
Army answered with a 13-play, 76-yard drive, capped by Daily's second one-yard scoring plunge. The Black Knights never looked back. The first of two Kanye Udoh touchdowns staked Army to a 21-7 halftime lead with the Black Knights adding a pair of third-quarter touchdowns and a final score with 19 seconds remaining.
First-year quarterback Hayden Johnson entered the game in the second quarter and led a 15-play, 69-yard drive in the third, but the Mountain Hawks were unable to capitalize as Johnson was intercepted by Donovan Platt in the back of the end zone.
Perri finished 6-of-11 passing for 64 yards, while Johnson was 4-of-8 for 46 yards and two interceptions in his Lehigh debut.
Yoder led the ground game with 51 yards on 10 carries. First-year Jaden Green added 37 on seven carries, while Johnson added 34 yards on the ground.
Gallery: (8-30-2024) Football vs. Army 8/30/24
Humphrey was Lehigh's top receiver with five catches for 61 yards.
Lehigh's defensive effort was led by junior Nick Peltekian, who recorded a career-high 15 tackles. First-year Mekhai Smith and junior Tyler Ochojski both added seven.
Noah Short led a balanced Army rushing attack with 83 yards and a touchdown on eight carries. Daily rushed for 78 and two scores, while completing 3-of-6 for 35 yards.
The Mountain Hawks will open their home schedule next Saturday (Sept. 7) when they host Wagner on Dog Day, presented by JFR Salvage. Game time is set for noon. Tickets can be purchased at LehighTickets.com or by calling 610-758-4263 during business hours.
EXTRA POINTS… Lehigh eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark for the eighth consecutive game dating back to last season… the Mountain Hawks are now 3-7-1 against FBS opponents since 1978… Army now leads the all-time series 9-2-1… 13 first-years saw action, including Green and defensive lineman Bryce Izundu who made starts… five of Lehigh's seven possessions lasted seven or more plays… Friday's attendance was 23,760.
Follow Lehigh Football on X/Twitter and Instagram and like on Facebook for exclusive updates throughout the season.
Postgame with @coach_cahill after tonight's opener at Army 👇 pic.twitter.com/IEDmsQWYCd
— Lehigh Football (@LehighFootball) August 31, 2024
Army scored touchdowns on six of its seven offensive possessions with its ground game that perennially ranks among the best in the nation churning out 375 yards. The Black Knights had a 26-16 edge in first downs and a 33:04-26:56 edge in time of possession.
Lehigh's opening drive stalled in Army territory after two first downs. The Mountain Hawk defense appeared to post a 3-and-out on Army's first possession, but Andon Thomas rushed 35 yards on a fake punt on 4th-and-1 to extend the Black Knights drive. Army quarterback Bryson Daily finished the drive with the first of two one-yard touchdown runs to open the scoring.
The Mountain Hawks answered with a nine-play, 75-yard drive, highlighted by a 22-yard completion to sophomore Mason Humphrey. Facing 3rd-and-2 from the Army 18, graduate student Dante Perri handed to Yoder, who broke a couple tackles on the way to the end zone, with junior Nick Garrido's extra point tying the game at 7-7.
6️⃣ for the first 6️⃣ of the year pic.twitter.com/Lc3msVs4ti
— Lehigh Football (@LehighFootball) August 30, 2024
Army answered with a 13-play, 76-yard drive, capped by Daily's second one-yard scoring plunge. The Black Knights never looked back. The first of two Kanye Udoh touchdowns staked Army to a 21-7 halftime lead with the Black Knights adding a pair of third-quarter touchdowns and a final score with 19 seconds remaining.
First-year quarterback Hayden Johnson entered the game in the second quarter and led a 15-play, 69-yard drive in the third, but the Mountain Hawks were unable to capitalize as Johnson was intercepted by Donovan Platt in the back of the end zone.
Perri finished 6-of-11 passing for 64 yards, while Johnson was 4-of-8 for 46 yards and two interceptions in his Lehigh debut.
Yoder led the ground game with 51 yards on 10 carries. First-year Jaden Green added 37 on seven carries, while Johnson added 34 yards on the ground.
Humphrey was Lehigh's top receiver with five catches for 61 yards.
Lehigh's defensive effort was led by junior Nick Peltekian, who recorded a career-high 15 tackles. First-year Mekhai Smith and junior Tyler Ochojski both added seven.
Noah Short led a balanced Army rushing attack with 83 yards and a touchdown on eight carries. Daily rushed for 78 and two scores, while completing 3-of-6 for 35 yards.
The Mountain Hawks will open their home schedule next Saturday (Sept. 7) when they host Wagner on Dog Day, presented by JFR Salvage. Game time is set for noon. Tickets can be purchased at LehighTickets.com or by calling 610-758-4263 during business hours.
EXTRA POINTS… Lehigh eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark for the eighth consecutive game dating back to last season… the Mountain Hawks are now 3-7-1 against FBS opponents since 1978… Army now leads the all-time series 9-2-1… 13 first-years saw action, including Green and defensive lineman Bryce Izundu who made starts… five of Lehigh's seven possessions lasted seven or more plays… Friday's attendance was 23,760.
Follow Lehigh Football on X/Twitter and Instagram and like on Facebook for exclusive updates throughout the season.
Team Stats
LEH
AWP
Total Yards
282
432
Pass Yards
110
57
Rushing Yards
172
375
Penalty Yards
50
5
1st Downs
16
26
3rd Downs
3
7
4th Downs
1
2
TOP
26:56
33:04
1st Quarter
LEH 0, AWP 7
AWP - Daily,Bryson 1 yd run (Gronotte,Trey kick), 9 plays, 80 yards, TOP 04:55
LEH 7, AWP 7
LEH - Yoder,Luke 18 yd run (Garrido,Nick kick), 9 plays, 75 yards, TOP 05:14
2nd Quarter
LEH 7, AWP 14
AWP - Daily,Bryson 1 yd run (Gronotte,Trey kick), 13 plays, 76 yards, TOP 05:17
LEH 7, AWP 21
AWP - Udoh,Kanye 13 yd run (Gronotte,Trey kick), 10 plays, 79 yards, TOP 06:15
3rd Quarter
LEH 7, AWP 28
AWP - Short,Noah 3 yd run (Gronotte,Trey kick), 10 plays, 77 yards, TOP 06:20
4th Quarter
LEH 7, AWP 35
AWP - Udoh,Kanye 1 yd run (Gronotte,Trey kick), 12 plays, 80 yards, TOP 06:51
LEH 7, AWP 42
AWP - Rendina,Jake 3 yd run (Gronotte,Trey kick), 8 plays, 56 yards, TOP 02:50
Game Leaders
Passing Leaders
CMP
6
TD
0
YDS
64
INT
0
CMP
4
TD
0
YDS
46
INT
2
Players Mentioned
K/P
/ Football
RB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
DL
/ FootballQB
/ Football
LB
/ Football
DB
/ FootballQB
/ Football
DB
/ Football
RB
/ FootballLehigh Sports Central: Football
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