Lehigh Dominates Holy Cross 38-3, Remains Unbeaten at 10-0
The Lehigh Mountain Hawks continued their impressive run in college football, defeating Holy Cross 38-3 on Saturday at Goodman Stadium. The victory keeps Lehigh unbeaten at 10-0 and in a tie for first place in the Patriot League alongside Lafayette, which also won its game against Colgate.
This weekend marked the team’s Community Heroes and Youth Football Day, where players engaged with local fans by signing autographs after the game. While it remains uncertain if any current players will reach the NFL, the young fans who collected signatures left with memorable souvenirs from one of Lehigh’s strongest teams in recent history.
Lehigh’s offense showcased its power, amassing 518 yards against Holy Cross, while the defense delivered an outstanding performance, limiting the Crusaders to a mere 20 yards rushing. This marked an impressive achievement for a team that entered the game with one of the top-10 rushing defenses in the nation. Holy Cross struggled throughout, recording only nine first downs and having to punt ten times.
Defensive Dominance and Offensive Resilience
The Mountain Hawks’ head coach, Kevin Cahill, expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance. “It was an exciting win. I was happy with the way we won the game. We had to fight for that one,” he remarked. Cahill acknowledged the challenge of maintaining their top position in the league, emphasizing the need to face every opponent with determination.
Lehigh’s offensive efforts were led by quarterback Hayden Johnson, who completed 8 of 18 passes for 174 yards and three touchdowns. The game began with a quick score, as Johnson connected with Mason Humphrey for a 29-yard touchdown pass. However, the offense faced hurdles with an interception and a series of punts.
Running back Luke Yoder played a pivotal role, rushing for 142 yards and scoring a touchdown with a spectacular 42-yard run that extended Lehigh’s lead. Despite some initial struggles, the Mountain Hawks regained their composure in the second half, responding effectively to the challenges posed by Holy Cross.
Cahill noted that the team was initially out of sync, stating, “Even defensively, we were a little out of character… We just had to pull it back together, and our kids responded coming out of the locker room in the second half.” This adjustment led to a more dominant performance, allowing Lehigh to showcase its true capabilities.
Aiming for Playoff Glory
With this victory, Lehigh has now achieved a perfect home record of 6-0 this season and extended its winning streak to 15 games, the longest in the nation. The last time the Mountain Hawks started a season at 10-0 was in 2001, when they hosted an FCS playoff game. This year’s team has aspirations of replicating that success.
As the season progresses, Lehigh and Lafayette are on a collision course, with both teams poised to battle on November 22 in Easton for the 161st edition of college football’s most-played rivalry. Before that rivalry clash, Lehigh will face Colgate next weekend, while Lafayette heads to Richmond.
The anticipation for the upcoming matchup builds, especially considering both teams’ impressive performances. As the Mountain Hawks continue their pursuit of a championship, fans and players alike remain hopeful for a season that could culminate in significant playoff opportunities.
