Lehigh University
3-1 , 0-0
Princeton
0-1 , 0-0
Lehigh Downs Princeton 35-20, Captures Third Straight Win
9/21/2024 4:53:00 PM | Football
Hear from @coach_cahill after today's win over Princeton 🗣️#GoLehigh pic.twitter.com/hrxrMOXql2
— Lehigh Football (@LehighFootball) September 21, 2024
Lehigh opened up the scoring with a 20-yard run up the middle by sophomore running back Luke Yoder six minutes into the game. The Tigers (0-1) tied the game on the ensuing possession, leading to a 7-7 score at the end of the first quarter.
The Mountain Hawks completely dominated the second quarter, outscoring Princeton 14-0 courtesy of touchdowns by first year Yoder and first year Jaden Green. Lehigh took a 21-7 lead into halftime.
The Mountain Hawks outgained the Tigers 346-212, with Lehigh finishing with 181 rushing yards, their 11th straight game of more than 100 yards rushing. Green led the way offensively with 86 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Yoder totaled 73 rushing yards and also had two touchdowns.
Lehigh quarterbacks Hayden Johnson and Dante Perri completed 16 of 22 passes for 193 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. Johnson had a career-high day, going 12-of-13 while throwing for 165 yards with one touchdown. Perri was 4-of-9 and finished with 28 yards.
Despite Lehigh holding a 14-point advantage at halftime, Princeton cut Lehigh's lead to seven points after the Tigers scored on their opening possession of the second half.
The fourth quarter started off strong for Lehigh as Johnson found an open Geoffrey Jamiel on a 17-yard passing touchdown to put Lehigh's lead back to 14 points with 14:10 remaining in the game. The Tigers responded six minutes later with a touchdown of their own, but Princeton failed to convert the two-point conversion.
Lehigh led 28-20 with nine minutes left and Green extended Lehigh's lead to 15 points after he scored a 34-yard rushing touchdown. The Mountain Hawks defense was relentless in the final minutes, holding Princeton off the scoreboard.
Princeton got the ball back with 1:54 remaining and Brycen Edwards intercepted Blaine Hipa to secure the win for Lehigh
Seven Mountain Hawk receivers caught passes on Saturday, led by Dylan McFadden, who finished with 62 yards. McFadden also had the longest catch of the day, going for 51-yards.
Defensively, Mike DeNucci led the way with eight tackles. Matt Spatny was right behind DeNucci as he finished with seven tackles and a team-high 2.5 sacks. William Parton and Jackson Dowd finished with five tackles apiece.
The Mountain Hawks will return to Goodman Stadium next Saturday in the Patriot League opener against Bucknell . Game time is set for noon. Tickets can be purchased at LehighTickets.com or by calling 610-758-4263 during business hours.
Team Stats
Pri 0, LEH 7
LEH - Yoder,Luke 20 yd run (Garrido,Nick kick), 3 plays, 39 yards, TOP 01:24
Pri 7, LEH 7
Pri - Volker,John 3 yd run (Massick,Sam kick), 8 plays, 75 yards, TOP 03:14
Pri 7, LEH 14
LEH - Green,Jaden 11 yd run (Garrido,Nick kick), 7 plays, 72 yards, TOP 04:00
Pri 7, LEH 21
LEH - Yoder,Luke 1 yd run (Garrido,Nick kick), 3 plays, 50 yards, TOP 01:35
Pri 14, LEH 21
Pri - Colella,Luke 36 yd pass from Hipa,Blaine (Massick,Sam kick) 11 plays, 79 yards, TOP 04:19
Pri 14, LEH 28
LEH - Jamiel,Geoffrey 17 yd pass from Johnson,Hayden (Garrido,Nick kick) 12 plays, 69 yards, TOP 06:59
Pri 20, LEH 28
Pri - Picinic,Tyler 3 yd pass from Hipa,Blaine () 11 plays, 75 yards, TOP 04:16
Pri 20, LEH 35
LEH - Green,Jaden 34 yd run (Garrido,Nick kick), 5 plays, 71 yards, TOP 02:58
