Lehigh University football team rallies after slow start to beat Princeton, 34-22

FROM THE EXPRESS TIMES

Lehigh University football coach Andy Coen warned his team about the newness and mystery surrounding Princeton and second-year coach Bob Surace.

Sure enough, it took the No. 16 Mountain Hawks a quarter to get a feel for the Tigers’ defense, but after that Lehigh’s potent offense began clicking en route to a 34-22 victory on Saturday evening at Princeton Stadium.

“We had a little inkling they’d be tweaking some things and they did; they came out with a totally different defensive scheme than last year,” Coen said. “We had to get used to it. I think we made some adjustments at halftime. Great job by (offensive coordinator) Dave (Cecchini) at halftime saying we had to air this thing out.”

Lehigh, which led 13-6 at the break, held Princeton (0-1) to a three-and-out to begin the second half. Then on the first offensive possession of the half, senior quarterback Chris Lum bombed one to junior receiver Ryan Spadola for a 46-yard touchdown and 20-6 advantage.

The Mountain Hawks (2-1) needed just seven seconds to change the momentum of the game.

“That was huge,” said Spadola, who had nine receptions for 214 yards and three touchdowns. “You come out in the second half and go down and score in the first play. Emotionally for the other team, that’s a dagger. That was huge because it got momentum on our side and going in our direction.”

Lum was 28-for-38 for 384 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions, bringing his season totals to 1,131 yards with 14 touchdowns and four interceptions in three games.

The All-American Spadola now has 432 yards on 20 receptions with six TDs.

“That’s as good a team we’ll play all year,” Surace said. “As I told their coach, they’re a fun team to watch on the sideline but you don’t want to play that type of team. They’re a playoff team.”

After Princeton kicker Patrick Jacob’s 20-yard field goal, Lum’s 2-yard touchdown pass to fullback Sean Farrell put Lehigh up 27-9 with 11:11 left in the game, but Princeton wouldn’t go away. On the ensuing kickoff, Ivan Charbonneau ran it back 92 yards for a touchdown and the Tigers recovered an onside kick after that.

dibilio.jpgView full sizeCourtesy of Princeton UniversityChuck Dibilio

The 70-yard drive was capped by a 26-yard touchdown catch by freshman running back Chuck Dibilio, a Nazareth Area High School graduate. On first-and-15 from the Lehigh 16, the 2010 Express-Times Player of the Year was penalized for a holding penalty.

He made up for it on the following play by taking a shovel pass from quarterback Tommy Wornham and weaving through defenders for his first collegiate touchdown in his first game.

“My goal all camp was just to get in the game,” said Dibilio, who finished with a game-high 86 yards on 14 rush attempts. “That’s what I was hoping for all summer. I couldn’t be happier. On the play I was trying to get in the end zone and once it happened I couldn’t believe it. To score in my first game, I was ecstatic. I’ve been waiting for this game my whole life.”

With the score now 27-22 with 6:49 remaining, the Mountain Hawks emphasized icing the clock. Lehigh ate up nearly five minutes by driving 61 yards on 10 plays, capped by sophomore running back Keith Sherman’s 2-yard score.

The team faced a fourth-and-1 on the Princeton 28 and went to reliable junior running back Zach Barket (15 carries, 44 yards), who picked up seven yards and a first down. Lehigh kept the ball on the ground for the final 28 yards and the insurance score.

“Coach was telling us all week that it’s going to be a tough game and when we get close to the end zone the key is going to be the run and the running backs have to get down low and get it in,” said Sherman, who played for nearby Lawrence High School. “It feels good to be back in this area and getting in the end zone.”

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