RICHMOND, Va. — In an exciting FCS playoff showdown, unseeded Lehigh pulled off a thrilling comeback against No. 9 Richmond, ultimately winning 20-16 on Saturday. This victory marks Lehigh’s advancement to the second round of the playoffs where they are set to face eighth-seeded Idaho on December 7.

The Mountain Hawks found themselves trailing 16-7 early in the fourth quarter following a touchdown by Richmond’s Sean Clarke, which was a 7-yard completion from Camden Coleman. However, the tides turned swiftly when Jaden Green sprinted 65 yards to the end zone just one play after Richmond’s score, closing the gap to 16-14 with over ten minutes left on the clock.

Lehigh’s defense stepped up and forced Richmond to go three-and-out, setting the stage for another pivotal moment. Quarterback Hayden Johnson connected with Geoffrey Jamiel on a significant 56-yard pass that led to the game-winning touchdown. Richmond attempted to rally in their final drive but came up short, facing a crucial moment when Lehigh’s Quanye Veney fumbled a punt at the 14-yard line. Fortunately for Lehigh, Ignatious Williams was there to recover the ball and secure the victory.

Johnson showed impressive performance, completing 14 out of 18 passes for 199 yards, while Jamiel was a standout receiver with 10 catches for 137 yards. On the other side, Coleman passed for 199 yards as well, completing 24 of 37 attempts, and Richmond’s Zach Palmer-Smith added 107 rushing yards to the effort.

Despite displaying dominant control in the first half with 249 total offensive yards, Richmond could only convert those efforts into three short field goals from Sean O’Haire. These drives, which measured 76, 70, and 64 yards, showcased Richmond’s ability to manage the clock effectively, as they held possession for almost 21 minutes.

Lehigh temporarily took the lead 7-6 with a 7-yard touchdown pass from Johnson to Logan Galletta, but Richmond quickly regained the advantage at halftime with O’Haire’s third field goal, bringing the score to 9-7.

This victory marks an important milestone for Lehigh, who is a 13-time Patriot League champion, as it is their first playoff appearance since 2017. Additionally, a rematch is scheduled between Lehigh and Richmond for the 2025 season opener at Lehigh, coinciding with Richmond’s debut as a member of the Patriot League.