Lehigh captures 21-14 win against Richmond in Patriot League opener

Lehigh Football opened its season today for an energetic Dog Day crowd, as fans and their pets gathered to see the 2024 Patriot League Champions take on the Richmond Spiders. 

The Mountain Hawks fought their way to their first season-opening victory since 2018, defeating the Spiders 21-14.

This was Richmond’s first game as a member of the Patriot League, with 2025 marking the first new addition to the league since Georgetown University joined in 2001. 

A cannon sounded and a ceremonial bell rang for all to hear as the team took the field to prepare for the game, a new tradition part of Lehigh football’s gameday ritual.

With the coin toss in Lehigh’s favor, the Mountain Hawks decided to defer possession, and Richmond received the kickoff to rush 29 yards during their first drive.

Nine seconds before the first quarter came to an end, Richmond’s senior quarterback Kyle Wickersham had a one-yard rush down the middle to claim the first touchdown of the game, bringing the score to 7-0.

With one minute to go in the second quarter, sophomore quarterback Hayden Johnson found sophomore running back Jaden Green in the end zone for a 13-yard touchdown.

Johnson said the offense was focused on staying patient and composed. 

“I think we stayed resilient today, hanging in there, just taking what we could offensively,” Johnson said. “All the guys have my back, and there’s not a time when I come off the field where they’re not picking me up.”

Closing out the first half with a tied score of 7-7, junior linebacker William Parton led the defense with six tackles. On offense, senior wide receiver Geoffrey Jamiel secured 27 receiving yards and two receptions.

Richmond had 62 rushing yards while Lehigh trailed with 45 rushing yards at the end of the half.

Coach Kevin Cahill recognized the challenges that come when facing a new opponent, especially at the beginning of the game. 

“I didn’t think that we had the right energy in the first quarter, especially offensively,” Cahill said. “You’re coming into a game with somewhat of an idea of what they’re doing defensively, but it’s a new opponent, and they’re really talented. So you can’t replicate that in practice.”

Four minutes into the third quarter, Johnson threw to Jamiel to secure a second touchdown for the Mountain Hawks. Senior kicker Nick Garrido made the extra point to take the lead 14-7.

Richmond answered with sophomore wide receiver Isaiah Dawson, who scored a touchdown on a 99-yard kick return and tied the game at 14-14.

Lehigh held possession for the remainder of the third quarter, with 16 rushing attempts, leading against Richmond’s three rushing attempts.

Halfway into the final quarter, Green rushed down the middle for four yards to secure a touchdown for the Mountain Hawks. Garrido led the extra point to completion, taking the lead to 21-14. 

Green credited his offensive line for opening the lane to score. 

“We just wanted to make fast decisions and be decisive in our runs, and trust the people blocking for me,” he said. “That’s how I got my runs.”

Richmond’s junior offensive lineman Kade Kapristo received a penalty for holding, bringing the Spiders’ total penalties for the game to two.

With less than two minutes left in the game, Lehigh’s sophomore defensive back Mekhai Smith made an interception, resulting in a first down at the 11-yard line after stepping out of bounds.

Linebacker Brycen Edwards said the defense prided itself on discipline and effort in crucial moments during the game. 

“We play every single day with effort, energy, and execution,” Edwards said. “Just playing as a team and trying to limit the big plays as best as we can.”

This is the Mountain Hawks’ third win against the Spiders, and Lehigh’s first win in their regular-season faceoffs.

The Mountain Hawks will challenge Sacred Heart University next on Sept. 6 at Goodman Stadium.