Lehigh Football's Comeback Season: 5 Key Plays That Turned the Program Around
I still remember the skepticism surrounding Lehigh football at the start of this season. After three consecutive losing campaigns, even the most loyal Mountain Hawks fans had started questioning whether the program could ever recapture its former glory. But what we witnessed this fall was nothing short of remarkable - a complete turnaround that saw Lehigh transform from conference cellar-dwellers to legitimate contenders. Having followed this team closely for over a decade, I can pinpoint exactly when the tide turned. There were five crucial plays that didn't just win games - they fundamentally changed this program's trajectory.
The first came during that scorching afternoon against Villanova, when sophomore quarterback Dante Perri connected with receiver Jalen Burbage on a 47-yard touchdown with just 1:23 remaining. What made this play special wasn't just the yardage or the timing - it was the chemistry we saw developing right before our eyes. This takes me back to what Coach Cone mentioned about building team cohesion during the offseason. He'd told reporters, "The fact that he did the whole Inspire camp and into the New Zealand game, we thought that was good enough for his immersion into the team, wanted to create chemistry with the team, and still be part of it, and let his teammates know that he's still a part of it." Watching that perfectly executed route, I could see the tangible results of that commitment to chemistry. Perri and Burbage moved like they shared a neural connection, anticipating each other's adjustments in real-time. That connection didn't happen by accident - it was forged through those extra camps and international experiences Cone prioritized.
Then there was Mike DeNucci's fourth-quarter interception against Colgate - a play I'd argue shifted the entire defensive mindset. We were clinging to a 3-point lead with under six minutes left when DeNucci read the quarterback's eyes, jumped the route, and took it 38 yards the other way. Statistics show that teams score approximately 72% of the time following turnovers in opponent territory, and sure enough, we capitalized with a touchdown that essentially sealed the game. But beyond the numbers, what impressed me was how our defense started playing with a different kind of confidence afterward. They weren't just trying to prevent scores - they were hunting for opportunities. That interception became their blueprint, and we saw three more games where the defense generated multiple takeaways.
The third pivotal moment came during the Holy Cross game - a contest many had penciled in as a sure loss. Trailing by 10 in the third quarter, facing third-and-17 from our own 23, Perri somehow escaped what looked like a certain sack, rolled left, and found tight end Mason Humphrey for a 24-yard gain. The conversion rate on third-and-17 in FCS football sits around just 18%, making this arguably the unlikeliest successful play of our season. But what made it extraordinary was Humphrey's awareness - he broke off his route when he saw Perri in trouble, finding the soft spot in coverage. That level of situational intelligence speaks to the coaching staff's emphasis on teaching players to read and react rather than just executing predetermined plays.
Our fourth game-changing play was special teams excellence at its finest - the blocked punt against Fordham that freshman return specialist Dylan McCloud took back for a touchdown. Special teams touchdowns are rare gems in college football, occurring in only about 2.3% of games nationally. But the impact transcended the six points - it completely shifted momentum and demonstrated that contributions could come from anywhere on the roster. McCloud hadn't seen much offensive action up to that point, but his special teams heroics earned him more opportunities as the season progressed.
The final play I want to highlight came during the Lafayette rivalry game - a 12-yard touchdown run by senior captain Jack Bush that put us ahead for good. What made this moment special wasn't the difficulty or the yardage, but the symbolism. Bush had endured three losing seasons, could have transferred, but chose to stay and help rebuild. When he plunged into the end zone through three defenders, it felt like the entire program's resilience personified. Statistics show that senior-led teams win close games at a 15% higher rate, and watching Bush's leadership throughout that final drive, I became a believer in that data.
Looking back, what made this turnaround so compelling wasn't just the winning record - it was how these moments built upon each other, creating a snowball effect of confidence and belief. The chemistry Coach Cone prioritized manifested in crucial connections. The defensive mindset shift produced game-changing turnovers. The emphasis on situational awareness created improbable conversions. Special teams emerged as legitimate weapons. Senior leadership delivered when it mattered most. As someone who's watched countless Lehigh seasons unfold, I can confidently say this was among the most satisfying turnarounds I've witnessed - not just because we won games, but because how we won demonstrated a program rediscovering its identity through these pivotal moments.
