Lehigh University Athletics
Yoder, Peltekian Named to Preseason Watch Lists for Major FCS Awards
7/14/2026 10:18:00 AM | Football
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Lehigh senior running back Luke Yoder and fifth-year safety Nick Peltekian have been named to Preseason Watch Lists for major FCS awards, Stats Perform announced Tuesday. Yoder has been named to the watch list for the Walter Payton Award, given to the top offensive player in the FCS, while Peltekian lands on the watch list for the Buck Buchanan Award, presented annually to the top defensive player in FCS football.
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Tuesday's watch lists highlight the top 30 offensive and defensive players in the FCS.
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Both Yoder and Peltekian were named Preseason All-Americans by Stats Perform on Monday, with Yoder named to the first team and Peltekian selected to the third team.
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Yoder was a finalist for the Walter Payton Award in 2025, finishing 11th in the final balloting. He was a Stats Perform third team All-American and an Associated Press honorable mention All-American. Yoder rushed for 1,409 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2025, the second-highest single-season yardage total in Lehigh football history, and was named Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year.
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Peltekian is a two-time All-Patriot League honoree as a safety, garnering first team laurels in 2024. He has 193 tackles over the last three seasons and five interceptions, including four in during the 2024 campaign. Last season, Peltekian had 28 tackles in nine games, adding 1.5 sacks and recording a key interception in the win at Lafayette. Peltekian has 193 tackles and five interceptions for his career.
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Defensive lineman Matt Spatny was named to the Buck Buchanan watch list last preseason and linebacker Tyler Ochojski ended up as a finalist, finishing 11th in the final voting.
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The Mountain Hawks will report for preseason camp at the end of the month. The 2026 season begins at Holy Cross on Saturday, August 29, while the home opener is set for September 12 when Patriot League football newcomer William & Mary visits Goodman Stadium. Season and single game tickets are now on sale and can be purchased at LehighTickets.com or by calling 610-758-4263 during business hours.
Follow Lehigh Football on X/Twitter and Instagram and like on Facebook for exclusive updates throughout the season.Â
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Tuesday's watch lists highlight the top 30 offensive and defensive players in the FCS.
Â
Both Yoder and Peltekian were named Preseason All-Americans by Stats Perform on Monday, with Yoder named to the first team and Peltekian selected to the third team.
Â
Yoder was a finalist for the Walter Payton Award in 2025, finishing 11th in the final balloting. He was a Stats Perform third team All-American and an Associated Press honorable mention All-American. Yoder rushed for 1,409 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2025, the second-highest single-season yardage total in Lehigh football history, and was named Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year.
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Peltekian is a two-time All-Patriot League honoree as a safety, garnering first team laurels in 2024. He has 193 tackles over the last three seasons and five interceptions, including four in during the 2024 campaign. Last season, Peltekian had 28 tackles in nine games, adding 1.5 sacks and recording a key interception in the win at Lafayette. Peltekian has 193 tackles and five interceptions for his career.
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Defensive lineman Matt Spatny was named to the Buck Buchanan watch list last preseason and linebacker Tyler Ochojski ended up as a finalist, finishing 11th in the final voting.
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The Mountain Hawks will report for preseason camp at the end of the month. The 2026 season begins at Holy Cross on Saturday, August 29, while the home opener is set for September 12 when Patriot League football newcomer William & Mary visits Goodman Stadium. Season and single game tickets are now on sale and can be purchased at LehighTickets.com or by calling 610-758-4263 during business hours.
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
Tuesday, December 02
Thursday, November 20
Friday, November 14
Friday, October 31
