It's like old times for Lehigh in 44-14 rout of Colgate

FROM THE MORNING CALL

During the latter stages of Lehigh's stunning 44-14 rout of Colgate at Goodman Stadium on Saturday, Lehigh coach Andy Coen said to offensive coordinator Dave Cecchini "This really feels like old times."

Perhaps it had been since Coen and Cecchini worked together on Kevin Higgins' coaching staff in the late 1990s that Lehigh had dominated a quality opponent in the same manner it handled Colgate on this day in a game that might go a long way in determining the Patriot League title.

Junior quarterback Chris Lum completed 17 of 22 passes for a career-high 310 yards and two touchdowns and ran for another score as Lehigh scored the first 31 points and never looked back in its most impressive win in this — and quite possibly — many seasons.

In winning for the fourth straight time and clinching a winning season for the first time since 2006, Lehigh (6-2, 2-0) scored three touchdowns on its first five possessions and got points on four of five possessions overall in the first half in a startling display of offensive execution.


The defense, meanwhile, took advantage of the absence of Colgate quarterback Greg Sullivan and top receiver Doug Rosnick, who were both injured.

The Raiders (4-4, 1-2) still featured Nate Eachus, the Hazleton product who led all FCS level rushers with 167.3 yards per game coming in.

But Eachus was limited to 124 yards on 25 carries and Colgate could never get enough offensive consistency to sustain drives or match Lehigh's potent attack.

Punctuating the 31-0 blitz by the Mountain Hawks over the game's first 291/2 minutes was Jarard Cribbs' 48-yard interception return for a touchdown after Steve Rizzo, Sullivan's replacement, was hurt by linebacker Al Pierce as he threw the ball.

"It was a great feeling to be able to capitalize like that," Cribbs said. "When the situation arises, you've got to step up and make plays. That's what winning ballgames and winning championships is all about."

Suddenly, a league championship is not just some obscure dream. It's a goal that's attainable with three more wins.

"It was a great performance and I credit the kids," Coen said. "We talked a lot about this being the seniors last game at Goodman Stadium and we wanted them to go out the right way. We wanted them to play their best game and go out with their heads held high. They certainly did that.

"Aside from beating Lafayette in your last home game, beating Colgate is the next best thing."

And although no one wants to get ahead of themselves, not with a tough trip to Holy Cross looming next weekend, there's a possibility that it won't be the last game this season at Goodman.

Coming off a 4-7 season, Lehigh players, coaches and fans are reluctant to even mention the word playoffs.

But after what happened Saturday, anything is possible.

http://www.mcall.com/sports/mc-lehigh-colgate-football-20101030,0,717561.story