2019 Football Roster
McCloskey, Sam
Jersey Number 6
Sam McCloskey
- Position:
- DB
- Height:
- 5-10
- Weight:
- 190
- Class:
- Fifth Year
- Hometown:
- Altoona, Pa.
- High School:
- Bishop Guilfoyle
- Major:
- Technical Entrepreneurship (BS in Management)
Bio
Why Lehigh? “Great academic reputation with a great football tradition and atmosphere.”
As a fifth-year (2019): Team captain… named second team All-Patriot League for second straight year… started all 11 games at safety… Lehigh’s fifth-leading tackler… made season-high eight tackles at UC Davis (9/14)… had two fumble recoveries on special teams versus Saint Francis (8/31), the second of which was returned 56 yards for first career touchdown… named Patriot League Special Teams Player of the Week for his efforts… had four pass breakups including two at Bucknell (11/9)… named to Patriot League Academic Honor Roll.
As a senior (2018): Team captain… second team All-Patriot League selection… started 10 games at safety… Lehigh’s second leading tackler with 77… had first four tackles for loss of career… had four double-digit tackle games, which came consecutively… made 10 tackles with 1.5 tackles for loss at FBS Navy (9/15)… career-high 11 tackles with 1.5 tackles for loss versus Fordham (10/13)… eight tackles and three pass breakups versus Villanova (9/8)… averaged 14 yards on six kickoff returns… returned six punts for total of 27 yards.
As a junior (2017): Team captain… started first four games at strong safety before suffering season-ending injury in Penn game… career-high nine tackles versus Yale (9/16).
As a sophomore (2016): Started 11 games at safety… tied for team lead with three interceptions… first career interception versus Monmouth (9/3)… career best game with eight tackles and three interceptions at New Hampshire (11/26)… key forced fumble in league-opening win over Colgate (10/8).
As a freshman (2015): Appeared in all 11 games… made seven starts after taking over at safety… finished with 36 tackles… had three five-tackle games: at James Madison (9/12), at Bucknell (10/10) and vs. Lafayette (11/21).
In high school: First Team all-area running back… Pennsylvania Football News first team all-state running back… Altoona Mirror Player of the Year… started 49 games… had 211 rushes for 2,168 yards and 47 touchdowns… added 130 tackles… earned Western PA Scholar-Athlete award… high school team went 16-0 with District VI and single A state championship… first team all-area in basketball… high honor roll student.
Personal: Son of Sam and Wendy… sister Katie (17).
CAREER STATISTICS (DEFENSE)
Tackles
CAREER HIGHS
Tackles: 11 (9-2), vs. Fordham, 10/13/18
Tackles for loss: 1.5, vs. Fordham, 10/13/18
Interceptions: 1, 3x, at UNH 11/26/16
Fumble recoveries: 2, vs. Saint Francis, 8/31/19
As a fifth-year (2019): Team captain… named second team All-Patriot League for second straight year… started all 11 games at safety… Lehigh’s fifth-leading tackler… made season-high eight tackles at UC Davis (9/14)… had two fumble recoveries on special teams versus Saint Francis (8/31), the second of which was returned 56 yards for first career touchdown… named Patriot League Special Teams Player of the Week for his efforts… had four pass breakups including two at Bucknell (11/9)… named to Patriot League Academic Honor Roll.
As a senior (2018): Team captain… second team All-Patriot League selection… started 10 games at safety… Lehigh’s second leading tackler with 77… had first four tackles for loss of career… had four double-digit tackle games, which came consecutively… made 10 tackles with 1.5 tackles for loss at FBS Navy (9/15)… career-high 11 tackles with 1.5 tackles for loss versus Fordham (10/13)… eight tackles and three pass breakups versus Villanova (9/8)… averaged 14 yards on six kickoff returns… returned six punts for total of 27 yards.
As a junior (2017): Team captain… started first four games at strong safety before suffering season-ending injury in Penn game… career-high nine tackles versus Yale (9/16).
As a sophomore (2016): Started 11 games at safety… tied for team lead with three interceptions… first career interception versus Monmouth (9/3)… career best game with eight tackles and three interceptions at New Hampshire (11/26)… key forced fumble in league-opening win over Colgate (10/8).
As a freshman (2015): Appeared in all 11 games… made seven starts after taking over at safety… finished with 36 tackles… had three five-tackle games: at James Madison (9/12), at Bucknell (10/10) and vs. Lafayette (11/21).
In high school: First Team all-area running back… Pennsylvania Football News first team all-state running back… Altoona Mirror Player of the Year… started 49 games… had 211 rushes for 2,168 yards and 47 touchdowns… added 130 tackles… earned Western PA Scholar-Athlete award… high school team went 16-0 with District VI and single A state championship… first team all-area in basketball… high honor roll student.
Personal: Son of Sam and Wendy… sister Katie (17).
CAREER STATISTICS (DEFENSE)
Tackles
| Year | G | UA | A | Tot | TFL | INT |
| 2015 | 11 | 21 | 15 | 36 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 11 | 39 | 15 | 54 | 0 | 3 |
| 2017 | 4 | 13 | 3 | 16 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 10 | 53 | 24 | 77 | 4.0 | 0 |
| 2019 | 11 | 26 | 10 | 36 | 2.5 | 0 |
| Total | 47 | 152 | 67 | 219 | 6.5 | 3 |
CAREER HIGHS
Tackles: 11 (9-2), vs. Fordham, 10/13/18
Tackles for loss: 1.5, vs. Fordham, 10/13/18
Interceptions: 1, 3x, at UNH 11/26/16
Fumble recoveries: 2, vs. Saint Francis, 8/31/19
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