Lehigh Mountain Hawks Soar Over Duquesne with a 35-21 Victory

In a spirited display of collegiate football, the No. 10/12 Lehigh Mountain Hawks triumphed over the Duquesne Dukes with a 35-21 scoreline at Rooney Field on Saturday. The victory, which elevates Lehigh’s record to 3-0 this season, showcased an impressive blend of offensive execution and defensive resilience against a team that has claimed or shared the past two Northeast Conference (NEC) titles.

Key Players Shine

Sophomore quarterback Hayden Johnson put on a stellar performance, completing 17 of 25 passes for 224 yards and three touchdowns. His connection with senior wide receiver Geoffrey Jamiel proved pivotal; a highlight reel moment came just before halftime when Johnson launched a 54-yard touchdown pass to Jamiel. Jamiel finished the game as Johnson’s favorite target, racking up seven receptions for 95 yards and one touchdown.

On the ground game, junior Luke Yoder excelled with 68 yards on 11 carries, while fellow sophomore Jaden Green had a noteworthy outing, scoring a touchdown and accumulating 61 rushing yards on nine carries. Additionally, sophomore Aaron Crossley scored his first touchdown of the season, adding depth to Lehigh’s diverse offensive strategy.

Defensive Dominance

Lehigh’s defense played a crucial role in the game, limiting Duquesne to just 318 total yards. Senior linebacker Tyler Ochojski emerged as a defensive powerhouse, contributing five tackles, including two sacks, one of which resulted in a forced fumble that was recovered by Lehigh. This defensive effort not only took the wind out of Duquesne’s sails but also allowed the Mountain Hawks to control the game’s tempo.

Game Flow and Statistics

Both teams struggled to make offensive breakthroughs in the first quarter, engaging in a series of punts. However, Lehigh broke the deadlock early in the second quarter; after an errant pass intended for Jamiel bounced fortuitously to sophomore Garrett Guess in the end zone, the Mountain Hawks took a 7-0 lead.

Duquesne responded with a scoring drive that included a 35-yard pass from quarterback Tyler Riddell to receiver Joey Isabella, tying the game at 7-7 with an eight-yard TD pass to Daniel Tarabrella late in the half. With only 45 seconds left in the half, Johnson found Jamiel for the game-changing 54-yard touchdown, putting Lehigh ahead 14-7.

The second half saw Lehigh come out with renewed vigor, scoring on their first drive with an eight-yard touchdown pass to sophomore Matt D’Avino. Duquesne answered back with a 66-yard scoring connection from Riddell to Isabella, narrowing the gap to 21-14.

Lehigh’s ground game prevailed as they started asserting dominance, culminated with a 27-yard touchdown run from Green that showcased his ability to break tackles. Despite Duquesne striking back with a touchdown, Lehigh managed to reestablish a two-score lead through a one-yard run by Crossley, capping an eight-play drive that highlighted their rushing strength.

Noteworthy Stats and Highlights

Johnson’s accurate passing game and leadership on the field were matched by Lehigh’s offensive balance, which amassed 166 rushing yards against 224 passing yards.
The Mountain Hawks’ defensive stand, illustrated by Ochojski’s crucial sack that resulted in a fumble recovery, was pivotal to denying Duquesne scoring opportunities.
Lehigh’s special teams also made their mark, as a strong kickoff return set the stage for the final scoring drive.
The game marked the first-ever meeting between Lehigh and Duquesne, with Lehigh starting strong in their historical rivalry.

Upcoming Challenges

Coach Kevin Cahill, who has now moved above the .500 mark in his Lehigh coaching career, will need to harness this momentum as the Mountain Hawks head into their next matchup against Bucknell next Saturday. This Patriot League clash promises to be another thrilling contest, and fans can tune in for live coverage on ESPN+ and local radio stations.

Lehigh Football continues to build on a promising season, and updated information is readily available on their social media platforms, including X/Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.