Boy, does this one feel good.Lehigh put up 35 points for the first time this year as the Mountain Hawks overcame some early mistakes to coast to a 35-16 victory over the Bison, continuing their twelve year winning streak over Bucknell and keeping their title hopes alive for another week.
After the offense was shut out last weekend, seeing the offense put up five honest touchdowns - and junior QB J.B. Clark going the distance and putting up numbers like 24 for 37, 327 yards, 1 passing TD, 1 rushing TD, and only one INT - gives this Lehigh fan some hope that maybe, just maybe, little ol' Lehigh may still have a chance in this Patriot League race thing.
Other highlights include freshman QB/RB Michael Colvin getting his first career TD, and freshman RB Zach Barket getting his first TD as well to go with his career-best 77 yard effort. And add freshman WR James Flynn getting three big catches - including one to convert an early fourth down conversion - three greenhorns were asked to step up like upperclassmen, and delivered. And sophomore WR Jake Drwal had a career day as well with 9 receptions for 124 yards.
The gang-tackling defense did let up their first points since the Harvard game, but they certainly did the job against Bucknell by only allowing one early TD and one late TD. Senior LB Troy Taylor led the charge with 7 tackles, and senior DL Stephen Brown also forced a fumble. Keeping the Bison to 74 yards rushing had to be a good achievement against this triple-option team.
And on the subject of youth, on special teams another freshman, freshman TE Jamel Haggins, took Lehigh's extra-point troubles and made a negative into a positive. After a missed extra point in on the first TD, the second was blocked - but Haggins on a heads-up play grabbed the ball and ran it in for the two point conversion. It was a play that gave Lehigh more confidence, and was called by coach Coen a "momentum shift."
There will be lots of time for "Sunday Words", hating the 'Gate this week, and analyzing some of the mistakes that Lehigh hasn't totally cleaned up yet (the kicking game and penalties leap to mind) . But now, it's time to enjoy this win to its fullest. Today, Lehigh's offense has shown a key sign of being more on track. So while there's also plenty of things to clean up for Gate week, right now it's time to revel in this a little bit. I think everyone needs it.
Comments
The only way this QB and these talented but inexperienced receivers will connect is when we establish a run game that makes opposing defenses respect the line of scrimmage. Until Saturday, defenses dared us to run...dropping into pass coverage with linebackers and safeties staying with wideouts, never concerned about a serious run game. Establish any kind of run game and those people have to come toward the line and support against the run, opening up passing lanes and giving receivers a chance to gain separation.
Let's not forget who we beat....but at least there are now signs of life.
Do you think Andy is reading the blogs?