Lehigh offense lived up to its billing again in 45-25 win at Colgate

FROM KEITH GROLLER

What can you say about the Lehigh offense?

Unstoppable might be one word to use.

The Mountain Hawks, ranked No. 6 in the country in one FCS poll and No. 7 in the other, continue to amaze offensively.

They racked up 494 yards of offense in the 45-25 Patriot League win over Colgate today here in Hamilton, N.Y. with Chris Lum throwing for four touchdowns and Zach Barket scoring four, including two on receptions from Lum.

Lum now has 30 TD passes this season, one shy of the school record of 31 set by Glenn Kempa in 1991.

Lehigh is now 7-1 and will be at home at Goodman Stadium for the last three games of the regular season beginning with Holy Cross a week from today.

Even with the high school season reaching its culmination with big games next weekend, people should get out and take a look at this Lehigh offense which continues to put up the best numbers in the country among FCS-level schools.

Colgate attempted to thwart Lehigh's passing attack by dropping seven guys into coverage. Lehigh offensive coordinator Dave Cecchini smartly countered with a heavy dose of Barket, who racked up a career-best 188 yards of rushing on 21 carries.

"As usual, I thought we'd pass the ball a lot, but my number was called and I tried to make the most of my opportunities," Barket said. "You can't stop everything. We have a great passing game, but if you try to stop it, we can also run the ball. I think we proved that today."

Northampton grad Billy Boyko, a junior linebacker, had his best day as a Lehigh player, recording 13 tackles, including a sack for a 14-yard loss.

The Lehigh defense was challenged by Colgate's offense, particularly runningback Nate Eachus from Hazleton, but the Mountain Hawks got the big stops when they were most needed.

"Those two touchowns they got should have never happened, and I will take responsibility for one of them," Boyko said. "But it's good that we stepped up when we had to. That's what counts. We'll get the other stuff fixed up."

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