2008 Woodie Awards
RSSHoly Cross hands team worst loss ever at Goodman
By Greg Page
Issue date: 10/23/07 Section: Sports
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Lehigh fell to 3-4 overall, 0-2 in the Patriot League.
Holy Cross came in to the match on a two game win-streak, after beating Dartmouth College 41-15 and.
That dominance was repeated Saturday as the Crusaders had their way with the Hawks.
"We didn't play football today, and it is a damn shame," senior captain defensive back Ernest Moore said. "We have to play better and it starts with the captains, we have to lead the younger players in all facets of the game."
Lehigh's offense struggled to move the ball down the field all game, settling for three-and-outs and only completing 17 first-downs the entire game.
The Hawks' only touchdown came at the end of the first half when senior quarterback Sedale Threatt connected with junior wide receiver Mike Fitzgerald, making it a 21-10 game.
That's as close as the Hawks would get.
Lehigh's defense could not stop the Crusaders - missed tackles, dropped interceptions, and long receptions were just a few of the Hawks' mistakes that played a part in Holy Cross's historical performance at Goodman Stadium.
"They took advantage of all of our mistakes today," Fitzgerald said. "We came out flat from the beginning and just weren't able to turn it around"
Lehigh took a running approach to try to fight back, rushing the ball 39 times for 177 yards.
The rushing yards were spread around, five Hawks players rushed for over 20 yards, but none for more than 50.
The Hawks struggled to move the ball through the air.Threatt was 12 for 27 on the day for 146 yards along with two interceptions.
Fitzgerald led the Hawks with 66 receiving yards along with the touchdown.
Junior quarterback Dominic Randolph of the Crusaders had an efficient game, connecting on 22 of his 32 pass attempts and tallying 375 total passing yards and three touchdowns.
The Crusaders also ran the ball well, finishing the game with 183 total rushing yards, 74 of those came in the first quarter as junior running back Terrance Gass sliced through the Lehigh defense and into the end-zone for a 74-yard rushing touchdown, putting the Crusaders up 21-3 at the end of the first quarter. Gass ran for 97 yards and two touchdowns in the game.
"This is just embarrassing," junior defensive back Quadir Carter. "Our fans and alums who are here today deserve better than this. We really need to step up and play better."
As the lead grew out of reach, the fans started to file out.
"This is a tough loss to swallow," Fitzgerald said. "But we got to put it behind us; we still have the rest of the season ahead of us."
The Hawks will look to bounce back Saturday at 1 p.m. when they take on the Georgetown University Hoyas at Goodman Stadium.
