FCS-CFB Game Preview: Lehigh Mountain Hawks (3-0) vs. Bucknell Bison (2-1)

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Kickoff: 6:00 PM ET
Venue: Christy Mathewson–Memorial Stadium, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania (Capacity: ~13,100)
Broadcast: ESPN+

Weather Forecast (Lewisburg, PA)

Temperature: 67°F at kickoff, dropping to ~61°F by the 4th quarter

Conditions: Mostly clear skies, humidity 50–63%

Winds: ENE 5–6 mph

Impact: Excellent early fall football weather; no disruptions expected.

Injury Report

Lehigh Mountain Hawks (Patriot League):

No reported injuries.

QB Dante Perri – Healthy, veteran leader of the offense.

RB Gaige Garcia – Healthy, averaging 5.1 YPC.

WR Eric Johnson – Healthy, top target.

Bucknell Bison (Patriot League):

No reported injuries.

QB Ethan Grady – Healthy, 3 TDs through first two games.

RB Coleman Bennett – Healthy, versatile backfield threat.

WR Damian Harris – Healthy, leads team in receptions.

Key Player Matchups

QB Dante Perri (Lehigh) vs. Bucknell Secondary

Perri’s efficiency and experience will test a Bison defense that has allowed explosive plays.

RB Gaige Garcia (Lehigh) vs. Bucknell Front Seven

Garcia’s ability to churn out consistent yardage could tilt time of possession.

QB Ethan Grady (Bucknell) vs. Lehigh Pass Rush

Grady must stay poised against a Lehigh defense that has been stout early in 2025.

WR Eric Johnson (Lehigh) vs. Bucknell Corners

Johnson’s size and route running make him a red-zone mismatch.

Recent Team Form

Lehigh Mountain Hawks (2–0)

9/13: W 35–21 @ Duquesne

9/6: W 28–10 vs. Sacred Heart

8/30: W 21–14 vs. Richmond

Trend: Defense allowing just 12.0 PPG; offense balanced with 24.5 PPG.

Bucknell Bison (1–1)

9/13: W 35–28 vs. VMI

9/6: W 34–23 @ Marist

8/30: L 49–13 @ Air Force (FBS)

Trend: Offense averaging 23.5 PPG; defense giving up 36.0 PPG.

Series History

Lehigh leads the all-time series comfortably.

Last meeting (2024): Lehigh defeated Bucknell 27–10.

Bucknell’s last win came in 2021.

Betting Trends

Lehigh:

4–1 SU in last 5 games.

2–3 ATS in last 5.

Unders hit in 3 of last 5.

Bucknell:

3–2 SU in last 5 games.

2–3 ATS in last 5.

Overs hit in 3 of last 5.

Head-to-Head: Lehigh has won 4 of the last 5 meetings.

Historical Betting Results

Lehigh: Profitable ATS in September Patriot League games; unders common due to strong defense.

Bucknell: Struggles ATS as a home underdog; overs more frequent when defense collapses.

Patriot League Trends: Road favorites cover ~57% of the time in September conference games.

Game Odds

Lehigh Mountain Hawks               – 11.5

Bucknell Bison                                  55.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 19, 2025