Last-second TD lifts Monmouth over Lehigh 28-21

Monmouth University just edged out Lehigh’s football team 28-21, dropping the Mountain Hawks to 0-4 on the season.

Monmouth scored on a 19 yard touchdown catch with just 12 seconds left in the game to take the lead. It was the first time Monmouth had been leading since less than halfway through the first quarter.

Lehigh had been in control for much of the second half, preventing Monmouth from scoring multiple times close to and inside the red zone. Monmouth had an opportunity to kick a field goal early in the second quarter, but the low kick hit the helmet of one of their own players and was blocked. Lehigh blocked a second field goal in the middle of the fourth quarter, keeping the score tied at 21.

Lehigh’s offense was different without starting running back Brandon Yosha, but they still compiled 184 rushing yards and 394 total yards.

Senior Rich Sodeke got the start at running back and led the team’s rushing attack, rushing for 119 yards on 22 carries. He also had a six-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.

Sophomore quarterback Nick Shafnisky was a big part of the run game, totaling 22 carries for 64 yards. He had a four-yard rushing touchdown in the second quarter that gave Lehigh the lead at the time, 14-7.

Shafnisky was injured late in the fourth quarter on a run, though, slamming his shoulder and head into the ground. He did not return to the game, and senior quarterback Matt McHale took over the offense.

Freshman wide receiver Troy Pelletier has proven himself an important part of Lehigh’s offense in the absence of junior Derek Knott. He brought down seven receptions for 80 yards and was open on multiple other passes that went over his head.

Junior wide receiver Stefan Sansone also helped out the Lehigh receiving corps, getting his first career touchdown reception on a 33-yard catch in the first quarter.

But once again Lehigh’s defense was unable to stop the opponent when it mattered. Though they only gave up 512 yards on offense, the first time this season where they stopped their opponent to under 600, it still wasn’t enough.

Lehigh almost took a lead into halftime, but Monmouth quickly drove down the field and scored to tie the game at 14. Had Monmouth not scored, it would’ve been just the second quarter of football all season where Lehigh shut out their opponent.

The silver lining is that Lehigh did manage to go through the whole game without committing a turnover  — this after combining for five in the last three games.

The game was the closest that Lehigh had been to a win all season. It’s their first season with four or more losses since 2009 when they finished 4-7 overall.

Lehigh will have a bye week next Saturday for Pacing Break but will begin their Patriot League play against Bucknell University on Oct. 11 at 12:30 p.m. at Goodman Stadium.