HERO Sports welcomes you to "Two-a-Days", where we will preview every single one of the 125 FCS programs, with two being released each day from June 18 to August 18 (with the final day having three in one day). Today we give you … Lehigh.
[divider]MORE: Compare Any Two FCS Players or Any Two FCS Teams[divider]
FCS TEAM BY TEAM PREVIEW: The countdown
FCS PRESEASON TOP 25: The poll
FCS PRESEASON ALL-AMERICA: The teams
Lehigh (5-7 IN 2017)
Patriot League (Lehigh was T-1st in 2017)
COACH: Andy Coen – 13th year (82-56)
2017 OFFENSE: 35.8 ppg (8th in FCS)
2017 DEFENSE: 41.0 ppg (120th in FCS)
SUM IT UP: Everyone within a day's drive of the Lehigh Valley knows the Mountain Hawks have the best offense in the Patriot League. Brad Mayes and Dom Bragalone — both seniors in 2018 — give the offense a multi-dimensional pop that's rare to find at an FCS school. They'll need big years from both guys, following the departure of First-Team All-Patriot receivers Gatlin Casey and Troy Pelletier.
The obvious area of concern for Lehigh is how ineffective its defense was last season, giving up more than 6.5 yards per carry and 40 points per game. Clearly, Lehigh can score enough points to win the League, but it'll likely need more defense if it wants to go back to the playoffs.
BEST-CASE SCENARIO: Lehigh beats Colgate on Family Weekend in an instant classic in November, giving the Hawks an inside track to the playoffs and a chance at an undefeated Patriot League record. More interestingly, the Patriot League's second-place team (that would be Colgate, in this scenario) will likely be good enough to merit some consideration for the playoffs as an at-large team. The Patriot League, which placed two teams in the FCS playoffs in 2013 and 2015, would benefit hugely from a third multi-bid year in six seasons.
[divider]HERO SPORTS FCS PODCAST: Subscribe here
BEST FCS PLAYER BY NUMBER: We count down, No. 99 through No. 1[divider]
TOP RETURNEE: RB Dom Bragalone (All-American, three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons).
THE NEXT FIVE: QB Brad Mayes (First-Team All-Patriot, Threw for 3,886 yards); LB Keith Woetzel (Led team w/ 89 tackles); OL Liborio Ricottilli (21 starts from 2016-17); DB Riley O'Neil (58 Tackles, 5 PD); WR Jorge Portorreal (729 Yards Receiving).
TOP NEWCOMER: WR Raymond Falcone (First-Team All-State in PA).
DID YOU KNOW?: Lehigh isn't directly named after the surrounding valley; it's technically named after the Lehigh Railroad system. Tycoon Asa Parker, who founded the University, had a controlling stake in the railroad.
THE QUOTE: "Our coaching staff has done a great job. I was really thrilled with the thud tackling that we did today. We didn't bring guys to the ground but we had great tackling form. That really can hurt you when you don't tackle the right way. Last year we weren't good tacklers and that was largely because of our technique. That technique has really improved." -Head Coach Andy Coen, following Lehigh's spring game.
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SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT
THE HASHTAG: #GoLehigh
FOOTBALL TWITTER: @LehighFootball
Today on #CampusInsiders, @LehighFootball HC @CoachAndyCoen joined us to discuss staying motivated coming off of two straight championship seasons in the @PatriotLeague. #GoLehigh pic.twitter.com/SxZGi4n3H5
— Stadium (@WatchStadium) July 9, 2018
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BIG SKY BOMBSHELL: MSU Quarterback Chris Murray Won't Play in 2018
MORE PATRIOT LEAGUE PREVIEWS: Bucknell | Colgate | Fordham | Georgetown | Holy Cross | Lafayette
