Lehigh University Athletics
Photo by: Rob Lombardo
Yoder Tabbed as Patriot League Offensive Player of the Week
9/14/2026 12:34:00 PM | Football
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Lehigh senior running back Luke Yoder has been named Patriot League Offensive Player of the Week, the league announced Monday afternoon. Yoder had his third consecutive 100-yard rushing game to open the season and added three more touchdowns in the Mountain Hawks' 44-20 triumph over No. 16 William & Mary in the home opener on Saturday.
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Yoder finished with 169 rushing yards on 23 carries as Lehigh won its 20th consecutive regular season game. On Lehigh's third play from scrimmage, Yoder broke off a 50-yard run down to the one yard line, then scored the game's first touchdown on the very next play. He added a two-yard touchdown run late in the first quarter as Lehigh led 16-0 after one, and capped the scoring for the Mountain Hawks with an 11-yard scoring run in the fourth quarter.
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The Palm Harbor, Florida native has rushed for 100-plus yards and three touchdowns in all three of Lehigh's games so far in 2026. He leads the FCS with nine rushing touchdowns and 10 total touchdowns, and is the top scorer in the FCS, averaging 20 points per game. Yoder's 419 rushing yards this season currently rank fourth in the FCS.
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With three touchdowns Saturday, Yoder now has 39 rushing touchdowns for his career, moving him into 10th on the Patriot League's career rushing touchdowns list.
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Junior Luke Denny received honorable mention recognition from the league on Monday. Denny tied for the team lead with a career-high eight tackles Saturday and was part of a defensive effort that limited William & Mary to just 99 first-half yards as Lehigh led 37-7 at halftime.
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With the win on Saturday, Lehigh (3-0, 3-0 Patriot League) moved up to No. 7 in both the Stats Perform FCS Top 25 and the AFCA Coaches Poll.
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The Mountain Hawks return to Goodman Stadium Saturday to host Dartmouth on Family Weekend presented by Lehigh Valley Health Network, part of Jefferson Health, with game time set for noon. Tickets can be purchased at LehighTickets.com or by calling 610-758-4263 during business hours.
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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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Yoder finished with 169 rushing yards on 23 carries as Lehigh won its 20th consecutive regular season game. On Lehigh's third play from scrimmage, Yoder broke off a 50-yard run down to the one yard line, then scored the game's first touchdown on the very next play. He added a two-yard touchdown run late in the first quarter as Lehigh led 16-0 after one, and capped the scoring for the Mountain Hawks with an 11-yard scoring run in the fourth quarter.
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The Palm Harbor, Florida native has rushed for 100-plus yards and three touchdowns in all three of Lehigh's games so far in 2026. He leads the FCS with nine rushing touchdowns and 10 total touchdowns, and is the top scorer in the FCS, averaging 20 points per game. Yoder's 419 rushing yards this season currently rank fourth in the FCS.
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With three touchdowns Saturday, Yoder now has 39 rushing touchdowns for his career, moving him into 10th on the Patriot League's career rushing touchdowns list.
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Junior Luke Denny received honorable mention recognition from the league on Monday. Denny tied for the team lead with a career-high eight tackles Saturday and was part of a defensive effort that limited William & Mary to just 99 first-half yards as Lehigh led 37-7 at halftime.
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With the win on Saturday, Lehigh (3-0, 3-0 Patriot League) moved up to No. 7 in both the Stats Perform FCS Top 25 and the AFCA Coaches Poll.
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The Mountain Hawks return to Goodman Stadium Saturday to host Dartmouth on Family Weekend presented by Lehigh Valley Health Network, part of Jefferson Health, with game time set for noon. Tickets can be purchased at LehighTickets.com or by calling 610-758-4263 during business hours.
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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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Players Mentioned
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