LEWISBURG, Pa. (Interstat) — Lehigh remained undefeated Saturday, using a dominant third-quarter surge to overpower Bucknell 41-24 at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium.

The Mountain Hawks, now 3-0, broke open a close game by scoring 21 points in the third quarter, turning a 17-10 halftime advantage into an insurmountable lead. The Bison fell to 2-1 with the loss, which came despite a strong offensive showing.

Lehigh’s ground attack was the story of the game, amassing over 300 yards. Running back Luke Yoder, a 5-foot-11, 195-pound sophomore from Palm Harbor, Florida, gashed the Bison defense for 174 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries. His backfield mate, Jaden Green, was equally dynamic. The 5-9, 175-pound junior from San Francisco rushed for 127 yards and two touchdowns, adding 25 yards on a kick return and another 8 on a punt return.

Quarterback Hayden Johnson, a 6-1, 195-pound sophomore from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, efficiently managed the Lehigh offense, completing 16 of 20 passes for 171 yards and two touchdowns. His primary target was Geoffrey Jamiel, a 5-8, 175-pound receiver from West Yarmouth, Massachusetts, who hauled in eight catches for 102 yards. Mason Humphrey caught a 17-yard touchdown pass.

The game began as a defensive struggle, with Lehigh holding a 10-3 lead after the first quarter. Both teams found the end zone once in the second quarter, sending the Mountain Hawks into the locker room with a seven-point lead.

Any hope for a Bucknell comeback was extinguished in the third quarter as Lehigh’s rushing attack took complete control. The Mountain Hawks’ three touchdowns in the period effectively put the game out of reach.

Bucknell quarterback Ralph Rucker IV, a 6-foot, 207-pound junior from Lucas, Texas, put up impressive numbers in the losing effort, completing 23 of 34 passes for 291 yards and two touchdowns while also rushing for 35 yards. His favorite target was Sam Milligan, a 6-3, 200-pound receiver from Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, who finished with five receptions for 109 yards. Nate Anderson caught five passes for 53 yards and a touchdown, and TJ Cadden had four catches for 36 yards and a score.

The Bison added two fourth-quarter touchdowns to make the final score more respectable after Lehigh had extended its lead with a field goal.

Defensively, Lehigh’s Mekhai Smith recorded an interception.

The result was an upset according to pregame betting lines, which had installed Bucknell as a 12.5-point favorite. The combined score of 65 points also went well over the posted over/under of 54.5. The outcome, however, aligned with the Interstat ELO system, which had given Lehigh a 71.5% probability to win.

Lehigh, which has wins over Richmond, Sacred Heart and Duquesne, will look to continue its perfect start next Saturday when it hosts Penn.

Bucknell, coming off victories over Marist and Virginia Military Institute after a season-opening loss to Air Force, will aim to rebound next Saturday at home against Saint Francis (PA).