BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Lehigh football celebrated Halloween weekend with a dominant performance, shutting out Georgetown 41-0 in front of a costumed crowd Saturday at Goodman Stadium. The victory marked the Mountain Hawks’ first shutout since 2009 and pushed their record to 9-0 overall and 4-0 in Patriot League (PL) play.
The game, dubbed Hawk-O-Ween, featured painted pumpkins, fans in costume and a Lehigh team that overpowered the Hoyas.
Lehigh’s defense set the tone, forcing a three-and-out on Georgetown’s opening drive. The offense capitalized, driving down the field and scoring on a 15-yard touchdown run by sophomore Jaden Green.
The Mountain Hawks continued to build momentum from there. Junior running back Luke Yoder scored twice in the second quarter — first on a 6-yard rush, then again on a 41-yard sprint — giving Lehigh a 20-0 halftime lead.
The defense struck in the third quarter when junior defensive back Aidan Singleton intercepted a pass and returned it 26 yards for his first career touchdown, extending the lead to 27-0.
Lehigh added two more scores in the fourth quarter: a 27-yard touchdown pass from sophomore quarterback Hayden Johnson to senior wideout Geoffrey Jamiel, and a 9-yard rushing score from first-year quarterback Derek Morgan on his first career carry.
The Mountain Hawks recorded a season-high seven sacks, led by senior Tyler Ochojski with three. Georgetown was held under 300 total yards and fewer than 100 rushing yards for the fourth time in five games.
Smith led the team with seven tackles, while Ochojski added six, including four for loss. Junior William Parton also tallied six stops.
Coach Kevin Cahill said he was proud of the team’s complete effort.
“That was the challenge all week long — can we play better than we did last week? And we showed up,” Cahill said. “I’m really proud of our defense playing a shutout. That’s not necessarily our goal, but when you get into the fourth quarter, it turns into the goal.”
Defensive back Mehkai Smith said the team’s preparation paid off.
“At the start of the week the coaches got on us,” Smith said. “We’re trying to perfect our craft. The team as a whole competed today. It showed us we can compete with almost anyone.”
Georgetown (5-4, 2-2 PL) threatened twice in the second half but came up empty. In the third quarter, Smith forced and recovered a fumble at the goal line, and late in the fourth, a fourth-down stop from sophomore Nolan Coen preserved the shutout.
Lehigh finished with 371 total yards, including 193 on the ground. Yoder led the rushing attack with 62 yards and a touchdown on eight carries, while Green added 45 yards and a score. Johnson completed 14 of 21 passes for 178 yards and a touchdown, connecting with Jamiel five times for 72 yards.
With the win, Lehigh improved to 22-2 all-time against Georgetown. The Mountain Hawks’ 41-point margin of victory was their largest since a 45-0 win over Georgetown in 2007.
Lehigh returns home next Saturday, Nov. 8, to host Holy Cross. Kickoff is set for noon at Goodman Stadium.Tickets are available at LehighTickets.com.
