The Mountain Hawks’ losing streak extends to four games as the Princeton Tigers scored 66 unanswered points on their way to a 66-7 victory Saturday afternoon at Princeton Stadium.
Coming off of a much-need bye week, Lehigh (1-4) didn’t catch a break, going up against a stout defensive Princeton (4-0) side that had only given up 26 points through its three games heading into the contest.
Thanks to an early forced fumble by the defense and a 11-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Brad Mayes to freshman wide receiver Austin Dambach on the ensuing drive, Lehigh and Princeton were tied 7-7 heading into the second quarter.
But after that first quarter, Princeton dominated in all phases of the game.
Lehigh didn’t see the back of the end zone again as two turnovers and a 39 percent (7-18) third down conversion rate continued to stall offensive drives throughout the game.
The running game for the Mountain Hawks, usually one of its most dependable units for the team, were unable to find space, getting held to a startling 2.7 yards per rush on 37 attempts.
Mayes struggled completing the ball, making noticeably inaccurate throws at time and finishing with over twice as many attempts as he had completions.
Dambach’s first quarter touchdown, a bright spot for the offense, was the first of his career and his four catches on the day were also a career-high.
On the defensive side, Lehigh could not stop what’s been one of the most explosive teams in the country right now. The Mountain Hawks gave up 733 yards for nine touchdowns, four passing and five rushing.
Tigers quarterback John Lovett already carried two straight Ivy League Offensive Player of the Week awards coming into the game and made a strong case for a third by torching the Lehigh defense, completing 20/28 for 288 yards and three touchdowns and adding 12 carries for 111 yards and another score.
Lehigh’s start to the season in non-conference play leaves the team at 1-4.
However, the Mountain Hawks will enter Patriot League play with an opportunity to start with a fresh record.
Lehigh will begin that opportunity in a home matchup against the winless Fordham Rams on Saturday, Oct. 13 at 12:30 p.m. at Goodman Stadium.
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