Aug. 30, 2006

The Andy Coen era officially gets underway on Saturday afternoon as Lehigh opens its 2006 season versus the Great Danes of Albany on Kids Day at Goodman Stadium. Coen was named the 28th head football coach in January and Saturday will serve as his first ever game as a head coach. Lehigh is coming off of an 8-3 season in 2005, which marked the eighth consecutive year the Mountain Hawks had won at least eight games, something only one other school (Montana) has accomplished in that time span. Albany arrives in Bethlehem with high expectations for the season, as the Great Danes were selected along with Central Connecticut State as the favorites in the Northeast Conference.

Lehigh and Albany have met only one previous time, which came during the 2004 season. Marques Thompson, then a sophomore, had a career day, scoring three touchdowns as the Brown and White rolled to a convincing 44-14 victory at Goodman Stadium. Thompson finished with 89 yards rushing, while Mark Borda threw for 248 of his own yards and three touchdowns.

Andy Coen isn't the only new head coach in the Patriot League. Fordham and Georgetown both have first-year mentors as well, with Tom Masella taking over the reigns in the Bronx, and Kevin Kelly leading the Hoya program. In all there were 19 coaching changes around the country in the offseason.

Saturday is the annual Kids Day celebration at Goodman Stadium, with games and activities for children of all ages. The football game kicks off at 1:07 with Kids Day activities commencing at 11:30 am Tickets for the game are still available, and may be purchased three ways: in person during normal business hours at the Grace Hall ticket window, by phone during normal business hours at (610) 7LU-GAME, or on-line anytime at lehighsports.com.

Date: September 2, 2006

Opponent: Albany Great Danes

Kickoff: 1:07 pm

Stadium: Goodman Stadium/16,000/Natural Grass

Location: Bethlehem, Pa.

Tickets: Tickets can be purchased by calling (610) 7LU-GAME

Lehigh's Record: 8-3 overall, 4-2 Patriot League (2005)

Albany's Record: 5-6 overall, 4-3 NEC (2005)

Series: Lehigh leads, 1-0

Last Meeting: Lehigh 44, Albany 14 (Bethlehem, 2004)

Television: Service Electric 2 Sports live, lehighsports.com live, Fox College Sports Atlantic Wednesday, Sept. 6

Radio: ESPN Radio 1230 and 1320 AM with Matt Kerr, Marty Horn, Tom Fallon, and Jeff Barr at 12:00 pm

Internet Broadcast: www.lehighsports.com

Weekly Luncheon: Luncheons are held the Wednesday prior to each game at Starter's Restaurant on Rte. 378 in Bethlehem, from 11:30 am - 1:00 pm

Game Notes: Click Here

Key Stats:
• The Mountain Hawks have scored in double digits for 34 consecutive games, dating back to November 23, 2002 when they were held to seven points vs. Lafayette.

• Lehigh led the Patriot League in scoring offense (36.3 ppg), pass offense (243.5 yds), total offense (407.7 yds), pass efficiency (132.5), third down conversions (43.9%), fourth down conversions (83.3%), rushing defense (104.4 yds), and sacks (36) in 2005.

• Junior quarterback Sedale Threatt had the top mark in all of the Patriot League a season ago in terms of pass efficiency, finishing at 126.8. Threatt enters today's game with a career record of 4-1 as a starter.

•Albany ranked 11th in the country last season in both rushing defense (113.1 ypg) and scoring defense (17.6 ppg) and was 15th nationally in total defense (305.4 ypg).

Behind Enemy Lines: http://www.albany.edu/sports