BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The Lehigh football program held its annual end-of-season banquet on Sunday, Feb. 4 in the Wood Dining Room at Iacocca Hall. The team recognized the accomplishments of the 2023 season and the graduating senior class with a gathering that included student-athletes, coaches, alumni, family and friends.
 
Sunday's program featured lunch, video highlights, speeches from Lehigh's captains and head coach Kevin Cahill and the announcement of award winners from the 2023 season. Fourteen student-athletes were recognized with department or program awards for their performances last year.
 
Senior linebacker Mike DeNucci received the Archibald Johnston Cup, given to the program's most outstanding player, which also doubles as the department's Outstanding Athlete award, and was also recognized with the outstanding linebacker award. DeNucci earned his second straight All-Patriot League honor with a second team selection. He finished second on the Mountain Hawks with 87 total tackles and six tackles for loss. DeNucci added 1.5 sacks, four pass breakups, a fumble recovery and a blocked field goal.
 
The Scholar-Athlete Award, given to the player that shows proficiency both on the field and in the classroom, was given to senior offensive lineman Christian Jablonski. A supply chain management major, Jablonski carries a 3.39 cumulative grade point average. He was an Academic All-Patriot League honoree and a semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy. On the field, Jablonski started 10 games on the right side of the offensive line for the Mountain Hawks. Jablonski was also recognized Sunday with the outstanding offensive lineman award,
 
Sophomore wide receiver Geoffrey Jamiel received the James P. McConologue Award, given to the player that is "all football," and also represents the department's Coaches Award. Jamiel took on more of a leadership role in his second season and also enjoyed a productive sophomore season. He ranked second on the Mountain Hawks with 43 receptions, gaining 327 yards and tying for the team lead with four touchdown catches.
 
The Barry Fetterman Award is given to the player that exemplifies loyalty, unselfishness and dedication to Lehigh football. This year's recipient was senior quarterback Dante Perri. The senior appeared in six games, starting the season finale against Lafayette. Perri saw extensive time in Lehigh's final two games, throwing for 271 yards and four touchdowns in those last two contests.
 
The John C. Whitehead (Big LU) Award, which is given to the player who shows the most leadership with performance, went to sophomore linebacker Tyler Ochojski. In his first year as a starter at linebacker, Ochojski appeared in 10 games and ranked third on the Mountain Hawks with 64 tackles. He added a sack and four tackles for loss.
 
Sophomore Langston Jones received the Alexander G. Hahalis Award, given to the most outstanding lineman. The only member of the offensive line to start all 11 games, Jones saw time at both guard positions and was part of a line that rushed for more than 100 yards in Lehigh's final seven games of the season, while also leading the Patriot League in fewest sacks allowed.
 
The remaining positional awards went to first-year running back Luke Yoder (offensive back), senior wide receiver Connor Kennedy (receiver), fifth-year defensive lineman Dean Colton (defensive line), sophomore safety Nick Peltekian (defensive back), and senior punter Ben Banks-Altekruse (special teams).
 
Yoder rushed for a team-best 664 yards and five touchdowns and was a finalist for the Jerry Rice Award, given to the top first-year player in the FCS.
 
Kennedy was Lehigh's top receiver in 2023 as he led the Mountain Hawks with 45 receptions, 462 yards and four touchdowns.
 
Colton and Peltekian were both second team All-Patriot League honorees. Colton's fifth-year featured 42 tackles, five tackles for loss and three sacks, while Peltekian led Lehigh with 91 tackles and five pass breakups.
 
Banks-Altekruse enjoyed one of the finest single seasons punting in program history. He averaged 41.3 yards per punt with 30 out of 62 kicks placed inside the opponents' 20.
 
The Nick Timko Award (Engineer Effort Award), awarded by the Lehigh Southside Boosters to the best scout team players on offense and defense, went to first-year tight end Joseph Marranca and first-year linebacker Benjamin Manley.
 
The Lehigh football program's annual celebration is made possible by the Lehigh Athletics Partnership program, whose mission is to generate interest in Lehigh athletics, to encourage and provide financial support to the program and to inspire positive relations with all current and former participants, fans, friends and parents of Lehigh student-athletes.
 
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