BUCKNELL UNIVERSITY
2024 BISON FOOTBALL MEDIA NOTES
Aug. 31 at Navy 49-21 L
Sept. 7 at VMI 35-28 W
Sept. 14 MERRIMACK 31-21 L
Sept. 21 MARIST 34-18 W
Sept. 28 at Lehigh* (2OT) 38-35 W
Oct. 12 at Penn 31-21 L
Oct. 19 CORNELL (HC) 1 p.m.
Oct. 26 at Georgetown* 2 p.m.
Nov. 2 LAFAYETTE* 1 p.m.
Nov. 9 FORDHAM* 1 p.m.
Nov. 16 at Holy Cross*
Nov. 23 COLGATE* 1
FOLLOW THE BISON
Play-By-Play/Color Doug Birdsong/Charlie Fisher
Internet Audio BucknellBison.com
Radio Bison Sports Network
Flagship 1070 AM (WKOK)
Play-By-Play/Color Joe Vasile/Luke Smith
Twitter @Bucknell_FB
Instagram @Bucknell_FB
Hashtag #ACT | #rayBucknell
MEDIA INFORMATION
MID-WEEK INTERVIEWS: All interview requests for Cecchini and Bison players should be directed to Jon Terry at terry@bucknell.edu or 570-577-3121.
POST-GAME INTERVIEWS: After the NCAAmandated 10-minute “cooling off” period, Cecchini and Bison players will be available for interviews. Check with the host SID for interview location. Please submit player requests to Jon Terry no later than five minutes before the end of regulation.
CREDENTIAL REQUESTS: Requests for media credentials at Bucknell home games are required and are issued to working members of the press only. Season credentials will be granted to media members who cover Bucknell football on a regular basis. Requests for single-game credentials should arrive no later than three days prior to the game. All singlegame credentials may be picked up in the Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium press box on game day. Please contact Jon Terry to request a credential.
Ralph Rucker (1,266 yards)
Tariq Thomas (263 yards)
Eric Weatherly (382 yards)
PROJECTED BUCKNELL STARTERS
Pos. No. Name Cl. Ht. Wt. Fast Fact
QB 9 Michael Hardyway Sr. 6-0 208 Set for 1st career start in place of injured Ralph Rucker IV
RB 7 Tariq Thomas Fr. 5-11 185 PL Rookie of Week after last 2 games (39-134, 2 TD in last 2G)
WR 17 Nate Anderson Jr. 6-0 185 262 yards on 22 receptions this season; TDs at Navy & Penn
WR 3 Josh Gary Jr. 5-11 210 Career-high 13 catches at Penn; 3 of 24 grabs in 2024 are for TDs
WR 2 Eric Weatherly
LT 70 Xavier Allen
Jr. 5-8
So. 6-5
LG 74 Casey Stephenson 5th 6-2
C 78 John Ohnegian
Jr. 6-2
RG 75 Jake Guy Sr. 6-2
RT 56 Mark Mulhern
TE 82 Charlie Kreinbucher
Pos. No. Name
DE 52 Jack Barnes
N 15 Cade Rooney
DE 90 Aneesh Vyas
LB 33 Brad Jamison
So. 6-6
Jr. 6-5
Cl. Ht.
Sr. 6-2
Sr. 6-3
Sr. 6-2
Sr. 6-2
LB 13 Gavin Willis So. 6-0
LB 23 Nick Hoying
S 45 John Schlendorf
So. 6-0
Sr. 5-10
S 20 Mason Taylor Sr. 6-2
S 6 Alex Smith Jr. Sr. 6-2
CB 5 Roman Pearson Jr. 6-2
CB 16 Aaron Davis Jr. 5-11
Pos. No. Name
180 7 TDs in 2023 and 10 TDs in 17 games as a Bison
315 Made 7 starts at left tackle as a freshman and started all 6 games this year
300 12th multi-year captain in team history, one of two 5th-yr. seniors, 25 starts
304 Captain, 17 consecutive starts, team’s 2023 Most Outstanding Lineman Award
314 20 starts, missed 2023 with injury, start at VMI was 1st since Nov. 19, 2022
331 Made 1st career start last week at Penn
260 22 starts, 12 rec. for 95 yds and 3 TDs last season; receiving TD vs. Marist
Wt. Fast Fact
245 6 career starts, 73 career tackles, 13 tackles and 2 TFL this season
295 14 career starts, 2 INTs last season, 12 tackles and 1 TFL this season
300 22 career starts, 2 passes batted down this season, 5 career blocked kicks
240 Captain, 2nd Tm All-PL, 2023 team tackles leader, 24 tackles & 2 sacks this year
230 Team-high 52 tackles; 9 tx/2 sacks/2 FR at Lehigh led to PL DPOW honor
207 Team’s No. 2 tackler this season with 48 (3 TFL); INT at Navy
195 28 consecutive starts (leads team), 1 PBU and sack-fumble at VMI, 46 tackles
195 Missed 9 games with injury in 2023, 15 career starts, 18 tackles this year
210 Captain, 20 starts, 5 career INTs, 28 tackles this year, pick-6 vs. Marist
195 13 starts, 1 INT and 6 pass breakups in 2023, 18 tackles this season
190 Led all NCAA divisions with 21 PBUs at Wheeling in 2023; pick-6 at Lehigh
SPECIAL TEAMS
Cl. Ht. Wt. Fast Fact
PK 62 Matt Schearer Jr. 5-11
KO 96 Juan Garanton Fr. 5-11
187 2x Preseason All-PL; career-long 50yd FG in 2022; 23-24 PAT, 1-7 FG in 2024
170 Averaging 58.0 yards on 20 KOs this season (1 TB)
P 62 Matt Schearer Jr. 5-11 187 Averaging 44.1 per punt; team did not punt last week at Penn
PR 80 TJ Cadden So. 6-0 195 2 PR TDs this season, 17.5 average is No. 4 in FCS
2 Eric Weatherly
2 punt returns of 21 and 23 yds in 2023, 3 returns this season KR 80 TJ Cadden
3 Josh Gary
100yd KOR TD at Lehigh; 32.1 average ranks No. 3 in FCS
3 career kickoff returns, returned an 88-yd touchdown vs. Lehigh in 2023 LS 61 Ryan Jedlicka
In second season as Bucknell’s primary long snapper H 91 Matt
GENERAL INFORMATION
Location
Lewisburg, Pa.
Founded (Enrollment) 1846 (3,950)
Affiliation
NCAA Division I
Nickname Bison
Colors ........................................................................................ Blue and Orange
Conference The Patriot League
President Dr. John C. Bravman
Vice President/Athletics & Recreation
ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS
Jermaine Truax
Associate AD/Football Contact Jon Terry
E-Mail terry@bucknell.edu
Office 570-577-3121
Cell 570-850-9603
Web BucknellBison.com
Athletics Twitter (Football Twitter) @Bucknell_Bison (@Bucknell_FB)
Athletics Instagram (Football Instagram) BucknellBison (Bucknell_FB)
Athletics Facebook ................................................................... Bucknell Athletics
COACHING & SUPPORT STAFF
Head Coach Dave Cecchini
Alma Mater Lehigh University, ‘95
Record at Bucknell 16-38 (6th season)
Career Record 33-76 (11th season)
Offensive Coordinator John Bear
Defensive Coordinator Chris Bowers
Special Teams Coordinator Brad Jarman
Assistant Coaches Vinny Giacalone, McNeil Parker, Sean Pearson, Braelon Roberts, Jalen Banks, Codey Cole, Ashley Cornwell, Roger Wright-Lester
Strength & Conditioning Coach Mark Kulbis
Video Coordinator ........................................................................... Kiem LeGrant
Athletic Trainers Kaiti Hager, Rayna Murphy, Maddy Miller
Equipment Manager Liel Karstetter
FOOTBALL HISTORY
First Season 1883
All-Time Record 618-632-51
All-Time Patriot League Record ............................................................. 83-128-1
Patriot League Championships 1 (1996)
MAC Championships 1 (1965)
Lambert Cup Titles 2 (1960,1964)
AP All-Americans 59 (most recent Alex Pechin, ’19)
AFCA All-Americans 12 (most recent Alex Pechin, ’19)
Academic All-Americans 25 (most recent Rick Mottram, ’19)
NFL Draft Picks 7 (most recent Julién Davenport, ’17)
Current NFL Julién Davenport ’16 (Falcons), Abdullah Anderson ’17 (Titans)
TEAM INFORMATION
2024 Patriot League Preseason Poll 7th 2023 Record 4-7
2023 Patriot League Record (Finish).................................................... 1-5 (T-6th)
Offensive Starters Returning/Lost 6/5
Defensive Starters Returning/Lost 6/5
Letterwinners Returning/Lost 42/32
Newcomers 33
Captains Brad Jamison, John Ohnegian, Alex Smith Jr., Casey Stephenson
Returning All-Patriot League Selections Brad Jamison (LB) (2nd Team in 2023)
2024 Preseason All-Patriot League Selections Matt Schearer (K)
Bucknell returns home this Saturday on Homecoming when Cornell visits Christy MathewsonMemorial Stadium in the 60th edition of the “Battle of the ‘Nells”. Both teams are looking to rebound from losses. The Bison saw their two-game winning streak snapped by Penn, 31-21 at Franklin Field on Saturday. Bucknell made a season-high 28 first downs and piled up 429 yards of offense against a typically stout Quakers defense, but the Bison came away without points on drives to at least the Penn 33-yard line on five different occasions. The inability to finish drives proved costly, as a number of Bucknell players had big offensive days.
Meanwhile, Cornell fell to 1-3 after a 38-20 home loss to Harvard last Friday night. The Big Red have a new head coach this year in Dan Swanstrom, who was previously the Penn offensive coordinator after a five-year stint as head coach at Division III power Ithaca College. Like Bucknell, Cornell has put up some big offensive numbers this season, most notably in a 47-23 rout of Yale on Sept. 28. The Big Red have also fallen to Colgate (41-24) and UAlbany (31-10). Cornell features one of the Ivy League’s top quarterbacks in Jameson Wang, who ranks sixth in FCS in completion percentage (.709), 10th in total offense (278.3), and 13th in pass efficiency (158.4).
Bucknell is 16-43 all-time against Cornell, but the series has evened up after the Big Red won 26 of the first 27 meetings. The Bison have claimed three straight and five of the last six, and the current three-game run is Bucknell’s longest streak since the series began in 1888.
Saturday’s game is a 1 p.m. kickoff in Lewisburg. Doug Birdsong and Charlie Fisher have the call on ESPN+, while Joe Vasile and Luke Smith will have the local radio call on WKOK 1070 AM.
LUKE ROHRBAUGH
ENSHRINED
• Luke Rohrbaugh ‘71 is one of five Bison alumni being inducted into the Bucknell Athletics Hall of Fame as part of Homecoming Weekend festivities. Rohrbaugh was an outstanding offensive lineman for the Bison. He started every game over his final three seasons and earned All-Middle Atlantic Conference and AP All-State honors. After graduating in 1971, he was one of the final training camp cuts by the Baltimore Colts.
• Rohrbaugh joins Ted Peterson ‘76 (soccer), Garrin Kapecki ‘89 (water polo), Amy Mantush Filanowski ‘10 (track & field), and Austin Winter ‘10 (lacrosse) in the 46th Hall of Fame Class. The official indicution ceremony will be held on Friday night, and the inductees will be honored again at halftime of Saturday’s football game.
HAPPY 100TH BIRTHDAY, CMMS!
• Bucknell Athletics is proudly celebrating Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium’s 100th anniversary season in 2024. The actual 100th anniversary of the first game ever played in the facility is this Friday. On Oct. 18, 1924, Bucknell lost its Homecoming game to Lafayette 21-3. It was one of only two losses in an 8-2 season.
• Over the course of 10 decades, the historic landmark has played host to more than 450 football games along with countless other athletic events and community gatherings. The Bison are celebrating a century of tradition throughout the 2024-25 academic year
• The picturesque Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium was dedicated in 1924 and was known originally as Memorial Stadium as a tribute to Bucknell’s numerous war veterans. The stadium underwent a major renovation in 1989, and at that time it was rededicated to honor the iconic Christy Mathewson, who was a three-sport star and model student-athlete during his playing days at Bucknell.
• Bucknell is 256-187-10 all-time at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium.
WITH A VICTORY, BUCKNELL WOULD...
• ... improve to 4-3 on the season, which would be its best seven-game start since 2017.
• ... improve to 2-1 at home this season.
• ... win its fourth straight game over Cornell, which would extend its longest series winning streak.
BUCKNELL AT A GLANCE
• Bucknell dropped to 3-3 on the season after Saturday’s 31-21 loss at Penn. The Bison had won their previous two games against Marist and Lehigh, the latter a 38-35 double-overtime thriller in Bethlehem on Sept. 28. The Bison also have a win over VMI, with the losses coming to FBS Navy, Merrimack, and Penn.
• Every Patriot League team has now played at least one conference game. Holy Cross moved to the top of the standings at 2-0 after beating Fordham last week, and Bucknell and Georgetown are both 1-0. The Bison and Hoyas meet next week in D.C. Bucknell will have nothing but league games remaining on the schedule after this week’s contest with Cornell.
• Freshman RB Tariq Thomas eaned his second Patriot League Rookie of the Week honor on Monday. Thomas scored his first two career touchdowns in the Penn game.
INDIVIDUAL HONORS & AWARDS
BRANDON BIAGIARELLI (10) 2024
• Patriot League Rookie of Week (9/9)
TJ CADDEN (80) 2024
• 3X Patriot League Special Teams Player of Week (9/9), (9/23), (9/30)
• 2X Stats Perform FCS National Special Teams Player of Week honorable mention (9/9), (9/23)
JUSTIN FISHER (99) 2021
• Patriot League Rookie of Week (9/6)
• HM STATS National Freshman of Week (9/6)
BRAD JAMISON (33) 2024
• NFF Campbell Trophy Smifinalist 2023
• Second Team All-Patriot League
RALPH RUCKER (10) 2024
• Patriot League Offensive Player of Week (9/23) 2023
• Patriot League Offensive Player of Week (10/30)
MATT SCHEARER (62) 2024
• Preseason All-Patriot League Team 2023
• Preseason All-Patriot League Team 2022
• Two-time Patriot League Rookie of Week (10/24), (11/14)
TARIQ THOMAS (7) 2024
• Two-time Patriot League Rookie of Week (9/30, 10/14)
ANEESH VYAS (90) 2023
• Patriot League Special Teams Player of Week (9/25)
GAVIN WILLIS (13) 2024
• Patriot League Player of Week (9/30)
• Stats Perform FCS National Defensive Player of Week honorable mention (9/30)
START CHART
John Schlendorf 28 (28)
Casey Stephenson 25 (15)
Charlie Kreinbucher 22 (20)
Aneesh Vyas 22 (5)
Alex Smith Jr. 20 (17)
Jake Guy 20 (5)
John Ohnegian 17 (17)
Ralph Rucker IV 16 (10)
Brad Jamison
Mason Taylor
(2)
(6)
Cade Rooney 14 (7)
Fredrick Sturgis 13 (0)
Xavier Allen 13 (6)
Eric Weatherly 13 (6)
Roman Pearson 13 (6)
Josh Gary 13 (6)
Gavin Willis
Mason Jones
Nathan Natoli
(6)
(0)
(0)
Marques Owens 7 (0)
Christian Spugnardi
Chris Sims
Deuce Geter
(0)
(0)
BISON NOTES
• The Bison rank second in the Patriot League in points (28.3) and total yards (367.5) per game, and they lead the league in passing yards (241.0) per game. Nationally, the Bison are 50th out of 123 FCS teams in total offense but only 109th in red zone offense, so finishing drives will be a focus moving into the second half of the season. fense, and special teams.
• TJ Cadden is in the midst of a historic special teams season for the Bison, as he added to his two punt return touchdowns with a 100-yard kickoff return TD at Lehigh. Cadden leads the nation in return TDs and ranks third kickoff return average (32.1) and fourth in punt return average (17.5).
• QB Ralph Rucker IV is in his second season leading the Bison offense after transferring from Oklahoma, but Rucker is expected to miss this week’s game after suffering an injury early in the fourth quarter at Penn.
• In 16 games at Bucknell he has thrown for more than 3,800 yards, he has completed 64.0% of his passes, and he has 32 touchdown passes against only nine interceptions. The 32 TD tosses are third-most in team history, and his 3,803 passing yards rank 10th all-time.
• Senior Michael Hardyway is poised to make his first career start on Saturday. Hardyway played in one game as a freshman in 2021 before departing with a season-ending injury, and he didn’t appear in another contest until earlier this season at Navy. He engineering long scoring drives in relief roles against Navy, Merrimack, and Penn, and he is 11-for-17 for 160 yards and a TD this season.
• The Bison have rotated four running backs throughout the first six games, but the freshman Thomas has started to carry more of the load. The Springfield, Mass., native has started the last five games and he leads the team in rushing attempts (73) and yards (263). Paul Neel (41 carries), Michael Cadden (21), and Danny Meuser (13) have also seen time in the backfield.
(0) Kyle Fontes.....................................
Jack Barnes
Tariq Thomas
Nate Anderson
Aaron Davis
Nick Hoying
William Caneer
Grant Laws
Brad Gerken
Mark Mulhern
Jack Goheen
TJ Cadden
Takai Whitmore
Justin Fisher
Paul Neel
Derrick Anderson Jr.
Danny Meuser
(0)
(2)
(5)
(3)
(3)
(3)
(0)
(0)
(0)
(1)
(0)
(0)
(0)
(0)
(0)
(0)
(0)
Note: Number in parentheses indicates streak of consecutive starts
• Michael Cadden, a freshman, is TJ’s younger brother. Both have reached the end zone this season. Michael scored on a 2-yard run in the Navy game on opening day, and TJ has five touchdowns, with two TD catches in addtition to the three return scores.
• The Bison were picked to finish seventh in the 2024 Patriot League Football Preseason Poll after finishing the 2023 campaign in a tie for sixth with a 4-7 (1-5 PL) record.
• Matt Schearer was named to the 2024 Preseason All-Patriot League Team for a second season in a row. The Bison also landed eight on the Phil Steele 2024 Patriot League Preseason All-Conference Team.
• Bucknell is in its sixth season under head coach Dave Cecchini, who was voted as the Patriot League Dick Biddle Coach of the Year during the 2021 spring campaign for leading the Bison to a spot in the first-ever Patriot League Championship Game following the abbreviated season. Cecchini’s team is coming off a record-setting campaign in 2023 that saw the offense average 38.8 points per game over the final four contests.
• Bucknell returned a total of 42 letterwinners in 2023, a group that includes two fifth-year seniors, 18 seniors, 14 juniors and eight sophomores. 11 Bison are three-time letterwinners, and fifth-year RB Danny Meuser is a four-time letterwinner. Bucknell lost 32 letterwinners last year.
• Bucknell welcomed 33 newcomers this season, including 27 freshmen. Five newcomers transferred to Bucknell.
• The Bison welcomed a host of new faces to the staff during the offseason: special teams coordinator/linebackers coach Brad Jarman, running backs coach Jalen Banks, defensive line coach Codey Cole, assistant offensive line coach/run game analyst Ashley Cornwell, defensive quality control/cornerbacks coach Roger Wright-Lester, and video coordinator Kiem LeGrant.
• Fifth-year senior OL Casey Stephenson, senior LB Brad Jamison, senior S Alex Smith Jr., and junior OL John Ohnegian were selected by their teammates to serve as team captains for the 2024 season. Stephenson is just the 12th multi-year captain in program history.
• The “CD” stickers Bucknell is wearing on its helmets are to honor fallen teammate Calvin Dickey, who tragically passed away in July.
INSIDE THE BUCKNELL DEPTH CHART
• Bucknell’s projected starters on offense have made a combined 140 starts at Bucknell.
• Bucknell’s projected starters on defense have made a combined 153 starts at Bucknell.
• On offense, one fifth-year (OL Casey Stephenson), one senior, seven juniors, one sophomore, and one freshman are expected to start.
• On defense, seven seniors, two juniors and two sophomores are expected to start.
• 17 Bison have made at least 10 starts entering Saturday’s game. S John Schlendorf leads the team with 28 career starts. Schlendorf is joined by five other Bison that have started 20 or more games: Stephenson, TE Charlie Kreinbucher, DL Aneesh Vyas, Alex Smith Jr., and Jake Guy.
• 12 Bison in total have made their first career starts this season. The latest was OL Mark Mulhern last week at Penn.
• Six Bison have starting streaks of 10 or more games in a row: Schlendorf (28), Kreinbucher (20), S Alex Smith Jr. (17), OL John Ohnegian (17), Stephenson (15), and Rucker (10).
• Seniors Schlendorf and Smith Jr. have played in all 39 of the team’s games over their threeplus seasons.
STANDINGS
IN THE RECORD BOOK
PATRIOT LEAGUE SCHEDULE/RESULTS
Saturday, Oct. 12
Georgetown 17, at Lafayette 0 at Holy Cross 19, Fordham 16 at Penn 31, Bucknell 21
Saturday, Oct. 19
Lehigh at Yale, 12
Holy Cross at Harvard, 12
Sacred Heart at Lafayette, 12:30
Georgetown at Colgate, 1 Cornell at Bucknell, 1
Saturday, Oct. 26
Fordham at Lehigh, 12 Colgate at Merrimack, 1
Holy Cross at Lafayette, 1:30 Bucknell at Georgetown, 2
Saturday, Nov. 2
Lehigh at Georgetown, 12:30 Lafayette at Bucknell, 1 Colgate at Fordham, 1
PATRIOT LEAGUE PRESEASON POLL
PATRIOT LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Week Player Honor Statistics
9/9 TJ Cadden STPOTW 40yd punt return TD, 141 all-purpose 9/9 Brandon Biagiarelli ROTW 3 tackles, 1 sack 9/23 Ralph Rucker IV OPOTW 272 yards, 3 TDs, 77.8% compl. 9/23 TJ Cadden STPOTW 73yd punt return TD, 1 rec. TD 9/30 Gavin Willis DPOTW 9 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 FR 9/30 TJ Cadden STPOTW 100yd KO return TD 9/30 Tariq Thomas ROTW 77 rush yards 10/14 Tariq Thomas ROTW 57 rush yards, 2 TDs
Ryan Sakamoto, Patriot League Media Relations Director (FB) rsakamoto@patriotleague.com >> 610-289-1963 >> PatriotLeague.com
BISON NOTES
• TJ Cadden became just the third Patriot League player to return two punts for touchdowns in a single season, and his three total return touchdowns in a season is a school and league record.
• Cadden’s 100-yard kickoff return at Lehigh was just the second 100-yard play of any kind in Bucknell history. A.J. Kizekai had a 100-yard kickoff return against Lafayette in 2008.
• QB Ralph Rucker in 2023 set single-season records for passing completions (211), passing yards (2,537) and total yards (2,667). He also tied the single-season passing touchdowns mark (21).
• Rucker also tied for the second-most touchdown passes in a game (4) and set the record for the most passing yards in a single game (387). At VMI this season, Rucker became just the second Bucknell quarterback with three 300-yard passing games in his career, joining Jim Given ’87.
• On Bucknell’s all-time career lists, Rucker now ranks third in touchdown passes (32), 10th in passing yards (3803), and ninth in completions (328) — all in just 16 games played.
• Rucker’s .640 career completion percentage would be a school record. The current record is .631 by Daris Wilson from 2001-04.
• WR Eric Weatherly tied for fifth in single-season receiving touchdowns in 2023 with seven.
• Bucknell’s 400 passing attempts in 2023 were second-most in program history behind the 426 attempts in 2019. The team’s 242 completions, 2,854 passing yards and 24 touchdown passes were each records.
MILESTONES TO WATCH
• Ralph Rucker IV needs 10 touchdown passes to tie Scott Auchenbach’s school record of 42, which has stood since 1989.
• Eric Weatherly needs 15 receiving yards to reach 1,000 in his Bucknell career.
• Josh Gary needs 199 receiving yards to reach 1,000 in his career.
• Derrick Anderson Jr. needs 8 receiving yards to reach 500 for his career.
• John Schlendorf needs three tackles for 200 in his career.
BISON AWARD WINNERS
• The National Football Foundation announced the 203 semifinalists for the 2024 William V. Campbell Trophy®, college football’s premier scholar-athlete award. Bucknell senior linebacker Brad Jamison was among the semifinalists this year. Only Bucknell and Dayton have had a Campbell Trophy semifinalist each of the past 19 years.
• Bucknell has earned seven Patriot League weekly awards this season.
• TJ Cadden has twice been an honorable mention for Stats Perform FCS National Special Teams Player of the Week this season, and Gavin Willis earned the same distinction on defense after the Lehigh game.
• The Bison returned one All-Patriot League player, LB Brad Jamison.
• K Matt Schearer was named to the Preseason All-Patriot League Team in July. It was his second time being named to the Preseason All-Patriot League Team after earning the honor in 2023 as well.
• Eight Bison were named to the 2024 Phil Steele Patriot League Preseason All-Conference Team: K Schearer (1st Tm), LB Jamison (2nd Tm), QB Ralph Rucker (3rd Tm), WR Eric Weatherly (3rd Tm), OL Xavier Allen (3rd Tm), OL Casey Stephenson (3rd Tm), OL John Ohnegian (3rd Tm) and S John Schlendorf (3rd Tm).
• The Bison lost First Team All-Patriot League CB Ethan Robinson as well as First Team All-Patriot League KR and Second Team All-League RB Coleman Bennett from last season.
• Bucknell returned one of its three Academic All-Patriot League honorees from last season: OL Ohnegian.
HEAD COACH DAVE CECCHINI
• Dave Cecchini, one of the all-time great wide receivers in Patriot League history who has since gone on to achieve tremendous success in the coaching ranks, was named the 27th Bob Odell Head Football Coach at Bucknell University on February 6, 2019.
• Cecchini was voted as the 2021 Spring Patriot League Dick Biddle Coach of the Year for guiding the team to a spot in the Patriot League Championship Game. In addition, he was selected as a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Award, presented by STATS to the FCS Coach of the Year, for the second time in his career.
• In his first season at the helm, Cecchini led the Bison to a third-place finish in the Patriot League, their highest placement since they were the 2014 runners-up. Their Patriot League victories came over defending champion Colgate (32-14), rival Lehigh (20-10) and Georgetown (2017); two of their three league losses came by a touchdown or less.
• In 2017 while at Valparaiso, Cecchini was a finalist for the American Football Coaches Association’s FCS National Coach of the Year and the STATS FCS Coach of the Year awards; he was also voted as the Pioneer Football League Coach of the Year and the AFCA FCS Region 4 Coach of the Year.
• Since arriving at Bucknell, Cecchini’s players have combined to earn 24 All-Patriot League First/ Second Team awards as well as one First Team All-American.
BISON NOTES
PLAYERS
1. Marques Owens MARCUS
4. Danny Meuser MUE-zer
6. Christian Petruzzello PET-tra-ZELL-oh
7. Tariq Thomas ta-REEK
9. Michael Hardyway HARDY-way
10. Brandon Biagiarelli BEE-ah-jer-REL-ee
14. Takai Whitmore ta-KYE
18. Bradley Pao POW
22. Nick Severin SEV-rin
24. Rostand Olama ROE-stond o-LA-ma
25. JJ Sebert SEE-burt
26. Deuce Geter GEE-tur (hard G)
28. Anthony DiLascio di-LASS-ee-oh
30. William Caneer ca-NEER
31. Drew Cormier COR-meer
32. Finn Sposato spo-SA-to
33. Brad Jamison JAM-i-son
35. Charlie Meehleib MEE-lybe
40. Charlie McIntyre MACK-in-tire
41. Jack Bohm-Squicciarini BOME squich-a-REE-nee
44. Caden Allard KAY-den AL-ard
45. John Schlendorf SCHLEN-dorf
49. Jason Ussery US-erry
56. Mark Mulhern MULL-hern
57. Jack Inserra in-SERR-a
58. Aidan Catania cuh-TAHN-ya
59. Dante Mascio MASS-ee-oh
60. Kieran Coscia KEE-ran KOSHA
61. Ryan Jedlicka jed-LICK-uh
66. Herschel Johal JOE-hall
67. Gustav Steffelin GOO-stav STEFF-eh-linn
76. Ashton Sempervive semper-VEE-vee
78. John Ohnegian oh-NEE-gee-ann (hard G)
81. Christian Spugnardi spug-NAR-dee
82. Charlie “Chuck” Kreinbucher CRANE-buck-er
90. Aneesh Vyas uh-NEESH VEE-oss
92. Daniel Sierk SEE-rk
94. Nick Niemynski ni-MIN-ski
96. Juan Garanton GARE-on-TONN
97. Dara Adeyemi DAR-uh ah-dee-YEM-ee
98. Seo Buffington SAY-oh
COACHES
Dave Cecchini cha-KEE-nee
Vinny Giacalone JACK-a-loan
Mark Kulbis ......................................................................................... KUL-bis
Braelon Roberts BRAY-lon
INSIDE THE 2024 SCHEDULE
• This is the 139th season of football at Bucknell. The Bison played their first-ever game in 1883 and have played continuously since 1887.
• Bucknell is scheduled to play 12 games for just the third time in program history and for the first time since 2003. The Bison also played 12 games is 1916. Bucknell has six home games for the first time since 2017.
• The Bison opened the 2024 slate against FBS opponent Navy. It’s the fifth FBS team Bucknell has faced under head coach Dave Cecchini and the third time it has faced an FBS foe in the season opener.
• Bucknell went on the road again in week two to face VMI for a third season in a row. The Bison defeated the Keydets for a second straight season.
• Bucknell hosted Merrimack for its home opener on Sept. 14 for what was the first-ever meeting between the two programs. The Bison then defeated Marist a week later for Family Weekend on Sept. 21, making it three wins over the Red Foxes in as many seasons.
• This marks the 45th time in the last 46 seasons that Bucknell has had at least one Ivy League program on the schedule.
• Bucknell’s 2024 opponents went a combined 63-69 last season.
2023 IN REVIEW
• Bucknell went 4-7 (1-5 PL) during the 2023 campaign but saw noticeable improvements in several areas, including a potent offense that set several school records. The four wins were the most in a single season by the Bison since 2017.
• The Bison earned wins over VMI, Cornell, Colgate and Marist. The 49-34 victory over Colgate was arguably the team’s best performance, as it posted 593 total yards and seven touchdowns. They were the most points the Bison had scored since 2003, and the 593 total yards tied for second in program history.
• Bucknell was also competitive in most of its losses, including a heartbreaking 50-47 overtime thriller against Georgetown, a narrow 27-21 loss at Fordham, and a decent first-half showing in the season opener at James Madison before the Dukes went on to start the season 10-0.
• Bucknell set program records for single-season passing yards (2,854), passing touchdowns (24), and average yards per game (259.45). Quarterback Ralph Rucker set records for single-season completions (211), passing yards (2,537), total yards (2,667) and tied the single-season passing touchdowns mark (21). He also set several single-game highs.
• Bucknell got stronger toward the end of the season, averaging 38.8 points over the final four contests.
• Three Bison earned All-Patriot League honors at the end of the 2023 campaign. Cornerback Ethan Robinson landed on the First Team, linebacker Brad Jamison landed on the Second Team, and Coleman Bennett received First Team honors as a kick returner and Second Team honors as a running back.
FACILITY UPGRADES
• The Bison officially opened the doors to the Pascucci Team Center on April 15, 2024, completing a plethora of enhancements in and around Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium in recent years that were made possible through the generous support of Michael Pascucci ’58, P’81, P’87, G’21, G’22.
• Standing prominently between the turf practice field and the north end zone of the stadium, the new facility is a 16,000-square-foot athletics hub that features a state-of-the-art strength and conditioning facility with an expansive weight room that overlooks the turf practice field. Adjacent to the weight room is a sports medicine center.
• Specifically designed to bridge the practice and game-day fields, the team center’s south facade offers sweeping views of Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium. Inside, a spacious team meeting room and conference room allows teams to review film and gather for off-field training and learning events. A Bison Fuel station ensures convenient access to nutritious snacks, supplements and hydration.
• Earlier phases of the project included the installation of a modern LED video board at the south end zone of Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium in 2021 and the completion of a turf practice field in 2022.
• The Bucknell football team’s locker room, located within Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium, was also redone over the summer and includes brand-new lockers, a player’s lounge, and more.
HOW TO FOLLOW THE BISON
• All of Bucknell’s games this season will be broadcast on ESPN+ with the exception of the season opener at Navy, which was shown on CBS Sports Network.
• All of the Bison’s games are aired on local radio on WKOK 1070 AM. The broadcast will also be available for internet streaming on BucknellBison.com.
• Bucknell is active on X (@Bucknell_FB) and Instagram (Bucknell_FB). Interact with the team using the hashtags #ACT and #rayBucknell.
UP NEXT
• It’s all Patriot League action from here on out, starting with a trip to Georgetown next Saturday.
WIDE RECEIVER
BUCKNELL TWO DEEP VS. CORNELL
OFFENSE DEFENSE SPECIAL TEAMS
3 — Josh Gary (Jr. / 5-11 / 210 / Upper Marlboro, Md.)
84 — Sam Milligan (So. / 6-3 / 220 / Swathmore, Pa.)
LEFT TACKLE
70 — Xavier Allen (So. / 6-5 / 315 / Silver Spring, Md.)
60 Kieran Coscia (Jr. / 6-3 / 300 / Pittsfield, Mass.)
LEFT GUARD
74 — Casey Stephenson (5th. / 6-2 / 300 / Philadelphia, Pa.)
73 — Mason Jones (Sr. / 6-6 / 326 / Franklin, Tenn.)
CENTER
78 — John Ohnegian (Jr. / 6-2 / 304 / Ramsey, N.J.)
71 — Fredrick Sturgis (Sr. / 6-4 / 300 / Cincinnati, Ohio)
RIGHT GUARD
75 — Jake Guy (Sr. / 6-2 / 314 / Philadelphia, Pa.)
53 — Tim Andersen (So. / 6-2 / 295 / Madison, N.J.)
RIGHT TACKLE
77 — Nathan Natoli (Jr. / 6-6 / 295 / Olney, Md.)
56 — Mark Mulhern (So. / 6-6 / 331 / Chicago, Ill.)
TIGHT END
82 — Charlie Kreinbucher (Jr. / 6-5 / 260 / Butler, Pa.)
87 — Kyle Fontes (Jr. / 6-4 / 242 / York, Pa.)
WIDE RECEIVER
2 — Eric Weatherly (Jr. / 5-8 / 180 / St. John’s, Fla.)
80 — TJ Cadden (So. / 6-0 / 195 / Phoenixville, Pa.)
WIDE RECEIVER
17 — Nate Anderson (Jr. / 6-0 / 185 / Fort Wayne, Ind.)
8 — Alex Brown (Jr. / 6-3 / 205 / Rumson, N.J.)
RUNNING BACK
7 Tariq Thomas (Fr. / 5-11 / 185 / Springfield, Mass.)
21 — Paul Neel (Sr. / 5-10 / 205 / Charlotte, N.C.)
QUARTERBACK
9 — Michael Hardyway (Sr. / 6-0 / 208 / Oceanside, Calif.)
6 — Christian Petruzzello (Fr. / 6-3 / 216 / Monrovia, Md.)
DEFENSIVE END
52 — Jack Barnes (Sr. / 6-2 / 245 / Fayetteville, N.C.)
30 — William Caneer (So. / 6-3 / 238 / Huntsville, Ala.)
NOSE
15 — Cade Rooney (Sr. / 6-3 / 295 / Berwyn, Pa.)
95 — Grant Laws (Sr. / 6-3 / 325 / Halifax, Mass.)
DEFENSIVE END
90 — Aneesh Vyas (Sr. / 6-2 / 300 / West Chester, Ohio)
99 — Justin Fisher (Sr. / 6-6 / 270 / King of Prussia, Pa.)
LINEBACKER
33 — Brad Jamison (Sr. / 6-2 / 240 / Upper Township, N.J.)
47 — Jack Goheen (Jr. / 6-2 / 236 / Fishers, Ind.)
LINEBACKER
13 — Gavin Willis (So. / 6-0 / 230 / Louisville, Ky.)
10 — Brandon Biagiarelli (Fr. / 6-3 / 226 / Pittsburgh, Pa.)
LINEBACKER
23 — Nick Hoying (So. / 6-0 / 207 / Kings Mills, Ohio)
40 — Charlie McIntyre (So. / 6-0 / 200 / Wyomissing, Pa.)
SAFETY
6 — Alex Smith Jr. (Sr. / 6-2 / 210 / Charlotte, N.C.)
9 — Terian Williams II (Jr. / 5-11 / 190 / Atlanta, Ga.)
SAFETY
20 — Mason Taylor (Sr. / 6-2 / 195 / San Pedro, Calif.)
34 — Darius Day (Fr. / 5-11 / 185 / Wayland, Mass.)
SAFETY
45 — John Schlendorf (Sr. / 5-10 / 195 / Toms River, N.J.)
25 — JJ Sebert (Fr. / 6-0 / 185 / Powell, Ohio)
CORNERBACK
5 — Roman Pearson (Jr. / 6-2 / 195 / Pickerington, Ohio) 14 — Takai Whitmore (So. / 5-11 / 180 / Boston, Mass.)
CORNERBACK
16 — Aaron Davis (Jr. / 5-11 / 190 / Brandywine, Md.) 11 — Chris Sims (Sr. / 5-9 / 185 / Haverford, Pa.)
PLACE KICKER
62 — Matt Schearer (Jr. / 5-11 / 187 / Canonsburg, Pa.)
96 — Juan Garanton (Fr. / 5-11 / 170 / Tampa, Fla.)
KICKOFF SPECIALIST
96 — Juan Garanton (Fr. / 5-11 / 170 / Tampa, Fla.)
91 — Matt Karic (Jr. / 5-8 / 170 / Los Altos, Calif.)
PUNTER
62 — Matt Schearer (Jr. / 5-11 / 187 / Canonsburg, Pa.)
96 — Juan Garanton (Fr. / 5-11 / 170 / Tampa, Fla.)
LONG SNAPPER
61 — Ryan Jedlicka (Jr. / 5-10 / 230 / Greenwich, Conn.)
46 — Michael Crabtree (So. / 5-10 / 185 / Winhall, Vt.)
HOLDER
91 — Matt Karic (Jr. / 5-8 / 170 / Los Altos, Calif.)
9 — Michael Hardyway (Sr. / 6-0 / 208 / Oceanside, Calif.)
KICKOFF RETURN
80 — TJ Cadden (So. / 6-0 / 195 / Phoenixville, Pa.)
3 — Josh Gary (Jr. / 5-11 / 210 / Upper Marlboro, Md.)
PUNT RETURN
80 — TJ Cadden (So. / 6-0 / 195 / Phoenixville, Pa.)
2 — Eric Weatherly (Jr. / 5-8 / 180 / St. John’s, Fla.)
at Lehigh
CORNELL at Georgetown LAFAYETTE FORHAM at Holy Cross COLGATE
COLGATE
2024 BUCKNELL ROSTER
COACHING & SUPPORT STAFF
Head Coach: Dave Cecchini (Lehigh ’95), sixth season Coordinators: John Bear (Trinity International ’06) (Offensive/QBs); Chris Bowers (Wittenberg ’99) (Defensive); Brad Jarman (Missouri State ’18) (Special Teams/LBs); Offensive Assistant Coaches: Vinny Giacalone (Carnegie Mellon ’10) (Asst. Head Coach/TEs); Sean Pearson (Wagner ’14) (OL); Braelon Roberts (Utah State ‘17) (WRs); Jalen Banks (Vanderbilt ’16) (RBs); Ashley Cornwell (Wisconsin ’22) (Asst. OL/Run Game Analyst) Defensive Assistant Coaches: McNeil Parker (Kenyon College ’10) (Safeties); Codey Cole (Kansas ’19) (DL); Roger Wright-Lester (American Military University ’13) (CBs) Strength & Conditioning Coach: Mark Kulbis (Bowling Green ’13)
Sport Administrator: Tim Pavlechko (Bucknell ’91) (Deputy AD)
Support Staff: Doug Birdsong (Marshall ’87) (Voice of the Bison); Jon Terry (Bucknell ‘93) (Athletic Communications); Kiem LeGant (Shippensburg ’16) (Video); Kaiti Hager (Cal U (Pa.) ’12) (Athletic Training); Rayna Murphy (Ball State ’17) (Athletic Training); Liel Karstetter (Lock Haven ’10) (Equipment); Tom Ford (Cazenovia College ’19) (Ticketing)
ALPHABETICAL ROSTER
38 Gerken, Brad
Geter, Deuce
Goheen, Jack
Guy, Jake
Hardyway, Michael
Hoying, Nick
Inserra, Jack
Jamison, Brad
Jedlicka, Ryan
Biagiarelli, Brandon
Bohm-Squicciarini, Jack
Bosch, AJ
Brown, Alex
Seo
Burgess, Braylen
Bush, Logan
Cadden, Michael
Cadden, TJ
Catania, Aidan
Johal, Herschel
Jones, Mason
Karic, Matt
Kennedy, Rourke
Kim, D.K.
Kreinbucher, Charlie
Laws, Grant
Logan, Reuben
LoGrasso, David
Mascio, Dante
McGill, Jack
McGwin, Rowan
McIntyre, Charlie
Meehleib, Charlie
Menconi, Tristan
Meuser, Danny
Milligan, Sam
Mulhern, Mark
Natoli, Nathan
Neel, Paul
Niemynski, Nick
Nowinski, Jackson
Ohnegian, John
Olama, Rostand
Owens, Marques
Rooney, Cade
Rucker IV, Ralph
Sansone, Marco
Schearer, Matt
Schlendorf, John
Sebert, JJ
Sempervive, Ashton
Severin, Nick
Shuster, Daniel
Sierk, Daniel
Sims, Chris
Skoronski, Ryan
Smith Jr., Alex....................................................
Sposato, Finn
Spugnardi, Christian
Steffelin, Gustav
Stephenson, Casey
Sturgis, Fredrick
Taylor, Mason
Thomas, Tariq
Ussery, Jason
Vyas, Aneesh
Eric
Whitmore, Takai
Williams II, Terian
Willis, Gavin
Wright, Noah
Note: Bold indicates captain
Alex Smith, Christian Spugnardi, Casey Stephenson, Fredrick Sturgis
ROSTER BREAKDOWN
BISON MAJORS
97 Dara Adeyemi
0 Derrick Anderson Jr. Economics 17 Nate Anderson Comparative/Digital Humanities
65 Tristan Arndt Undeclared
52 Jack Barnes Religious Studies
10 Brandon Biagiarelli Undeclared Management
41 Jack Bohm-Squicciarini Biology
85 AJ Bosh Undeclared Management
8 Alex Brown Economics
98 Seo Buffington Undeclared
86 Braylen Burgess Undeclared
29 Logan Bush Undeclared
36 Michael Cadden Undeclared
80 TJ Cadden Undeclared Management
30 William Caneer Biology
58 Aidan Catania Political Science
31 Drew Cormier Undeclared
60 Kieran Coscia Economics
46 Michael Crabtree ............................. Undeclared 27 Myles Cunningham Undeclared
16 Aaron Davis Critical Black Studies
34 Darius Day Undeclared
28 Anthony DiLascio Undeclared
89 Anthony DiMarco Undeclared Management
99 Justin Fisher Political Science
HEAD COACH DAVE CECCHINI
Dave Cecchini, one of the all-time great wide receivers in Patriot League history who has since gone on to achieve tremendous success in the coaching ranks, was named the 27th Bob Odell Head Football Coach at Bucknell University on February 6, 2019.
During the 2021 spring campaign, Cecchini was voted the Patriot League Dick Biddle Coach of the Year for leading Bucknell to a spot in the first-ever Patriot League Championship Game. Bucknell, picked to finish last in the preseason poll, knocked off Pennsylvania rivals Lafayette and Lehigh to earn a date with defending champion Holy Cross. In addition, Cecchini was selected as a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Award, presented by STATS to the FCS Coach of the Year, for the second time in his career.
Cecchini’s Bison placed 11 on the 2021 Spring All-Patriot League Team, headlined by a school-record seven First Team selections. Senior linebacker Simeon Page became the fifth Bison to make four All-Patriot League Teams; he later joined Patriot League Scholar-Athlete of the Year Rick Mottram on the Academic All-Patriot League Team.
In total, the Bison have combined for 24 All-Patriot League Team honors during Cecchini’s tenure, including 12 First Team honorees, and 12 have landed on the Academic All-Patriot League Team.
Cecchini’s 2023 team displayed one of the most prolific passing offenses in program history and rewrote the Bucknell record book in terms of passing numbers. The Bison set new single-season standards for passing completions (242), passing yards (2,854) and touchdown passes (24). Transfer quarterback Ralph Rucker set individual records in completions (211), passing yards (2,537) and total offense (2,667), and he tied the program’s single-season passing touchdowns mark (21). Additionally, receivers Damian Harris and Eric Weatherly both eclipsed 600 yards receiving with the former setting the single-game receptions record (15) and the latter hauling in seven touchdowns on the year.
Bucknell achieved its highest win total during the Cecchini era in 2023, highlighted by a dominant victory on the road at Colgate (49-34). In Hamilton, the Bison recorded the secondmost single-game total yardage (593) in school history, while Rucker broke the single-game passing yards record (387) and threw for four touchdowns, completing 33 of 44 attempts. The 49 points were the most Bucknell had ever scored on the Raiders.
Three Bison received All-Patriot League Team accolades following the 2023 campaign, with Coleman Bennett earning First Team honors as a return specialist and Second Team honors as a running back. Cornerback Ethan Robinson was named to the First Team Defense, and linebacker Brad Jamison received a Second Team nod. Bucknell also landed three players on the Academic All-Patriot League Team for a second consecutive season.
In 2019, Cecchini led the Bison to a third-place finish in the Patriot League, their highest placement since they were the 2014 runners-up. Their Patriot League victories came over defending champion Colgate (32-14), rival Lehigh (20-10) and Georgetown (20-17); two of their three league losses came by a touchdown or less. Bucknell faced a grueling non-conference schedule, featuring FBS opponent Temple and three nationally ranked FCS teams; the Bison ultimately finished the year with a 3-8 overall record.
Cecchini’s offense set then-school records in completions (229) and passing attempts (426) during the 2019 season. All-Patriot League First Team wide receiver Brandon Sanders became the sixth Bison to make at least 50 catches in a single campaign while quarterback Logan Bitikofer cracked Bucknell’s top 10 in single-season completions and single-season passing attempts. Defensively, the Bison excelled, leading the Patriot League in conference action in yards per play allowed (4.4), takeaways (14), sacks (32) and defensive touchdowns (4); they also finished second in total defense (319.7) and rushing defense (96.3).
Following the 2019 campaign, five Bison were recognized on the All-Patriot League Team while two made the Academic All-Patriot League squad. Punter Alex Pechin closed his recordbreaking career by capturing numerous awards. Most notably, he was honored as an AllAmerican by every entity that selects an All-America team, became the first football player
to earn three-straight Patriot League Scholar-Athlete of the Year awards, won the inaugural FCS Punter of the Year award and was presented the prestious STATS FCS Doris Robinson ScholarAthlete Award.
In 2021, Bucknell faced another challenging schedule highlighted by road games at then No. 11/12 Villanova and FBS opponent Army West Point. The Bison were a young team that sent 30 first-time starters to the field, a group that included two seniors, four juniors, 12 sophomores and 12 freshmen and represented just over 30 percent of the roster. At the conclusion of the season, wide receiver Dominic Lyles, who matched the school standard with three touchdown catches in a tight loss to Georgetown, and safety Brent Jackson, who became the first nonsenior to be presented the Bison Gridiron Club Award as Team MVP since 2012, were voted to the Academic All-Patriot League Team.
Bucknell made massive strides defensively during the 2022 season, allowing nearly 10 fewer points per game than the year prior and finishing third in the Patriot League in points allowed per game. The Bison also gave up the fewest passing yards among Patriot League teams and led the league in interceptions. Four Bison landed on the All-Patriot League Team. Highlighting the AllLeague honorees was Jackson, who received the Bison Gridiron Club Award for a second time after leading the FCS in solo tackles per game.
The 2022 Bison pulled out several dramatic victories, defeating Pennsylvania-rival Lehigh with a last-minute field goal and upending Georgetown on the road in the team’s first overtime victory since 2017. Bucknell won its last two games of the season, concluding with a 24-13 win over Marist at home.
The head coach at Valparaiso University from 2014 to 2018, Cecchini has a long track record of building explosive offenses at elite academic institutions. Previously the offensive coordinator at Lehigh, The Citadel and Harvard University, his offenses have shattered school records at his every stop, propelling his teams to a combined seven conference championships. An All-American wide receiver at Lehigh during his playing days in the early 1990s, Cecchini spent 13 of his previous 24 seasons as a coach at his alma mater.
In 2014, Cecchini took over a Valparaiso football program that had won just three games, all against the same opponent, in the four seasons before his arrival. The 2017 campaign saw Valparaiso reach new heights thanks to a potent offense that totaled 330 points and 4,398 yards, both good for second in school history. Picked to finish 10th of 11 teams in the Pioneer Football League, Valparaiso tied for third with a 5-3 record, its most league wins since 1961. Overall, Valparaiso finished above .500, at 6-5, for the first time since 2003.
For guiding Valparaiso’s turnaround, Cecchini was a finalist for the American Football Coaches Association’s FCS National Coach of the Year and the STATS FCS Coach of the Year awards; he was also voted as the Pioneer Football League Coach of the Year and the AFCA FCS Region 4 Coach of the Year.
Cecchini left Valparaiso as the program’s winningest coach through 50 games since 1986. Other highlights of his time at Valparaiso included defeating rival Butler in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2005, going 4-0 in conference games at Brown Field in 2017 and sending two student-athletes to the 2018 FCS National Bowl, which showcases the FCS’s top players.
Before becoming the 17th head football coach in Valparaiso history, Cecchini spent four seasons as the offensive coordinator/ quarterbacks coach at Lehigh. During his second stint on the
HEAD COACH DAVE CECCHINI
Mountain Hawk staff, Cecchini built one of the most proficient and explosive offenses in the nation. In 2011, Lehigh ranked in the FCS’s top five in total offense (469.6) and passing offense (340.6) while averaging a Patriot League-best 32.5 points per game. Ten offensive players captured All-Patriot League laurels that season, headlined by Offensive Player of the Year Chris Lum. Lum, who was also the runner-up for the Walter Payton Award, broke the Patriot League’s single-season record for passing yards (4,378) and touchdown passes (32). For his role in Lehigh’s success, Cecchini was a finalist for the FootballScoop FCS Coordinator of the Year award.
With Cecchini guiding the offense, the Mountain Hawks went a combined 39-9 and won two Patriot League titles. Wide receiver Lee Kurfis led the nation in receiving yards per game (122.8) in 2013 while quarterback Mike Colvin finished fifth nationally in total offense (326.64) the year before. Under Cecchini’s watch, four Mountain Hawks garnered All-America honors.
From 2007 to 2009, Cecchini served as The Citadel’s offensive coordinator/wide receivers coach. During his first season in Charleston, the Bulldogs finished with their best record in 15 years, bolstered by an offense that set 16 school records, including points per game (39.5) and total offense (437.6). Cecchini mentored wide receiver Andre Roberts, a First Team AllAmerican who set Citadel records in single-season receptions (95), receiving yards (1,334) and touchdown catches (15). Roberts was selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the third round of the 2010 National Football League Draft and played 13 season, earning First Team All-Pro honors in 2018 and Second Team All-Pro honors in 2020 and 2021.
Beginning in 2003, Cecchini spent three seasons as the offensive coordinator/quarterbacks and wide receivers coach at Harvard. His fast-paced offense paid immediate dividends, as the Crimson averaged 461 yards per game during his first campaign, a figure good for fourth nationally. The next season, Harvard went 10-0 and won the Ivy League championship. After the Crimson led the Ivy League in aggregate offense, the AFCA selected Cecchini as its 2005 Mike Campbell Top Assistant Coach Award winner.
Under Cecchini’s tutelage, 14 Harvard records fell, including points per game (33.9). Among his charges was quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, the 2004 Ivy League Player of the Year who was selected by the St. Louis Rams in the 2005 NFL Draft and spent time with nine different organizations over his 17-season pro career.
Before his tenure in Cambridge, Cecchini spent nine seasons on his alma mater’s staff. In 2000, Cecchini’s first campaign as offensive coordinator, Lehigh went 11-0 during the regular season and reached the Division I-AA (now FCS) quarterfinals. Following that season, Cecchini was promoted to assistant head coach while retaining his responsibilities as offensive coordinator. In 2001, his up-tempo offense averaged 38.3 points per game, helping the Mountain Hawks secure their second-straight undefeated regular season and championship quarterfinal appearance. In Cecchini’s first three seasons directing the offense, Lehigh posted a combined 31-6 record and captured two Patriot League titles.
During his playing days at Lehigh, Cecchini became a consensus First Team All-American after leading the nation in receptions and receiving yards per game in 1993. That season, he set Patriot League records in receptions (88), receiving yards (1,318) and touchdown receptions (15); his 15 touchdown catches remain the Patriot League standard to this day. Cecchini, who was later named to the Patriot League 15th Anniversary Team, graduated from Lehigh in 1995 with a bachelor of science degree in marketing.
Cecchini first joined the Mountain Hawk football staff as a tight ends coach. He also served as a running backs coach, quarterbacks coach and wide receivers coach before being promoted to offensive coordinator. During Cecchini’s first stint in Bethlehem, Lehigh averaged more than 350 yards of offense and over 26 points per game.
Cecchini and his wife, Tammy, have two sons: Evan and Will. Tammy serves as Bucknell’s head women’s tennis coach.
Personal
Date of Birth: March 9, 1972
Hometown: Bloomington, Minnesota
Wife: Tammy (head women’s tennis coach at Bucknell)
Children: Sons Evan and Will
Education
Lehigh University, B.S. in marketing, 1995
Head Coaching Career Year School Record Pct.
2014 Valparaiso 4-8 .333
2015 Valparaiso 1-9 .100
2016 Valparaiso 4-7 .364
2017 Valparaiso 6-5 .545
2018 Valparaiso 2-9 .182
2019 Bucknell 3-8 .273
2021 Spring Bucknell 2-2 .500
2021 Bucknell 1-10 .091
2022 Bucknell 3-8 .273
2023 Bucknell 4-7 .364
2024 Bucknell 3-3 .500
Totals 33-76 .303
Coaching Experience Years School Position 1994-02 Lehigh Tight Ends (1994) Running Backs (1995) Quarterbacks (1996) Wide Receivers (1997-99) Offensive Coordinator/WR (2000) Assistant Head Coach/ Offensive Coordinator/QB (2001-02)
2003-05 Harvard Offensive Coordinator/QB/WR 2006-09 The Citadel Offensive Coordinator/WR 2010-13 Lehigh Offensive Coordinator/QB 2014-18 Valparaiso Head Coach
2019-pres. Bucknell Head Coach
Career Highlights
• Winner of seven conference championships
• 2021 Spring Patriot League Dick Biddle Coach of the Year
• 2021 Spring STATS FCS National Coach of the Year Finalist
• 2017 AFCA FCS National Coach of the Year Finalist
• 2017 STATS FCS National Coach of the Year Finalist
• 2017 FCA FCS Region 4 Coach of the Year
• 2017 Pioneer Football League Coach of the Year
• 2011 FootballScoop FCS Coordinator of the Year
• Coached WR Andre Roberts, a 2010 NFL Draft pick, at The Citadel
• 2005 AFCA Mike Campbell Top Assistant Coach Award
• Coached QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, a 2005 NFL Draft pick, at Harvard
• 1993 consensus First Team All-American as Lehigh wide receiver
• Voted to the Patriot League 15th Anniversary Team
Shut out an opponent
Was shut out by an opponent
THE LAST TIME A BUCKNELL TEAM...
Finished a game with a tie score
Scored 40-49 points
Scored 50-59 points
Scored 60-69 points
Scored 70-79 points
Allowed 40-49 points
Allowed 50-59 points
Allowed 60-69 points
Allowed 70-79 points
Allowed 80+ points
Did not punt
Did not commit a turnover
Forced five turnovers
Forced six turnovers
Forced seven turnovers
Committed five or more turnovers
Did not commit a penalty
Was penalized for at least 100 yards
Won an overtime game
Played an overtime game
Had two 100-yard rushers in the same game
Had two 100-yard receivers in the same game
Defeated a nationally ranked opponent
Played a nationally ranked opponent
Played an FBS opponent
Apr. 3, 2021 at Lehigh (6-0)
Oct. 8, 2022 at Holy Cross (0-57)
Nov. 14, 1987 vs. Lehigh (21-21)
Nov. 11, 2023 vs. Georgetown (47-50 OT)
Nov. 1, 2003 vs. Holy Cross (53-31)
Oct. 24, 1987 vs. Columbia (62-20)
Oct. 10, 1964 vs. Ohio Wesleyan in Newark, Del. (72-0)
Aug. 31, 2024 at Navy (21-49)
Nov. 11, 2023 vs. Georgetown (47-50 OT)
Nov. 13, 2021 at Army West Point (10-63)
Nov. 25, 1916 at Georgetown (0-78)
Oct. 8, 1966 at Temple (28-82)
Oct. 12, 2024 at Penn (21-31)
Nov. 18, 2023 at Marist (38-21)
Oct. 15, 2022 at Yale (4 INT, 1 fumble) (9-29)
Sept. 3, 2016 at Marist (4 INT, 2 fumbles) (26-10)
Oct. 29, 2011 at Lafayette (3 INT, 4 fumbles) (39-13)
Apr. 17, 2021 vs. Holy Cross (5 INT) (10-33)
Sept. 19, 2009 at Cornell (9-33)
Oct. 17, 2015 at Army West Point (105) (14-21)
Sept. 28, 2024 at Lehigh (38-35)
Sept. 28, 2024 at Lehigh (38-35)
Sept. 26, 2007 vs. Marist (Terrance Wilson 108 & Justin Pulgrano 101) (17-16)
Oct. 28, 2023 at Colgate (Josh Gary 139 & Eric Weatherly 132) (49-34)
Oct. 26, 2013 vs. No. 15 Lehigh (48-10)
Oct. 7, 2023 vs. No. 12/12 Holy Cross (27-55)
Aug. 31, 2024 at Navy (21-49)
Won 10 games 1997 (10-1)
Won eight games 2014 (8-3)
Had a winning season 2014 (8-3)
Had 30 rushing attempts
Had 40 rushing attempts
Had 100 yards rushing
Had 200 yards rushing
Had a 60+ yard run
Had a 70+ yard run
Had three rushing touchdowns
Had four rushing touchdowns
Had five rushing touchdowns
Completed a 50+ yard pass
Had three passing touchdowns
Had four passing touchdowns
Had five passing touchdowns
Had 30 completions
Had 50 passing attempts
Had 60 passing attempts
Had 250 yards passing
Had 300 yards passing
Had 100 yards receiving
Had 200 yards receiving
Had 10 receptions
Had 15 receptions
Had two touchdown receptions
Had three touchdown receptions
Made a 40-yard field goal
Made a 50-yard field goal
Had three field goals in a game
Had four field goals in a game
Passed for a two-point conversion
Rushed for a two-point conversion
Made seven extra points
Made 10 extra points
Had 10+ punts
Had a 70+ yard punt
Had an 80+ yard punt
Returned a punt for a touchdown
Returned a kickoff for a touchdown
Returned an interception for a touchdown
Returned a fumble for a touchdown
Returned a blocked punt for a touchdown
Recorded two interceptions in a game
Recorded three interceptions in a game
Recorded four interceptions in a game
Forced two fumbles in a game
Recovered two fumbles in a game
Had 15 tackles in a game
Had two sacks in a game
Had three sacks in a game
Had four sacks in a game
Had four tackles for a loss in a game
Blocked a punt
Blocked an extra point attempt
Blocked a field goal attempt
Nov. 12, 2016 (Joey DeFloria (31) at Georgetown, 21-7)
Oct. 29, 2011 (Tyler Smith (42) at Lafayette, 39-13)
Oct. 28, 2023 (Rushawn Baker (107) at Colgate, 49-34)
Nov. 12, 2011 (Tyler Smith (204) at Fordham, 21-0)
Oct. 15, 2022 (Rushawn Baker (75) at Yale, 9-29)
Oct. 15, 2022 (Rushawn Baker (75) at Yale, 9-29)
Nov. 11, 2023 (Rushawn Baker vs. Georgetown, 47-50 OT)
Sept. 30, 2000 (Jabu Powell vs. Duquesne, 35-14)
Nov. 13, 2004 (Daris Wilson vs. Colgate, 42-7)
Nov. 11, 2023 (Ralph Rucker to Derrick Anderson Jr. (65) vs. Georgetown, 47-50 OT)
Sept. 21, 2024 (Ralph Rucker vs. Marist, 34-18)
Oct. 28, 2023 (Ralph Rucker at Colgate, 49-34)
Sept. 24, 1994 (Rob Glus at Harvard, 42-23)
Nov. 4, 2023 (Ralph Rucker (32) at Fordham, 21-27)
Nov. 23, 2019 (Logan Bitikofer (50) at Fordham, 14-31)
Oct. 27, 2001 (Todd Wenrich (67) at Fordham, 12-17)
Sept. 21, 2024 (Ralph Rucker (272) vs. Marist, 34-18)
Sept. 7, 2024 (Ralph Rucker (340) at VMI, 35-28)
Oct. 12, 2024 (Josh Gary (137) at Penn, 21-31)
Oct. 11, 2014 (Will Carter (246) at Lehigh, 45-24)
Oct. 12, 2024 (Josh Gary (13) at Penn, 21-31)
Nov. 18, 2023 (Damian Harris (15) at Marist, 38-21)
Sept. 28, 2024 (Eric Weatherly at Lehigh, 38-35 OT)
Oct. 23, 2021 (Dominic Lyles vs. Georgetown, 21-29)
Sept. 28, 2024 (Matt Schearer (42) at Lehigh, 38-35 OT)
Nov. 12, 2022 (Matt Schearer (50) at Georgetown, 24-21 OT)
Nov. 12, 2022 (Matt Schearer at Georgetown, 24-21 OT)
Oct. 14, 2017 (John Burdick at Cornell, 26-18)
Nov. 4, 2023 (Ralph Rucker to Damian Harris at Fordham, 21-27)
Nov. 11, 2023 (Ralph Rucker vs. Georgetown, 47-50 OT)
Oct. 16, 1999 (Chris Lundberg vs. Duquesne, 49-20)
Oct. 10, 1964 (Mike Seigfried vs. Ohio Wesleyan in Newark, Del., 72-0)
Oct. 19, 2019 (Alex Pechin (11) at Towson, 7-56)
Nov. 23, 2019 (Alex Pechin (70) at Fordham, 14-31)
Sept. 22, 1984 (Mike Morrow (80) at Northeastern, 33-34)
Sept. 21, 2024 (TJ Cadden (73) vs. Marist, 34-18)
Sept. 28, 2024 (TJ Cadden (100) at Lehigh, 38-35 OT)
Sept. 28, 2024 (Aaron Davis (79) at Lehigh, 38-35 OT)
Nov. 23, 2019 (Rick Mottram (5) at Fordham, 14-31)
Oct. 13, 2018 (Gerrit Van Itallie (0) at Monmouth, 19-36)
Sept. 15, 2018 (Bryan Marine at Penn, 17-34)
Nov. 20, 2004 (Dante Ross at Duquesne, 30-20)
Sept. 30, 2000 (Kevin Eiben vs. Duquesne, 35-14)
Oct. 16, 2021 (Ben Allen at Fordham, 22-66)
Sept. 28, 2024 (Gavin Willis at Lehigh, 38-35 OT)
Nov. 4, 2023 (Gavin Willis (15) at Fordham, 21-27)
Sept. 28, 2024 (Gavin Willis at Lehigh, 38-35 OT)
Nov. 23, 2019 (Grayson Cherubino at Fordham, 14-31)
Nov. 18, 2017 (Simeon Page at Fordham, 9-20)
Nov. 23, 2019 (Gerrit Van Itallie at Fordham, 14-31)
Nov. 4, 2023 (Charlie Kreinbucher at Fordham, 21-27)
Sept. 23, 2023 (Aneesh Vyas vs. Penn, 21-37)
Sept. 23, 2023 (Aneesh Vyas vs. Penn, 21-37)
Recorded a safety Nov. 19, 2016 vs. Fordham (22-36)
FOOTBALL INFORMATION
Head Coach: Dan Swanstrom
Record at Cornell: 1-3 (1st season)
Career Record: 32-14 (6th season)
Conference: Ivy League
Stadium: Schoellkopf Field
Capacity: 21,500
Surface: FieldTurf
2023 Record: 3-7
2023 Conference Record: 2-5 (7th)
GENERAL INFORMATION
Location: Ithaca, N.Y.
Founded: 1865
Enrollment: 15,735
Nickname: Big Red
Colors: Carnelian Red & White
President: Michael I. Kotlikoff (interim)
Athletic Director: Dr. Nicki Moore
Website: CornellBigRed.com
SERIES INFORMATION
First
Record at neutral site
Streak Bucknell won 3
Last meeting in Lewisburg Oct. 14, 2023 ..............................................................Bucknell 21 – Cornell 13
Last meeting in Ithaca ........................ Oct. 14, 2023
..............................................................Bucknell 21 – Cornell 13
Last Bison win ....................... ............................... Oct. 14, 2023
..............................................................Bucknell 21 – Cornell 13
Last Big Red win Sept. 17, 2016 (Lewisburg, Pa.) ..............................................................Cornell 24 – Bucknell 16
ALL-TIME RESULTS
1888 Ithaca, NY CU, 20-3
1889 Ithaca, NY CU, 66-0
1890 Ithaca, NY CU, 26-0
1891 Ithaca, NY BU, 4-0
1892 Ithaca, NY CU, 54-0
1896 Ithaca, NY CU, 54-0
1900 Ithaca, NY CU, 6-0
1901 Ithaca, NY CU, 6-0
1903 Ithaca, NY CU, 6-0
1904 Ithaca, NY CU, 24-12
1905 Ithaca, NY CU, 24-0
1906 Ithaca, NY CU, 24-6
1912 Ithaca, NY CU, 14-0
1913 Ithaca, NY CU, 10-7
1914 Ithaca, NY CU, 48-0
1915 Ithaca, NY CU, 41-0
1916 Ithaca, NY CU, 19-0
1917 Ithaca, NY CU, 20-0
1943 Ithaca, NY CU, 7-6
1944 Ithaca, NY CU, 26-0
1945 Ithaca, NY CU, 19-8
1946 Ithaca, NY CU, 21-0
1960 Ithaca, NY CU, 15-7
1967 Ithaca, NY CU, 23-7
1974 Ithaca, NY CU, 24-0
(88th)
TALE OF THE TAPE
(99th)
(107th)
(28th)
(112th)
(36th)
(62nd)
(64th)
(72nd)
ALL-TIME RESULTS
Year Site Result
1975 Lewisburg, PA CU, 21-6
1978 Ithaca, NY CU, 24-0
1979 Ithaca, NY BU, 10-0
1980 Lewisburg, PA BU, 33-16
1981 Ithaca, NY CU, 22-15
1984 Lewisburg, PA BU, 10-7
1985 Lewisburg, PA CU, 26-13
1986 Ithaca, NY CU, 16-3
1987 Ithaca, NY BU, 20-6
1989 Lewisburg, PA CU, 20-9
1990 Ithaca, NY BU, 42-21
1991 Lewisburg, PA CU, 23-7
1994 Lewisburg, PA CU, 29-28
1995 Ithaca, NY BU, 10-7
1998 Ithaca, NY CU, 23-19
2000 Lewisburg, PA BU, 38-15
2001 Ithaca, NY DNP*
2002 Lewisburg, PA BU, 14-3
2003 Ithaca, NY CU, 21-19
2004 Lewisburg, PA BU, 15-9
2005 Ithaca, NY CU, 24-7
2006 Lewisburg, PA BU, 20-5
2007 Ithaca, NY CU, 38-14
2008 Lewisburg, PA CU, 21-20
2009 Ithaca, NY CU, 33-9
2010 Lewisburg, PA CU, 21-12
2011 Ithaca, NY CU, 24-13
(CONT.)
Year
Result
2012 Lewisburg, PA CU, 15-10
2013 Ithaca, NY CU, 45-13
2014 Lewisburg, PA BU, 20-7
2015 Ithaca, NY BU, 19-14
2016 Lewsiburg, PA CU, 24-16
2017 Ithaca, NY BU, 26-18
2021 Lewisburg, PA BU, 21-10
2022 Ithaca, NY BU, 21-13
*Game not played due to Sept. 11 tragedy
THE LAST TIME THE BISON AND BIG RED MET (OCT. 14, 2023)
Bucknell Football Pounds
the Rock in 21-13 Win at Cornell
Coleman Bennett rushed for 157 yards on 29 carries to lead the Bucknell football team to a 21-13 victory over Cornell at Schoellkopf Field. With the win, the Bison defeated Cornell in three straight tries for the first time in the 135-year history of the series.
GAME NOTES
• Bucknell used a potent run game to dispatch Cornell 21-13 on the road. Bucknell trailed twice at 3-0 and 13-7 but held Cornell off the scoreboard in the fourth quarter to win its second game of the season.
• Bucknell rushed for 176 yards on 50 carries and totaled 329 yards of offense.
• The defense limited Cornell to just 3-for-13 on third down conversions and forced one interception. The Bison also held the Big Red to 2.6 yards per rush.
• RB Coleman Bennett carried the ball 29 times for a career-best 157 rushing yards. Meanwhile, RB Rushawn Baker and QB Ralph Rucker each scored touchdowns on 1-yard runs.
• Bennett posted six runs of 14 yards or more, including three runs of over 20 yards.
Bucknell trailed 3-0 early on but scored touchdowns in the second, third and fourth quarters, scoring two on the ground and one through the air. The defense, meanwhile, limited Cornell to just a pair of field goals in the first half and allowed one rushing touchdown in the third.
Leading by eight points with three minutes to go in the fourth quarter, punter Ruben Anderson pinned the Big Red at their own 5-yard line. Cornell reached the 41-yard line before an 11-yard sack by Tyler Alston and Connor Carretta put the Big Red’s potential game-tying drive in jeopardy. Quarterback Jameson Wang heaved the ball down field on Cornell’s last breath on fourth down, and with Roman Pearson in coverage, the Bison defense held.
Bennett’s 157 rushing yards were the most in a game by a Bison since Chad Freshnock gained 174 in 2017. His 29 carries were the most since 2016. Behind Bennett was Rushawn Baker, who gutted out 21 tough yards and a touchdown after missing the last two games. Quarterback Ralph Rucker scored the other rushing touchdown before leaving the game late in the third quarter.
Nick Semptimphelter led the 9-play, 75-yard drive that killed nearly four minutes in the fourth quarter and resulted in a 6-yard touchdown pass to Damian Harris that gave the Bison the 21-13 lead. Semptimphelter completed three of four pass attempts for 54 yards.
In total, Bucknell held a 329-282 advantage in total offense, gaining 176 on the ground on an astounding 50 rushing attempts. The Bison did turn the ball over twice with an interception and a fumble.
Wang completed 15 of 26 attempts for 200 yards. He also ran for 40 yards on 13 attempts.
Three Bison hauled in passes of over 30 yards, and Bennett had six rushes of 14 yards or more. His longest of the game set up Bucknell’s first touchdown in the second quarter. The Bison were facing a 3rd-and-14 at their own 24-yard line when Bennett ripped off a 27-yard run on a draw play. Several plays later Rucker ran around the edge at the goal line to give the Bison a 7-3 lead.
Cornell regained the lead on its first drive of the second half, driving 61 yards on five plays and scoring on a 5-yard rush by Wang.
Bucknell responded later in the third, stringing together together an 11-play, 73-yard drive. A 39-yard pass completion from Rucker to Derrick Anderson Jr. set Bucknell up at the 6-yard line, and three plays later Baker scored his rushing touchdown.
Bennett started Bucknell’s first drive of the fourth quarter with a 26-yard run, and Semptimphelter hit Christian Tait on a 12-yard pass and Eric Weatherly on a 36-yard connection. Two plays later Harris caught the 6-yard touchdown to give the Bison the 21-13 lead, and the defense made stops on two consecutive Cornell drives to end the game.
Tyler Alston led the Bison with eight tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and half a sack. Deuce Geter and Chris Sims had seven tackles each.
Bucknell’s lone takeaway of the game came on Cornell’s first possession, as Wang was hurried by John Schlendorf and Cade Rooney came away with his first career interception.
SCORING SUMMARY
Team QT Time Scoring Play
COR 1st 06:01 Kennedy 46yd field goal --
BUC 2nd 10:58 Rucker 1yd rush
COR 2nd 00:00 Kennedy 35yd field goal -- 8-26 03:10 7-6
COR 3rd 12:55 Wang 5yd rush
BUC 3rd 02:00 Baker 1yd rush Schearer
BUC 4th 09:15 Harris 6yd pass from Semptimphelter Schearer
TEAM LEADERS
BUCKNELL
1st Quarter 7:26 7:34
2nd Quarter 6:51 8:09
3rd Quarter 6:39 8:21
4th Quarter 9:06 5:54
3rd Down Conversions 7 of 14 3 of 13
4th Down Conversions 0 of 1 0 of 2
Red-Zone
• Rucker left the game late in the third quarter due to injury, and Nick Semptimphelter finished out the fourth quarter completing 3 of 4 passes for 54 yards and a touchdown.
• DL Tyler Alston and Connor Carretta combined for a sack on Cornell’s final drive of the game, and the Big Red were stopped on fourth down to seal the victory.
DARA ADEYEMI (97)
DL | SO | 6-7 | 250
Tackles: 1, 2X (last at Navy, 8/31/24)
ENGLAND ALLEN (19)
CB | SO | 5-10 | 180
Pass Breakups: 1 vs. Marist (9/21/24)
DERRICK ANDERSON JR. (0)
WR | JR | 6-3 | 175
Receptions: 6 vs. Holy Cross (10/7/23)
Receiving Yards: 115 vs. Holy Cross (10/7/23)
Long Reception: 65 vs. Georgetown (11/11/23)
Receiving Touchdowns: 2 vs. Holy Cross (10/7/23)
NATE ANDERSON (17)
WR | JR | 6-0 | 185
Receptions: 6 at Penn (10/14/24)
Receiving Yards: 61 at Navy (8/31/24)
Long Reception: 47 at Navy (8/31/24)
Receiving Touchdowns: 1, 2 times (last at Penn, 10/12/24)
JACK BARNES (52)
DL | SR | 6-2 | 220
Tackles: 7 at Villanova (9/11/21)
Tackles for Loss: 1, 4X (last at VMI, 9/7/24)
Forced Fumbles: 1 vs. Lafayette (10/1/22)
Blocked Punts: 1 vs. Holy Cross (11/20/21)
Pass Breakups: 1, 2 times (last at Lafayette, 9/30/23)
BRANDON BIAGIARELLI (10)
LB | FR | 6-3 | 226
Tackles: 7 vs. Marist (9/21/24)
Tackles for Loss: 2 vs. Marist (9/21/24)
Sacks: 2 vs. Marist (9/21/24)
ALEX BROWN (8)
WR | JR | 6-3 | 195
Passing Attempts: 9 vs. Fordham (11/5/22)
Passing Completions: 5 vs. Fordham (11/5/22)
Passing Yards: 62 vs. Colgate (10/29/22)
Long Pass: 40 vs. Fordham (11/5/22)
Rushing Attempts: 11 vs. Colgate (10/29/22)
Rushing Yards: 39 vs. Colgate (10/29/22)
Long Rush: 14 at Holy Cross (10/8/22)
Receptions: 1 at Lafayette (9/30/23)
Receiving Yards: 4 at Lafayette (9/30/23)
LOGAN BUSH (29)
RB | FR | 5-10 | 208
Rushing Attempts:4 vs. Marist (9/21/24)
Rushing Yards: 13 vs. Marist (9/21/24)
Long Rush: 5 vs. Marist (9/21/24)
MICHAEL CADDEN (36)
RB | FR | 5-10 | 190
Rushing Attempts: 5, 3X (last vs. Marist, 9/21/24)
Rushing Yards: 71 vs. Marist (9/21/24)
Long Rush: 32 vs. Marist (9/21/24)
Rushing Touchdowns: 1 at Navy (8/31/24)
Receptions: 2 vs. Marist (9/21/24)
Receiving Yards: 14 vs. Marist (9/21/24)
Long Receptions: 8 vs. Marist (9/21/24)
TJ CADDEN (80)
WR | SO | 6-0 | 185
Receptions: 6 at VMI (9/7/24)
Receiving Yards: 97 at Navy (8/31/24)
Receiving Touchdowns: 1, 2X (last vs. Marist, 9/21/24)
Long Reception: 37 at Navy (8/31/24)
Punt Returns: 4 at VMI (9/7/24)
Punt Return Yards: 78 vs. Marist (9/21/24)
Long Punt Return: 73 (TD) vs. Marist (9/21/24)
Punt Return Touchdowns: 1, 2X (last vs. Marist, 9/21/24)
Kickoff Returns: 2, 3X (last at Lehigh 9/28/24)
Kick Return Yards: 117 at Lehigh (9/28/24)
Long Kick Return: 100 (TD) at Lehigh (9/28/24)
WILLIAM CANEER (30)
DL | SO | 6-3 | 238
Tackles: 3, 2X (last at Lehigh 9/28/24)
Tackles for Loss: 2 at Lehigh (9/28/24)
AIDAN CATANIA (58)
LB | SR | 5-11 | 225
Tackles: 1 vs. Marist (9/21/24)
DREW CORMIER (31)
S | SO | 6-1 | 200
Tackles: 2 at Navy (8/31/24)
AARON DAVIS (16)
CB | JR | 5-11 | 190
Tackles: 7 vs. Marist (9/21/24)
Interceptions: 1, 2X (last at Lehigh 9/28/24)
Long INT Return: 79 (TD) at Lehigh (9/28/24)
DARIUS DAY (34)
S | FR | 5-11 | 185
Tackles: 2 vs. Marist (9/21/24)
Pass Breakups: 1 vs. Marist (9/21/24)
ANTHONY DILASCIO (28)
RB | SO | 5-11 | 190
Rushing Attempts: 1 at Marist (11/18/23)
Rushing Yards: 5 at Marist (11/18/23)
Long Rush: 5 at Marist (11/18/23)
JUSTIN FISHER (99)
DL | SR | 6-6 | 235
Tackles: 9 at Sacred Heart (9/4/21)
Sacks: 0.5 at Colgate (10/28/23)
Pass Breakups: 1 vs. Marist (9/21/24)
KYLE FONTES (87)
TE | SR | 6-4 | 220
Receptions: 3 at VMI (9/10/22)
Receiving Yards: 15 at Cornell (10/14/23)
Receiving TDs: 1 at VMI (9/10/22)
Long Reception: 15 at Cornell (10/14/23)
LUKE FREEMAN (12)
S | JR | 6-2 | 190
Tackles: 2, 3X (last vs. Marist, 9/21/24)
JUAN GARANTON (96)
K/P | FR | 5-11 | 170
Kickoffs: 6 vs. Marist (9/21/24)
Kickoff Yards: 345 vs. Marist (9/21/24)
JOSH GARY (3)
WR | JR | 5-11 | 190
Receptions: 13 at Penn (10/12/24)
Receiving Yards: 139 at Colgate (10/28/23)
Receiving Touchdowns: 2 at VMI (9/7/24)
Long Reception: 49 at Colgate (10/28/23)
Kickoff Returns: 1, 4X (last at Lehigh 9/28/24)
Long Kickoff Return: 88 vs. Lehigh (10/21/23)
Kickoff Return TDs: 1 vs. Lehigh (10/21/23)
BRAD GERKEN (38)
S | SO | 5-11 | 195
Tackles: 7 vs. Georgetown (11/11/23)
Pass Breakups: 1, 3X (last at Marist, 11/18/23)
Tackles for Loss: 1 vs. Georgetown (11/11/23)
Sacks: 1 vs. Georgetown (11/11/23)
Fumble Recoveries: 1 at Fordham (11/4/23)
DEUCE GETER (26)
S | SO | 6-1 | 205
Tackles: 7 at Cornell (10/14/23)
Pass Breakups: 1, 3 times (last vs. Lehigh, 10/21/23)
JACK GOHEEN (47)
LB | JR | 6-2 | 210
Tackles: 7 vs. Lehigh (10/21/23)
Tackles for Loss: 0.5 at Fordham (11/4/23)
Pass Breakups: 1 at Colgate (10/28/23)
MICHAEL HARDYWAY (9)
QB | SR | 6-0 | 180
Passing Completions: 6 at Penn (10/12/24)
Passing Attempts: 9 at Penn (10/12/24)
Passing Yards: 84 at Navy (8/31/24)
Long Pass: 37 at Navy (8/31/24)
Passing Touchdowns: 1 vs. Merrimack (9/14/24)
Rushing Attempts: 3 at Penn (10/12/24)
Rushing Yards: 6 at Lafayette (10/9/21)
Long Rush: 6 at Lafayette (10/9/21)
NICK HOYING (23)
S/LB | SO | 6-0 | 195
Tackles: 11 at Navy (8/31/24)
Tackles for Loss: 3 vs. Marist (9/21/24)
Sacks: 1 vs. Marist (9/21/24)
Pass Breakups: 1 at VMI (9/7/24)
Interceptions: 1 at Navy (8/31/24)
JACK INSERRA (57)
DL | SO | 6-2 | 215
Tackles: 2, 2X (last at Marist, 11/18/23)
BRAD JAMISON (33)
LB | SR | 6-2 | 220
Tackles: 12 vs. VMI (9/9/23)
Tackles for Loss: 2 at Lafayette (9/30/23)
Sacks: 1, 4X (last vs. Merrimack, 9/14/24)
Pass Breakups: 2 vs. Lehigh (10/21/23)
Interceptions: 1 vs. Georgetown (11/11/23)
Interception Return Yards: 18 vs. Georgetown (11/11/23)
MATT KARIC (92)
K | JR | 5-8 | 170
Kickoffs: 6 at VMI (9/7/24)
Kicoff Yards: 321 at VMI (9/7/24)
CHARLIE KREINBUCHER (82)
TE | JR | 6-5 | 230
Receptions: 2, 6X (last vs. Marist, 9/21/24)
Receiving Yards: 43 vs. Fordham (11/5/22)
Long Reception: 34 vs. Fordham (11/5/22)
Receiving Touchdowns: 1, 4X (last vs. Marist, 9/21/24)
Punt Blocks: 1 at Fordham (11/4/23)
GRANT LAWS (95)
DL | SR | 6-3 | 280
Tackles: 2 vs. Marist (9/21/24)
Tackles for Loss: 0.5 at VMI (9/10/22)
CHARLIE MCINTYRE (40)
S | SO | 6-0 | 200
Tackles: 1 vs. Marist (9/21/24)
DANNY MEUSER (4)
RB | 5TH | 6-0 | 200
Rushing Attempts: 21 vs. Penn (9/18/21)
Rushing Yards: 90 vs. Penn (9/18/21)
Long Rush: 36 at Yale (10/15/22)
Rushing TDs: 1 at Fordham (10/16/21), vs. Penn (9/18/21)
Receptions: 4 vs. Fordham (11/5/22)
Receiving Yards: 13 vs. Fordham (11/5/22)
Long Reception: 10 vs. Fordham (4/10/21)
Kickoff Returns: 1 vs. Cornell (10/2/21)
Kickoff Return Yards: 11 vs. Cornell (10/2/21)
Long Kickoff Return: 11 vs. Cornell (10/2/21)
Punt Returns: 1 vs. Lehigh (11/6/21)
Punt Return Yards: 19 vs. Lehigh (11/6/21)
Long Punt Return: 19 vs. Lehigh (11/6/21)
All-Purpose Yards: 92 vs. Penn (9/18/21)
Blocked Punts: 1 vs. Lehigh (11/6/21)
SAM MILLIGAN (84)
WR | SO | 6-3 | 200
Receptions: 1, 6X (last at Penn 10/12/24)
Receiving Yards: 32 vs. Marist (9/21/24)
Long Reception: 32 vs. Marist (9/21/24)
Receiving Touchdowns: 1 vs. Merrimack (9/14/24)
Kickoff Returns: 2 vs. Georgetown (11/11/23)
Kickoff Return Yards: 19 vs. Georgetown (11/11/23)
Long Kickoff Return: 11 vs. Georgetown (11/11/23)
Punt Returns: 1 vs. Georgetown (11/11/23)
Punt Return Yards: 3 vs. Georgetown (11/11/23)
Long Punt Return: 3 vs. Georgetown (11/11/23)
PAUL NEEL (21)
RB | SR | 5-10 | 190
Rushing Attempts: 12 at Navy (8/31/24)
Rushing Yards: 60 at Navy (8/31/24)
Long Rush: 18 at Navy (8/31/24)
Rushing Touchdowns: 1, 2X (last at VMI, 9/7/24)
Receptions: 3 at VMI (9/7/24)
Receiving Yards: 18 at VMI (9/7/24)
Long Reception: 9 vs. Holy Cross (10/7/23)
MARQUES OWENS (1)
WR | SR | 5-10 | 170
Receptions: 4, 2X (last at Georgetown, 11/12/22)
Receiving Yards: 69 at Colgate (10/30/21)
Long Reception: 40 vs. Fordham (11/5/22)
Kickoff Returns: 7 vs. Holy Cross (11/20/21)
Kickoff Return Yards: 111 vs. Holy Cross (11/20/21)
Long Kickoff Return: 21 vs. Holy Cross (11/20/21)
All-Purpose Yards: 128 vs. Holy Cross (11/20/21)
BRADLEY PAO (18)
CB | JR | 6-0 | 185
Tackles: 1, 4X (last vs. Marist, 9/21/24)
ROMAN PEARSON (5)
CB | JR | 6-2 | 180
Tackles: 6 at VMI (9/7/24)
Pass Breakups: 2, 2 times (last vs. Lehigh, 10/21/23)
Interceptions: 1, 2 times (last vs. Lehigh, 10/21/23)
Forced Fumbles: 1 vs. Georgetown (11/11/23)
CADE ROONEY (15)
DL | SR | 6-3 | 250
Tackles: 6 vs. Holy Cross (11/20/21)
Tackles for Loss: 1, 2X (last vs. Marist, 9/21/24)
Interceptions: 1, 2 times (last at Colgate, 10/28/23)
RALPH RUCKER (10)
QB | SR | 6-0 | 207
Passing Attempts: 48 at Fordham (11/4/23)
Passing Completions: 33 at Colgate (10/28/23)
Passing Yards: 387 at Colgate (10/28/23)
Passing Touchdowns: 4 at Colgate (10/28/23)
Long Pass: 65 vs. Georgetown (11/11/23)
Rushing Attempts: 15 vs. VMI (9/9/23)
Rushing Yards: 47 vs. VMI (9/9/23)
Long Rush: 19 vs. Georgetown (11/11/23)
Rushing Touchdowns: 1, 2X (last vs. Merrimack, 9/13/24)
MATT SCHEARER (62)
K | JR | 5-11 | 170
Field Goals: 3 at Georgetown (11/12/22)
Long Field Goal: 50 at Georgetown (11/12/22)
PATs Made: 5 at VMI (9/7/24)
Punts: 5, 2X (last at VMI, 9/7/24)
Punt Yards: 229 at VMI (9/7/24)
Punting Average: 50.0 vs. Merrimack (9/14/24)
Long Punt: 63, 2X (last at VMI, 9/7/24)
Punts Inside 20: 2, 3X (last at Lehigh 9/28/24)
Kickoffs: 5, 2 times (last vs. Marist, 11/19/22)
Kickoff Average: 45.2 at Georgetown (11/12/22)
JOHN SCHLENDORF (45)
S | SR | 5-10 | 180
Tackles: 14, 2 times (last vs. Penn, 9/23/23)
Sacks: 1, 5X (last at Penn, 10/12/24)
Tackles for Loss: 1, 10X (last at Penn 10/12/24)
Pass Breakups: 2, 4X (last at Marist, 11/18/23)
Forced Fumbles: 1, 2X (last at VMI, 9/7/24)
Fumble Recoveries: 1, 2 times (last at Colgate, 10/28/23)
Interceptions: 1 vs. Lehigh (10/21/23)
JJ SEBERT (25)
S | FR | 6-0 | 185
Tackles: 2 at Navy (8/31/24)
ASHTON SEMPERVIVE (76)
DL | JR | 6-2 | 260
Tackles: 1, 3X (last at Navy, 8/31/24)
DANIEL SIERK (92)
DL | JR | 6-5 | 250
Tackles: 1, 2 times (last at Penn, 10/12/24)
CHRIS SIMS (11)
CB | SR | 5-9 | 170
Tackles: 7 at Cornell (10/14/23)
Pass Breakups: 1, 5X (last at Fordham, 11/4/23)
Interceptions: 1, 2X (last at VMI, 9/7/24)
Interception Return Yards: 21 at VMI (9/7/24)
ALEX SMITH JR. (6)
S | SR | 6-2 | 185
Tackles: 9 vs. Penn (9/23/23)
Tackles for Loss: 2 vs. Merrimack (9/14/24)
Interceptions: 1, 5X (last vs. Marist, 9/21/24)
Interception Return Yards: 38 vs. Marist (9/21/24)
Interception Return Touchdowns: 1 vs. Marist (9/21/24)
Sacks: 1 vs. Cornell (10/2/21)
Pass Breakups: 2, 3X (last at Fordham, 11/4/23)
Forced Fumbles: 1, 2 times (last vs. Lehigh, 10/21/23)
CHRISTIAN SPUGNARDI (81)
TE | SR | 6-6 | 215
Receptions: 5 at Army West Point (11/13/21)
Receiving Yards: 30 at Army West Point (11/13/21)
Long Reception: 11 vs. Fordham (11/5/22)
Receiving TDs: 2 vs. Towson (9/3/22)
MASON TAYLOR (20)
S | SR | 6-2 | 185
Tackles: 5 at JMU (9/2/23)
Tackles for Loss: 0.5 vs. Cornell (10/2/21)
Pass Breakups: 1, 4X (last vs. Marist, 9/21/24)
Interceptions: 1 at Penn (10/12/24)
TARIQ THOMAS (7)
RB | FR | 5-11 | 185
Rushing Attempts: 21 at Penn (10/12/24)
Rushing Yards: 77 at Lehigh (9/28/24)
Long Rush: 20 at Lehigh (9/28/24)
Receptions: 2, 2 times (most recent at Penn, 9/14/24)
Receiving Yards: 13 vs. Merrimack (9/14/24)
Long Reception: 10 at Lehigh (9/28/24)
Kickoff Returns: 3 at Navy (8/31/24)
Kickoff Return Yards: 58 at Navy (8/31/24)
Long Kickoff Return: 29 at Navy (8/31/24)
ANEESH VYAS (90)
DL | SR | 6-2 | 265
Tackles: 6 vs. Lafayette (10/1/22)
Tackles for a Loss: 1, 2 times (last at Georgetown, 11/12/22)
Sacks: 0.5 vs. Lafayette (10/1/22)
Forced Fumbles: 1 at Fordham (10/16/21)
Fumble Recoveries: 2 at Fordham (10/16/21)
Pass Breakup: 1, 4X (last vs, Merrimack, 9/14/24)
Blocked kicks: 2 vs. Penn (9/23/23)
ERIC WEATHERLY (2)
WR | JR | 5-7 | 171
Receptions: 10 at Colgate (10/28/23)
Receiving Yards: 132 at Colgate (10/28/23)
Long Reception: 40, 2 time (last vs. Holy Cross, 10/7/23)
Receiving Touchdowns: 2, 3 times (last at Lehigh 9/28/24)
Rushing Attempts: 6 at Marist (11/18/23)
Rushing Yards: 20 at Marist (11/18/23)
Long Rush: 7 at Marist (11/18/23)
Rushing Touchdowns: 1 at Marist (11/18/23)
Punt Returns: 3 at Navy (8/31/24)
Punt Return Yards: 23 vs. Holy Cross (10/7/23)
Long Punt Return: 23 vs. Holy Cross (10/7/23)
Kick Returns: 3 at Cornell (10/14/23)
Kick Return Yards: 57 at Cornell (10/14/23)
Long Kick Return: 31 vs. Georgetown (11/11/23)
TAKAI WHITMORE (14)
CB | SO | 5-11 | 170
Tackles: 3, 2X (last vs. Marist, 9/21/24)
TERIAN WILLIAMS II (9)
CB | JR | 5-11 | 190
Tackles: 9 vs. Merrimack (9/14/24)
Tackles for Loss: 1 vs. Marist (9/21/24)
Sacks: 1 vs. Marist (9/21/24)
Interceptions: 1 at Navy (8/31/24)
GAVIN WILLIS (13)
LB | SO | 6-0 | 212
Tackles: 15 at Fordham (11/4/23)
Tackles for Loss: 2 at Lehigh (9/28/24)
Sacks: 2 at Lehigh (9/28/24)
Pass Breakups: 1 vs. Lehigh (10/21/23)
2024 GAME REPORTS: GAME 1
BUCKNELL 7 0 7 7 21 NAVY 6 22 7 `14 49 Aug. 31
TEAM STATISTICS
GAME NOTES
• Bucknell got off to an exciting start against the Mids with an opening-drive 47-yard touchdown pass from Ralph Rucker to Nate Anderson, but Navy went on to score 35 unanswered points and held on for a 49-21 win.
• The Mids piled up 437 yards on total offense, gaining 264 on the ground.
• RB Paul Neel led Bucknell’s rushing attack in his first career start. The senior carried 12 times for 60 yards and a third-quarter touchdown.
• Rucker added 34 net rushing yards in addition to his 122 pass yards. He was under duress much of the game, absorbing four sacks.
Football Drops Season Opener at Navy, 49-21
The Bucknell football team opened its 2024 season with a hard-fought 49-21 loss to Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) opponent Navy on Saturday afternoon before 28,763 fans at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. The Bison got out to an electric start with Ralph Rucker IV connecting with Nate Anderson on a 47-yard touchdown pass on the very first possession of the day, but the Midshipmen flipped the game around with a 22-point second quarter.
Rucker, who was under pressure for much of the contest, completed 11 of 24 passes for 122 yards and the touchdown to Anderson, a Western Michigan transfer making his Bison debut. Bucknell gained 337 total yards, including 131 on the ground, with starting running back Paul Neel leading the way with 60 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries.
TJ Cadden made a team-high five catches for 97 yards and was also impactful on special teams with a 24-yard punt return and a 52-yard kickoff return. Anderson, Josh Gary, and Eric Weatherly caught two passes apiece.
Nick Hoying led the defense with 11 total tackles, surpassing his total of 10 from his freshman season in 2023, and he also notched his first career interception. Stanford transfer Terian Williams II also intercepted a pass in his first game as a Bison.
“I thought our guys would fight for 60 minutes, and they absolutely did that,” said head coach Dave Cecchini after the game. “They did not give up, they did not quit. They played just as hard on the last play of the game as the first play of the game; 60 minutes of football in hot, humid conditions.”
Rucker found Anderson wide open down the left sideline for the opening score only 1:23 into the contest, but Navy answered about three minutes later when big fullback Daba Fofanabroke ran loose up the middle for a 49-yard touchdown run. The Bison remained in the lead when the extra point was shoved wide to the right. Bucknell looked good to expand on the margin when Rucker engineered a 13-play drive down to the Navy 19, but the Midshipmen came up with a stop on 4th-and-2.
After the defense forced another punt, Neel started a drive with a good run up the middle, but on replay review it was ruled that Navy knocked the ball loose just before his knee went down, and the Mids were awarded the ball. Navy then took its first lead of the day on Alex Tecza’s 3-yard TD run on the first play of the second quarter.
Blake Horvath tossed a pair of touchdown passes later in the period, and Navy took a 28-7 lead to the locker room.
Eli Heidenreich’s second TD catch of the game made it 35 unanswered points for Navy before the Bison ended the run on Neel’s 3-yard run that was set up by the Hoying interception. Rucker piled up 27 of his 34 rushing yards on the scoring drive.
Bucknell added one more touchdown in the final minute in a nice moment for the Cadden brothers. TJ caught a beautifully thrown deep ball by Michael Hardyway for a 37-yard hookup down to the two, and then younger brother Michael ran it in on the next play for the freshman’s first career score.
Navy gained 264 yards on the ground, led by Fofana’s 82 yards. Quarterbacks Horvath and Braxton Woodson combined to complete 10 of 19 passes for 173 yards and three touchdowns. The Midshipmen had a 437-337 edge in total yards and led 33:01-26:59 in time of possession.
SCORING SUMMARY
1st
2nd
3rd Quarter 7:15 7:45
4th Quarter 5:59 9:01
3rd Down Conversions 6 of 17 10 of 17
4th Down Conversions 1 of 3 1 of 1
Red-Zone Scores-Chances 2-4 5-5 Touchdowns 2-4 5-5 Field Goals 0-4
• WR TJ Cadden hauled in five receptions for a career-high 97 receiving yards. He added a 52-yard kickoff return and a 24-yard punt return. His younger brother, freshman RB Michael Cadden, scored a late Bison touchdown in his first collegiate game.
• Sophomore Nick Hoying led Bucknell’s defensive efforts with 11 tackles and his first career interception. Terian Williams also grabbed an interception, and Brad Jamison recorded Bucknell’s lone sack.
TEAM LEADERS
Bucknell and Navy were meeting for the first time since 1925. BUCKNELL
2024 GAME REPORTS: GAME 2
Big Second Half Lifts Bucknell to 35-28 Win at VMI
TEAM STATISTICS
GAME NOTES
• Ralph Rucker completed 14 of 15 pass attempts for 201 yards and three touchdowns in the second half to defeat VMI on the road. Rucker was 8 for 8 in the third quarter and led Bucknell to touchdowns on its first two possessions of the half.
• The Bison scored 21 unanswered points in the second half after being tied at 14-all at halftime. Josh Gary caught both touchdown passes on Bucknell’s back-to-back scoring drives to open the third quarter.
• TJ Cadden registered 87 receiving yards and a touchdown in addition to his 40-yard punt return touchdown in the first half. It was Bucknell’s first punt return touchdown in 10 years. Eric Weatherly led all receivers with nine receptions for 105 yards.
A big second half that saw 21 unanswered points propelled the Bucknell football team to a 35-28 win over VMI at Alumni Memorial Field on Saturday. After VMI took an early lead on a first quarter pick six, Ralph Rucker IV was outstanding the rest of the way and guided the Bison to their first victory of the season. The Bison quarterback completed 28 of 37 passing attempts (75.7%) for 340 yards and three touchdowns.
The Bison and Keydets were tied at 14-14 at halftime, but junior wide receiver Josh Gary was on the receiving end of two Rucker touchdowns on Bucknell’s first two drives of the third quarter to build a 28-14 lead. Sophomore TJ Cadden, who scored on a 40-yard punt return in the first quarter, caught another Rucker pass early in the fourth to put Bucknell up 35-14. Junior Eric Weatherly led all players with nine receptions for 105 yards. Paul Neel accounted for Bucknell’s other touchdown, scoring in the first quarter on one of his eight carries for 37 yards.
In the second half, Rucker completed 14 of 15 attempts for 201 yards and three touchdowns, missing just once in the fourth quarter.
Bucknell racked up 457 yards of offense for the game, while VMI totaled 378.
The Bison defense gave up just one touchdown in the first half when running back Hunter Rice ran up the middle for a 58-yard score. The Keydets added two late scores with under nine minutes to play in the game to pull within a touchdown, but the Bison were able to kneel out the final 29 seconds to defeat VMI for a second year in a row.
Rice led the Keydets with 166 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries. He also hauled in three catches. VMI quarterback Collin Shannon completed 21 of 32 passes for 129 yards, and backup Chandler Wilson completed 3 of 5 passes and a touchdown on the final VMI drive.
Rucker became just the second Bucknell quarterback to post three 300-yard passing games in his career, joining Jim Given ‘87. Seven of Rucker’s passes were for 15 yards or longer, including a 33yard completion to Weatherly that led to the first touchdown in the third quarter, a 41-yard touchdown pass to Gary that came on a 4th-and-2 play, and a 35-yard touchdown to Cadden.
Cadden’s 40-yard punt return touchdown comes one week after he logged a 24-yard punt return and a 52-yard kickoff return at Navy. He ended the day with 141 all-purpose yards. It was the first Bucknell punt return touchdown since Josh Brake took one 62 yards to the house in a win over VMI on Aug. 30, 2014.
Gavin Willis led all Bison with 12 tackles, including six solo stops. Both Brandon Biagiarelli and John Schlendorf registered sacks. Schlendorf’s sack on the opening drive of the game knocked the ball loose from VMI’s quarterback’s hand, but the Keydets recovered. The Bison would get their lone turnover of the game late in the third quarter when Chris Sims intercepted a pass in the end zone and returned it 21 yards.
SCORING SUMMARY
1st
2nd
3rd Quarter 6:22 8:38
4th Quarter 5:41 9:19
3rd
4th
• Rucker, who totaled 340 passing yards, became just the second Bison quarterback with three career 300-yard games, joining Jim Given ’87.
• Chris Sims came up with Bucknell’s only turnover, intercepting a pass in the third quarter. John Schlendorf forced a fumble that was recovered by VMI, and Gavin Willis led all Bison with 12 tackles.
TEAM LEADERS
BUCKNELL
2024 GAME REPORTS: GAME 3
MERRIMACK 3 14 14 0 31
TEAM STATISTICS
GAME NOTES
• Bucknell and Merrimack traded leads four times in the first half, but the visiting Warriors took the lead for good with 1:46 remaining in the second quarter and scored 21 unanswered points to build a 31-14 lead by the middle of the third.
• Merrimack eclipsed 400 yards of offense, including 258 rushing yards. Running back Jermaine Corbett accounted for 166 rushing yards and a touchdown on 19 carries.
• The Warriors also added a defensive score on a sack-fumble returned for a touchdown in the third quarter.
• Bucknell snapped its scoring drought with a touchdown pass in the final minute of the game to cut the final deficit to 31-21.
Football Falls to Merrimack 31-21 in Home Opener
Bucknell and Merrimack traded leads four times in the first half, but the Warriors went on to score 21 unanswered to take control of the game and hand the Bison a 31-21 loss in their home opener at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium Saturday evening.
Merrimack piled up 405 yards of offense compared to Bucknell’s 260 and added a defensive score. Bucknell’s offense got off to a hot start, scoring on two of its first three drives to go up 14-10 early in the second quarter. Merrimack’s defense buckled down from that point on and forced three Bucknell turnovers in the game while holding the Bison off the scoreboard for the entire third quarter and most of the fourth. Bucknell’s Michael Hardyway threw a touchdown pass to Sam Milligan in the final minute of the game to cut the Seahawk lead to 10.
The Warriors sacked Ralph Rucker IV seven times. The Bison quarterback ended the game 16 of 27 for 141 yards. Rucker’s lone touchdown through the air came in the first quarter when he capped a 10-play, 73-yard drive with a 10-yard pass to Josh Gary in the end zone that put Bucknell in front, 7-3. Merrimack regained the lead on its first possession of the second quarter. The Bison responded immediately with another long drive that ended with an 11-yard touchdown scamper by Rucker.
Merrimack running back Jermaine Corbett led the Merrimack offense with 166 yards on 19 carries. His 25-yard touchdown run late in the second quarter gave the Warriors a 17-14 lead heading into halftime and started the 21-0 run.
Merrimack quarterback Ayden Pereira hit Brendon Wyatt on a 13-yard touchdown early in the third to go up double digits, and the deficit grew to 21 when a sack-fumble was returned by defensive lineman Nicholas Lenon 26 yards for a touchdown. Merrimack finished the game 7 for 13 on third downs.
Bucknell freshman running back Tariq Thomas led the Bison ground game with 51 yards on just seven carries. He also pulled down two catches for 13 yards. Eric Weatherly led all Bucknell receivers with 77 yards on six catches. Nick Hoying registered a teamhigh 10 tackles on defense. TJ Cadden, the reigning Patriot League Special Teams Player of the Week, made another splash play with a 37-yard punt return in the first quarter.
Both Bucknell and Merrimack moved to 1-2 on the season following Saturday’s result.
SCORING SUMMARY
MER 3rd 08:04 Lenon 52yd fumble recovery Davis kick 14-31
BUC 4th 00:46 Milligan 23yd pass from Hardyway Schearer kick
TEAM LEADERS
MERRIMACK
3rd
• Ralph Rucker led two touchdown drives in the first half. He threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Josh Gary to cap a 9-play, 73yard drive in the first quarter. In the second, Rucker ran 11 yards for a score to cap a 5-play, 65-yard drive. He finished the game with 141 passing yards on 16 completions.
• The Merrimack defense sacked Rucker seven times in the contest and intercepted two passes.
2024 GAME REPORTS: GAME 4
MARIST 7 0 0 11 19
TEAM STATISTICS
GAME NOTES
• Bucknell scored touchdowns on offense, defense and special teams to jump out to a 27-7 lead over Marist by halftime. The Bison held on to win 34-18, defeating the Red Foxes for a 10th consecutive time.
• Bucknell’s offense rolled to 458 yards of total offense. Ralph Rucker completed 21 of 27 passes for 272 and three touchdowns.
• TJ Cadden registered a 73-yard punt return touchdown and also caught a touchdown pass in the game. He finished with 155 all-purpose yards.
• Alex Smith Jr. intercepted a Marist pass in the second quarter and returned it 38 yards for a touchdown. It was Bucknell’s first pick-six since the 2021 season.
Bison Football Rides Big First Half to 34-18 Win Over Marist
The Bucknell football team scored three unanswered touchdowns in just over three minutes of game time to jump out to a commanding 27-7 lead over the visiting Marist Red Foxes by halftime, and the Bison added one more score in the second half on the way to a 34-18 Family Weekend win at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium on Saturday evening. It was Bucknell’s 10th consecutive win in the Marist series and evened its season record at 2-2.
Ralph Rucker IV completed 21 of 27 passes for 272 yards and three touchdowns, and TJ Cadden notched his second punt-return touchdown of the season to lead the Bison. Cadden, Eric Weatherly, and Charlie Kreinbucher all caught TD passes as Bucknell moved to 1-1 in home games.
Bucknell’s offense rolled to 458 yards of total offense, but it was a strong showing by the Bison in all three phases of the game as they added touchdowns on defense and special teams. Rucker, who completed his first 13 pass attempts of the game, threw his second touchdown pass of the game to Kreinbucher early in the second quarter to break a 7-7 tie. Cadden returned a punt 73 yards for a touchdown just several plays later, and Alex Smith Jr. returned an interception 36 yards on the following drive to make it three Bison scores in 3:22 of game time.
Aaron Davis joined Smith with an interception, while Gavin Willis’ nine tackles led a Bucknell defense that held Marist to a single score through three quarters. Brandon Biagiarelli registered two of Bucknell’s four sacks. Marist managed to total 435 yards of offense, including 209 passing yards by quarterback Sonny Mannino, but the Red Foxes’ opening drive touchdown was its only score until it converted a field goal to open the fourth quarter.
Marist’s first-quarter touchdown came in response to Bucknell’s opening drive, which saw Rucker lead the offense 79 yards down field and connect with Weatherly on a 36-yard touchdown. It was Weatherly’s first score of the season. Rucker’s touchdown to Kreinbucher was from just two yards out, and the dagger to Cadden was a 12-yard score with 5:51 to play. Rucker reached eight passing touchdowns on the season and is one shy of 30 in his brief Bucknell career.
Bucknell has now scored in the 30s in two games this season and in five of its last eight dating back to last season.
Cadden, who became the first Bison in a decade return a punt for a touchdown in the win over VMI, now has four total touchdowns on the season. He ranks near the top of all FCS players with 607 all-purpose yards. Michael Cadden, TJ’s younger brother, led all Bison with 71 yards on just five carries in the fourth quarter. Paul Neel finished the game with 44 rushing yards on eight carries, and Tariq Thomas ran 12 times for 40 yards.
Smith is the first Bucknell player to return an interception for a touchdown since Blake Leake in 2021.
SCORING SUMMARY
Team QT Time Scoring Play Conversion
1st 12:14 Weatherly
MAR 1st 08:25 Downes 28yd pass from Arjona Mendini
BUC 2nd 12:37 Kreinbucher 2yd pass from Rucker Schearer kick
BUC 2nd 10:33 T. Cadden 73yd punt return Schearer kick
BUC 2nd 09:15 Smith Jr. 38yd interception return Schearer kick
MAR 4th 13:23 Mendini 25yd field goal --- 7-52 04:03 27-10
BUC 4th 05:51 Cadden 12yd pass from Rucker Schearer kick 7-34 02:18 34-10
MAR 4th 01:13 Dexter 5yd pass from Mannino Cardillo pass 7-52 01:03 34-18
TEAM LEADERS
Punt:
1st
2nd
3rd Quarter 9:20 5:40
4th Quarter 6:15 8:45
3rd Down Conversions 6 of 14 6 of 12
4th Down Conversions 0 of 2 0 of 1
Red-Zone Scores-Chances 2-3 2-4 Touchdowns 1-3 2-4 Field
• Freshman running back Michael Cadden led all Bison with 71 rushing yards on just five carries, all of which came in the fourth quarter. Paul Neel rushed eight times for 44 yards, and Tariq Thomas carried the ball 12 times for 40 yards.
• Eric Weatherly was Rucker’s top target, hauling in five catches for 74 yards and a score. Charlie Kreinbucher also caught a touchdown.
• Brandon Biagiarelli logged seven tackles and two sacks.
2024 GAME REPORTS: GAME 5
Bison Football Rides Big First Half to 34-18 Win Over Marist
TEAM STATISTICS
GAME NOTES
• TJ Cadden, who already had two punt return touchdowns this season, set a Goodman Stadium record and tied the Bucknell record with his 100-yard kickoff return.
• Bison head coach Dave Cecchini improved to 4-2 against his alma mater in six seasons with the Bison.
• It was Bucknell’s third straight road win over Lehigh, and fifth-year seniors Casey Stephenson and Danny Meuser became the first Bison ever to go 3-0 at Goodman Stadium.
• Bucknell had not had a pick-six in three seasons but now has one in two straught games. Alex Smith Jr. ran one back against Marist last week and Aaron Davis snapped the fourth-quarter tie with an INT TD at Lehigh.
Senior linebacker Brad Jamison forced a fumble in the second overtime of a wild Patriot League opener to give Bucknell a 38-35 win over Lehigh at muddy Goodman Stadium. It was a resilient effort by the Bison, who erased a 14-0 second quarter deficit and scored touchdowns on offense, defense and special times for a second week in a row. The Bison improved to 3-2 and achieved their best start to a season since 2015. The Mountain Hawks entered the game leading the Patriot League with a 3-1 record.
Bucknell trailed 21-14 in the third quarter and again at 35-28 after Lehigh’s offense scored first in the first overtime. Ralph Rucker IV connected with Eric Weatherly for a 12-yard touchdown on Bucknell’s first overtime try, and Matt Schearer drilled a 42-yard field goal in the second overtime. Jamison stripped Lehigh Luke Yoder on 1st-and-10 from the Bucknell 20-yard line, and Gavin Willis recovered his second fumble of the day to seal the victory.
Rucker finished the game 15 for 22 for 150 yards and two touchdowns, both of which Weatherly caught.
In the second quarter, the Lehigh offense marched 97 yards down field after a Bucknell fumble and scored its second passing touchdown of the first half to take a 14-0 lead with 4:11 to play, but the Bison immediately snatched the momentum thanks to a 100-yard kickoff return touchdown by TJ Cadden, a forced fumble by Mason Taylor, and a 31-yard touchdown pass by Ralph Rucker IV. The wild sequence of events, which all took place in 62 seconds of game time, tied the game by the time the teams entered the locker rooms.
Lehigh regained the lead in the third quarter, but Bucknell answered again with a 7-yard touchdown rush by Rucker. Bucknell took its first lead of the game with just over six minutes to play in the fourth when Aaron Davis picked off a Lehigh pass and returned it 79 yards for a touchdown. It was Bucknell’s second pick-six in as many weeks.
Lehigh managed to tie the game at 28-28 with 1:36 to play in the fourth, but Bucknell had one more chance to win in regulation. The Bison offense drove to Lehigh’s 35-yard line, including a fourth-down conversion on the final offensive play where Rucker connected with Thomas, and Schearer lined up for a 52-yard field goal attempt. The kick had plenty of distance, but the ball bounced off the upright and sent the two teams to overtime. The Bison still made good on one of two field goals and connected on four extra points with backup long snapper Michael Crabtree called into action.
Bucknell finished the game with 270 total yards of offense compared to an even 500 for the Mountain Hawks. 150 of Bucknell’s yards came on the ground, including a season-high by freshman running back Tariq Thomas. Paul Neel rushed seven times for 38 yards. Lehigh’s Yoder rushed 22 times for 137 yards and three touchdowns.
SCORING SUMMARY
1st
2nd Quarter 8:59 6:01
3rd Quarter 9:20 5:40
4th Quarter 6:15 8:45
3rd Down Conversions 5 of 12 7 of 14
4th Down Conversions 1 of 1 2 of 4
Red-Zone Scores-Chances 3-4 3-3
Sacks: Total - Yards 2-21 5-21
PAT: Total - Made 5-5 5-5
2PT Conversion: Total - Made 0-0 0-0
Field Goals: Total - Made 1-2 0-0
• Bucknell won despite being outgained 500-270. The defensive and special teams touchdowns along with another one-play TD drive meant Lehigh had a couple of extra possessions and a 16:38 edge in time of possession.
• QB Ralph Rucker IV threw two touchdown passes and ran for another score; all three TDs came with the Bison trailing by seven points, including the critical toss to Eric Weatherly in overtime.
TEAM LEADERS
BUCKNELL
2024 GAME REPORTS: GAME 6
Penn Parlays Big Third Quarter into 31-21 Win at Franklin Field
Malachi Hosley ran for 146 yards and two big third-quarter touchdowns to help Penn pull away and snap Bucknell’s two-game winning streak, 31-21 on a sunny afternoon at Franklin Field. The Bison piled up 429 total yards, including 314 through the air, five times they lamented coming away without points on drives to at least the Penn 33-yard line.
TEAM STATISTICS
GAME NOTES
• Penn posted its 10th straight series win over the Bison, with Bucknell’s last win coming in 1999.
• It was only the third Division I game ever in which neither team punted. The others were Georgia Southern vs. James Madison in 1986 and Hawai’i vs. San Jose State in 2019.
• Bucknell saw its two game winning streak snapped. The Bison were trying for their first three-game run since 2014.
• The Bison fell despite making a seaon-high 28 first downs and outgaining Penn 429-394.
• RB Tariq Thomas’ two touchdown runs were the first two of his career.
• WR Josh Gary caught 13 passes for 137 yards. The 13 receptions were two shy of Damian Harris’ school record of 15, set last season in a win over Marist.
• The Bison are now 3-3 under head coach Dave Cecchini in the week following a bye.
• Penn improved to 2-2 on the season, with both wins coming against Patriot League teams (Colgate, Bucknell). The Quakers have now won eight straight games against the PL.
Ralph Rucker IV completed his first 13 passes of the day and was 26 of 34 for 241 yards before leaving with an injury on the first play of the fourth quarter. Backup Michael Hardyway was just as effective, hitting on 6 of 9 passes for 53 yards and engineering a fourth-quarter scoring drive that kept Bucknell within striking distance.
Josh Gary caught a career-high 13 passes — two shy of the team record — on 15 targets for 137 yards, and Eric Weatherly (7) and Nate Anderson (6) accounted for another 13 catches. Freshman Tariq Thomas paced the ground attack with 57 yards on 21 carries and two touchdowns.
Bucknell got out to a promising start when FCS kickoff return leader TJ Cadden ran the opening kickoff out to midfield. The Bison picked up a couple of first downs but were ultimately stopped on 4th-and-1 at the Penn 20.
The Quakers, boosted by the fourth-down stop, drove 80 yards in eight plays to take the lead. The key play was a 44-yard catch and run on a wide receiver screen by Bisi Owens on a 3rd-and-8 down to the Bucknell 22. After a Penn holding penalty, Hosley ran it 27 yards down to the 5 and then Jamal Bing scored on the next play for a 7-0 Quakers lead.
Bucknell immediately responded, driving 78 yards in 10 plays, knotting the game on a 9-yard run by Thomas and the PAT by Matt Schearer. Rucker was 6-for-6 for 53 yards on the drive, plus a big 14-yard scramble on 3rd-and-13.
John Schlendorf’s sack on 3rd-and-5 from the Bucknell 6 forced Penn to settle for a 30-yard Sam Smith field goal with 9:22 left in the second quarter, and Penn escaped with that 10-7 lead into the halftime break after the Bison missed two field goals in the final 5:13.
Penn broke it open in the third quarter with two more Hosley touchdown runs of 32 and 13 yards stretching the margin to 24-7.
Rucker connected with Anderson on an 11-yard fade route in the left corner of the end zone to make it 24-14, but the Quakers answered in only three plays, with Aidan Sayin hitting Jared Richardson on a 49-yard strike. Hardyway led an 11-play touchdown drive, culminating with Thomas’ 4-yard run with 11:56 to go in the fourth. Alex Smith Jr. broke up a fourth-down pass to give the Bison the ball back at their own 21 with 8:14 to go, and they drove all the way to the Penn 32 with a chance to make it a one-score game. Hardyway called his own number to pick up a 4th-and-3, and four completions to Gary set up a 49-yard field goal attempt, but it was off the mark with 3:10 to go, and the Quakers made two first downs to run out the clock.
SCORING SUMMARY
TEAM LEADERS
Team Results
Game Records
Team Statistics
Rushing
Passing
Receiving
Interceptions
Team Defense
#9 Michael Hardyway
#10 Ralph Rucker IV
Rushing Player
Tariq Thomas 73-263/2 6-15/0 9-23/0 7-51/0 12-40/0 18-77/0 21-57/2
Ralph Rucker IV 52-85/2 10-34/0 6-21/0 13--10/1 5-6/0 9--10/1 9-44/0
Paul Neel 41-191/2 12-60/1 8-37/1 4-3/0 8-44/0 7-38/0 2-9/0
Michael Cadden 21-129/1 5-12/1 4-9/0 5-36/0 5-71/0 1-5/0 1--4/0
Danny Meuser 13-43/0 5-11/0 4-24/0 1-0/0 3-8/0 - DNP
Logan Bush 6-24/0 DNP DNP 2-11/0 4-13/0 DNP -
Michael Hardyway 4-6/0 - DNP - 1-1/0 DNP 3-5/0
Nate Anderson 2-13/0 - - - 1-3/0 1-10/0 -
Eric Weatherly 2-4/0 - 1--1/0 1-5/0 - - -
Josh Gary 1--1/0 - 1--1/0 - - - -
Receiving Player
Eric Weatherly 34-382/3 2-10/0 9-105/0 6-77/0 5-74/1 5-55/2 7-61/0
Josh Gary 24-256/3 2-15/0 3-54/2 3-17/1 2-28/0 1-5/0 13-137/0
Nate Anderson 22-262/2 2-61/1 3-32/0 2-21/0 4-47/0 5-49/0 6-52/1
TJ Cadden 18-259/2 5-97/0 6-87/1 - 3-30/1 1-21/0 3-24/0
Sam Milligan 6-85/1 1-9/0 1-6/0 1-23/1 1-32/0 1-2/0 1-13/0
Charlie Kreinbucher 5-36/1 - 1-5/0 1-1/0 2-10/1 - 1-20/0
Paul Neel 5-32/0 1-5/0 3-18/0 1-9/0 - - -
Tariq Thomas 5-30/0 - - 2-13/0 - 1-10/0 2-7/0
Derrick Anderson Jr. 4-60/0 - 2-33/0 1-3/0 1-24/0 DNP -
Kyle Fontes 2-17/0 1-4/0 - - 1-13/0 DNP DNP
Michael Cadden 2-14/0 - - - 2-14/0 - -
Marques Owens 1-8/0 DNP DNP DNP - 1-8/0 DNP
Danny Meuser 1-5/0 1-5/0 - - - - DNP
Total Tackles
Player
Gavin Willis
Nick Hoying 31-17 48
John Schlendorf 32-14 46
Terian Williams 16-16 32 1-0
Alex Smith Jr. 17-11 28 4-2
Brad Jamison 13-11 24 5-2 1-3 4-3 DNP
Mason Taylor 14-4 18 1-0 2-1 3-1 1-1
Roman Pearson
Biagiarelli
Aaron Davis 10-4 14 1-0 DNP - 6-1
Chris Sims 9-4 13 - - 2-2
Jack Barnes 7-6 13 2-2 1-1 0-1
Cade Rooney 7-5 12 3-1 1-0 0-3 2-0
Aneesh Vyas 4-7 11
Jack Goheen 5-4 9
Takai Whitmore 7-1 8
Caneer
Freeman
JJ Sebert
Justin Fisher
Bradley Pao
Drew Cormier
Darius
Matt Karic
Danny Meuser
Josh Gary
Charlie McIntyre
Aidan Catania
David LoGrasso
Ashton Sempervive
TJ Cadden
Anderson
Nate Anderson
Ryan Jedlicka
Sam Milligan
Daniel Sierk
Juan Garanton
Dara Adeyemi
Punt Returns
Player No-Yds Navy VMI Merri Marist Lehigh Penn
TJ Cadden 11-193 1-24 4-54 2-38 2-78 2--1 -
Eric Weatherly 3--3 3--3 - - - - -
Kick Returns
Player No-Yds Navy VMI Merri Marist Lehigh Penn
TJ Cadden 9-289 1-52 - 1-21 2-47 2-117 3-52
Tariq Thomas 7-133 3-58 1-17 2-47 1-11 - -
Terian Williams 3-30 1-16 - - - 2-14 -
Josh Gary 1-8 - - - - 1-8 -
Interceptions Returns
Player No-Yds Navy VMI Merri Marist Lehigh Penn
Aaron Davis 2-99 - DNP - 1-20 1-79 -
Alex Smith Jr. 1-38 -
Chris Sims 1-21 - 1-21
Nick Hoying 1-11 1-11
Terian Williams 1-8 1-8
Mason Taylor 1-0
Fumble Returns
Player No-Yds Navy VMI Merri Marist Lehigh Penn
Willis 2-0
Bucknell Inside Opponent Red-Zone
Opponents Inside Bucknell Red-Zone
Bucknell - Game Highs
RUSHES 39 Marist (09/21/2024) 39 at Navy (08/31/2024)
YARDS RUSHING 186 Marist (09/21/2024) YARDS PER RUSH
Marist (09/21/2024) TD RUSHES 2 at Penn (10/12/2024) 2 at Navy (08/31/2024)
PASS ATTEMPTS
at Penn (10/12/2024) PASS COMPLETIONS
at Penn (10/12/2024) YARDS PASSING
(09/21/2024)
at VMI (09/07/2024) YARDS PER PASS
(09/21/2024) 3 at VMI (09/07/2024) TOTAL PLAYS
(10/12/2024)
(09/21/2024)
(09/21/2024)
at Lehigh (09/28/2024)
(09/21/2024)
(10/12/2024) PENALTIES
(09/21/2024)
Marist (09/21/2024)
TURNOVERS 3 Merrimack (09/14/2024) PUNTS 5 at Lehigh (09/28/2024) 5 at VMI (09/07/2024) 5 at Navy (08/31/2024) PUNTING
Merrimack (09/14/2024) LONG PUNT 63 at VMI (09/07/2024) 63 at Navy (08/31/2024) PUNTS INSIDE 20 2 at Lehigh (09/28/2024) 2 Merrimack (09/14/2024)
LONG PUNT RETURN 73 Marist (09/21/2024)
Opponent - Game Highs
RUSHES
53 at Navy (08/31/2024)
YARDS RUSHING 264 at Navy (08/31/2024)
YARDS PER RUSH 7.6 at VMI (09/07/2024)
TD RUSHES 4 at Navy (08/31/2024)
PASS ATTEMPTS 45 Marist (09/21/2024)
PASS
Marist (09/21/2024)
YARDS PASSING 333 Marist (09/21/2024)
YARDS PER PASS 9.8 Merrimack (09/14/2024)
TD PASSES 3 at Navy (08/31/2024)
TOTAL PLAYS 77 at Lehigh (09/28/2024)
TOTAL OFFENSE 500 at Lehigh (09/28/2024)
YARDS PER PLAY
at Penn (10/12/2024)
POINTS 49 at Navy (08/31/2024)
SACKS BY 7 Merrimack (09/14/2024)
(09/28/2024)
PENALTIES 9 Marist (09/21/2024) 9 at VMI (09/07/2024)
PENALTY YARDS 67 at VMI (09/07/2024)
TURNOVERS 3 at Lehigh (09/28/2024)
PUNTS 7 at VMI (09/07/2024)
PUNTING
PUNT
at Lehigh (09/28/2024)
at VMI (09/07/2024)
PUNTS INSIDE 20 3 at Navy (08/31/2024) LONG PUNT RETURN
at Navy (08/31/2024)
Bucknell - Game Lows
RUSHES 33 Merrimack (09/14/2024)
YARDS RUSHING
(09/14/2024) YARDS PER RUSH
(09/14/2024) TD RUSHES
PASS ATTEMPTS
PASS COMPLETIONS
YARDS PASSING
Marist (09/21/2024)
at Lehigh (09/28/2024)
at Lehigh (09/28/2024)
at Navy (08/31/2024)
at Lehigh (09/28/2024)
YARDS PER PASS 5.5 Merrimack (09/14/2024) TD PASSES 1 at Penn (10/12/2024) 1 at Navy (08/31/2024)
TOTAL PLAYS 58 at Lehigh (09/28/2024)
TOTAL OFFENSE
Merrimack (09/14/2024) YARDS PER PLAY
Merrimack (09/14/2024)
at Penn (10/12/2024)
Merrimack (09/14/2024) 21 at Navy (08/31/2024) SACKS BY 1 at Penn (10/12/2024)
Merrimack (09/14/2024) 1 at Navy (08/31/2024)
DOWNS 14 at Navy (08/31/2024)
(09/14/2024)
Merrimack (09/14/2024)
(09/14/2024)
(10/12/2024)
at Penn (10/12/2024) LONG PUNT
at Penn (10/12/2024)
PUNTS INSIDE 20 0 at Penn (10/12/2024)
LONG PUNT RETURN
at Penn (10/12/2024)
at Lehigh (09/28/2024)
Opponent - Game Lows
RUSHES 28 at VMI (09/07/2024)
YARDS RUSHING 102 Marist (09/21/2024)
YARDS PER RUSH 3.4 Marist (09/21/2024) TD RUSHES 0 Marist (09/21/2024)
PASS ATTEMPTS 15 Merrimack (09/14/2024)
PASS COMPLETIONS 10 at Navy (08/31/2024)
YARDS PASSING 147 Merrimack (09/14/2024)
YARDS PER PASS 4.5 at VMI (09/07/2024)
TD PASSES 1 at Penn (10/12/2024) 1 Merrimack (09/14/2024) 1 at VMI (09/07/2024)
TOTAL PLAYS 56 at Penn (10/12/2024)
TOTAL OFFENSE 378 at VMI (09/07/2024)
YARDS PER PLAY 5.8 Marist (09/21/2024)
18 Marist (09/21/2024)
SACKS BY 2 Marist (09/21/2024) FIRST DOWNS 19 at Penn (10/12/2024) PENALTIES 4 at Penn (10/12/2024)
PENALTY YARDS 43 at Lehigh (09/28/2024) INTERCEPTIONS BY 0 at Penn (10/12/2024) 0 at Lehigh (09/28/2024) 0 at Navy (08/31/2024)
PUNTS 0 at Penn (10/12/2024)
PUNTING AVG 0.0 at Penn (10/12/2024)
LONG PUNT 0 at Penn (10/12/2024)
PUNTS INSIDE 20 0 at Penn (10/12/2024) 0 at Lehigh (09/28/2024) 0 at VMI (09/07/2024)
LONG PUNT RETURN 0 at Penn (10/12/2024) 0 at Lehigh (09/28/2024) 0 Marist (09/21/2024)
Bucknell - Individual Game Highs
RUSHES
YARDS RUSHING
21 Tariq Thomas at Penn (10/12/2024)
77 Tariq Thomas at Lehigh (09/28/2024)
TD RUSHES 2 Tariq Thomas at Penn (10/12/2024)
LONG RUSH 32 Michael Cadden vs Marist (09/21/2024)
PASS ATTEMPTS 37 Ralph Rucker IV at VMI (09/07/2024)
PASS COMPLETIONS 28 Ralph Rucker IV at VMI (09/07/2024)
YARDS PASSING
340 Ralph Rucker IV at VMI (09/07/2024)
TD PASSES 3 Ralph Rucker IV vs Marist (09/21/2024)
LONG PASS
RECEPTIONS
3 Ralph Rucker IV at VMI (09/07/2024)
Ralph Rucker IV at Navy (08/31/2024)
Josh Gary at Penn (10/12/2024)
YARDS RECEIVING 137 Josh Gary at Penn (10/12/2024)
TD RECEPTIONS 2 Eric Weatherly at Lehigh (09/28/2024)
LONG RECEPTION
2 Josh Gary at VMI (09/07/2024)
Nate Anderson at Navy (08/31/2024)
PUNTS 5 Matt Schearer at VMI (09/07/2024) 5 Matt Schearer at Navy (08/31/2024)
PUNTING AVG 50.0 Matt Schearer vs Merrimack (09/14/2024)
LONG PUNT 63 Matt Schearer at VMI (09/07/2024)
63 Matt Schearer at Navy (08/31/2024)
PUNTS INSIDE 20 2 Matt Schearer at Lehigh (09/28/2024) 2 Matt Schearer vs Merrimack (09/14/2024)
LONG PUNT RETURN 73 TJ Cadden vs Marist (09/21/2024)
LONG KICKOFF RETURN 100 TJ Cadden at Lehigh (09/28/2024)
TACKLES 13 John Schlendorf at Lehigh (09/28/2024)
SACKS
2 Gavin Willis at Lehigh (09/28/2024)
2 Brandon Biagiarelli vs Marist (09/21/2024)
TACKLES FOR LOSS 3 Nick Hoying vs Marist (09/21/2024)
Opponent - Individual Game Highs
RUSHES
YARDS RUSHING
TD RUSHES
22 Malachi Hosley at Penn (10/12/2024)
22 Luke Yoder at Lehigh (09/28/2024)
166 Jermaine Corbett vs Merrimack (09/14/2024)
166 Hunter Rice at VMI (09/07/2024)
3 Luke Yoder at Lehigh (09/28/2024)
LONG RUSH 58 Hunter Rice at VMI (09/07/2024)
PASS ATTEMPTS
32 Collin Shannon at VMI (09/07/2024)
PASS COMPLETIONS 21 Collin Shannon at VMI (09/07/2024)
YARDS PASSING
TD PASSES
209 Sonny Mannino vs Marist (09/21/2024)
2 Blake Horvath at Navy (08/31/2024)
LONG PASS 57 Ayden Pereira vs Merrimack (09/14/2024)
RECEPTIONS 9 Geo rey Jamiel at Lehigh (09/28/2024)
YARDS RECEIVING
9 Mason Humphrey at Lehigh (09/28/2024)
136 Geo rey Jamiel at Lehigh (09/28/2024)
TD RECEPTIONS 2 Geo rey Jamiel at Lehigh (09/28/2024)
LONG RECEPTION
2 Eli Heidenreich at Navy (08/31/2024)
57 Donovan Wadley vs Merrimack (09/14/2024)
FIELD GOALS 1 Sam Smith at Penn (10/12/2024) 1 Connor Mendini vs Marist (09/21/2024) 1 Lliam Davis vs Merrimack (09/14/2024)
LONG FIELD GOALS 30 Sam Smith at Penn (10/12/2024) PUNTS 7 Ben Shrewsbury at VMI (09/07/2024) PUNTING
Connor Poole at Lehigh (09/28/2024)
LONG PUNT 54 Ben Shrewsbury at VMI (09/07/2024)
PUNTS INSIDE 20 3 Riley Riethman at Navy (08/31/2024)
LONG PUNT RETURN 23 Eli Heidenreich at Navy (08/31/2024)
LONG KICKOFF RETURN 45 Julien Stokes at Penn (10/12/2024)
TACKLES 15 Kouri Crump at VMI (09/07/2024)
SACKS 4 Nicholas Lenon vs Merrimack (09/14/2024)
TACKLES FOR LOSS 4 Nicholas Lenon vs Merrimack (09/14/2024) INTERCEPTIONS
1 Nate Robinson Jr. vs Marist (09/21/2024)
1 Grant Jackson vs Merrimack (09/14/2024)
1 Donte Williams vs Merrimack (09/14/2024)
1 Asa Locks at VMI (09/07/2024)
4 Marco Sansone 0/0
5
6
6
17
18
20
21 Paul Neel 6/1 START XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX
22 Nick Severin 0/0
23 Nick Hoying 6/4 XXX START XXX START START START
24 Rostand Olama 0/0 ... ... ... ... ... ...
25 JJ Sebert 5/0 XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX
26 Deuce Geter 0/0
27 Myles Cunningham 1/0 XXX
28 Anthony DiLascio 1/0 XXX
29 Logan Bush 3/0 XXX XXX XXX
30 Will Caneer 6/2 XXX XXX START START XXX XXX
31 Drew Cormier 1/0 XXX
32 Finn Sposato 0/0
33 Brad Jamison 5/5 START START START START START
34 Darius Day 1/0 XXX
35 Charlie Meehleib 3/0 XXX XXX XXX
36 Michael Cadden 6/0 XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX
37 Tristan Menconi 0/0
38 Brad Gerken 0/0
39 Jackson Nowinski 0/0 ... ... ... ... ... ...
40 Charlie McIntyre 1/0 XXX
41 Jack Bohm-Squicciarini 0/0
42 Ryan Skoronski 0/0
43 Owen Garwood 1/0 XXX
44 Caden Allard 0/0
45 John Schlendorf 6/6 START START START START START START
46 Michael Crabtree 1/0 XXX
47 Jack Goheen 4/1 XXX XXX XXX START ... ...
49 Jason Ussery 0/0
52 Jack Barnes 6/4 START XXX START XXX START START
53 Tim Andersen 5/0 XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX
54 Reuben Logan 0/0
56 Mark Mulhern 5/1 XXX XXX XXX XXX START
57 Jack Inserra 4/0 XXX XXX XXX XXX
58 Aidan Catania 1/0 ... ... ... XXX ... ...
## Player GP-GS Navy VMI Merri Marist Lehigh Penn
59 Dante Mascio 0/0
60 Kieran Coscia 5/0 XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX
61 Ryan Jedlicka 5/0 XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX
62 Matt Schearer 6/0 XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX
64 David LoGrasso 3/0 XXX XXX XXX
65 Tristan Arndt 0/0
66 Herschel Johal 1/0 ... ... ... XXX ... ...
67 Gustav Ste elin 1/0 XXX
68 D.K. Kim 2/0 XXX XXX
70 Xavier Allen 6/6 START START START START START START
71 Fredrick Sturgis 6/0 XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX
72 Noah Wright 0/0
73 Mason Jones 6/1 START XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX
74 Casey Stephenson 6/6 START START START START START START
75 Jake Guy 5/5 ... START START START START START
76 Ashton Sempervive 6/0 XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX
77 Nathan Natoli 6/5 START START START START START XXX
78 John Ohnegian 6/6 START START START START START START
79 Rowan McGwin 0/0
80 TJ Cadden 6/1 XXX XXX START XXX XXX XXX
81 Christian Spugnardi 6/0 XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX
82 Charlie Kreinbucher 6/6 START START START START START START
83 Rourke Kennedy 0/0
84 Sam Milligan 6/0 XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX
85 AJ Bosch 1/0 XXX
86 Braylen Burgess 1/0 XXX
87 Kyle Fontes 4/0 XXX XXX XXX XXX
88 Will Rich 0/0
89 Anthony DiMarco 0/0
90 Aneesh Vyas 6/5 XXX START START START START START
91 Matt Karic 6/0 XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX
92 Daniel Sierk 3/0 XXX XXX XXX
93 Jack McGill 0/0
94 Nick Niemynski 0/0
95 Grant Laws 6/2 START START XXX XXX XXX XXX
96 Juan Garanton 5/0 XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX
97 Dara Adeyemi 6/0 XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX
98 Seo Bu ngton 2/0 XXX XXX
99 Justin Fisher 6/1 START XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX