Lehigh @ NDSU

[The_Fan]

Are any of the teams on Lehigh's schedule that accomplished of rushing teams? Princeton seemed to have decent success running the ball...which led me to look up Lehigh's opponents and see their rushing success or lack thereof against them.

Monmouth (72nd-best rushing offense): 32 carries for 102 yards
UNH (57th-best): 34-117
Princeton (21st) : 35-166
Liberty (54th): 32-107
Yale (67th): 30-83
Bucknell (84th): 32-38
Fordham (108th): 25-81
Colgate (15th): 32-106
Holy Cross (78th): 25-70
Georgetown (63rd): 25-48
Lafayette (98th): 38-72
Towson (11th): 38-125

What does all this mean? Well, on average, Lehigh faced a team that was the 61st-best rushing offense. Given all the ripping that NDSU's 'mediocre' (45th) pass defense has taken, why no criticism for Lehigh's overrated run defense? Your schedule didn't have many Shakir Bells or Jamaine Cooks on it, now did it?

Despite NDSU's rushing offense being only 50th-best in the country statistically, I feel that they have a strong advantage here as the Lehigh defensive linemen are not all that big and are a likely target of the NDSU offensive gameplan...I hope they're deep. I expect a few long drives from NDSU, probably around 3-4.

wow, good stuff

now

lets look at it the right way by comparing how many rushing yards Lehigh's defense allowed compared to the opponents average yards per game

Monmouth (72nd-best rushing offense): 32 carries for 102 yards
Lehigh allowed 38 yards less than the average of 140 yards/game

UNH (57th-best): 34-117
Lehigh allowed 36 less yards than the average of 153 yards/game

Princeton (21st) : 35-166
Lehigh allowed 36 yards less than the average of 202 yards/game

Liberty (54th): 32-107
Lehigh allowed 49 yards less than the avearge of 156 yards/game

Yale (67th): 30-83
Lehigh allowed 60 yards less than the average of 143/game

Bucknell (84th): 32-38
Lehigh allowed 86 yards less than the average of 124 yards/game

Fordham (108th): 25-81
Lehigh allowed 5 yards less than the average of 86 yards/game

Colgate (15th): 32-106
Lehigh allowed 111 yards less than the average of 217/game

Holy Cross (78th): 25-70
Lehigh allowed 63 yards less than the average of 133 yards/game

Georgetown (63rd): 25-48
Lehigh allowed 100 less yards than the average of 148 per game

Lafayette (98th): 38-72
Lehigh allowed 28 yards less than the average of 100 yards/game

Towson (11th): 38-125
Lehigh allowed 105 yards less than the average of 230 yards/game

[Gil Dobie]

1 Common Opponent, FWIW

Lafayette Lehigh
1st Downs 24 21
Total Yards 259 428
Passing 187 285
Rushing 72 143
Penalties 9-76 14-165
3rd Down Conversions 4-14 5-14
4th Down Conversions 1-2 0-0
Turnovers 4 1
Possession 32:07 27:53

Lafayette NDSU
1st Downs 8 18
Total Yards 198 416
Passing 144 236
Rushing 54 180
Penalties 5-39 2-20
3rd Down Conversions 2-12 7-14
4th Down Conversions 1-1 2-2
Turnovers 0 0
Possession 27:55 32:05

[89Hen]

FWIW

War, huh, good God. What is it good for...

[CAA Flagship]

FWIW

War, huh, good God. What is it good for...

Absolutely nothing. Say it again.

[BisonBacker]

Insert phunky70's music here........

[rkwittem]

Are any of the teams on Lehigh's schedule that accomplished of rushing teams? Princeton seemed to have decent success running the ball...which led me to look up Lehigh's opponents and see their rushing success or lack thereof against them.

Monmouth (72nd-best rushing offense): 32 carries for 102 yards
UNH (57th-best): 34-117
Princeton (21st) : 35-166
Liberty (54th): 32-107
Yale (67th): 30-83
Bucknell (84th): 32-38
Fordham (108th): 25-81
Colgate (15th): 32-106
Holy Cross (78th): 25-70
Georgetown (63rd): 25-48
Lafayette (98th): 38-72
Towson (11th): 38-125

What does all this mean? Well, on average, Lehigh faced a team that was the 61st-best rushing offense. Given all the ripping that NDSU's 'mediocre' (45th) pass defense has taken, why no criticism for Lehigh's overrated run defense? Your schedule didn't have many Shakir Bells or Jamaine Cooks on it, now did it?

Despite NDSU's rushing offense being only 50th-best in the country statistically, I feel that they have a strong advantage here as the Lehigh defensive linemen are not all that big and are a likely target of the NDSU offensive gameplan...I hope they're deep. I expect a few long drives from NDSU, probably around 3-4.

wow, good stuff

now

lets look at it the right way by comparing how many rushing yards Lehigh's defense allowed compared to the opponents average yards per game

Monmouth (72nd-best rushing offense): 32 carries for 102 yards
Lehigh allowed 38 yards less than the average of 140 yards/game

UNH (57th-best): 34-117
Lehigh allowed 36 less yards than the average of 153 yards/game

Princeton (21st) : 35-166
Lehigh allowed 36 yards less than the average of 202 yards/game

Liberty (54th): 32-107
Lehigh allowed 49 yards less than the avearge of 156 yards/game

Yale (67th): 30-83
Lehigh allowed 60 yards less than the average of 143/game

Bucknell (84th): 32-38
Lehigh allowed 86 yards less than the average of 124 yards/game

Fordham (108th): 25-81
Lehigh allowed 5 yards less than the average of 86 yards/game

Colgate (15th): 32-106
Lehigh allowed 111 yards less than the average of 217/game

Holy Cross (78th): 25-70
Lehigh allowed 63 yards less than the average of 133 yards/game

Georgetown (63rd): 25-48
Lehigh allowed 100 less yards than the average of 148 per game

Lafayette (98th): 38-72
Lehigh allowed 28 yards less than the average of 100 yards/game

Towson (11th): 38-125
Lehigh allowed 105 yards less than the average of 230 yards/game

The problem with this line of thinking is that it takes us right back to square one. Did Lehigh dominate these teams' rushing offenses because they are excellent or because these teams were pedestrian? I'm tempted to say a little of both, based primarily on the Towson effort. Don't forget they gave up 38 points anyway....and points are all that matters in the end.

[Lehigh1985]

Hmmm... As much as I hate to admit it (and i really do hate the idea) the_fan makes a pretty significant point here and it's not just a convenient stat or far out interpolation. It's actually quite impressive.

I don't think it matters how good or bad the running game of the opponent really is but the fact that in almost every case Lehigh held them to significant yardage below their averages... and subsequentlty lowered their run averages per game to boot making the number even more significant. There's definitely something to be said about getting that type of job done week in and week out on a consistent basis. I was willing to accept the skeptics about the lehigh run defense with a wait and see attitude but I think I'm a believer now. It's not like they haven't faced a big time run attack. Colgate, Princeton, Towson, NH... And there's more that goes with that. Take someone out of their normal game and they have to resort to alternative offensive methods which no matter how you cut it adds significant advantage defensively. I think that's what is going to make the NDSU game interesting. As in the case with Towson, I think Lehigh has gotten super lucky drawing two almost exclusive running game teams. Just luck of the draw. I'm not half as confident in Lehigh's pass defense as I am the run and one nice thing about that is I think you're less likely to get burned by the big play against a run team. Conversely, Lum can light it up very quickly. No matter what happens I think NDSU is going to have to score 40+ to stay in this one and if the Lehigh run defense holds true to form to date, I think it might be tough for NDSU to score enough points in 60 minutes. I don't know much about NDSU but their linebackers and safety are going to be busy. Stick in a zone and Lum will rip it to shreds with slants and tight end usage. Try man and sooner or later Spadola or Drwal is going to get you. Remember that Ryan is prototypical pro set WR at 6'3", 225 and is said to run in the 4.4 territory. Tough for a linebacker to stick with. I think Lehigh's biggest advantage will be that NDSU hasn't seen an offense like this in a mostly run conference as far as I can tell.

Lastly, Just looking at FCS, I think it's sort of rare or an anomalie this year that you have a team with such a dangerous pass offense and what has been to date, a super strong rush defense. Don't seem to be many teams with that combination. Maybe it's just a trend but it seems to work well for the hawks. Probably comes down to turnovers but expect Lum to get 400+ in the air and 35 points. You can bet that they're going to air it out early and often and look for a lot of quick passes on slants, wheel routes and play action to offset defensive pressure. Run after catch will be big. Work from there. And, if NDSU tries to play man, this could be over early. They're going to have to really control the secondary to make this work. Sidenote: Pass interference calls could be a huge factor in this game.

I think it should be a helluva' game.

[TwinTownBisonFan]

Hmmm... As much as I hate to admit it (and i really do hate the idea) the_fan makes a pretty significant point here and it's not just a convenient stat or far out interpolation. It's actually quite impressive.

I don't think it matters how good or bad the running game of the opponent really is but the fact that in almost every case Lehigh held them to significant yardage below their averages... and subsequentlty lowered their run averages per game to boot making the number even more significant. There's definitely something to be said about getting that type of job done week in and week out on a consistent basis. I was willing to accept the skeptics about the lehigh run defense with a wait and see attitude but I think I'm a believer now. It's not like they haven't faced a big time run attack. Colgate, Princeton, Towson, NH... And there's more that goes with that. Take someone out of their normal game and they have to resort to alternative offensive methods which no matter how you cut it adds significant advantage defensively. I think that's what is going to make the NDSU game interesting. As in the case with Towson, I think Lehigh has gotten super lucky drawing two almost exclusive running game teams. Just luck of the draw. I'm not half as confident in Lehigh's pass defense as I am the run and one nice thing about that is I think you're less likely to get burned by the big play against a run team. Conversely, Lum can light it up very quickly. No matter what happens I think NDSU is going to have to score 40+ to stay in this one and if the Lehigh run defense holds true to form to date, I think it might be tough for NDSU to score enough points in 60 minutes. I don't know much about NDSU but their linebackers and safety are going to be busy. Stick in a zone and Lum will rip it to shreds with slants and tight end usage. Try man and sooner or later Spadola or Drwal is going to get you. Remember that Ryan is prototypical pro set WR at 6'3", 225 and is said to run in the 4.4 territory. Tough for a linebacker to stick with. I think Lehigh's biggest advantage will be that NDSU hasn't seen an offense like this in a mostly run conference as far as I can tell.

Lastly, Just looking at FCS, I think it's sort of rare or an anomalie this year that you have a team with such a dangerous pass offense and what has been to date, a super strong rush defense. Don't seem to be many teams with that combination. Maybe it's just a trend but it seems to work well for the hawks. Probably comes down to turnovers but expect Lum to get 400+ in the air and 35 points. You can bet that they're going to air it out early and often and look for a lot of quick passes on slants, wheel routes and play action to offset defensive pressure. Run after catch will be big. Work from there. And, if NDSU tries to play man, this could be over early. They're going to have to really control the secondary to make this work. Sidenote: Pass interference calls could be a huge factor in this game.

I think it should be a helluva' game.

1. Spadola is out for the game - suspended (If what has been posted is accurate)
2. Spread passing offenses can score quickly, no doubt... but have trouble holding leads... they are also vulnerable when a ball-control team limits their number of possessions and shortens the game on them... that is what the Bison do very well.
3. As JMU learned last week - surviving four quarters against a team as big and physical as NDSU has proven VERY difficult for FCS teams this year... the two that hung with or beat them YSU and SIU were also big and physical... the other two that gave them a good game before coming short in the end were ISU-Blue and UNI... both very physical teams who in the end broke down before the Bison...

I agree that this game could go the way of a shootout - or the way of a slugfest... I don't see a blowout either way...

[Lehigh1985]

Spadola is playing. He made a public apology on Twitter and to staff and team and I've heard of no further action.

[The_Fan]

Spadola is playing. He made a public apology on Twitter and to staff and team and I've heard of no further action.

people are also forgetting that Lehigh has the 2nd best receiver in the FCS

#9 Jake Drwal

[The_Fan]

The problem with this line of thinking is that it takes us right back to square one. Did Lehigh dominate these teams' rushing offenses because they are excellent or because these teams were pedestrian? I'm tempted to say a little of both, based primarily on the Towson effort. Don't forget they gave up 38 points anyway....and points are all that matters in the end.

good one

you begin by attempting to prove that Lehigh's rush defense is not all that good

you get utterly destroyed in that argument with FACTS that show that Lehigh allowed LESS rushing yards, in some cases significantly less, than the average rushing yardage of EVERY opponent that they have faced this year.

then

you change it by claiming that points are all that matter anyway

ok, here are some points for you:

Lehigh is 11-1, having lost only to a ranked playoff team in OT on a truly bad ref call

[GreatFallsNDSUFAN]

The crowd will be rockin! 3x as loud as UNI game last year when the place was half empty with students on Turkey Break. Pressure on the QB will be crazy!

[griz8791]

^Love this person's username.

[UD77]

"Monmouth (72nd-best rushing offense): 32 carries for 102 yards
UNH (57th-best): 34-117
Princeton (21st) : 35-166
Liberty (54th): 32-107
Yale (67th): 30-83
Bucknell (84th): 32-38
Fordham (108th): 25-81
Colgate (15th): 32-106
Holy Cross (78th): 25-70
Georgetown (63rd): 25-48
Lafayette (98th): 38-72
Towson (11th): 38-125"

What a killer schedule - I am surprise that Lehigh was able to make play-offs with such a difficult path.

[UD77]

by rkwittem
Given all the ripping that NDSU's 'mediocre' (45th) pass defense has taken, why no criticism for Lehigh's overrated run defense? Your schedule didn't have many Shakir Bells or Jamaine Cooks on it, now did it?

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CAA Champion Towson's running back Terrance West, the top running back in the FCS, was limited to 54 yards rushing by the Lehigh rushing defense last week...

I hope this helps
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I think Towson stopped West more than Lehigh did. Didn't he only carry the ball about 12-15 times? 4.5 to 3.6 yards a carry. He is and will be a force in the future. Not sure why Towson didn't use him.

[Lehigh1985]

Well... maybe if Delaware had won their conference against the winner of said conference who we beat at their own house you'd be less bitter. We beat 11 teams and the best team in your conference. Get over it. Patriot league is not as easy as everyone makes it out to be. We don't get to play SFA or Nichols state... College of the Incarnate, Texas Teacher's college, etc. Every game is tough. Lehigh just happens to be a standout this year with way more weapons than the top CAA team could handle. Take your sour grapes elsewhere. To lose at home, the best CAA team is simply not as good as the best Patriot league team regardless of conference strentgth. Period.

[UD77]

Well... maybe if Delaware had won their conference against the winner of said conference who we beat at their own house you'd be less bitter. We beat 11 teams and the best team in your conference. Get over it. Patriot league is not as easy as everyone makes it out to be. We don't get to play SFA or Nichols state... College of the Incarnate, Texas Teacher's college, etc. Every game is tough. Lehigh just happens to be a standout this year with way more weapons than the top CAA team could handle. Take your sour grapes elsewhere. To lose at home, the best CAA team is simply not as good as the best Patriot league team regardless of conference strentgth. Period.

Delaware beat Towson this year. Beat ODU too. Didn't play JMU or UNH. Only lost to one play off team at Maine. Unfortunately we also lost to the weaker teams in the CAA and Navy. Any CAA team had a much harder path to the play-offs than Lehigh did. Congrats on beating Towson.

[GannonFan]

Well... maybe if Delaware had won their conference against the winner of said conference who we beat at their own house you'd be less bitter. We beat 11 teams and the best team in your conference. Get over it. Patriot league is not as easy as everyone makes it out to be. We don't get to play SFA or Nichols state... College of the Incarnate, Texas Teacher's college, etc. Every game is tough. Lehigh just happens to be a standout this year with way more weapons than the top CAA team could handle. Take your sour grapes elsewhere. To lose at home, the best CAA team is simply not as good as the best Patriot league team regardless of conference strentgth. Period.

That's odd, I'm pretty sure I remember UD running all over Towson. Nah, you must be right, probably didn't happen.

[Lehigh1985]

And Delaware is doing what this weekend? Watching ESPN3 becuase they couldn't do it week in and week out like the rest of the teams in the playoffs still alive. End of story.

[The_Fan]

Well... maybe if Delaware had won their conference against the winner of said conference who we beat at their own house you'd be less bitter. We beat 11 teams and the best team in your conference. Get over it. Patriot league is not as easy as everyone makes it out to be. We don't get to play SFA or Nichols state... College of the Incarnate, Texas Teacher's college, etc. Every game is tough. Lehigh just happens to be a standout this year with way more weapons than the top CAA team could handle. Take your sour grapes elsewhere. To lose at home, the best CAA team is simply not as good as the best Patriot league team regardless of conference strentgth. Period.

That's odd, I'm pretty sure I remember UD running all over Towson. Nah, you must be right, probably didn't happen.

I am sorry, but when you say "UD running all over Towson", what part do you mean?


Delaware v. Towson

Yards Rushing
201 - Delaware
229 - Towson

Yards Passing
56 - Delaware
159 - Towson

Total Offense
257 - Delaware
388 - Towson

[GannonFan]

And Delaware is doing what this weekend? Watching ESPN3 becuase they couldn't do it week in and week out like the rest of the teams in the playoffs still alive. End of story.

Didn't you hear, Towson was just happy to be there.

[GannonFan]

That's odd, I'm pretty sure I remember UD running all over Towson. Nah, you must be right, probably didn't happen.

I am sorry, but when you say "UD running all over Towson", what part do you mean?


Delaware v. Towson

Yards Rushing
201 - Delaware
229 - Towson

Yards Passing
56 - Delaware
159 - Towson

Total Offense
257 - Delaware
388 - Towson

Hey, do me a favor, since you're just googling stats for a game you didn't watch or really know anything about, why don't you list the return yardage as well. I guess if we weren't running the ball back so much we could've gotten some more "total offense" - darn Towson tricking us into long returns and keeping our stats down just so that some internet dude who didn't watch the game could try to use it against us.

[Rob Iola]

Spadola is playing. He made a public apology on Twitter and to staff and team and I've heard of no further action.

people are also forgetting that Lehigh has the 2nd best receiver in the FCS

#9 Jake Drwal

My 300 pound diabetic Auntie Sarah would be the 2nd best receiver in the FCS if she lined up on the opposite side of the formation from Spadola...

[89Hen]

Patriot league is not as easy as everyone makes it out to be. We don't get to play SFA or Nichols state... College of the Incarnate, Texas Teacher's college, etc. Every game is tough.

[The_Fan]

people are also forgetting that Lehigh has the 2nd best receiver in the FCS

#9 Jake Drwal

My 300 pound diabetic Auntie Sarah would be the 2nd best receiver in the FCS if she lined up on the opposite side of the formation from Spadola...

So, I take it that you are admitting that you know absolutely nothing about Lehigh WR Drwal - considered almost equal to Spadola in many circles.