Lehigh seeks third straight Patriot title

Bethlehem, PA – Lehigh football will play six home games in a 2012 schedule in which the Mountain Hawks seek their third straight Patriot League title.

The Mountain Hawks went 11-2 and reached the FCS quarterfinals last season under head coach Andy Coen.

"As we all know the league games are very competitive," Coen said. "As defending back-to-back champions, we know we will get every team's best shot. I can't wait for spring ball to kick off (March 23) so we can begin our work in earnest to try and claim our 11th title."

Lehigh will host Monmouth (Sept. 1), Princeton (Sept. 15) and Columbia (Oct. 6) in non-league action as well as Patriot League rivals Fordham (Sept. 29), Bucknell (Oct. 20) and Colgate (Nov. 10). The league has yet to announce whether Fordham, which again will offer athletic scholarships in the season before the rest of the league can do the same, is eligible for the championship.

The Mountain Hawks will face non-league road games at Central Connecticut State (Sept. 8) and Liberty (Sept 22) and then go to league rivals Georgetown (Oct. 13), Holy Cross (Nov. 3) and Lafayette (Nov. 17).

The game against Lafayette will be the 148th meeting in college football's most-played rivalry.

2012 Lehigh Football Schedule

Sept. 1, Monmouth, Goodman Stadium

Sept. 8, at Central Connecticut State, New Britain, Conn.

Sept. 15, Princeton, Goodman Stadium

Sept. 22, at Liberty, Lynchburg, Va.

Sept. 29, Fordham, Goodman Stadium

Oct. 6, Columbia, Goodman Stadium

Oct. 13, at Georgetown*, Washington, D.C.

Oct. 20, Bucknell*, Goodman Stadium

Nov. 3, at Holy Cross*, Worcester, Mass.

Nov. 10, Colgate* Goodman Stadium

Nov. 17, at Lafayette*, Easton, Pa.

* - Patriot League game