Lehigh will face No. 8 Idaho in an exciting second-round FCS matchup

The Lehigh Mountain Hawks will face the No. 8 Idaho Vandals in the second round of the FCS, returning to Idaho after 31 years. After a thrilling comeback win at Richmond, where they scored two fourth-quarter goals to overcome a 16-7 deficit, Lehigh is looking to continue its playoff success. The Vandals, fresh off a bye, boast a solid 9-3 record, with losses mostly to the top teams in the country. This matchup is a crucial test for the Patriot League champions, who hope to advance to the quarterfinals.

Through the numbers

• Lehigh ranks 10th nationally in pass defense (162.5 yards per game).
• Quarterback Hayden Johnson has completed 77% of his passes over the last three games.

Yes but

While Lehigh’s recent performance shows resilience, Idaho’s dominance – particularly after competitive losses to top teams – raises questions about Lehigh’s ability to maintain momentum in a challenging away environment.

state of affairs

• Lehigh is 9-3, their best record since 2016.
• Idaho holds a 9-3 record and was coming off a strong 40-17 win over Idaho State.

What’s next?

A win for Lehigh could set up a matchup against the winner of Montana State and UT Martin in the quarterfinals and potentially allow them to achieve their first 10-win season since 2012.

Conclusion

Lehigh must capitalize on its defensive strengths and capitalize on the momentum from its recent win to defeat a formidable Idaho team and advance deeper into the playoffs.