Photo by: Hannahally Photography
Lehigh Celebrates Championship Season At Annual Football Banquet
2/3/2025 2:06:00 PM | Football
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The Lehigh football program celebrated its 2024 Patriot League championship season with the annual end-of-season banquet, Feb. 2 in the Wood Dining Room at Iacocca Hall. The Mountain Hawks celebrated a successful campaign that was highlighted by a 13th Patriot League football championship and NCAA playoff victory.
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More than 250 people, including student-athletes, coaches, alumni, family and friends, were on hand to celebrate the accomplishments of the season, The program featured lunch, video highlights, comments from head coach Kevin Cahill and the team's 2024 captains, who were formally introduced after the season at the banquet.
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For the second consecutive season, linebacker Mike DeNucci captured the Archibald Johnston Cup, given to the program's most outstanding player, which also doubles as the department's Outstanding Athlete award, and was also recognized with the outstanding linebacker award. One of the leaders on a defense that ranked among the best in the FCS, DeNucci was a first-team All-Patriot League honoree, an All-ECAC selection and was one of 35 finalists for the Buck Buchanan Award, given to the top defensive player in the FCS. DeNucci started all 11 regular season games, finishing with 80 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. He missed both playoff games due to injury but still finished second on the team in tackles and finished his storied career with 300 tackles to rank fifth in program history.
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The Scholar-Athlete Award, given to the player that shows proficiency both on the field and in the classroom, was given to senior linebacker Tucker Knupp. A materials science and engineering major with a 3.55 cumulative GPA, Knupp saw time in 12 games, primarily on special teams, finishing with eight tackles and a tackle for loss.
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Junior defensive lineman Matt Spatny received the James P. McConologue Award, given to the player that is "all football," and also represents the department's Coaches Award. A first-team All-Patriot League honoree, Spatny tormented opposing offenses in a breakout campaign where he registered 36 tackles and a Patriot League-leading 11.5 sacks in 12 games. Spatny was one of two Lehigh players to capture honorable mention All-America honors from the Associated Press in December.
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The Barry Fetterman Award is given to the player that exemplifies loyalty, unselfishness and dedication to Lehigh football. This year's recipient was junior linebacker Tyler Ochojski. One of the best leaders on the Mountain Hawks, Ochojski embraced a shift to a new position on Lehigh's defense and delivered 43 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and three sacks.
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The John C. Whitehead (Big LU) Award, which is given to the player who shows the most leadership with performance, went to junior wide receiver Geoffrey Jamiel. A second team All-Patriot League selection, Jamiel was Lehigh's top receiver with 60 catches for 768 yards and eight touchdowns. Jamiel delivered a big performance in Lehigh's playoff win at Richmond, with 10 catches for 137 yards and the go-ahead touchdown.
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Fifth-year center George Padezanin received the Alexander G. Hahalis Award, given to the most outstanding lineman. The anchor of a unit that became a major strength for the 2024 Mountain Hawks, Padezanin started all 13 games at center earning first team All-Patriot League honors and honorable mention AP All-America laurels. Lehigh's offensive line paved the way for a rushing offense that led the Patriot League and ranked in the top 15 nationally, while also topping the Patriot League in fewest sacks allowed.
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The Coach B Award, given by football secretary Eileen Biro went to graduate student quarterback Dante Perri. The award is given to a senior who made a significant impact on the program beyond on-field performance. Perri decided to return to Lehigh for his fifth-year last spring and provided veteran leadership for the Mountain Hawks both on and off the field.
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The outstanding offensive back award was shared by sophomore Luke Yoder and first-year Jaden Green. Both second team All-Patriot League honorees, Yoder and Green combined for 1,848 yards and 20 touchdowns while averaging 5.5 yards per carry.
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Sophomore Mason Humphrey (receiver) and junior Langston Jones (offensive line) received the other offensive positional awards. Humphrey established himself as a weapon in the passing game with 45 catches, 587 yards and five touchdowns. Jones was a first team All-Patriot League selection who started all 13 games at right guard as part of Lehigh's outstanding line.
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In addition to Mike DeNucci, defensive positional awards went to junior TJ Burke (defensive line) and sophomore Mason Moore (defensive back). Burke was a force at the nose tackle position, with 10.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks while earning first team All-League honors. Moore made 57 tackles from his safety position with two interceptions, including a 41-yard return touchdown against Lafayette.
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Junior placekicker Nick Garrido won the outstanding special teams player award. Garrido came back from an injury late last season to lead Lehigh with 70 points, converting 43-of-44 extra points and 9-of-10 field goal attempts.
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The Nick Timko Award (Engineer Effort Award), awarded by the Lehigh Southside Boosters to the best scout team players on offense and defense, senior quarterback Matt Rauscher and sophomore linebacker Benjamin Manley.
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After handing out team awards, Cahill announced the Mountain Hawks' captains from the 2024 season. Lehigh had a single captain, selected weekly by the team's leadership council, for every game last season. The captains announced at the banquet will go into the record books as Lehigh's captains for 2024. They are Mike DeNucci, George Padezanin and Dante Perri.
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More than 250 people, including student-athletes, coaches, alumni, family and friends, were on hand to celebrate the accomplishments of the season, The program featured lunch, video highlights, comments from head coach Kevin Cahill and the team's 2024 captains, who were formally introduced after the season at the banquet.
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For the second consecutive season, linebacker Mike DeNucci captured the Archibald Johnston Cup, given to the program's most outstanding player, which also doubles as the department's Outstanding Athlete award, and was also recognized with the outstanding linebacker award. One of the leaders on a defense that ranked among the best in the FCS, DeNucci was a first-team All-Patriot League honoree, an All-ECAC selection and was one of 35 finalists for the Buck Buchanan Award, given to the top defensive player in the FCS. DeNucci started all 11 regular season games, finishing with 80 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. He missed both playoff games due to injury but still finished second on the team in tackles and finished his storied career with 300 tackles to rank fifth in program history.
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The Scholar-Athlete Award, given to the player that shows proficiency both on the field and in the classroom, was given to senior linebacker Tucker Knupp. A materials science and engineering major with a 3.55 cumulative GPA, Knupp saw time in 12 games, primarily on special teams, finishing with eight tackles and a tackle for loss.
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Junior defensive lineman Matt Spatny received the James P. McConologue Award, given to the player that is "all football," and also represents the department's Coaches Award. A first-team All-Patriot League honoree, Spatny tormented opposing offenses in a breakout campaign where he registered 36 tackles and a Patriot League-leading 11.5 sacks in 12 games. Spatny was one of two Lehigh players to capture honorable mention All-America honors from the Associated Press in December.
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The Barry Fetterman Award is given to the player that exemplifies loyalty, unselfishness and dedication to Lehigh football. This year's recipient was junior linebacker Tyler Ochojski. One of the best leaders on the Mountain Hawks, Ochojski embraced a shift to a new position on Lehigh's defense and delivered 43 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and three sacks.
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The John C. Whitehead (Big LU) Award, which is given to the player who shows the most leadership with performance, went to junior wide receiver Geoffrey Jamiel. A second team All-Patriot League selection, Jamiel was Lehigh's top receiver with 60 catches for 768 yards and eight touchdowns. Jamiel delivered a big performance in Lehigh's playoff win at Richmond, with 10 catches for 137 yards and the go-ahead touchdown.
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Fifth-year center George Padezanin received the Alexander G. Hahalis Award, given to the most outstanding lineman. The anchor of a unit that became a major strength for the 2024 Mountain Hawks, Padezanin started all 13 games at center earning first team All-Patriot League honors and honorable mention AP All-America laurels. Lehigh's offensive line paved the way for a rushing offense that led the Patriot League and ranked in the top 15 nationally, while also topping the Patriot League in fewest sacks allowed.
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The Coach B Award, given by football secretary Eileen Biro went to graduate student quarterback Dante Perri. The award is given to a senior who made a significant impact on the program beyond on-field performance. Perri decided to return to Lehigh for his fifth-year last spring and provided veteran leadership for the Mountain Hawks both on and off the field.
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The outstanding offensive back award was shared by sophomore Luke Yoder and first-year Jaden Green. Both second team All-Patriot League honorees, Yoder and Green combined for 1,848 yards and 20 touchdowns while averaging 5.5 yards per carry.
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Sophomore Mason Humphrey (receiver) and junior Langston Jones (offensive line) received the other offensive positional awards. Humphrey established himself as a weapon in the passing game with 45 catches, 587 yards and five touchdowns. Jones was a first team All-Patriot League selection who started all 13 games at right guard as part of Lehigh's outstanding line.
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In addition to Mike DeNucci, defensive positional awards went to junior TJ Burke (defensive line) and sophomore Mason Moore (defensive back). Burke was a force at the nose tackle position, with 10.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks while earning first team All-League honors. Moore made 57 tackles from his safety position with two interceptions, including a 41-yard return touchdown against Lafayette.
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Junior placekicker Nick Garrido won the outstanding special teams player award. Garrido came back from an injury late last season to lead Lehigh with 70 points, converting 43-of-44 extra points and 9-of-10 field goal attempts.
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The Nick Timko Award (Engineer Effort Award), awarded by the Lehigh Southside Boosters to the best scout team players on offense and defense, senior quarterback Matt Rauscher and sophomore linebacker Benjamin Manley.
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After handing out team awards, Cahill announced the Mountain Hawks' captains from the 2024 season. Lehigh had a single captain, selected weekly by the team's leadership council, for every game last season. The captains announced at the banquet will go into the record books as Lehigh's captains for 2024. They are Mike DeNucci, George Padezanin and Dante Perri.
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