The Patriot League’s 2026 football season opened Saturday with two lopsided victories that set the tone for the year.
Lehigh’s Commanding Start
Lehigh Mountain Hawks opened their campaign by beating Holy Cross Crusaders 35‑10, a performance that underscored the team’s offensive firepower and defensive discipline.
Running back Luke Yoder led the charge with 130 rushing yards and three touchdowns, including a 4‑yard plunge in the first quarter, while Hayden Johnson added a 65‑yard sprint for the game’s opening score and contributed 81 yards on the ground and 117 through the air.
Wide receiver Nick Palumbo capped the first half with a 14‑yard touchdown reception from Johnson, and head coach Rich Nagy secured his first win, aided by defensive standouts Luke Denny and Nick Peltekian.
David Lynch made his Holy Cross debut, completing 25 of 40 passes for 313 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions, but the Crusaders could not overcome Lehigh’s early surge.
Richmond’s Early Dominance
The Richmond Spiders responded with a 35‑14 triumph over Bucknell Bison, building a 28‑0 lead in the first half thanks to three first‑quarter touchdown passes from Ashten Snelsire to Carson Derey and Bryce Allen.
Snelsire finished with three scoring throws, while Aziz Foster‑Powell rushed for two touchdowns and 108 yards, helping the Spiders control the tempo.
Allen, in his collegiate debut, snagged a 75‑yard reception for a score and added 106 receiving yards, underscoring the Spiders’ deep threat capability.
Defensive standout Camden Byrd, the preseason Defensive Player of the Year, recorded three tackles, three sacks and a pass breakup, highlighting the league’s defensive talent.
Bucknell narrowed the gap in the second half with touchdowns from Christopher Dietrich to Michael Cadden and Sam Milligan, but the early deficit proved insurmountable.
Beyond the scores, the Patriot League continues to stress academic excellence, requiring its member institutions to uphold rigorous graduation standards for student‑athletes.