Sept 20, 2003

By TOM CANAVAN
AP Sports Writer

PRINCETON, N.J. (AP) - Chad Schwenk threw for 301 yards and matched his career-best with four touchdown passes in leading Lehigh to a 28-13 victory over error-prone Princeton Saturday night.

Linebacker Tom McGeoy intercepted a pass and recovered two fumbles as Lehigh (3-0) forced four turnovers in spoiling the season opener for the Tigers.

The victory was the Mountain Hawks' seventh straight against Princeton since 1996 and their 18th in 19 games against Ivy League opponents since 1997.

Schwenk, who hit 24 of 41 passes, found tailback Jermaine Pugh with scoring passes of 19 and 10 yards to start and end his TD binge. The senior also had a 25-yard scoring pass to tight end Adam Bergen and a 23-yarder to Adam Kovacs in helping Lehigh open a 28-0 lead.

Matt Verbit hit B.J. Szymanski on a 75-yard scoring pass and found Blair Morrison on a 19-yarder as Princeton made the score respectable in the fourth quarter.

Besides the turnovers, the Tigers also missed a field goal, an extra point and had a penalty nullify a 60-yard punt return for a touchdown by Greg Fields.

Schwenk also had four touchdown passes in a game against Georgetown last season. His 301 yards passing was one shy of his career best, set in the season opener this year against Holy Cross.

Schwenk, who started his career at nearby Rutgers, drove Lehigh 69 yards on the opening possession, capping the march with a flip to Pugh, who broke two tackles in reaching the end zone.

McGeoy's interception and 15-yard return later in the first quarter set up the touchdown pass to Bergen, who finished with 12 catches for 173 yards, both career highs.

McGeoy's first fumble recovery stopped Princeton at the Lehigh 12 early in the second quarter. His second recovery stopped the Tigers at the Mountain Hawks' 34 just before halftime.

Lehigh blew the game open in the third quarter.

Verbit hit 16-of-36 for 296 yards. He also ran 13 times for 70 yards.

Pugh came into the game leading Division 1-AA with a 150.5 yard average. He was held to 64 yards on 23 carries after gaining 40 yards on his first four rushes.