Lehigh-Villanova gameday blog: Villanova 35, Lehigh 0

FROM KEITH GROLLER

3:13 p.m.

It's over. Mercifully. Villanova 35, Lehigh 0.

3:08 p.m.

One more score for the Wildcats. A 15-play, 84-yard drive taking up 6:16 gets adds more punctuation to a powerful statement delivered by Villanova. Sometimes 35-0 scores are really misleading. This one is not. These two are simply at very different levels.

3:05 p.m.

Finally, some excitement in the stands. A guy in red sunglasses is shooting T-shirts into the bleachers. For the few that are remaining, it's all they have left to enjoy.

2:58 p.m.

Familiar, frustrating pattern continues. Just when Lehigh has something going on offense, it ends quickly. Lum intercepted. Villanova ball at its own 16. 7:34 left.

2:54 p.m.

Backup quarterback is in for Villanova. Andy Talley clearly has no interest in running up the score in this final scheduled meeting with Lehigh. Defense has had some nice moments for Lehigh. Offense? Virtually none to speak of until Ryan Spadola just hauled in a 37-yard completion. Lehigh at the Nova 43 looking to avert a shutout.

2:42 p.m.

We're through three quarters here at Goodman Stadium. It's still Villanova 28-0 and the Lehigh band is still playing songs that were popular when Nixon was president.

2:23 p.m.

Lehigh's first possession of the second half ended in an interception. It took Villanova just three plays to score again. It's now 28-0 with 10 minutes left in the third quarter and a day that began with such promise has completely fizzled. Just a little confidence for Princeton is all Lehigh can get out of the rest of the day.

1:58 p.m.

Halftime stats as one-sided as the scoreboard. Villanova leads 171- minus 2 in rushing yards, 323-84 in total yards and 19:43 to 10:17 in time of possession.

1:52 p.m.

Mercifully, it's halftime. Maybe the Lehigh "Marching 97" band can save the day with a stellar performance. But not with the "Stars Wars" theme.

1:48 p.m.

Lehigh finally had some things going on offense, but typical of the way things have gone in the first half, a tipped interception gives Villanova the ball. It has been a disappointing half to say the least.

1:42 p.m.

It's now 21-0 as Villanova had a big pass play followed by an Angelo Babbaro TD run. Two minutes left in the half and this one -- with the exception of a few forced turnovers by the Lehigh defense -- has been as bad as Mountain Hawks fans feared.

1:36 p.m.

Big break, at least in terms of keeping this game relatively competitive. Lehigh's John Veniero recovers a Villanova fumble and returns it all the way out to midfield. But offensive woes continue. A three-and-out and Villanova has the ball back with 4 minutes left in the half.

1:28 p.m.

John Kennedy intercepts a Villanova pass and momentum carries him into end zone, but officials spot it at the Lehigh 2. The Mountain Hawks use Michael Colvin at QB, but go three-and-out.

1:17 p.m.

Lehigh got a pair of first downs and had a drive going, but had a miscommunication resulting in a collision on third-and-short and failed to convert on fourth down. Discontent growing in Goodman bleachers.

1:07 p.m.

A wide, wide open Dorian Wells hauls in a 39-yard TD pass from Chris Whitney to cap an 8-play 65-yard drive and all of the Lehigh students who came out for this game are now more interested in a sun tan than a competitive game. Villanova is simply a much better team, and Lehigh hasn't executed particularly well. If Mountain Hawks don't start playing better, this one could be a 42-point spread or worse.

1:01 p.m.

Lehigh did nothing with the turnover. A delay of game penalty, a sack, a near interception -- yikes. Mountain Hawks lost 11 yards. Went for it on fourth down and had a dropped pass.

12:58 p.m.

Two three-and-outs by Lehigh offense elicited at least one boo. But Jarard Cribbs just picked off an overthrown Villanova pass. And the Mountain Hawks have it at the Villanova 24.

12:51 p.m.

After an exchange of punts, Villanova goes 54 yards on five plays in 1:53 to score on an 11-yard run by Aaron Ball. Big crowd on hand. But very quiet in here at the moment.

12:29 p.m.

Wow. Shocking development here at Goodman Stadium. No, the game with Villanova hasn't started yet, but there's already a shocking surprise to report.

There are new lights in the scoreboard. I repeat -- there are new lights on the scoreboard. You no longer have to ask your neighbor: "How much time is left?" at Goodman Stadium. The scoreboard was poorly positioned back in 1988 to face the southern skyline and stare directly into the sun. And at times, the scoreboard has been impossible to read.

No, not with this lighting. Even the brighest of sunny days is not a problem. First the Christmas star atop South Mountain and now new lights in the Goodman scoreboard.

In addition, there are new windows in the press box and we actually have some fresh air up here.

Still, no bathroom in the press box. Can't have everything at once, I guess.

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