Posted: 08/02/2011
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – With the start of the college football season rapidly approaching, the Patriot League held its annual football Media Day Tuesday at Green Pond Country Club. Senior linebacker Mike Groome was named the league’s Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, while as a team, the 2010 Patriot League Champion Mountain Hawks were picked by coaches and sports information directors to win what would be their tenth Patriot League title.
Head coaches and select student-athletes from the seven league schools were in attendance to chat with media members and discuss the upcoming season. Lehigh was represented by head coach Andy Coen plus Groome and senior quarterback Chris Lum.
Mike Groome addresses the crowd after being named preseason Defensive Player of the Year
“It’s a great honor,” said Groome of his preseason nod. “I’m very happy to have that bestowed upon me, but it’s more of a reflection upon what I did last year. I haven’t done anything yet this year, but I’d rather have that recognition at the end of the year.”
Coen added, “Mike made huge strides last year. He got a few more reps early in the season and by the third or fourth week really established himself. He was always a big strong kid who went downhill to take on isolation blocks, but how he ran from tackle to tackle, how he progressed as a blitzer, how he did in pass coverage. He really became a complete player. He had a greatt offseason. He’s excited to go. It’s fitting that he was recognized here today but again it will mean a lot more if it’s at the end of next year.’
Groome enjoyed a breakout 2010 campaign en route to first team All-Patriot League honors. He led the Mountain Hawks with 131 tackles including seven for loss last season. Groome also racked up 4.5 sacks, made one interception and forced three forced fumbles, as one of the leaders on a unit that led the Brown and White to a 10-3 season, which included a 14-7 win at Northern Iowa in the first round of the NCAA FCS Playoffs.
Lehigh garnered 58 points, including eight first place votes in the preseason poll. The Mountain Hawks edged Colgate for the top spot as the Raiders received the remaining six first place votes and totaled 55 points overall. Holy Cross earned 38 points, to edge out Lafayette for third in the poll, with Georgetown and Bucknell rounding out the six-team poll. Fordham was once again not eligible for inclusion in the poll or preseason voting because it will not be able to compete for the Patriot League Championship in 2011, and its games against League members will not count towards the final standings.
“It’s great to see all media and coaches,” said Coen. “We’re all the same way. It’s a great time of year if you’re a college football coach. Everyone’s opening camp next week and there’s a lot of excitement in the room.
Coen continued, “Our guys came back for the second semester in January with a great attitude and mindset I wanted to get on them about not being complacent with what we had accomplished already but they beat me to the punch. They weren’t happy with how the season ended at Delaware last year and those are the kind of kids you want. We have a veteran team coming back but we have a couple holes to fill. We made some strides in spring ball but we have a lot of work to do in training camp and our kids are excited to get to work.
In addition to Groome’s preseason honor, Colgate senior running back Nate Eachus was named the league’s Preseason Offensive Player of the Year.
Lum, who will serve as one of three captains for Lehigh along with Groome and offensive lineman Keith Schauder, enters his senior season as the clear-cut starter for the first time in his Lehigh career. The first team All-Patriot League signal-caller offered his thoughts on the upcoming season.
Lehigh picked to win league title; Groome earns preseason honor
“We’re really excited to try and live up to the expectations,” he said. “Being picked first and ranked in the top 25 are high expectations but our team is confident that we can live up to those expectations. We know there’s a target on our back so we’re going to have to work even harder this year to have the same or better success. We’re going to get everyone’s best game.”
Lehigh reports for preseason camp on Monday, August 8, with its opening practice set for the following day.
The Mountain Hawks open their 2011 season on Saturday, September 3, when they travel to West Long Branch, N.J. to face the Monmouth Hawks. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. Lehigh will open its home slate the following weekend when the Mountain Hawks welcome CAA power New Hampshire to Goodman Stadium for a game that kicks off just after 12:30.
2011 Patriot League Football Preseason Poll
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Team (# of first place votes)
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Points
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1. LEHIGH (8)
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58
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2. Colgate (6)
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55
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3. Holy Cross
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38
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4. Lafayette
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36
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5. Georgetown
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19
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6. Bucknell
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16
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Preseason Offensive Player of the Year: Nate Eachus, Colgate, RB
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year: Mike Groome, LEHIGH, LB