UNI Football: Lehigh on a 7-game winstreak

The Lehigh football team visiting the UNI-Dome on Saturday is on a roll.

The Mountain Hawks are 9-2 after winning their fifth Patriot League title this decade with a 5-0 record. They are riding a seven-game winning streak.

“This has been a great season for us,” said Lehigh Coach Andy Coen, who has his team in the playoffs for the first time since 2004. “We got better as the season went on. You want to get better each week.”

The Mountain Hawks opened with a 28-14 win at Drake. Coen is hopeful the season doesn't end in Iowa.

“We're a better football team now than when we played Drake,” he said. “The kids are finding a way to make plays and that's the sign of a good team.”

Included in that string is a season-ending 20-13 victory over Lafayette, the “most-played” college football rivalry in the country at 146 games. “It's war,” Coen said.

Lehigh's offense is led by quarterback Chris Lum, who has passed for 2,252 yards and 15 touchdowns. His favorite receivers are Ryan Spadola (64 receptions, 931 yards) and Jake Drwal (42, 458). The Mountain Hawks averaged 113.5 rushing yards a game.

“I think their offensive line is very good,” UNI Coach Mark Farley said after watching film for two days. “I think that's a strength.”

While Lehigh has the momentum with its winning streak, UNI has the home field and experience on its side. Lehigh hasn't won a playoff game since 2001. The Panthers are in the playoffs for the 15th time and have 18 wins, including two in 2008.

Still, Farley knows he's facing a good team.

“There's no question they are an intelligent team,” he said. “They don't beat themselves.”

By J.R. Ogden, The Gazette