Amazing win over Towson is one for Lehigh to savor

FROM KEITH GROLLER

The offense has been the catalyst, the attention-getter in this memorable football season for Lehigh.

And the Mountain Hawks was again superb in the team's NCAA FCS playoff game at Towson on Saturday, scoring 38 points.

But it was Lehigh's defense that made the game-deciding play in a stunning 40-38 win that sends the Patriot League champs on to the FCS quarterfinals next weekend against North Dakota State.

Tom Bianchi sacked Towson quarterback Grant Elders for the game-deciding safety with 5:14 remaining and Lehigh never let Towson get the ball back in posting one of the best wins in program history.

Lehigh quarterback Chris Lum added one more memorable day to a record-breaking season as he completed 36 of 48 passes for 351 yards and one touchdown.

Junior wide receiver etched his name into the Lehigh record book in a few more spots with a Patriot League playoff record 13 catches for 152 yardss and one touchdown and Jamel Haggins caught a TD pass from running back Matt Fitz.

This was a back-and-forth thriller that featured more 10 touchdowns and more than 800 yards of offense. There were six different ties.

But in the end it was Tom Bianchi's defensive play that decided the outcome.

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And once the Mountain Hawks had the lead back -- they led 3-0, 10-3 and 17-10 in the first half -- they weren't about to lose it as they converted twice on third down and once on fourth down to put the game away.

http://blogs.mcall.com/groller/