Lehigh University Athletics
Camp portion of preseason winding down for Lehigh football
8/23/2014 7:07:00 PM | Football
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BETHLEHEM, Pa. – With classes for the fall semester at Lehigh set to begin on Monday, the camp portion of preseason is winding down for the Lehigh football team. The Mountain Hawks completed the second full week of preseason with a workout Saturday on the John C. Whitehead practice fields.
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Lehigh held its first scrimmage of preseason camp Monday at Goodman Stadium but wet weather forced the Mountain Hawks back onto their practice fields on Saturday where the scrimmaging focused heavily on specialty situations. The Mountain Hawks marked 14 days to the season opener by focusing heavily on red zone, third down and two minute drill situations.(8/23/2014) Football Scrimmage, 8/23/14
Head coach Andy Coen has been pleased with the development of Lehigh's defense throughout camp and also gave credit to the offense for stepping up, especially in Monday and Saturday's live scrimmage situations.
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"They have (stepped up) and I'm pleased that they have," Coen said. "They have and I'm pleased they have. I wish they would be a little more consistent in our normal every day, but they rise up to the challenge, which is good.
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"Our defense has had a solid camp," Coen continued. "They've given up some big plays in the pass game and kids are hitting some open gaps and having some success and some long runs. Those are things we really need to clean up here in the next couple days. We can be a good group. We're more talented than we were a year ago. Our scheme is a little different than last year but it's one that our kids are enjoying. We just need to clean up those couple of things."
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With many eyes still focused on Lehigh's quarterback competition, Coen announced that sophomore Nick Shafnisky will  likely be under center when the season opens in two weeks.
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"He was playing well and has improved since I made the decision," Coen said. "Sometimes when guys are in a competition all they worry about is the competition – every drill, every throw – something is weighing heavy on their back. Now that he knows he is the guy he's been able to relax and process things very well. He is making throws now that he wasn't able to make when camp started."
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Shafnisky saw time at quarterback in Lehigh's last four games, including a start at Colgate in the next-to-last game of the season. He completed 57 percent of his passes for 326 yards with five touchdowns and three interceptions. The Whitehall product also ran for 109 yards and a score. Shafnisky gained an edge over senior Matt McHale, who started two games last year but is still trying to work his way back from offseason surgery, but the sophomore will also need to develop as a leader as he takes the reigns of Lehigh's offense.
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"Nick needs to continue to improve, continue to pick things up and be a leader of this team," Coen said. "We have some good senior leaders but we need good leadership on the field and I've felt that from Nick based on his intangibles. He has always been a competitor and a leader. I wanted him to be comfortable working with the guys on that. He's been a real positive guy and he's continuing to improve. He's going to need to do that over the next 14 days."
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The camp portion of preseason will conclude with a light workout Sunday followed by the annual Alumni Steak Fry. The Mountain Hawks will take Monday off for the first day of classes for the fall semester before returning to the practice field on Tuesday. As next week progresses, Lehigh will begin to implement its game plan for its season opener against James Madison. With no game scheduled for next weekend, the Mountain Hawks hope to utilize the extra preparation time to continue to improve leading up to the September 6 season opener against the Dukes at Goodman Stadium.
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"We're looking for consistency," Coen said. "We look great one play and bad the next. We're not a real deep football team which makes it even more important that you're playing consistent football. That's what every coach is looking for. When you figure out what you can do well you expect that. The ups and downs, particularly for a young football team can really hurt you because the downs can be really down and we don't want that.
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Coen concluded, "I'm glad we have 14 days. I think we have some work to do over the next couple weeks but it will be exciting. James Madison has a real tough start playing Maryland next weekend so hopefully we can figure some things out from that game."
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Kickoff for the season opener is set for just after 12:30 p.m. from Goodman Stadium. Tickets can be purchased by calling 610-7LU-GAME or by visiting LehighTickets.com.
Like Lehigh Football on Facebook and follow on Twitter for exclusive updates throughout the season.Â
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BETHLEHEM, Pa. – With classes for the fall semester at Lehigh set to begin on Monday, the camp portion of preseason is winding down for the Lehigh football team. The Mountain Hawks completed the second full week of preseason with a workout Saturday on the John C. Whitehead practice fields.
Â
Lehigh held its first scrimmage of preseason camp Monday at Goodman Stadium but wet weather forced the Mountain Hawks back onto their practice fields on Saturday where the scrimmaging focused heavily on specialty situations. The Mountain Hawks marked 14 days to the season opener by focusing heavily on red zone, third down and two minute drill situations.
Head coach Andy Coen has been pleased with the development of Lehigh's defense throughout camp and also gave credit to the offense for stepping up, especially in Monday and Saturday's live scrimmage situations.
Â
"They have (stepped up) and I'm pleased that they have," Coen said. "They have and I'm pleased they have. I wish they would be a little more consistent in our normal every day, but they rise up to the challenge, which is good.
Â
"Our defense has had a solid camp," Coen continued. "They've given up some big plays in the pass game and kids are hitting some open gaps and having some success and some long runs. Those are things we really need to clean up here in the next couple days. We can be a good group. We're more talented than we were a year ago. Our scheme is a little different than last year but it's one that our kids are enjoying. We just need to clean up those couple of things."
Â
With many eyes still focused on Lehigh's quarterback competition, Coen announced that sophomore Nick Shafnisky will  likely be under center when the season opens in two weeks.
Â
"He was playing well and has improved since I made the decision," Coen said. "Sometimes when guys are in a competition all they worry about is the competition – every drill, every throw – something is weighing heavy on their back. Now that he knows he is the guy he's been able to relax and process things very well. He is making throws now that he wasn't able to make when camp started."
Â
Shafnisky saw time at quarterback in Lehigh's last four games, including a start at Colgate in the next-to-last game of the season. He completed 57 percent of his passes for 326 yards with five touchdowns and three interceptions. The Whitehall product also ran for 109 yards and a score. Shafnisky gained an edge over senior Matt McHale, who started two games last year but is still trying to work his way back from offseason surgery, but the sophomore will also need to develop as a leader as he takes the reigns of Lehigh's offense.
Â
"Nick needs to continue to improve, continue to pick things up and be a leader of this team," Coen said. "We have some good senior leaders but we need good leadership on the field and I've felt that from Nick based on his intangibles. He has always been a competitor and a leader. I wanted him to be comfortable working with the guys on that. He's been a real positive guy and he's continuing to improve. He's going to need to do that over the next 14 days."
Â
The camp portion of preseason will conclude with a light workout Sunday followed by the annual Alumni Steak Fry. The Mountain Hawks will take Monday off for the first day of classes for the fall semester before returning to the practice field on Tuesday. As next week progresses, Lehigh will begin to implement its game plan for its season opener against James Madison. With no game scheduled for next weekend, the Mountain Hawks hope to utilize the extra preparation time to continue to improve leading up to the September 6 season opener against the Dukes at Goodman Stadium.
Â
"We're looking for consistency," Coen said. "We look great one play and bad the next. We're not a real deep football team which makes it even more important that you're playing consistent football. That's what every coach is looking for. When you figure out what you can do well you expect that. The ups and downs, particularly for a young football team can really hurt you because the downs can be really down and we don't want that.
Â
Coen concluded, "I'm glad we have 14 days. I think we have some work to do over the next couple weeks but it will be exciting. James Madison has a real tough start playing Maryland next weekend so hopefully we can figure some things out from that game."
Â
Kickoff for the season opener is set for just after 12:30 p.m. from Goodman Stadium. Tickets can be purchased by calling 610-7LU-GAME or by visiting LehighTickets.com.
Like Lehigh Football on Facebook and follow on Twitter for exclusive updates throughout the season.Â
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