Led by an exceptional performance by sophomore Chase Edmonds, the Fordham Rams (7-1, 3-0), on Saturday afternoon, defeated the Lehigh Mountain Hawks (3-4, -1-1), 59-42, for its sixth straight win this season. Under the guidance of head coach Joe Moorhead, the Rams have been nearly unbeatable at its home stadium, Jack Coffey Field on the Fordham campus in the Bronx. They have been victorious at home in 18 of its last 19 contests, and have a 22-2 home record since Moorhead took the reins of the program in 2012.
Edmonds gained a Fordham and Patriot League single game mark of 347 rushing yards on 31 carries. Three of the carries were touchdown runs of 9 yards, 60 yards and 75 yards. Edmonds scored a fourth touchdown of 50 yards on a pass from Fordham quarterback Kevin Anderson. Edmonds leads Division I of the NCAA (both FBS and FCS) this season with 18 rushing touchdowns and is tied for first in yards gained with 1,383. Not yet completed with his second collegiate season, Edmonds is fourth in Fordham career rushing yards with 3,231. His 41 touchdowns is second on the Fordham career listing. He had a Saturday total of 402 yards gained of Fordham’s total of 545.
Coach Moorhead remarked of his star ground gainer, “If he’s not the best player at this level, I don’t know who is.” Edmonds views his accomplishment as a measurement of how to further improve rather than as a reason to brag, “I look at the chink in the armor, not what I do great.” With this attitude the highly ranked football player will probably improve even further.
The two teams scored a cumulative total of more than 1,000 yards in the high scoring encounter. Lehigh was leading at halftime, 21-17, but was outscored by Fordham 42-21 in the second half. Many of the points were created by Lehigh miscues and the ability and effort of the Fordham defense and special teams. Moorhead commented, “I can’t say enough of the culture, spirit and camaraderie of this team. I can’t be any prouder.” He mentioned the work of the special teams, defense and offense for the “team victory.”
There were four Fordham interceptions, a fumble recovered by Bronx native George Dawson that led to a drive that produced a touchdown for Fordham, and a blocked Lehigh attempt for a field goal.
Lehigh’s veteran coach, Andy Coen, expressed his frustration with his team’s carelessness, “You can’t win a game against a good team if you turn the ball over.”