Lehigh University Athletics
Photo by: Hannah Ally
Poole Repeats as Patriot League Special Teams Player of the Week
9/28/2026 12:30:00 PM | Football
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – For the second consecutive week, Lehigh junior kicker/punter Connor Poole has been named Patriot League Special Teams Player of the Week, the league announced Monday. Poole was a major weapon for the Mountain Hawks on a wet, windy Saturday at Penn, scoring eight points, including a pair of field goals, and had a strong day punting the football to shift field position.
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Poole opened the scoring at Franklin Field with a 48-yard field goal, a career-long that matched the third-longest field goal in program history and was the longest by a Lehigh kicker since Matt Douglas' school-record 51-yarder in 2003. He added a 29-yard field goal and converted both of his extra point attempts.
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In the punting game, Poole averaged 44.3 yards on a career high-tying six punts, with a long of 54 yards. He dropped two punts inside the Penn 20-yard line, including one that was downed at the one-yard line right before halftime.
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For the season, Poole is a perfect 22-for-22 on extra points and 4-for-7 on field goals. He is also averaging 45.5 yards on 15 punts.
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Also on Monday, sophomore defensive lineman Lucas Manderbach earned honorable mention recognition from the league. Lehigh's defensive line was outstanding on Saturday, with Manderbach leading the charge with two of Lehigh's four sacks, giving him a team-leading 3.5 this season. Lehigh limited Penn to just 49 rushing yards and 182 total yards in the 20-7 victory.
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Lehigh is now ranked sixth in both the Stats Perform FCS Top 25 and the AFCA Coaches Poll, with the Mountain Hawks moving up one spot in the coaches poll this week.
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The Mountain Hawks will host Fordham Saturday on Tackle Cancer, presented by Red Robin, 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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Poole opened the scoring at Franklin Field with a 48-yard field goal, a career-long that matched the third-longest field goal in program history and was the longest by a Lehigh kicker since Matt Douglas' school-record 51-yarder in 2003. He added a 29-yard field goal and converted both of his extra point attempts.
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In the punting game, Poole averaged 44.3 yards on a career high-tying six punts, with a long of 54 yards. He dropped two punts inside the Penn 20-yard line, including one that was downed at the one-yard line right before halftime.
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For the season, Poole is a perfect 22-for-22 on extra points and 4-for-7 on field goals. He is also averaging 45.5 yards on 15 punts.
Â
Also on Monday, sophomore defensive lineman Lucas Manderbach earned honorable mention recognition from the league. Lehigh's defensive line was outstanding on Saturday, with Manderbach leading the charge with two of Lehigh's four sacks, giving him a team-leading 3.5 this season. Lehigh limited Penn to just 49 rushing yards and 182 total yards in the 20-7 victory.
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Lehigh is now ranked sixth in both the Stats Perform FCS Top 25 and the AFCA Coaches Poll, with the Mountain Hawks moving up one spot in the coaches poll this week.
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The Mountain Hawks will host Fordham Saturday on Tackle Cancer, presented by Red Robin, with game time set for noon. Tickets can be purchased at LehighTickets.com or by calling 610-758-4263 during business hours.
Â
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
DL
/ Football
K/P
/ FootballFriday, September 25
Friday, September 18
Friday, September 11
Friday, September 04
