Lehigh defeats Fordham as they continue their undefeated season

The Mountain Hawks (6-0) beat the Fordham Rams (1-5) at Goodman Stadium 34-0, extending their FCS-best regular season unbeaten streak to 23 games.

On a warm October day in Bethlehem, the Lehigh defense shone on the field, forcing five turnovers to go along with six sacks. This victory was their first shutout win since a 41-0 victory against Georgetown University in 2025, and their most takeaways in a game since a win at Holy Cross in 2016.

Before the game, sophomore quarterback Derek Morgan’s teammates voted him as today’s captain, and their confidence in him was not misplaced. Morgan had 152 passing yards and three touchdowns, both career highs.

Morgan — filling in for the injured Hayden Johnson for the fourth straight game — is feeling more comfortable week after week, and attributed his success today to his teammates’ confidence in him.

“Every start I get under my belt, you just start feeling more comfortable each week,” Morgan said. “Knowing I had the trust in my team, I was able to go in feeling loose, ready to go”.

His strong showing helped Lehigh win their third game in a row against the Rams, and improve their all-time record to 28-10.

Senior running back Luke Yoder continued his dominance this season as he tallied 174 rushing yards and one touchdown. Yoder brought his season total to 13 total touchdowns, and his career rushing touchdowns total to 42, which tied Rod Gardner, ‘77, for second on Lehigh’s career rushing touchdowns list. 

Yoder is now four touchdowns shy of tying the school-record 46 career rushing touchdowns set by Dominick Bragalone, ‘18.

Sophomore wide receiver Anthony Feaster caught his first and second career touchdowns to add to Lehigh’s great offensive showing. 

“It was long overdue,” Feaster said. “I needed it”.

The Mountain Hawks scored their first three touchdowns of the afternoon on 3rd down, a trend that head coach Rich Nagy attributed to their preparation throughout the week.

“I’m a big believer in first down, third down and the red zone…if we can be successful in those three situations, we get a chance to do well.” Nagy said. “And we practice them a lot.”

The Lehigh defense, ranked eighth in the FCS in points allowed per game coming into this week, played a big role in the offense’s high-scoring showing. A flurry of turnovers and capitalizing on great field position led to a late-second-quarter scoring outburst to lead the two teams into halftime.

With three minutes left in the first half, Lehigh led 7-0. 

After a 10-yard touchdown pass from Morgan, a forced fumble and fumble recovery on the ensuing kickoff led to a 10-yard touchdown run from Yoder, followed by an interception by junior defensive back Ignatious Williams on Fordham’s next drive.

After  a 29-yard touchdown pass from Morgan, another interception from fifth-year defensive back Nick Peltekian and a 26-yard field goal from junior kicker Connor Poole as time expired, the Mountain Hawks led 31-0 going into the break.

The Rams’ offense only passed midfield once through the whole game, and were held to just 42 rushing yards. 

This is the second game in a row Lehigh has held their opponent under 50 rushing yards. 

“Going into games, we know that their offenses aren’t going to run the ball on us. It’s not an option,” senior linebacker William Parton said post-game. “They haven’t the past four years, they’re not going to.” 

Fortin led the defense with five tackles, along with intercepting senior Fordham quarterback Gunnar Smith in the third quarter, leading to a Connor Poole field goal that brought the final score to 34-0. 

Nagy was encouraged by the complimentary football that the offense, defense and special teams played on the day.

“Each group wants to top the other group…defense gets an interception–well, the offense wants to score on the first play,” Nagy said. “It goes back to how they really are as a brotherhood, and the love they have for each other”.

The Mountain Hawks have their bye week next Saturday, and will look to remain undefeated on Oct. 17 as they head to Cornell to play their third and final non-league game of the regular season.