Saturday, September 6
Bethlehem, Pa.
12:00 PM
Lehigh University
vs
Sacred Heart
Photo by: Hannah Ally
No. 11/13 Mountain Hawks Host Sacred Heart Saturday On University Day/Hall of Fame Weekend
9/2/2025 1:29:00 PM | Football
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – After opening its season with a big Patriot League victory over nationally-ranked Richmond, No. 11/13 Lehigh hosts Sacred Heart Saturday on University Day/Hall of Fame Weekend in the second of back-to-back games at Goodman Stadium to kick off the 2025 campaign. The Mountain Hawks used a familiar recipe to grind out a 21-14 win over Richmond with Lehigh's offense rushing for 163 yards, while the defense limited the Spiders to just 181 yards, including just 88 yards after the first quarter. Sophomore Jaden Green gained 101 scrimmage yards and scored twice, including the go-ahead four-yard rush with 6:29 to play. Senior Brycen Edwards paced the defensive effort with eight tackles, a tackle for loss and a pass breakup. Sacred Heart also opened its season with a defensive battle, with the Pioneers holding off Stonehill 12-7 at home.
Â
As part of the University Day celebration, the first 500 Lehigh students in attendance will receive a free Clutch's Kettle t-shirt. There will also be a Dorm Storm with the residence hall having the most students in attendance receiving free pizza. In addition, the student organization with the most students in attendance Saturday will be recognized as the ceremonial bell ringers at a future Lehigh football game.
Â
Tough defense and a strong rushing attack were hallmarks for the Mountain Hawks in their 2024 championship season, with Lehigh displaying more of the same in its season-opening win over Richmond. Lehigh limited the Spiders to 181 yards of total offense, including just 88 over the final three quarters. Richmond scored just one offensive touchdown. On the other side, the Mountain Hawks churned out 163 rushing yard and averaged four yards per carry.
Â
Fredericksburg, Va., native Brycen Edwards must like facing the Richmond Spiders from his home state. Lehigh's senior linebacker set a career high with 12 tackles in last November's FCS playoff win in Richmond. Last week, Edwards spearheaded Lehigh's outstanding defensive effort against the Spiders, with a team-leading eight tackles, plus a tackle for loss and a key third down pass breakup.
Â
Running back Jaden Green enjoyed an outstanding first-year season that culminated in the San Francisco native earning second team All-Patriot League honors while being named a finalist for the Jerry Rice Award. Green rushed for a career-high 147 yards in the win over Fordham and also eclipsed the 100-yard mark against Colgate, while finishing the year with 10 touchdowns. At Richmond, Green's 65-yard touchdown rush helped spur Lehigh's fourth-quarter comeback. Green picked up where he left off in the season opener against Richmond, with 101 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns. He caught a 13-yard touchdown to put Lehigh on the scoreboard and rushed for 88 yards, including the go-ahead four-yard touchdown with 6:29 remaining.
Â
Last year, Lehigh had 61 players on its roster that claimed either first or second-year eligibility. With many of those players gaining valuable experience, only two Mountain Hawks made their first career starts against Richmond. Sophomore Charles Soska made his Lehigh debut at left tackle and sophomore Matt D'Avino started at wide receiver. Lehigh's veteran defense featured zero first-time starters, but junior defensive tackle Jadin Nelson and sophomore safety Mekhai Smith made their second career starts.
Â
On Friday night, Lehigh will induct three new members into the Roger S. Penske/Lehigh Athletics Hall of Fame, with the new inductees set to be recognized at Saturday's game. Lehigh's 2025 Hall of Fame class includes softball standout Jenny Bender '03, men's soccer star Andrew Mittendorf '99, and Joe Sterrett '76 who retired from Lehigh at the end of 2024 after more than 50 years of association with the university as a student-athlete, coach, administrator, and most notably 35 years as Lehigh's Dean of Athletics. Sterrett won a Lambert Cup as an All-America quarterback and was the Athletic Director for all 13 of Lehigh's Patriot League football championships.
Â
Sacred Heart opened its season with a 12-7 home victory over Stonehill on Aug. 30. The Pioneers are in their second year competing as an FCS Independent, with Sacred Heart joining the CAA for football in 2026. Last year Sacred Heart went 5-6. The Pioneers' win over Stonehill was a defensive battle that was scoreless at halftime. Neither team gained more than 300 yards of offense. Sacred Heart did rush for 169 with Chuck Webb carrying 17 times for 82 yards and a touchdown. John Michalski passed for 119 yards and rushed for 40 more. Daimon Jacobs and Maximus Mongelli both had 10 tackles to lead the defense.
Â
This is just the second ever meeting between Lehigh and Sacred Heart and the first at Goodman Stadium. The Pioneers claimed a 13-6 victory at Campus Field in November 2019.
Â
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.
Â
The Mountain Hawks will hit the road for the first time in 2025 next Saturday when they travel to Pittsburgh for their first-ever meeting with NEC member Duquesne. Game time is set for noon from Rooney Field in the Steel City.
Â
Â
Follow Lehigh Football on X/Twitter and Instagram and like on Facebook for exclusive updates throughout the season.Â
Â
Â
As part of the University Day celebration, the first 500 Lehigh students in attendance will receive a free Clutch's Kettle t-shirt. There will also be a Dorm Storm with the residence hall having the most students in attendance receiving free pizza. In addition, the student organization with the most students in attendance Saturday will be recognized as the ceremonial bell ringers at a future Lehigh football game.
Â
Tough defense and a strong rushing attack were hallmarks for the Mountain Hawks in their 2024 championship season, with Lehigh displaying more of the same in its season-opening win over Richmond. Lehigh limited the Spiders to 181 yards of total offense, including just 88 over the final three quarters. Richmond scored just one offensive touchdown. On the other side, the Mountain Hawks churned out 163 rushing yard and averaged four yards per carry.
Â
Fredericksburg, Va., native Brycen Edwards must like facing the Richmond Spiders from his home state. Lehigh's senior linebacker set a career high with 12 tackles in last November's FCS playoff win in Richmond. Last week, Edwards spearheaded Lehigh's outstanding defensive effort against the Spiders, with a team-leading eight tackles, plus a tackle for loss and a key third down pass breakup.
Â
Running back Jaden Green enjoyed an outstanding first-year season that culminated in the San Francisco native earning second team All-Patriot League honors while being named a finalist for the Jerry Rice Award. Green rushed for a career-high 147 yards in the win over Fordham and also eclipsed the 100-yard mark against Colgate, while finishing the year with 10 touchdowns. At Richmond, Green's 65-yard touchdown rush helped spur Lehigh's fourth-quarter comeback. Green picked up where he left off in the season opener against Richmond, with 101 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns. He caught a 13-yard touchdown to put Lehigh on the scoreboard and rushed for 88 yards, including the go-ahead four-yard touchdown with 6:29 remaining.
Â
Last year, Lehigh had 61 players on its roster that claimed either first or second-year eligibility. With many of those players gaining valuable experience, only two Mountain Hawks made their first career starts against Richmond. Sophomore Charles Soska made his Lehigh debut at left tackle and sophomore Matt D'Avino started at wide receiver. Lehigh's veteran defense featured zero first-time starters, but junior defensive tackle Jadin Nelson and sophomore safety Mekhai Smith made their second career starts.
Â
On Friday night, Lehigh will induct three new members into the Roger S. Penske/Lehigh Athletics Hall of Fame, with the new inductees set to be recognized at Saturday's game. Lehigh's 2025 Hall of Fame class includes softball standout Jenny Bender '03, men's soccer star Andrew Mittendorf '99, and Joe Sterrett '76 who retired from Lehigh at the end of 2024 after more than 50 years of association with the university as a student-athlete, coach, administrator, and most notably 35 years as Lehigh's Dean of Athletics. Sterrett won a Lambert Cup as an All-America quarterback and was the Athletic Director for all 13 of Lehigh's Patriot League football championships.
Â
Sacred Heart opened its season with a 12-7 home victory over Stonehill on Aug. 30. The Pioneers are in their second year competing as an FCS Independent, with Sacred Heart joining the CAA for football in 2026. Last year Sacred Heart went 5-6. The Pioneers' win over Stonehill was a defensive battle that was scoreless at halftime. Neither team gained more than 300 yards of offense. Sacred Heart did rush for 169 with Chuck Webb carrying 17 times for 82 yards and a touchdown. John Michalski passed for 119 yards and rushed for 40 more. Daimon Jacobs and Maximus Mongelli both had 10 tackles to lead the defense.
Â
This is just the second ever meeting between Lehigh and Sacred Heart and the first at Goodman Stadium. The Pioneers claimed a 13-6 victory at Campus Field in November 2019.
Â
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.
Â
The Mountain Hawks will hit the road for the first time in 2025 next Saturday when they travel to Pittsburgh for their first-ever meeting with NEC member Duquesne. Game time is set for noon from Rooney Field in the Steel City.
Â
| Date: | September 6, 2025 |
| Opponent: | Sacred Heart Pioneers |
| Kickoff: | 12:02 p.m. |
| Stadium: | Goodman Stadium/16,000/Natural Grass |
| Location: | Bethlehem, Pa. |
| Lehigh's record: | 1-0 overall, 1-0 Patriot League |
| Sacred Heart's record: | 1-0 overall |
| Series: | Sacred Heart 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 allowed just 181 yards of offense to Richmond, including just 88 over the final three quarters. •The Mountain Hawks have eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark in 21 consecutive games dating back to the 2023 season. Lehigh is averaging 179.9 rushing yards per game during that streak. |
Follow Lehigh Football on X/Twitter and Instagram and like on Facebook for exclusive updates throughout the season.Â
Â
Players Mentioned
WR
/ Football
LB
/ Football
RB
/ Football
DL
/ Football
DB
/ Football
OL
/ FootballBrown & Flight 2025 - Episode Two
Friday, October 10
2025 Brown & Flight - Episode 1
Thursday, September 18
Lehigh Sports Central: Football
Wednesday, August 27
2025 Lehigh Football Season Preview: Special Teams
Thursday, August 21
