Lehigh University Athletics
Saturday, September 12
Bethlehem, Pa.
2:00 PM
Lehigh University
vs
William & Mary
Photo by: Katie Billman
Lehigh Welcomes William & Mary in Top 20 Clash on 610 Day, Presented by JFR Salvage
9/8/2026 5:24:00 PM | Football
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The 2026 home opener for Lehigh football is a top-20 Patriot League showdown as the Mountain Hawks host No. 16 William & Mary Saturday on 610 Day, presented by JFR Salvage. Lehigh rolled to a 45-14 win at Georgetown last weekend to move to 2-0 in Patriot League play on the season. The Mountain Hawks held a dominant 573-239 edge in total yards and held the ball for more than 40 minutes. Lehigh rushed for 304 yards, with senior Luke Yoder rushing for 120 and scoring four total touchdowns. William & Mary is also 2-0. The Tribe scored 13 points in the final 53 seconds of regulation to rally past Villanova in their opener and then defeated Delaware State 22-15 in their home opener last weekend. This will be the first meeting between Lehigh and William & Mary in 34 years after the teams met nine straight years from 1984-1992.
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Saturday's home opener features a special 2 p.m. start time – the latest Lehigh home game start time in the 39-year history of Goodman Stadium.
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The 610 Day celebration features the following elements and more:
Lehigh moved to 2-0 on the young season with a dominant performance in all three phases in its 45-14 win at Georgetown last week. The Mountain Hawks racked up 573 yards of offense, including 304 on the ground, while limiting the Hoyas to 239, including just 164 prior to their last drive. Senior Luke Yoder rushed for 120 yards and scored four total touchdowns, while junior quarterback Hayden Johnson had a career day, completing 16-of-19 for 271 yards and two scores. Lehigh is now 23-2 against Georgetown since the Hoyas joined the Patriot League in 2001.
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One of three fifth-years on the Lehigh roster, safety Nick Peltekian started fast with a team-best eight tackles in the win at Holy Cross. Peltekian added his sixth career interception in that game, which led to Luke Yoder's third touchdown of the day. A two-time All-Patriot League selection and a Preseason All-American in 2026, Peltekian was also named to the preseason watch list for the Buck Buchanan Award, given to the top defensive player in the FCS. Peltekian had 74 tackles and a team-leading four interceptions in 2024. An injury limited Peltekian to nine games last season, with the Mahwah, N.J., native recording a key interception in the win at Lafayette. Peltekian is also a threat as a punt returner. He had a 57-yard punt return touchdown at Bucknell in 2023 and retured a punt 56 yards at Georgetown, setting up another Yoder touchdown.
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Lehigh has now eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark in 35 straight games dating back to the 2023 season. The Mountain Hawks had four games of 300 or more rushing yards in 2025, with a high of 343 against Holy Cross, Lehigh's most since gaining 349 on the ground at Fordham in 2016. The Mountain Hawks have started fast in 2026 with 281 rushing yards at Holy Cross and 302 at Georgetown. The Mountain Hawks have led the Patriot League in rushing the last two seasons and ranked fourth nationally last year, averaging 230.9 yards per game. Senior Luke Yoder has 250 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns through two games, while first-year Aidan Mayfield and junior quarterback Hayden Johnson are both over 100 yards through two games.
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Patriot League newcomer William & Mary is off to a 2-0 start in 2026. The Tribe opened their season with a thrilling 35-32 comeback win at Villanova as William & Mary scored 13 points in the game's final 53 seconds to overcome a 10-point deficit. Last weekend, William & Mary defeated Delaware State 22-15 in Williamsburg, Va. The Tribe went 7-5 last year including a 6-2 mark in the CAA. Kicker Max Lipinski was the hero against Villanova, with five field goals including the game-winner as time expired. Lipinski is a two-time Patriot League Special Teams Player of the Week. The Tribe have also had both Rookies of the Week through two weeks in defensive back Cade Ellis (who also won Defensive Player of the Week in Week 0) and wide receiver Khylil Johnson. Winston Watkins has started both games at quarterback with Carter Carroll also seeing action. Andrew King is the top ground gainer with 118 yards. Harrison Johnson leads the defense with 19 tackles.
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Lehigh and William & Mary meet for the 10th time and the first time since 1992. Previously, Lehigh and William & Mary met nine consecutive seasons from 1984 through 1992 with the Tribe winning eight of those meetings. Lehigh's lone win was a 41-37 thriller at Goodman Stadium in 1991.
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William & Mary is one of two new members of Patriot League football with the Tribe and Villanova joining the league as associate members this year. Lehigh has defeated the last four newcomers to Patriot League football in the first meeting as league foes. In 1989, Lehigh opened its season with a win at Fordham. The Mountain Hawks won at Towson in 1997. Lehigh welcomed Georgetown to the Patriot League with a 41-14 victory in 2001. Last year, the Mountain Hawks defeated Richmond 21-14. The William & Mary game will mark the third consecutive occurrence that Lehigh's first game against a Patriot League newcomer will be its home opener.
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Saturday's game kicks off just after 2 p.m. from Goodman Stadium. Tickets can be purchased at LehighTickets.com or by calling 610-758-4263 during normal business hours.
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Lehigh returns to Goodman Stadium next Saturday to host Dartmouth as part of Family Weekend, presented by Lehigh Valley Health Network, part of Jefferson Health. The Big Green are visiting Goodman Stadium for the first time since 1996. Game time is set for noon on Sept. 19.
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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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Saturday's home opener features a special 2 p.m. start time – the latest Lehigh home game start time in the 39-year history of Goodman Stadium.
Â
The 610 Day celebration features the following elements and more:
- First-Years on the Field:Â Lehigh's Class of '30 are invited onto the field pre-game as the Lehigh team runs onto the field.Â
- The 610th fan to enter Goodman Stadium will win a prize.
- The Lehigh Men's Basketball Team will be recognized on the field during the first half for their 2026 Patriot League Championship and March Madness appearance.
Lehigh moved to 2-0 on the young season with a dominant performance in all three phases in its 45-14 win at Georgetown last week. The Mountain Hawks racked up 573 yards of offense, including 304 on the ground, while limiting the Hoyas to 239, including just 164 prior to their last drive. Senior Luke Yoder rushed for 120 yards and scored four total touchdowns, while junior quarterback Hayden Johnson had a career day, completing 16-of-19 for 271 yards and two scores. Lehigh is now 23-2 against Georgetown since the Hoyas joined the Patriot League in 2001.
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One of three fifth-years on the Lehigh roster, safety Nick Peltekian started fast with a team-best eight tackles in the win at Holy Cross. Peltekian added his sixth career interception in that game, which led to Luke Yoder's third touchdown of the day. A two-time All-Patriot League selection and a Preseason All-American in 2026, Peltekian was also named to the preseason watch list for the Buck Buchanan Award, given to the top defensive player in the FCS. Peltekian had 74 tackles and a team-leading four interceptions in 2024. An injury limited Peltekian to nine games last season, with the Mahwah, N.J., native recording a key interception in the win at Lafayette. Peltekian is also a threat as a punt returner. He had a 57-yard punt return touchdown at Bucknell in 2023 and retured a punt 56 yards at Georgetown, setting up another Yoder touchdown.
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Lehigh has now eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark in 35 straight games dating back to the 2023 season. The Mountain Hawks had four games of 300 or more rushing yards in 2025, with a high of 343 against Holy Cross, Lehigh's most since gaining 349 on the ground at Fordham in 2016. The Mountain Hawks have started fast in 2026 with 281 rushing yards at Holy Cross and 302 at Georgetown. The Mountain Hawks have led the Patriot League in rushing the last two seasons and ranked fourth nationally last year, averaging 230.9 yards per game. Senior Luke Yoder has 250 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns through two games, while first-year Aidan Mayfield and junior quarterback Hayden Johnson are both over 100 yards through two games.
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Patriot League newcomer William & Mary is off to a 2-0 start in 2026. The Tribe opened their season with a thrilling 35-32 comeback win at Villanova as William & Mary scored 13 points in the game's final 53 seconds to overcome a 10-point deficit. Last weekend, William & Mary defeated Delaware State 22-15 in Williamsburg, Va. The Tribe went 7-5 last year including a 6-2 mark in the CAA. Kicker Max Lipinski was the hero against Villanova, with five field goals including the game-winner as time expired. Lipinski is a two-time Patriot League Special Teams Player of the Week. The Tribe have also had both Rookies of the Week through two weeks in defensive back Cade Ellis (who also won Defensive Player of the Week in Week 0) and wide receiver Khylil Johnson. Winston Watkins has started both games at quarterback with Carter Carroll also seeing action. Andrew King is the top ground gainer with 118 yards. Harrison Johnson leads the defense with 19 tackles.
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Lehigh and William & Mary meet for the 10th time and the first time since 1992. Previously, Lehigh and William & Mary met nine consecutive seasons from 1984 through 1992 with the Tribe winning eight of those meetings. Lehigh's lone win was a 41-37 thriller at Goodman Stadium in 1991.
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William & Mary is one of two new members of Patriot League football with the Tribe and Villanova joining the league as associate members this year. Lehigh has defeated the last four newcomers to Patriot League football in the first meeting as league foes. In 1989, Lehigh opened its season with a win at Fordham. The Mountain Hawks won at Towson in 1997. Lehigh welcomed Georgetown to the Patriot League with a 41-14 victory in 2001. Last year, the Mountain Hawks defeated Richmond 21-14. The William & Mary game will mark the third consecutive occurrence that Lehigh's first game against a Patriot League newcomer will be its home opener.
Â
Saturday's game kicks off just after 2 p.m. from Goodman Stadium. Tickets can be purchased at LehighTickets.com or by calling 610-758-4263 during normal business hours.
Â
Lehigh returns to Goodman Stadium next Saturday to host Dartmouth as part of Family Weekend, presented by Lehigh Valley Health Network, part of Jefferson Health. The Big Green are visiting Goodman Stadium for the first time since 1996. Game time is set for noon on Sept. 19.
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| Date: | September 12, 2026 |
| Opponent: | No. 16 William & Mary Tribe |
| Kickoff: | 2:02 p.m. |
| Stadium: | Goodman Stadium/16,000/Natural Grass |
| Location: | Bethlehem, Pa. |
| Lehigh's record: | 2-0 overall, 2-0 Patriot League |
| William & Mary's record: | 2-0 overall, 1-0 Patriot League |
| Series: | William & Mary leads 8-1 |
| Video: | ESPN+ with Marco Socci and Lance Haynes '94 |
| Radio: | Fox Sports Radio 94.7 FM and 1230 AM and LVFoxSports.com with Matt Kerr, Mike Yadush '93 and Connor Brown beginning at 1 p.m. |
| Key Stats: | •Lehigh has now rushed for 300 or more yards in five of its last 12 games. •Through two games, senior running back Luke Yoder leads the nation in rushing touchdowns (six) and scoring (21.0 ppg.). Yoder ranks sixth nationally in rushing yards and rushing yards per game. •The Mountain Hawks lead the Patriot League and rank in the top 20 nationally in both scoring offense (40.0 ppg.) and scoring defense (12.0 ppg.). |
Follow Lehigh Football on X/Twitter and Instagram and like on Facebook for exclusive updates throughout the season.Â
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