FOR IMMEDIATE

RELEASE SEPT. 6, 2008

BETHLEHEM, PA. -- Drake dug itself in a hole early and then didn't get any help from the aftermath of Tropical Storm Hanna en route to dropping a 19-0 verdict at Lehigh Saturday.

Lehigh parlayed a Drake turnover on its first series of the game into a touchdown.

Then less than three minutes later, sophomore quarterback J.B. Clark, making his first collegiate start, rifled an 85-yard touchdown pass to senior Sekou Yansane to stake the Mountain Hawks to a 13-0 lead with 7:50 left in the first quarter.

A steady rain greeted both teams midway through the first quarter and then both teams abandoned the passing game in the second half when heavy rains cascaded on the field.

Drake could muster only 125 yards total offense in 56 plays.

"The difference in the game was our team couldn't generate any offense or points so we have to regroup and get better at it," said Drake coach Chris Creighton.

"I thought the rain would hold off for us," said Drake senior quarterback Cole Ingle (Runnells, Iowa) who completed seven of 18 passes for 70 yards. "But it started pouring and never let up.

"The whole game it was tough to throw the ball, tough to snap, and tough to hold onto the ball. When you get down early its difficult to come back to get points on the board in these conditions."

Ingle had a pass intercepted by Lehigh cornerback Jarad Cribbs at the Drake 37 yardline on the third play of the game.

The Mountain Hawks took advantage, driving 49 yards in seven plays, capped by a two-yard touchdown pass by Clark to Tory Healion with 10:19 left in the quarter to go ahead 7-0.

Despite the loss, Creighton lauded the play of his defense which forced Lehigh into four turnovers.

"Our defense did a great job," said Creighton, whose team fell to 1-1. "They were put in tough situations but continued to play well and fight. I was really proud of their character."

Drake senior linebacker Cale Hunt (Littleton, Colo.) led both teams with 12 tackles, including eight solo hits.

Senior safety Andy Green (Atlantic, Iowa) added eight tackles, while recovering a fumble. Senior safety Skye Buckner-Petty (Florissant, Mo.) also had eight tackles, while forcing a fumble.

Junior defensive end Josh Walkup (Littleton, Colo.) and junior linebacker Ben Morrison (Long Grove, Ill.) also recovered fumbles for Drake.

Walkup recovered a fumble at the Lehigh 24 yardline late in the first quarter. But Drake couldn't take advantage when a 45-yard field goal attempt by senior Logan Rees (West Des Moines, Iowa/Valley) went wide right.

Drake enjoyed its best field possession of the game when Green recovered a fumble at the Lehigh 33 yardline midway through the fourth quarter.

Senior reserve quarterback Ben Ostermann (Hoffman Estates, Ill.) guided the Bulldogs down to the Lehigh eight yardline.

But the Bulldogs missed an opportunity at another field goal attempt because of a poor center snap.