Saturday, September 7
Bethlehem, Pa.
12:00 PM
Lehigh University
vs
Wagner
Photo by: Hannah Ally
Lehigh Hosts Wagner Saturday on Dog Day, Presented By JFR Salvage
9/3/2024 2:20:00 PM | Football
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – It's the 2024 home opener for the Lehigh football team Saturday as the Mountain Hawks welcome Wagner to Goodman Stadium on Dog Day, presented by JFR Salvage. Lehigh will be looking for its first win of the season and the first home win under Kevin Cahill. The Mountain Hawks found themselves tied 7-7 after one quarter with FBS member Army West Point last weekend only to see the Black Knights score the final 35 points of the contest. Lehigh rushed for 172 yards, with four different ball carriers gaining more than 25 yards. Junior Nick Peltekian led the defensive effort with a career-high 15 tackles, but Army's triple option offense proved too strong to overcome. Saturday's game will be the first of six games at Goodman Stadium this fall. Wagner opened its season with a 46-7 home victory over Virginia University of Lynchburg.
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Lehigh's opener at Army produced several notable statistics that hadn't happened in quite some time. With the Black Knights' triple option attack producing 375 rushing yards, Army attempted only eight passes, the fewest attempts for a Lehigh opponent since UMass attempted three on Oct. 28, 1995. Army's five completions were the fewest by a Lehigh opponent since Bucknell completed five on Nov. 10, 2007. The Black Knights scored touchdowns on six of their seven possessions and in doing so, became the first Lehigh opponent not to attempt a punt since Sept. 20, 1975, when of all teams, Army did not punt in a 54-32 victory over the Brown and White.
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Lehigh used three different quarterbacks in the season-opener at Army with all three having their moments against the Black Knights. Graduate student Dante Perri started and finished the game, going 6-of-11 for 64 yards and leading Lehigh on its touchdown drive. First-year Hayden Johnson entered the game in the second quarter, going 4-of-8 for 46 yards while adding five carries for 34 yards and leading Lehigh on drives of eight and 15 plays. First-year Matt Machalik also appeared situationally, gaining 29 yards on six rushes.
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Thirteen Lehigh first-years saw action at Army, including quarterbacks Hayden Johnson and Matt Machalik plus running back Jaden Green and defensive lineman Bryce Izundu, who both earned starts. Six of Lehigh's 25 sophomores appeared in all 11 games last season, with all six also seeing action against the Black Knights.
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The growth of a young offensive line helped the Mountain Hawks find success in the second half of last season, a trend that continued into last week's season opener. With 172 rushing yards at Army, Lehigh eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark for the eighth consecutive game dating back to last year. The Mountain Hawks also did not allow a sack for the fifth time in eight games, and have allowed a total of three during that time frame. Center George Padezanin returned to action after missing the final 10 games of last season. All five of Lehigh's offensive line starters at Army had previous starting experience. First-years Colby Reph and Sammy Ayache also debuted against the Black Knights.
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In lieu of traditional team captains, coach Kevin Cahill has established a 14-player leadership council for the 2024 season. In addition to serving as the liaisons between the team and coaching staff, the leadership council will select one team member each week to serve as game day captain, with those decisions based on the week of practice and preparation leading into the game. The members of the leadership council for the 2024 season include fifth-years Mike DeNucci, George Padezanin and Dante Perri; senior Jordan Adderley; TJ Burke, Geoffrey Jamiel, Tyler Ochojski and Matt Spatny; sophomores DJ Brown, Austin Huff, Benjamin Manley and Jadin Nelson; and first-years Hayden Johnson and Ignatious Williams. DeNucci was Lehigh's game captain at Army.
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Wagner opened its season with a convincing 46-7 win over Virginia University of Lynchburg on Aug. 31. The Seahawks out-gained the Dragons 431-139 with wide receiver Jaylen Bonelli leading the way, with 106 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Wagner utilized two quarterbacks with Damien Mazil throwing for 135 yards and Jake Cady tossing three of the Seahawks' four touchdown passes. The Seahawk defense held VUL to minus-26 yards rushing. Wagner went 4-7 last year with victories over Sacred Heart, Merrimack, Stonehill and Post. Five of head coach Tom Massella's six victories in four-plus seasons at Wagner have come in the Seahawks' last 10 games.
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Lehigh and Wagner will meet for just the second time and the first time at Goodman Stadium. The Seahawks claimed the initial meeting 37-20 in 2017 in Staten Island, N.Y.
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Saturday's game kicks off just after noon from Goodman Stadium. Tickets can be purchased at LehighTickets.com or by calling 610-758-4263 during business hours.
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The Mountain Hawks head back on the road to face their second straight NEC opponent next weekend as Lehigh travels to LIU for the first meeting since the programs since 1979 when LIU was known as C.W. Post. Lehigh has won all six previous meetings, all of which came during the 1970s. Game time is set for noon from Bethpage Federal Credit Union Stadium in Brookville, N.Y.
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Follow Lehigh Football on X/Twitter and Instagram and like on Facebook for exclusive updates throughout the season.Â
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Lehigh's opener at Army produced several notable statistics that hadn't happened in quite some time. With the Black Knights' triple option attack producing 375 rushing yards, Army attempted only eight passes, the fewest attempts for a Lehigh opponent since UMass attempted three on Oct. 28, 1995. Army's five completions were the fewest by a Lehigh opponent since Bucknell completed five on Nov. 10, 2007. The Black Knights scored touchdowns on six of their seven possessions and in doing so, became the first Lehigh opponent not to attempt a punt since Sept. 20, 1975, when of all teams, Army did not punt in a 54-32 victory over the Brown and White.
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Lehigh used three different quarterbacks in the season-opener at Army with all three having their moments against the Black Knights. Graduate student Dante Perri started and finished the game, going 6-of-11 for 64 yards and leading Lehigh on its touchdown drive. First-year Hayden Johnson entered the game in the second quarter, going 4-of-8 for 46 yards while adding five carries for 34 yards and leading Lehigh on drives of eight and 15 plays. First-year Matt Machalik also appeared situationally, gaining 29 yards on six rushes.
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Thirteen Lehigh first-years saw action at Army, including quarterbacks Hayden Johnson and Matt Machalik plus running back Jaden Green and defensive lineman Bryce Izundu, who both earned starts. Six of Lehigh's 25 sophomores appeared in all 11 games last season, with all six also seeing action against the Black Knights.
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The growth of a young offensive line helped the Mountain Hawks find success in the second half of last season, a trend that continued into last week's season opener. With 172 rushing yards at Army, Lehigh eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark for the eighth consecutive game dating back to last year. The Mountain Hawks also did not allow a sack for the fifth time in eight games, and have allowed a total of three during that time frame. Center George Padezanin returned to action after missing the final 10 games of last season. All five of Lehigh's offensive line starters at Army had previous starting experience. First-years Colby Reph and Sammy Ayache also debuted against the Black Knights.
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In lieu of traditional team captains, coach Kevin Cahill has established a 14-player leadership council for the 2024 season. In addition to serving as the liaisons between the team and coaching staff, the leadership council will select one team member each week to serve as game day captain, with those decisions based on the week of practice and preparation leading into the game. The members of the leadership council for the 2024 season include fifth-years Mike DeNucci, George Padezanin and Dante Perri; senior Jordan Adderley; TJ Burke, Geoffrey Jamiel, Tyler Ochojski and Matt Spatny; sophomores DJ Brown, Austin Huff, Benjamin Manley and Jadin Nelson; and first-years Hayden Johnson and Ignatious Williams. DeNucci was Lehigh's game captain at Army.
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Wagner opened its season with a convincing 46-7 win over Virginia University of Lynchburg on Aug. 31. The Seahawks out-gained the Dragons 431-139 with wide receiver Jaylen Bonelli leading the way, with 106 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Wagner utilized two quarterbacks with Damien Mazil throwing for 135 yards and Jake Cady tossing three of the Seahawks' four touchdown passes. The Seahawk defense held VUL to minus-26 yards rushing. Wagner went 4-7 last year with victories over Sacred Heart, Merrimack, Stonehill and Post. Five of head coach Tom Massella's six victories in four-plus seasons at Wagner have come in the Seahawks' last 10 games.
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Lehigh and Wagner will meet for just the second time and the first time at Goodman Stadium. The Seahawks claimed the initial meeting 37-20 in 2017 in Staten Island, N.Y.
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Saturday's game kicks off just after noon from Goodman Stadium. Tickets can be purchased at LehighTickets.com or by calling 610-758-4263 during business hours.
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The Mountain Hawks head back on the road to face their second straight NEC opponent next weekend as Lehigh travels to LIU for the first meeting since the programs since 1979 when LIU was known as C.W. Post. Lehigh has won all six previous meetings, all of which came during the 1970s. Game time is set for noon from Bethpage Federal Credit Union Stadium in Brookville, N.Y.
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| Date: | September 7, 2024 |
| Opponent: | Wagner Seahawks |
| Kickoff: | 12:02 p.m. |
| Stadium: | Goodman Stadium/16,000/Natural Grass |
| Location: | Bethlehem, Pa. |
| Lehigh's record: | 0-1 overall, 0-0 Patriot League |
| Wagner's record: | 1-0 overall, 0-0 NEC |
| Series: | Wagner leads 1-0 |
| Video: | ESPN+ with Marco Socci and Mike Yadush '93 |
| Radio: | Fox Sports Radio 94.7 FM and 1230 AM and LVFoxSports.com with Matt Kerr, Lance Haynes '94 and Connor Brown beginning at 11 a.m. |
| Key Stats: | •Lehigh's 172 rushing yards at Army tied for its second most in 12 games under Kevin Cahill. •Junior safety Nick Peltekian's 15 tackles at Army established a new career high. •Sixteen of Lehigh's 52 offensive plays at Army (31%) resulted in Mountain Hawk first downs. |
Follow Lehigh Football on X/Twitter and Instagram and like on Facebook for exclusive updates throughout the season.Â
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Players Mentioned
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