Wow. Simply, wow.
Can you ever remember a Lehigh game that was won like that?
Start by mentioning that Lehigh won without scoring an offensive touchdown. When was the last time that ever happened, especially at Murray Goodman? I had to go back to 1996 for a 7-6 loss to Bucknell (in a rainstorm) to remember the last time that I could remember Lehigh not scoring an offensive touchdown, let alone winning that way.
For those of you that didnt come to Goodman on a simply perfect day for football, Lehigh's first TD came on senior CB Brannan Thomas catching the Harvard punt team napping and getting a nice burst through the punt coverage for a return for the touchdown. The final TD came from junior LB Tim Diamond stripping the ball from backup Crimson QB Chris Pizotti as they were driving with under a minute to play for the game-winning score, with junior DL Paul Bode picking it up and rumbling into the end zone to ice the game.
Has the Goodman magic come back? Is our home advantage here once again?
Coach Coen in the post-game press conference talked about how proud he was of his team. "All we talk about is competing. 'Fight Like Champions' is our motto this year, and I talked to the team last night about fighting for 60 minutes last night, and we obviously did that today."
Watching the game, it was a dogfight. Both teams averaged less than 3 yards rushing on the entire day. There were 16 punts in the game. Like I predicted, it was a defensive struggle, but Harvard seemed several times like they were going to deliver the knockout blow at any time. When Lehigh got the fumble and returned it, I couldn't believe it.
I think Lehigh turned a corner today. We won when the offense had a tough day against a great defense. And we won by fighting extremely hard on defense and special teams and never giving up. The defense was on the field for almost 40 minutes, and still managed to make the play of the game in the final minute. This Lehigh defense has guts.
You also can't neglect the effect of special teams on this win today, either. You may not beleive it, but punting by junior P/K Jason Leo had a huge impact on the day too. He punted 8 times for a 44.1 yard average, putting six of those inside the 20 and three of them within the 6. Each time we exchanged punts, we'd gain almost 10 yards of field position.
Of course, that doesn't completely excuse an offense that could not get much going, especially in the second half. The fumble when Lehigh was driving to Harvard's end zone would have been the story of the game if we didn't pull it out. 0-for-11 on 3rd down conversions is awful. And there were way, way too many dropped passes.
But we're 3-1, and we just pulled out a win in a game we could have easily lost. It was won with defensive grit and never giving up, even when it looked like Harvard was going to line up for the game-winning FG (blocked by sophomore LB Heath Brickner) or going to drive downfield for another shot.
How come I get the feeling that this sort of win is turning some sort of corner? That a very special season could - just could - be here this year?
Enjoy your Yuenglings tonight. I will!
Can you ever remember a Lehigh game that was won like that?
Start by mentioning that Lehigh won without scoring an offensive touchdown. When was the last time that ever happened, especially at Murray Goodman? I had to go back to 1996 for a 7-6 loss to Bucknell (in a rainstorm) to remember the last time that I could remember Lehigh not scoring an offensive touchdown, let alone winning that way.
For those of you that didnt come to Goodman on a simply perfect day for football, Lehigh's first TD came on senior CB Brannan Thomas catching the Harvard punt team napping and getting a nice burst through the punt coverage for a return for the touchdown. The final TD came from junior LB Tim Diamond stripping the ball from backup Crimson QB Chris Pizotti as they were driving with under a minute to play for the game-winning score, with junior DL Paul Bode picking it up and rumbling into the end zone to ice the game.
Has the Goodman magic come back? Is our home advantage here once again?
Coach Coen in the post-game press conference talked about how proud he was of his team. "All we talk about is competing. 'Fight Like Champions' is our motto this year, and I talked to the team last night about fighting for 60 minutes last night, and we obviously did that today."
Watching the game, it was a dogfight. Both teams averaged less than 3 yards rushing on the entire day. There were 16 punts in the game. Like I predicted, it was a defensive struggle, but Harvard seemed several times like they were going to deliver the knockout blow at any time. When Lehigh got the fumble and returned it, I couldn't believe it.
I think Lehigh turned a corner today. We won when the offense had a tough day against a great defense. And we won by fighting extremely hard on defense and special teams and never giving up. The defense was on the field for almost 40 minutes, and still managed to make the play of the game in the final minute. This Lehigh defense has guts.
You also can't neglect the effect of special teams on this win today, either. You may not beleive it, but punting by junior P/K Jason Leo had a huge impact on the day too. He punted 8 times for a 44.1 yard average, putting six of those inside the 20 and three of them within the 6. Each time we exchanged punts, we'd gain almost 10 yards of field position.
Of course, that doesn't completely excuse an offense that could not get much going, especially in the second half. The fumble when Lehigh was driving to Harvard's end zone would have been the story of the game if we didn't pull it out. 0-for-11 on 3rd down conversions is awful. And there were way, way too many dropped passes.
But we're 3-1, and we just pulled out a win in a game we could have easily lost. It was won with defensive grit and never giving up, even when it looked like Harvard was going to line up for the game-winning FG (blocked by sophomore LB Heath Brickner) or going to drive downfield for another shot.
How come I get the feeling that this sort of win is turning some sort of corner? That a very special season could - just could - be here this year?
Enjoy your Yuenglings tonight. I will!
Comments
Lehigh won through sheer determination. A game like this can make your season.
Jason Leo was fantastic punting, despite the early shank.
By the way, does anyone know why we don't use the screen pass?
Wont' soon forget: (a) Tim Diamond's 22 tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, and 1 fumble recovery; (b) Jason Leo's 8 punts averaging 44 yards (six inside the 20 with one sailing 66 yards); (c) Brannan Thomas' 54 yard punt return for a touchdown; (d) the gutsy 19 play/85 yard/7:01 minute defensive stand that ended with a blocked FG by Heath Brickner (soph) - this after enduring 14 play/49 yard/5:52 minute and 8 play/96 yard/3:10 minute scoring drive by Harvard earlier in the day; (e) John Kennedy's (fr) 44+ average yard kick-off returns so important in establishing field position; (f) being out-gained 465 to 232 in yards from scrimmage; (g) Jason Leo's 29 and 40 yard FGs (the latter one would have been good from 50); (h) giving up 17 minutes in time of possession; and (i) suffering through a 5 for 17 Sedale passing performance in the second half when there appeared better run and pass options before
him and the offensive coordinators. You had to see it to believe it.
Funny....had Jason Leo not shanked a 22 yard punt just before half time leading to a Harvard FG (3 points) and had Josh Pastore not been jarred loose from the ball four yards short of scoring a LU touchdown (7 points), all this and the other commentary might not have been necessary.
Let's hope we learned a few valuable lessons today, take our 3-1 record and move on. The PL Championship is certainly within our reach.
LU76
My question is, and it is more curiosity than gripe, "Where is Kankam?" Walker had one carry, but I don't think I saw Kankam at all. Is he injured?
I look forward to the rest of the season. GO ENGINEERS!