MOSCOW, Idaho – Patriot League Co-Champion Lehigh (9-4, 5-1 PL) could not keep pace with No. 8 Idaho (10-3, 6-2 Big Sky), falling 34-13, in the NCAA DI FCS Championship Second Round on Saturday at the Kibbie Dome.
 
Lehigh graduate student quarterback Dante Perri found the end zone in the fourth quarter on a one-yard run, and junior placekicker Nick Garrido connected on a pair of first-half field goals for the Mountain Hawks.
 
Junior linebacker Brycen Edwards posted a team-high eight tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss (TFLs). Junior defensive lineman TJ Burke added three tackles and one sack.
 
Head coach Kevin Cahill, the Patriot League Coach of the Year, guided the Mountain Hawks to a seven-win turnaround from last season and their first League title and postseason appearance since 2017.
 
NCAA DI FCS INTERACTIVE BRACKET | NCAA DI FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP INFORMATION
 
AT NO. 8 IDAHO VANDALS (10-3, 6-2 Big Sky) 34, LEHIGH MOUNTAIN HAWKS (9-4, 5-1 PL) 13
P1FCU Kibbie Dome/Moscow, Idaho             Saturday, December 7 – 9 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
BOX SCORE
MOSCOW, Idaho – Lehigh fell to No. 8 Idaho, 34-13, in the Second Round of the FCS Championship at the Kibbie Dome in Moscow, Idaho.
*Graduate student quarterback Dante Perri rushed for a late touchdown, and junior placekicker Nick Garrido connected on field goals of 35 and 39 yards to account for the Mountain Hawks’ scoring.
*Lehigh outgained the Vandals on the ground, rushing for 169 yards, with sophomore running back Luke Yoder leading the way with 74 yards on 11 carries.
*First-year quarterback Hayden Johnson added 69 rushing yards on 12 carries while completing 13-of-27 passes for 143 yards and an interception.
*Sophomore wide receiver Mason Humphrey caught a team-high six passes for 98 yards for Lehigh’s offense.
*Junior linebacker Brycen Edwards posted eight tackles and 1.5 TFLs, while classmate TJ Burke added three tackles and one sack.
*The Vandals’ quarterback Jack Layne completed a pair of first-half touchdown passes to wide receiver Jordan Dwyer and one to receiver Mark Hamper to take a 19-6 halftime lead.
*Idaho continued to roll in the third quarter, as running back Deshaun Buchanan capped their first drive with a two-yard touchdown run.
*Vandals’ linebacker Zach Johnson returned an interception 74 yards for a score on Lehigh’s ensuing drive to take a 34-6 lead.
*The Mountain Hawks found the end zone late after Perri entered the game for Lehigh’s final drive. He went 4-for-4, including three completions to junior wide receiver Geoffrey Jamiel before rushing for a one-yard touchdown.
*Jamiel finished with four catches for 67 yards, while Perri went 4-for-4 for 59 passing yards.
RECAP: LEHIGH | IDAHO
 
 
PATRIOT LEAGUE IN THE FCS PLAYOFFS
•Since 1997, Colgate and Lehigh are tied for the Patriot League lead with six FCS Playoff victories. Fordham (3) and Holy Cross (2) have also earned victories in the playoffs.
 
•Patriot League teams are 10-18 in FCS Playoff games since 2010, winning at least one postseason game in nine seasons during that span. Patriot League teams have reached the quarterfinal round four times since 2010: Lehigh (2011), Colgate (2015 and 2018) and Holy Cross (2022).
 
ABOUT THE PATRIOT LEAGUE
The Patriot League is in its fourth decade of academic and athletic achievement, continually demonstrating that student-athletes can excel at both academics and athletics without sacrificing high standards. The Patriot League’s athletic success is achieved while its member institutions remain committed to its founding principle of admitting and graduating student-athletes who are academically representative of their class. Participation in athletics at Patriot League institutions is viewed as an important component of a well-rounded education.