Aug. 30, 2012

CENTER VALLEY, Pa. - The Joe Moorhead era is off to an impressive start in the Bronx.

Fordham blew out Division II Lock Haven 55-0 in Moorhead's first game as head coach on Thursday at Jack Coffey Field in one of the most lopsided wins ever for a Patriot League team. The 55 points were the most since Lafayette scored 56 in 2009, and the margin of victory matched the greatest since Lehigh's 69-0 win over Georgetown in 2002 which stands as the most lopsided win for a Patriot League team.

Holy Cross also opened its season on Thursday, beginning under the lights at Fitton Field for the second year in a row. The Crusaders were competitive early with No. 12/14 New Hampshire, but the Wildcats pulled away for a 38-17 win that spoiled the night for a crowd of 12,291.

Three more teams open their season on Saturday, including No. 11/16 Lehigh kicking off at home against Monmouth at 12:30 p.m. on Service Electric 2 Sports. In other action, Colgate is at Albany and Georgetown goes to Davidson will both contests kicking off at 6 p.m.

at Fordham 55, Lock Haven 0
Box Score

BRONX, N.Y. - Fordham (1-0) opened the Joe Moorhead era in impressive fashion by controlling play from start to finish in a 55-0 thumping of Division II Lock Haven (0-1) on Thursday at Jack Coffey Field.

The Rams tied for the third-largest margin of victory in Patriot League history, and their 55 points were the most since Lafayette put up 56 against Colgate in 2009. Fordham recorded its first shutout since 2008 and snapped a nine-game losing streak that carried over from last season.

Fordham jumped out to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter on a touchdown run by quarterback Ryan Higgins and two more by another quarterback, Michael Nebrich. Higgins threw a 17-yard strike to Greg Wilson in the second quarter for a 28-0 lead at the half. The second half opened with Patrick Murray setting a Patriot League record with a 52-yard field goal, and the third-quarter scoring continued with Nebrich throwing a 13-yard touchdown to Wilson and Murray making another field goal for a 41-0 advantage. Nebrich and Jared Crayton had fourth-quarter touchdown runs to complete the scoring in the 55-0 triumph.

Higgins completed 16-of-23 passes for 229 yards and a touchdown, while Nebrich threw for 36 yards and a score and ran for 58 and three touchdowns. Carlton Koonce led the way on the ground with 146 yards, while Nick Talbert had eight receptions for 105 yards. Murray had a big night, making both of his field goal attempts and booting his only punt for 50 yards. Michael Martin led the defense with nine tackles and one of Fordham's five sacks, while Ian Williams had an interception. Fordham had a 530-126 edge in total offense.

The Rams win their season opener for the first time since 2008, though they claimed a victory in their first game at Jack Coffey Field for the third straight season. It was the 750th win in school history, making Fordham just the 15th school overall and fifth in the FCS to hit the mark.

No. 12/14 New Hampshire 38, Holy Cross 17
Box Score

WORCESTER, Mass. - No. 12/14 New Hampshire (1-0) was too much for Holy Cross (0-1) as the Wildcats pulled away for a 38-17 win over the Crusaders under the lights at Fitton Field on Thursday.

After New Hampshire scored the only touchdown of the first quarter, Holy Cross had a brief lead as Kevin Watson scored on a four-yard run for a 7-6 advantage with 11:59 to play in the second quarter. New Hampshire re-claimed the lead less than two minutes later, and pushed the advantage to 19-10 at the half. New Hampshire added a touchdown in the third quarter and two more in the fourth before Holy Cross completed the scoring with a two-yard touchdown run by Matt Bellomo in the closing minutes.

Watson completed 33-of-47 passes for 271 yards and ran for the score for the Crusaders, though he was intercepted twice. Mike Fess caught 10 passes for 85 yards, while Roman San Doval led the defense with 13 tackles.

Holy Cross fell in its Thursday night home opener for the second year in a row after dropping a matchup with Massachusetts in 2011. The Crusaders and Wildcats played in front of a crowd of 12,291.