BUCKNELL UNIVERSITY
2024 BISON FOOTBALL MEDIA NOTES
Aug.
Sept. 7 at VMI 35-28 W
Sept.
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) 34-21 L
Oct. 26 at Georgetown* 21-20 L
Nov. 2 LAFAYETTE* 21-14 W
Nov. 9 FORDHAM* 1 p.m.
Nov. 16 at
FOLLOW THE BISON
Play-By-Play/Color Joe Vasile/Charlie Fisher
Internet Audio BucknellBison.com
Radio Bison Sports Network
Flagship 1070 AM (WKOK)
Play-By-Play 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.
PROJECTED BUCKNELL STARTERS
of passes with 12 TDs, 5 INT
4x PL Rookie of Week; Jerry Rice Award Watch List; 136 yds, 2 TD at Gtown WR 17 Nate Anderson
WR 3 Josh Gary
352 yards on 28 receptions this season; TDs at Navy & Penn
Career-high 13 catches at Penn; 3 of 37 grabs in 2024 are for TDs
WR 2 Eric Weatherly Jr. 5-8 180 7 TDs in 2023 and 10 TDs in 19 games as a Bison; 4 TDs in 2024
LT 70 Xavier Allen So. 6-5
LG 74 Casey Stephenson 5th 6-2
C 78 John Ohnegian Jr. 6-2
RG 75 Jake Guy
RT 56 Mark Mulhern
TE 82 Charlie Kreinbucher
Pos. No. Name
Sr. 6-2
So. 6-6
Jr. 6-5
315 Made 7 starts at left tackle as a freshman and started first 9 games this year
300 12th multi-year captain in team history, one of two 5th-yr. seniors, 28 starts
304 Captain, 20 consecutive starts, team’s 2023 Most Outstanding Lineman Award
314 22 starts, missed 2023 with injury, start at VMI was 1st since Nov. 19, 2022
331 Made 1st career start at Penn
260 24 starts, 12 rec. for 95 yds and 3 TDs last season; receiving TD vs. Marist
Ht. Wt. Fast Fact
DE 52 Jack Barnes Sr. 6-2
N 15 Cade Rooney
DE 90 Aneesh Vyas
Sr. 6-3
Sr. 6-2
245 8 career starts, 77 career tackles, 15 tackles and 2 TFL this season
295 17 career starts, 2 INTs last season, 21 tackles and 1.5 TFL this season
300 24 career starts, 2 passes batted down this season, 5 career blocked kicks
LB 33 Brad Jamison Sr. 6-2 240 Captain, 2nd Tm All-PL, 2023 team tackles leader, 41 tackles & 2 sacks this year
LB 13 Gavin Willis So. 6-0 230 3rd in FCS in tackles per game (10.8); career-high 19 tackles vs. Cornell
LB 23 Nick Hoying So. 6-0 207 Team’s No. 2 tackler this season with 72 (3.5 TFL); INT at Navy
S 45 John Schlendorf
S 20 Mason Taylor
S 6 Alex Smith Jr.
Sr. 5-10 195 31 consecutive starts (leads team), strip-sack at VMI, 65 tackles
6-2
Missed 9 games with injury in 2023, 18 career starts, 25 tackles this year
6-2 210 Captain, 23 starts, 5 career INTs, 45 tackles this year, pick-6 vs. Marist
CB 5 Roman Pearson Jr. 6-2 195 16 starts, 30 tackles, 8 PBUs, 2 INT this season
CB 16 Aaron Davis Jr. 5-11 190 Led all NCAA divisions with 21 PBUs at Wheeling in 2023; 3 INTs this season
Pos. No. Name Cl. Ht. Wt. Fast Fact
PK 62 Matt Schearer Jr. 5-11 187 2x Preseason All-PL; career-long 50yd FG in 2022; 28-29 PAT, 3-10 FG in 2024
KO 96 Juan Garanton Fr. 5-11
P 62 Matt Schearer
PR 80 TJ Cadden
5-11
6-0
170 Averaging 56.7 yards on 32 KOs this season (2 TB)
Averaging 41.76 per punt, No. 3 in PL
2 PR TDs this season, 13.22 average
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 17-40 (6th season)
Career Record 34-78 (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 619-634-51
All-Time Patriot League Record ............................................................. 84-129-1
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)
NFL in 2024 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)
We’re down to three games remaining in the 2024 regular season, with two of them at home including this week’s date with Fordham.
The Bison are coming off a 21-14 comeback victory over Lafayette last week, which kept them alive in the Patriot League title chase. Holy Cross leads the Patriot League with a 3-0 conference record, but the Bison are close behind with a 2-1 record along with Lehigh. Bucknell has beaten Lehigh and plays at Holy Cross next week, so the Bison have a chance to win their way to the championship with a strong finish. Georgetown is 2-2 in league play, while Colgate, Lafayette, and Fordham all have one win.
Last week, the Bison trailed the Leopards 14-7 entering the fourth quarter. Ralph Rucker IV’s second rushing touchdown of the game and a recieving touchdown for Eric Weatherly gave the Bison two big scores in the fourth quarter. The defense came up big, allowing no points in the fourth quarter and forcing a big turnover with under two minutes to play
Fordham meanwhile, won its first game of the season in a tight one against Colgate. Tied at 14-14, the Rams put together an impressive drive from their own 10-yard line in 5:19, resulting in a game-winning touchdown.
This will be the 40th meeting between Bucknell and Fordham. Fordham currently holds the all time record, going 21-18 against the Bison. The Rams have beaten the Bison in the last 11 matchups with Bucknell’s last win coming on November 3, 2012. Bucknell has struggled to stop the Rams, who have averaged 42.8 points over the last five meetings.
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 was two weeks ago. 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 257-188-10 all-time at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium.
WITH A VICTORY, BUCKNELL WOULD...
• ... reach five wins in a season for the first time since 2017.
• ... move to 3-1 in Patriot League play for the first time since 2014.
• ... snap an 11-game series losing streak to the Rams.
• ... move to a .500 overall record this season.
THOMAS IN GOOD COMPANY
• Freshman RB Tariq Thomas has earned four Patriot League Rookie of the Week honors in the last six weeks, and he was recently named one of 30 players named to the Jerry Rice Award Watch List. The Jerry Rice Award, which is named after the legendary Hall of Fame wide receiver, is presented to the Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) Rookie of the Year.
• Montana’s Eli Gillman received the award last season, and past recipients include familiar names such as Shedeur Sanders (Jackson State 2021), Trey Lance (North Dakota State 2019), Chase Edmonds (Fordham 2014), and Cooper Kupp (Eastern Washington 2013).
• Thomas has set career rushing highs in three consecutive games. He ran for a career-high 94 yards on nine carries – an average of 10.4 yards per carry — against Cornell three weeks ago, and he logged 136 yards and two touchdowns at Georgetown the following week.
• Last week against Lafayette, Thomas ran for 141 yards on 29 attempts. Thomas broke out for a 45-yard run to convert a long 3rd down which resulted in the Bison scoring on its opening drive.
• Thomas has started each of Bucknell’s last eight games, and over the last five he has amassed 505 yards on the ground.
BUCKNELL AT A GLANCE
• LB Gavin Willis recorded a career-high 19 tackles against Cornell and added 13 more in each of the last two weeks against Georgetown and Lafayette. The 19 tackles is the highest total by a Bucknell player since Evan Byers had 23 against VMI in 2014, and it is the third-highest total by an FCS player in 2024. Blake Gotcher of Northwestern State logged 23 tackles against Prairie View A&M, and Villanova’s Shane Hartzell had 20 against New
BRANDON BIAGIARELLI (10) 2024
HONORS & AWARDS START CHART
• 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, 11/4) 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)
ALEX SMITH JR. (6) 2024
• Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week (11/4)
TARIQ THOMAS (7) 2024
• Four-time Patriot League Rookie of Week (9/30, 10/14, 10/21, 11/4)
• Jerry Rice Award Watch List (FCS Rookie of Year)
• Stats Perform FCS National Rookie of Week honorable mention (10/28)
ANEESH VYAS (90)
........................... 2023 ............................
• Patriot League Special Teams Player of Week (9/25)
GAVIN WILLIS (13) 2024
• Patriot League Defensive Player of Week (9/30)
• Stats Perform FCS National Defensive Player of Week honorable mention (9/30)
John Schlendorf 31 (31)
Casey Stephenson 28 (18)
Charlie Kreinbucher 25 (23)
Aneesh Vyas 24 (1)
Alex Smith Jr. 23 (20)
Jake Guy 22 (1)
John Ohnegian 20 (20)
Brad Jamison 19 (5)
Ralph Rucker IV 18 (2)
Mason Taylor 18 (9)
Cade Rooney 17 (10)
Eric Weatherly 16 (9)
Roman Pearson 16 (9)
Josh Gary 16 (9)
Gavin Willis 15 (9)
Xavier Allen 15 (0)
Fredrick Sturgis 13 (0)
Mason Jones 10 (2)
Nathan Natoli 9 (1)
Tariq Thomas 8 (8)
Nate Anderson 8 (6)
Jack Barnes 7 (0)
Marques Owens 7 (0)
Christian Spugnardi ........................
Aaron Davis
Nick Hoying
Chris Sims
Deuce Geter
Kyle Fontes
Mark Mulhern
William Caneer
(0)
(6)
(5)
(0)
(0)
(0)
(0)
(0)
Justin Fisher 3 (2)
Grant Laws
Brad Gerken
Michael Hardyway
Jack Goheen
TJ Cadden
Takai Whitmore
Paul Neel
(0)
(0)
(0)
(0)
(0)
(0)
(0)
Derrick Anderson Jr. 1 (0)
Danny Meuser 1 (0)
Note: Number in parentheses indicates streak of consecutive starts
BISON NOTES
Hampshire.
• Willis is now second in the Patriot League in tackles per game (10.8), trailing only Colgate’s Cole Kozlowski (11.1), and he is one of only four FCS players averaging double-digit tackles.
FCS Leaders, Tackles Per Game
1. Blake Gotcher, Northwestern State 13.3
2. Cole Kozlowski, Colgate 11.1
3. Gavin Willis, Bucknell 10.8
4. Geoffrey Brown, Indiana State 10.4
5. Noah Martin, Samford 9.9
6. Kimal Clark, Central Connecticut State 9.8
Jace Benesch, Central Arkansas 9.8
Bryce Norman, Southeast Mo. St. 9.8
• After going up against the Patriot League’s top two defenses in Georgetown and Lafayette, the Bison take on the league’s lowest-ranked defense in Fordham. The Rams are allowing 33.7 points per game while the Bison are giving up an average of 29 points per game.
• Fordham is 1-8 this season, picking up its first win this past week over Colgate. Fordham has had Bucknell’s number in recent history, winning the last 11 meetings between the two.
• In last year’s game in the Bronx, Fordham defeated the Bison 27-21. The Rams threw for four touchdowns, with one going for 64 yards and another for 91 yards.
• Bucknell leads the PL with 10 interceptions, two of which have been returned for touchdowns. Aaron Davis leads the team with three picks, which ties him for the league lead with three others.
• The Bison would like to see its defense get more rest this week. Bucknell’s defense has been on the field for just under 34 minutes per game, which is the second-most in all of FCS. Only Houston Christian has had its defense on the field more.
• 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.
• Cadden ranks sixth in the Patriot League in touchdowns with seven. In addition to the three return scores, he also has three TD receptions as a wide receiver. Cadden’s 105.4 all-purpose yards per game currently rank fourth in the league.
• 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.
• Eric Weatherly surpassed the 1,000 mark in career receiving yards as a Bison against Cornell. Weatherly is in his second season at Bucknell after transferring from Duke. Weatherly ranks fourth in the Patriot League in receiving yards per game with 54.9 per game this season. Josh Gary is right behind Weatherly, ranking fifth in receiving yards with 50 yards per game.
• Ralph Rucker IV is in his second season leading the Bison offense after transferring from Oklahoma. Rucker missed the Cornell game with an injury before returning against Georgetown. In 18 games at Bucknell he has thrown for more than 4,000 yards, he has completed 64% of his passes, and he has 33 touchdown passes against only 10 interceptions. The 33 TD tosses are third-most in team history, and his 4,253 passing yards rank 5th all-time.
Bucknell Career Passing Leaders
1. Brandon Wesley (2010-13) 6277
2. Scott Auchenbach (1986-89) 5256
3. R.J. Nitti (2013-16) 5171
4. Jim Given (1985-87) 4790
5. Ralph Rucker IV (2023-24) 4253
6. Marcello Trigg (2006-09) 4090
7. Jim Fox (1993-96) 3988
8. Don McDowell (1997-99) 3982
9. Rob Glus (1991-94) 3940
10. Bob Gibbon (1983-84) 3895
Bucknell Career Passing Touchdown Leaders
1. Scott Auchenbach (1986-89) 42
2. R.J. Nitti (2013-16) 34 3. Ralph Rucker IV (2023-24) 33 4. Marcello Trigg (2006-09) 31 5. Bob Gibbon (1983-84) 30
• 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.
• K 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.
2024 PATRIOT LEAGUE STANDINGS
Patriot League Streak
PATRIOT LEAGUE SCHEDULE/RESULTS
Saturday, Nov. 2 Lehigh 43, at Georgetown 6 at Bucknell 21, Lafayette 14 at Fordham 20, Colgate 14
Saturday, Nov. 9 Lehigh at Holy Cross, 12 Lafayette at Colgate, 1 Fordham at Bucknell, 1
Saturday, Nov. 16 Colgate at Lehigh, 12 Bucknell at Holy Cross, 12 Stonehill at Lafayette, 12:30 Georgetown at Fordham, 1
Saturday, Nov. 23 Lafayette at Lehigh, 12 Holy Cross at Georgetown, 12 Colgate at Bucknell, 1 Merrimack 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 10/21 Tariq Thomas ROTW 9 carries, 94 yards
11/4 Ralph Rucker IV OPOTW 2 rushing TDs, passing TD 11/4 Alex Smith Jr. DPOTW 13 tackles, sack, 2 PBUs 11/4 Tariq Thomas ROTW 29 carries, 141 yards
BISON NOTES
• 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 170 starts at Bucknell.
• Bucknell’s projected starters on defense have made a combined 184 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.
• 18 Bison have made at least 10 starts entering Saturday’s game. S John Schlendorf leads the team with 29 career starts. Schlendorf is joined by five other Bison that have started 20 or more games: Stephenson, TE Charlie Kreinbucher, DL Aneesh Vyas, DB Alex Smith Jr., and OL Jake Guy.
• 13 Bison in total have made their first career starts this season. The latest was QB Michael Hardyway on Oct. 19 against Cornell
• Six Bison have starting streaks of 10 or more games in a row: Schlendorf (30), Kreinbucher (22), S Alex Smith Jr. (19), OL John Ohnegian (19), Stephenson (17), and Rooney (10).
• Seniors Schlendorf and Smith Jr. have played in all 42 of the team’s games over their three-plus seasons.
IN THE RECORD BOOK
• 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 (33), 5th in passing yards (4253), and sixth in completions (363) — all in just 18 games played.
• Rucker’s .641 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 9 touchdown passes to tie Scott Auchenbach’s school record of 42, which has stood since 1989.
• Rucker needs 747 passing yards for 5,000 in his career.
• Eric Weatherly needs 10 catches for 100 in his career.
• Josh Gary needs 23 receiving yards to reach 1,000 in his career and 17 catches to reach 100 in his career.
• Derrick Anderson Jr. needs 8 receiving yards to reach 500 for his career.
• Gavin Willis needs three tackles for 100 this season.
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
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 11 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.
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
• The Bison travel to Holy Cross at Fitton Field next Saturday, Nov. 16.
WIDE RECEIVER
BUCKNELL TWO DEEP VS. LAFAYETTE
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
10 — Ralph Rucker IV (Sr. / 6-0 / 210 / Lucas, Texas)
9 — Michael Hardyway (Sr. / 6-0 / 208 / Oceanside, Calif.)
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.)
N.
T. Thomas* R. Rucker MERRIMACK E. Weatherly X. Allen C. Stephenson J. Ohnegian J. Guy N. Natoli C. Kreinbucher J.
MARIST* E. Weatherly X. Allen C. Stephenson J. Ohnegian J. Guy N. Natoli C. Kreinbucher J.
N.
Rucker
T. Thomas R. Rucker at Lehigh E. Weatherly X. Allen C. Stephenson J. Ohnegian J. Guy N. Natoli C. Kreinbucher J.
N.
T. Thomas R. Rucker at Penn E. Weatherly X. Allen C. Stephenson J. Ohnegian J. Guy M. Mulhern* C. Kreinbucher J. Gary N. Anderson T. Thomas R. Rucker
CORNELL E. Weatherly X. Allen C. Stephenson J. Ohnegian J. Guy M. Mulhern C. Kreinbucher J. Gary N. Anderson T. Thomas M. Hardyway* at Georgetown E. Weatherly X. Allen C. Stephenson J. Ohnegian M. Jones M. Mulhern C. Kreinbucher J. Gary N. Anderson T. Thomas R. Rucker LAFAYETTE E. Weatherly J. Ohnegian C. Stephenson J. Guy M. Jones N. Natoli C. Kreinbucher J. Gary N. Anderson T. Thomas R. Rucker FORHAM at Holy Cross COLGATE
at Navy J. Barnes C. Rooney G. Laws* J. Fisher* G.
R. Pearson at VMI A. Vyas C. Rooney G. Laws N. Hoying* G. Willis B. Jamison J. Schlendorf
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
Gerken, Brad
Geter, Deuce
Goheen, Jack
Guy, Jake
Hardyway, Michael
Hoying, Nick
Inserra, Jack
Jamison, Brad
Jedlicka, Ryan
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
Cade
IV, Ralph
Sansone, Marco
Schearer, Matt
Schlendorf, John
Sebert, JJ
Sempervive, Ashton
Severin, Nick
Shuster, Daniel
Sierk, Daniel
Chris
Skoronski, Ryan
Jr., Alex....................................................
Sposato, Finn
Spugnardi, Christian
Steffelin, Gustav
Stephenson, Casey
Sturgis, Fredrick
Taylor, Mason
Thomas, Tariq
Ussery, Jason
Vyas, Aneesh
Eric
Takai
Williams II, Terian
Gavin
Wright, Noah
Alex Smith, Christian Spugnardi, Casey Stephenson, Fredrick Sturgis
ROSTER
BISON MAJORS
Caden Allard Undeclared
Tim Andersen Undeclared
0 Derrick Anderson Jr. Economics
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 3-5 .375
Totals 33-78 .297
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 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 20 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)
Nov 2, 2024 (Tariq Thomas (141) vs. Lafayette, 21-14)
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. 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)
Oct. 19, 2024 (Gavin Willis (19) vs. Cornell, 21-34)
Aug. 30, 2014 (Evan Byers (23) at VMI, 42-38)
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)
ABOUT FORDHAM
FOOTBALL INFORMATION
Head Coach: Joe Conlin
Record at Lafayette: 30-39 (7th season)
Career Record: 30-39 (7th season)
Conference: Patriot League
Stadium: Moglia Stadium at Jack Coffey Field
Capacity: 7,000
Surface: FieldTurf
2023 Record: 6-5
2023 Conference Record: 2-4 (5th)
GENERAL INFORMATION
Location: Bronx, N.Y.
Founded: 1841
Enrollment: 3,219
Nickname: Rams
Colors: Maroon
President: Tania Tetlow
Athletic Director: Ed Kull
Website: FordhamSports.com
SERIES
Record on road
Record at neutral site 0-0
Streak Fordham won 11
Last meeting in Lewisburg Nov. 5, 2022
...........................................................Fordham 59 – Bucknell 17
Last Bison win in Lewisburg ........................ Nov. 3, 2012 ...........................................................Bucknell 27 – Fordham 24
Last Bison win ....................... ..... Nov. 3, 2012 (Lewisburg, Pa.) ...........................................................Bucknell 27 – Fordham 24
Last Rams win Nov. 4, 2023 (Bronx, N.Y.,) ...........................................................Fordham 27 – Bucknell 21
1929 Bronx, NY FU, 14-0
1930 Bronx, NY FU, 12-0
1931 Bronx, NY BU, 14-13
1932 Bronx, NY FU, 30-0
1989 Bronx, NY BU, 31-7
1990 Lewisburg, PA BU, 44-7
1991 Bronx, NY BU, 21-14
1992 Lewisburg, PA FU, 21-0
1993 Bronx, NY BU, 27-21
1994 Lewisburg, PA BU, 29-26
1995 Bronx, NY BU, 28-21
1996 Lewisburg, PA BU, 51-17
1997 Bronx, NY BU, 36-10
1998 Lewisburg, PA FU, 20-17
1999 Bronx, NY BU, 45-15
2000 Lewisburg, PA BU, 27-13
2001 Bronx, NY FU, 17-12
2002 Lewisburg, PA FU, 34-7
2003 Bronx, NY BU, 31-10
2004 Lewisburg, PA BU, 21-20
2005 Bronx, NY FU, 28-21
2006 Lewisburg, PA BU, 13-3
2007 Bronx, NY BU, 38-24
2008 Lewisburg, PA BU 24-21 OT
2009 Bronx, NY FU, 21-7
TALE OF THE TAPE
2010 Lewisburg, PA FU, 33-21
2011 Bronx, NY BU, 21-0
2012 Lewisburg, PA BU, 27-24
2013 Bronx, NY FU, 23-21
2014 Lewisburg, PA FU, 30-27 OT
2015 Bronx, NY FU, 24-16
2016 Lewisburg, PA FU, 36-22
2017 Bronx, NY FU, 20-9
2018 Lewisburg, PA FU, 17-14
2019 Bronx, NY FU, 31-14
2021 spring Lewisburg, PA FU, 31-17
2021 Bronx, NY FU, 66-21
2022 Lewisburg, PA FU, 59-17
2023 Bronx, NY FU, 27-21
THE LAST TIME THE BISON AND RAMS MET (NOV. 4, 2023)
Bucknell Comes Up Short in Thriller at Fordham, 27-21
The Bison gave themselves a chance at a game-winning drive with under two minutes to play at Moglia Stadium against Fordham, but Bucknell’s efforts came up short as the Rams held on for a 27-21 win.
GAME NOTES
• Bucknell gave itself a chance to tie or take the lead on the final drive of the game, but Ralph Rucker was sacked for a fifth time at midfield to seal the 27-21 win for Fordham.
• Bucknell had trailed by as many as 14 in the third quarter but got within a field goal of tying late. The Bison also held an initial 3-0 lead in the first quarter.
• Rucker put together another strong game, completing 32 of 48 pass attempts for 358 yards and two touchdowns.
• Trailing 24-13, Bucknell got itself back in the game when Charlie Kreinbucher blocked a Fordham punt, and the Bison recovered at the 16-yard line. One play later Rucker hit Damian Harris on a touchdown and a subsequent 2-point conversion.
• Gavin Willis led the Bison defense with a career-high 15 tackles.
The Bison began the final drive with 1:50 on the clock with one timeout and at their own 15-yard line. They reached the Fordham 35, but a sack on the final play of the game ended things. It was Fordham’s fifth time sacking Ralph Rucker, who once again filled the stat sheet with a 300-yard game. Rucker completed 32 of 48 attempts for 358 and a pair of touchdowns.
Defensively, it was freshman Gavin Willis who put together a breakout performance with a game-high 15 tackles. The defense also stopped Fordham on three of five fourth-down attempts and recorded the only turnover of the game. They limited the FCS’ 13th-ranked scoring offense to under 30 points and to just 10 points through most of the first half.
Bucknell, which held the initial lead of the game at 3-0, got down by 14 in the third quarter. Early in the fourth and trailing 24-13, Charlie Kreinbucher blocked a Fordham punt to give the offense the ball at the Rams 16. One play later Rucker hit Damian Harris in the end zone, and the pair connected again on the two-point conversion to cut the deficit to three. The Bison held the Rams to three points on their final four drives to give themselves a chance.
The Bison finished the game with 454 yards of offense and led in possession time. They went 8 of 16 on third-down attempts and were successful on their only try on fourth down, which came on the final drive of the game.
Bucknell was hampered by penalties throughout the game, as it was flagged 11 times for 88 yards, while Fordham drew the laundry just three times.
On special teams, Bucknell had one of its own punts blocked and missed a long 42-yard field goal on the first play of the fourth quarter. Matt Schearer was successful on two other attempts close to 30 yards.
Where Fordham did its damage was on long plays, as quarterback C.J. Montes hooked up with MJ Wright on a 64-yard touchdown pass on the first play of the second quarter that gave the Rams their first lead of the game at 10-3. Later in the third quarter, Montes threw a 91-yard touchdown to Garrett Cody that gave Fordham its largest lead of the game at 24-10. Montes finished the game 18 of 33 for 328 yards and three touchdowns.
Bucknell averaged just 2.6 yards per carry for the game, but Rucker, Coleman Bennett and Rushawn Baker each ripped off long runs in crucial spots throughout. Bennett netted 58 yards on 14 carries, including a long of 23. He was also big in the screen game, hauling in four catches for 40 yards. Rucker picked up several first downs with his legs in the first half.
The Bison responded to Fordham’s early 10-0 run with six minutes left in the first half, when Rucker found a wide-open Derrick Anderson Jr. for a 20-yard touchdown that tied the game at 10-all. Fordham ended the second quarter with a long 12-play, 71-yard drive and found the end zone with less than a minute to play to enter the locker rooms with a 17-10 lead.
Following the blocked punt and Harris touchdown that drew the Bison within a score of tying, they got the ball back two more times. With nine minutes to play, Bucknell punted and Ruben Anderson pinned the Rams at their own 4-yard line. Fordham killed five minutes of clock but was limited to a field goal.
On the last drive of the game, which started on Bucknell’s own 15, Rucker hit Anderson on all three completions for 50 yards, including the 13-yarder on 4th down and 9 to go. From there, an incompletion, a false start and a sack put an end to the game.
Anderson ended the game with five receptions for 82 yards. Harris caught seven balls for 79, and Baker grabbed four for 52.
Tyler Alston made nine stops, Mike Bright Jr. posted six with a tackle for loss, and Brad Gerken recovered the Fordham fumble. Chris Sims also broke up a pass on a crucial Fordham fourth-down attempt that could have ended things early.
SCORING SUMMARY
BUC 1st 07:33 Schearer 29yd field goal
FOR 1st 04:05 Peskin 23yd field goal
FOR 2nd 14:52 Wright 64yd pass from Montes Peskin kick
BUC 2nd 05:51 Anderson Jr. 20yd pass from Rucker Schearer kick
FOR 2nd 00:46 Felton 8yd pass from Montes Peskin kick
FOR 3rd 08:26 Garrett 91yd pass from Montes Peskin kick
BUC 3rd 05:24 Schearer 28yd field goal 10-63 02:57 13-24
BUC 4th 12:29 Harris 16yd pass from Rucker Harris pass from Rucker 1-16 00:07 21-24 FOR 4th 01:50 Peskin 44yd field goal 12-70 05:03 21-27
TEAM LEADERS
BUCKNELL
FORDHAM
1st Quarter
2nd
3rd
4th
3rd
4th Down Conversions 1 of 1 2 of 5 Red-Zone Scores-Chances
• Fordham QB CJ Montes threw for 328 yards and 3 touchdowns, while RB Loughridge rushed for 105 yards on 20 carries.
• Bucknell also had a punt blocked and was hurt by 11 penalties, including five crucial false starts.
DARA ADEYEMI (97)
DL | SO | 6-7 | 250
Tackles: 3 at Georgetown (10/26/24)
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)
Rushing Touchdowns: 1 vs. Cornell (10/19/24)
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: 7 vs. Cornell (10/19/24)
Receiving Yards: 97 at Navy (8/31/24)
Receiving Touchdowns: 1, 3X (last vs. Cornell, 10/19/24)
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, 4X (last vs. Cornell, 10/19/24)
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: 7 vs. Cornell (10/19/24)
Forced Fumbles: 1 vs. Lafayette (11/2/24)
Tackles for Loss: 2 at Lehigh (9/28/24)
Sacks: 1 vs. Cornell (10/19/24)
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, 3X (last vs. Cornell, 10/19/24)
Pass Breakups: 4 vs. Lafayette (11/2/24)
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)
Tackls for Loss: 0.5 vs. Lafayette (11/2/24)
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: 21 vs. Cornell (10/19/24)
Passing Attempts: 39 vs. Cornell (10/19/24)
Passing Yards: 214 vs. Cornell (10/19/24)
Long Pass: 37 at Navy (8/31/24)
Passing Touchdowns: 2 vs. Cornell (10/19/24)
Rushing Attempts: 7 vs. Cornell (10/19/24)
Rushing Yards: 11 vs. Cornell (10/19/24)
Long Rush: 15 vs. Cornell (10/19/24)
NICK HOYING (23)
S/LB | SO | 6-0 | 195
Tackles: 12 vs. Lafayette (11/2/24)
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 (91)
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, 7X (last at Georgetown, 10/26/24)
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, 9X (last vs. Lafayette, 11/2/24)
Receiving Yards: 36 at Georgetown (10/26/24)
Long Reception: 36 at Georgetown (10/26/24)
Receiving Touchdowns: 1, 2X (last vs. Cornell, 10/19/24)
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)
ROMAN PEARSON (5)
CB | JR | 6-2 | 180
Tackles: 6 at VMI (9/7/24)
Pass Breakups: 3 vs. Cornell (10/19/24)
Interceptions: 1, 5X (last at Georgetown, 10/26/24)
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, 2X (most recent vs. Lafayette (11/2/24)
Rushing Touchdowns: 2 vs. Lafayette (11/2/24)
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: 7 at Georgetown (10/26/24)
Punt Yards: 286 at Georgetown (10/26/24)
Punting Average: 50.0 vs. Merrimack (9/14/24)
Long Punt: 63, 2X (last at VMI, 9/7/24)
Punts Inside 20: 3 at Georgetown (10/26/24)
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: 2 vs. Lafayette (11/2/24)
Pass Breakups: 2, 6X (last vs. Lafayette 11/2/24)
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)
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)
Fumble Recoveries: 1 at Georgetown (10/26/24)
ALEX SMITH JR. (6)
S | SR | 6-2 | 185
Tackles: 13 vs. Lafayette (11/2/24)
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, 2X (last vs. Lafayette 11/2/24)
Pass Breakups: 2, 4X (last vs. Lafayette, 11/2/24)
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, 2X (last vs. Lafayette, 11/2/24)
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: 29 vs. Lafayette (11/2/24
Rushing Yards: 141 vs. Lafayette (11/2/24)
Rushing TDs: 2, 2x (most recent at G’town, 10/26/24)
Long Rush: 47 vs. Cornell (10/19/24)
Receptions: 2, 4X (most recent vs. Lafayette, 11/2/24)
Receiving Yards: 13, 2X. (Most recent vs Laf (11/2/24)
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: 4 at Georgetown (10/26/24)
Forced Fumbles: at Georgetown (10/26/24)
TERIAN WILLIAMS II (9)
CB | JR | 5-11 | 190
Tackles: 10 vs. Cornell (10/19/24)
Tackles for Loss: 1, 2X (last vs. Cornell, 10/19/24)
Sacks: 1 vs. Marist (9/21/24)
Interceptions: 1 at Navy (8/31/24)
GAVIN WILLIS (13)
LB | SO | 6-0 | 212
Tackles: 19 vs. Cornell (10/19/24)
Tackles for Loss: 2, 2X (last vs. Lafayette, 11/2/24)
Sacks: 2 at Lehigh (9/28/24)
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
• 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
3rd 10:43
3rd 08:04 Lenon 52yd
BUC 4th 00:46 Milligan 23yd
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
BUC 1st 12:14
BUC 2nd 12:37 Kreinbucher 2yd pass
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
BUC 4th 05:51 Cadden 12yd pass from Rucker Schearer kick 7-34
MAR 4th 01:13 Dexter 5yd pass from Mannino Cardillo
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
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
2024 GAME REPORTS: GAME 7
CORNELL 21 6 7 0 34
TEAM STATISTICS
GAME NOTES
• Bucknell had won three straight and five of the previous six in the series. The three-game streak was Bucknell’s longest in the 60-game series that dates back to 1888.
• LB Gavin Willis smashed his career high with 19 tackles, which is the highest total for a Bison since Evan Byers had 23 against VMI in 2013.
• DB Terrian Williams joined Willis in double figures with 10 tackles, S John Schlendorf had eight tackles and two pass breakups, and DL Will Caneer tallied seven tackles and a sack..
• RB Tariq Thomas broke off a career-long 47-yard run in the fourth quarter.
• WR TJ Cadden caught a career-high seven passes. His TD in the final minute of the first half was his sixth score of the season (three receiving and three on returns).
Turnovers Prove Costly as Bison Drop Homecoming Game to Cornell, 34-21
Jameson Wang completed 32 of 49 passes for 274 yards and three touchdowns to lead Cornell to a 34-21 victory over Bucknell at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium. Bison quarterback Michael Hardyway, a senior making his first career start, threw TD passes to TJ Cadden and Sam Milligan, and freshman Logan Bush ran one in for his first career score, but the Bison could not overcome four turnovers as the Big Red spoiled Homecoming and snapped their three-game series losing streak.
Hardyway, in for the injured Ralph Rucker IV, completed 21 of 39 passes for 214 yards and the two touchdowns. Cadden led the receiver corps with seven catches for 84 yards, and freshman running back Tariq Thomas had another strong game with 94 yards on nine carries.
Defensively, Gavin Willis piled up a career-high 19 tackles and Aaron Davis and Roman Pearson both picked off passes, but Cornell’s vaunted offense, which came in ranked 10th nationally in pass efficiency, logged 465 total yards.
The Big Red outscored the Bison 21-0 in the first quarter, with turnovers playing a big role. After Cornell scored on the game’s opening drive, Bucknell was in position to tie it right back up as Hardyway scrambled toward the end zone. But Luke Banbury, who had a monster game for Cornell, poked the ball loose and recovered the fumble at the 1-yard line.
The Big Red drove 95 yards to the Bison 4, but Davis made a huge play getting inside position on the receiver for an interception in the end zone. The Bison could not take advantage, as three plays later Banbury picked off a pass and brought it back 26 yards for a touchdown. After a threeand-out, Wang and Sam Musungu hooked up for the second time in the game, this one from 14 yards out to make it 21-0.
Bush’s first career touchdown got the Bison on the board midway through the second half, and Hardyway engineered a terrific drive to get his team back in the game just before the half. A Cornell field goal made it a 27-7 game, but an unnecessary roughness penalty at the end of the kickoff gave the Bison good field position at its own 47.
Michael Cadden picked up a key first down on a 4th-and-2 carry, and three plays later Hardyway hit older brother TJ Cadden on a 12-yard scoring strike with 14 seconds left to make it a 27-14 game at the half.
Bucknell limited Cornell to only seven points in the second half, and a terrific 28-yard catch and run by Sam Milligan brought the Bison within 34-21 with 12:03 still to play. Milligan caught a slant pass at the 12 and dragged three defenders across the goal line for his second TD of the season.
After a punt, Thomas streaked 47 yards to the Cornell 31 on the first play of the next series, but the very next snap sailed over Hardyway’s head, resulting in a loss of 23 yards. The Bison had to punt with 6:27 remaining, and they were not able to threaten again.
SCORING SUMMARY
1st 5:30
1st 1:25
BUCK 2nd 7:38 Bush 3 run
COR 2nd 1:10 Zhao 34 FG
BUCK 2nd 0:14 TJ Cadden 12 pass from Hardyway Schearer kick
COR 3rd 8:33 Woodring 10 pass from Wang Zhao kick 4-24 1:31
BUCK 4th 12:03 Milligan 28 pass from Hardyway Schearer kick
TEAM LEADERS
3rd Quarter 8:12 6:48
4th Quarter 10:17 4:43
3rd Down Conversions 8-20 3-15
4th Down Conversions 1-1 2-4
Sacks:
PAT:
2PT Conversion: Total - Made 0-0 0-0 Field Goals: Total - Made 2-2 0-0
• Cornell entered the game leading the nation in fewest sacks allowed at 0.5 per game. The Bison had only one, which was credited to Caneer on an intentional grounding penalty.
• Cornell was penalized 12 times for 120 yards in the first half and did not have a single flag in the second.
2024 GAME REPORTS: GAME 8
Bison Clipped at Georgetown, 21-20
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Bucknell freshman Tariq Thomas ran for a career-high 136 yards and two touchdowns, but Georgetown erased an early 14-0 deficit and held off the Bison 21-20 at Cooper Field.
TEAM STATISTICS
GAME NOTES
• This has been an evenly matched series in recent years. The two previous Bucknell-Georgetown games had gone to overtime, and this one was decided by one point.
• Bucknell now leads the all-time series 20-15-1 dating back to 1904.
• RB Tariq Thomas posted the first 100-yard rushing game by a Bison back since Rushawn Baker last season at Colgate.
• DB Takai Whitmore gave the Bison some good reps off the bench, finishing with four tackles and a forced fumble.
• Georgetown came into the game ranked third in FCS in sacks per game (3.0) and tallied four in this one, including the game-ending play.
• DB Roman Pearson intercepted a pass for the second straight game.
Ralph Rucker IV, back after a one-week injury absence, completed 17 of 29 pass attempts for 240 yards. He tried to engineer two potential go-ahead drives in the closing minutes, but one ended on a missed field goal and the other on a fourth-down sack at the Georgetown 45-yard line, which sent the Hoyas into victory formation.
Thomas was the catalyst as the Bison jumped out to the 14-0 lead. Rucker was 3-for-3 and Thomas carried four times for 29 yards on Bucknell’s first drive of the game, a 75-yard march that ended with the freshman’s 15-yard sprint through a gaping hole.
Chris Sims’ fumble recovery after a strip by Takai Whitmore set up Bucknell’s second touchdown. On the second play of the second quarter, Thomas took the ball on a sweep to the left, made a great cut back to the inside, and scored from 27 yards out.
Savion Hart’s 40-yard dash put the Hoyas on the board with 4:29 left in the half, and the hosts tied it on an 11-yard pass from Lauter to Nicholas Dunneman with only 14 seconds left in the half.
Georgetown’s kickoff went out of bounds, and the Bison got aggressive in the closing seconds of the half. Rucker twice connected with Nate Anderson on sideline routes, setting up a Matt Schearer 43-yard field goal as time expired.
The Hoyas took their first lead of the day at 21-17 on a Bryce Cox one-yard plunge with 5:56 left in the third. The Bison thought they had taken the lead early in the fourth on a nice drive that was keyed by a 36-yard pass from Rucker to Sam Milligan on a 3rd-and-3 play. Rucker later ran it in from the 6, but the touchdown was nullified by a holding call. A dropped pass in the end zone on third down set up Schearer’s 32-yard field goal to make it a 21-20 game.
Roman Pearson intercepted a deep ball at his own 12 with 6:55 to play, and Rucker hit Josh Gary on a 45-yard pass down the right sideline to get the ball into Georgetown territory. The Bison could not capitalize, however, as Schearer’s 36-yard field goal attempt missed wide to the right.
The Bison defense came up with another stop with two minutes to play. A third-down pass from Rucker to Thomas, followed by a Rucker scramble for 10 yards set them up with a first down at the Georgetown 45. After three incompletions, GianCarlo Rufo sacked Rucker on fourth down to end it. Georgetown outgained the Bison 404-368 and won the possession time battle 37:20 to 22:40. The Hoyas had two backs go over 100 yards rushing. Hart carried 17 times for 112 yards, and Cox tallied 104 yards on 17 totes. Georgetown ran for 274 yards as a team.
Gavin Willis, coming off a 19-tackle performance against Cornell, led the Bison with 13 tackles. Brad Jamison had eight and Nick Hoying seven.
SCORING SUMMARY
1st
2nd Quarter
3rd Quarter 4:01 9:56
4th Quarter 6:57 8:03
3rd Down Conversions 3-13 6-14
4th Down Conversions 0-1 1-2
Red-Zone Scores-Chances 2-3 2-2
Sacks: Total - Yards 0-0 4-30
PAT: Total - Made 2-2 3-3
2PT Conversion: Total - Made 0-0 0-0
Field Goals: Total - Made 2-3 0-0
• K Matt Schearer’s 43-yard field goal was a season long. He also dropped three punts inside the 20.
• DB Ralph Rucker IV eclipsed 4,000 passing yards in his two-year Bucknell career. He is just the sixth Bison signal caller to reach that milestone.
TEAM LEADERS
2024 GAME REPORTS: GAME 9
LAFAYETTE 7 0 7 0 14
TEAM STATISTICS
GAME NOTES
• Bucknell is now 38-57-6 all-time against Lafayette. This was Bucknell’s first win since Spring 2021 when the Bison defeated the Leopards 38-13.
• Both of last week’s starting tackles missed this game due to injury, and senior Jake Guy, normally a guard, returned from injury to play his former position of center. That moved John Ohnegian from center to left tackle, and right tackle Nathan Natoli also returned after a threegame injury absence.
• RB Tariq Thomas set a career high with 141rushing yards. This was Thomas’ second straight game with 100 yards on the ground.
• The Bison set a season high with 187 rushing yards
• DB Aaron Davis set a career-high with four pass breakups. DBs Alex Smith Jr., John Schlendorf, and Roman Pearson each had two pass breakups. Terian Williams had one pass breakup.
Bison Keep PL Title Hopes Alive with 21-14 Win over Lafayette
LEWISBURG, Pa. -- Bucknell quarterback Ralph Rucker IV accounted for three touchdowns, freshman running back Tariq Thomas set another career high with 141 ground yards, and the Bison defense registered a number of critical plays down the stretch in a 21-14 victory over defending Patriot League champion Lafayette at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium.
The Bison defense, which limited the Leopards to scores on its first drive of each half, came up big in the final five minutes. Lafayette had a first-and-goal from the 2 before moving back five yards on false start penalty. William Caneer tackled Troy Bruce for no gain, and then on second down Jack Barnes got pressure on quarterback Dean DeNobile, forcing him to flip a pass to offensive tackle Ryder Langsdale. Knowing he was not an eligible receiver Langsdale caught the ball and immediately spiked it to the ground, but that resulted in a live ball fumble, and Gavin Willis recovered for the Bison at the 15-yard line with 1:19 to play.
The game had the makings of a shootout early, as both teams scored a touchdown in the first six minutes of the game. The Bison stalled on its first couple of plays before Thomas broke out for a 45-yard rush on a 3rd-and-16. Four plays later, Rucker escaped the pocket and found the end zone for a 19-yard touchdown.
The Leopards came right back down the field, completing a seven-play, 62-yard drive in just 2:59. DeNobile got a pass out quickly to Chris Carasia, who made a defender miss before taking the pass 38 yards to the house for the touchdown.
The Leopards started with possession in the third quarter, making a big 13-play, 70-yard drive to take a 14-7 lead. DeNobile notched his second passing touchdown of the game, finding Ethan Hosak for an 8-yard score to complete the drive.
The Bison answered with a good drive down to the Lafayette 2 but were stopped on fourth down. After the defense forced another quick punt thanks to a John Schlendorf tackle for loss on 3rd-and-2, the Bison tied it up in the early stages of the fourth quarter.
On 3rd-and-goal from the 1, Rucker fooled the defense on the RPO for his second rushing touchdown of the game to even the score.
Smith’s third-down sack gave the Bison the ball back with 9:33 remaining, and one of the best catches of the season set up the go-ahead touchdown. Nate Anderson went up high to corral Rucker’s deep ball down the left seam, giving Bucknell a first down at the Lafayette 5. Two plays later, Rucker picked out Weatherly in the back of the end zone for a 21-14 lead.
Rucker finished 18-for-30 for 210 yards with Josh Gary (6) and Weatherly (5) combining for 11 of the receptions.
Smith and Willis led the defense with 13 tackles each, Nick Hoying made 12 stops, and Schlendorf had nine.
SCORING SUMMARY
TEAM LEADERS
4th Quarter 8:17 6:20
3rd
4th Down Conversions 0-1 1-4
PAT: Total - Made 2-2 3-3
2PT Conversion: Total - Made
• QB Ralph Rucker’s 4,253 career passing yards moves him into fifth place on Bucknell’s career passing yards list, pasing Marcello Trigg. Rucker’s 33 passing TD are third-most in Bison history; just one behind R.J. Nitti and nine behind Scott Auchenbach
Team Results
Game Records
09/21/2024 Marist
* 09/28/2024 at Lehigh
Rushing
Team Statistics
Passing
Receiving
Interceptions
Team Defense
Rushing Player
Tariq Thomas
Ralph Rucker IV 66-103/4 10-34/0 6-21/0 13--10/1 5-6/0 9--10/1 9-44/0
Paul Neel 47-206/2 12-60/1 8-37/1 4-3/0 8-44/0 7-38/0 2-9/0 4-9/0 2-6/0
Michael Cadden
Danny Meuser 13-43/0 5-11/0 4-24/0 1-0/0 3-8/0 - DNP
Michael Hardyway 11-17/0
Logan Bush 10-31/1 DNP DNP
Nate Anderson 4-19/0 - - - 1-3/0 1-10/0 - 1-3/0 - 1-3/0
Eric Weatherly 3-5/0 - 1--1/0 1-5/0
Josh Gary 1--1/0 - 1--1/0 -
Receiving
Eric Weatherly 48-494/4 2-10/0 9-105/0 6-77/0 5-74/1 5-55/2 7-61/0 4-17/0 5-57/0 5-38/1
Josh Gary 37-450/3 2-15/0 3-54/2 3-17/1 2-28/0 1-5/0 13-137/0 3-57/0 4-66/0 6-71/0
Nate Anderson 28-352/2 2-61/1 3-32/0 2-21/0 4-47/0 5-49/0 6-52/1 1-3/0 3-41/0 2-46/0
TJ Cadden 27-378/3 5-97/0 6-87/1 - 3-30/1 1-21/0 3-24/0 7-84/1 1-13/0 1-22/0
Charlie Kreinbucher 10-87/1 - 1-5/0 1-1/0 2-10/1 - 1-20/0 2-16/0 2-23/0 1-12/0
Sam Milligan 9-157/2 1-9/0 1-6/0 1-23/1 1-32/0 1-2/0 1-13/0 1-28/1 1-36/0 1-8/0
Tariq Thomas 9-46/0 - - 2-13/0 - 1-10/0 2-7/0 1--1/0 1-4/0 2-13/0
Paul Neel 7-42/0 1-5/0 3-18/0 1-9/0 - - - 2-10/0 - -
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 DNP DNP -
Michael Cadden 2-14/0 - - - 2-14/0 - - - - -
Marques Owens 1-8/0 DNP DNP DNP - 1-8/0 DNP DNP DNP -
Danny Meuser 1-5/0 1-5/0 - -
DNP DNP DNP DNP
Total Tackles
Gavin Willis 57-40 97
Nick Hoying 44-28 72
John Schlendorf 48-17 65
Terian Williams
48
Alex Smith Jr. 29-16 45 4-2 1-3 3-4
Brad Jamison 23-18 41 5-2
Pearson
30
Mason Taylor 17-8 25 1-0 2-1 3-1
Aaron Davis 20-4 24 1-0 DNP -
Brandon Biagiarelli 10-12 22 0-1 2-1
Cade Rooney 11-10 21 3-1 1-0
Will Caneer 14-4 18 - -
Chris Sims 11-7 18 - - 2-2 1-0
Aneesh Vyas 9-9 18 1-2 1-2
Jack Barnes 8-7 15 2-2 1-1 0-1 1-1
Takai Whitmore 12-1 13 3-0 1-0 1-0
Justin Fisher 4-8 12 0-1 -
Jack Goheen 5-4 9
Luke Freeman 3-3
Deuce Geter 3-2
Grant
Dara Adeyemi 2-3 5 0-1
JJ Sebert
Bradley Pao
Sam Milligan
Alex Brown
Cormier
Charlie Meehleib
Ashton Sempervive
Karic
Meuser
Daniel Sierk
Josh Gary
Hardyway
McIntyre
Jack Inserra
Aidan Catania
David LoGrasso
Cadden
Anderson
Ryan Jedlicka
Juan Garanton
Punt Returns
Kick Returns
Thomas
Michael Cadden 6-72
Josh Gary
Interceptions Returns
Fumble Returns
Bucknell Inside Opponent Red-Zone
Opponents Inside Bucknell Red-Zone
Bucknell - Game Highs
(11/02/2024)
(11/02/2024)
(09/21/2024)
(11/02/2024) 2 at Georgetown (10/26/2024) 2 at Penn (10/12/2024)
at Navy (08/31/2024)
(10/12/2024)
(10/12/2024)
(09/07/2024) YARDS PER PASS
PUNT
(09/21/2024)
(09/21/2024)
at VMI (09/07/2024)
(10/12/2024)
(09/21/2024)
(09/21/2024)
(10/12/2024)
(09/21/2024)
(09/21/2024)
(10/19/2024)
(10/26/2024)
Merrimack (09/14/2024)
at VMI (09/07/2024)
at Navy (08/31/2024) PUNTS INSIDE 20 3 at Georgetown (10/26/2024)
LONG PUNT RETURN 73 Marist (09/21/2024)
Opponent - Game Highs
(08/31/2024)
(10/26/2024)
(09/07/2024)
(08/31/2024) PASS
(10/19/2024)
(08/31/2024)
(10/19/2024)
(09/28/2024)
(10/12/2024)
(08/31/2024) SACKS
(09/14/2024)
(10/19/2024)
(10/19/2024)
(09/28/2024)
(09/07/2024) PUNTING
at Lehigh (09/28/2024)
(08/31/2024)
Bucknell - Game Lows
RUSHES
28 Cornell (10/19/2024)
YARDS RUSHING 96 Merrimack (09/14/2024)
YARDS PER RUSH 2.9 Merrimack (09/14/2024)
TD RUSHES 0 Marist (09/21/2024)
PASS ATTEMPTS 22 at Lehigh (09/28/2024)
PASS COMPLETIONS 15 at Lehigh (09/28/2024) 15 at Navy (08/31/2024)
YARDS PASSING 150 at Lehigh (09/28/2024)
YARDS PER PASS 5.5 Merrimack (09/14/2024)
TD PASSES 0 at Georgetown (10/26/2024)
TOTAL PLAYS 58 at Lehigh (09/28/2024)
TOTAL OFFENSE 260 Merrimack (09/14/2024)
YARDS PER PLAY 4.1 Merrimack (09/14/2024)
POINTS 20 at Georgetown (10/26/2024)
SACKS BY 0 at Georgetown (10/26/2024)
FIRST DOWNS 14 at Navy (08/31/2024) PENALTIES 4 Lafayette (11/02/2024) 4 Merrimack (09/14/2024)
PENALTY YARDS 25 Lafayette (11/02/2024) INTERCEPTIONS BY 0 Lafayette (11/02/2024) 0 Merrimack (09/14/2024)
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)
LONG PUNT RETURN 0 Cornell (10/19/2024) 0 at Penn (10/12/2024) 0 at Lehigh (09/28/2024)
Opponent - Game Lows
(09/07/2024)
Marist (09/21/2024)
(09/21/2024)
(11/02/2024)
(10/19/2024)
(09/21/2024)
(08/31/2024)
at Georgetown (10/26/2024)
(09/07/2024)
at Georgetown (10/26/2024)
at Penn (10/12/2024)
Merrimack (09/14/2024)
(09/07/2024)
(10/12/2024)
(11/02/2024)
Cornell (10/19/2024) 2 Marist (09/21/2024) FIRST DOWNS
at Penn (10/12/2024)
Lafayette (11/02/2024) 4 at Penn (10/12/2024) PENALTY YARDS 34 Lafayette (11/02/2024) INTERCEPTIONS BY 0 at Georgetown (10/26/2024) 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
at Penn (10/12/2024)
LONG PUNT 0 at Penn (10/12/2024)
PUNTS INSIDE 20
LONG PUNT RETURN
0 Lafayette (11/02/2024)
0 Cornell (10/19/2024)
0 at Penn (10/12/2024)
0 at Lehigh (09/28/2024)
0 at VMI (09/07/2024)
0 Lafayette (11/02/2024)
0 at Penn (10/12/2024) 0 at Lehigh (09/28/2024) 0 Marist (09/21/2024)
Bucknell - Individual Game Highs
RUSHES
YARDS RUSHING
29 Tariq Thomas vs Lafayette (11/02/2024)
141 Tariq Thomas vs Lafayette (11/02/2024)
TD RUSHES 2 Ralph Rucker IV vs Lafayette (11/02/2024)
2 Tariq Thomas at Georgetown (10/26/2024)
2 Tariq Thomas at Penn (10/12/2024)
LONG RUSH
Tariq Thomas vs Cornell (10/19/2024)
PASS ATTEMPTS 39 Michael Hardyway vs Cornell (10/19/2024)
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)
2 Josh Gary at VMI (09/07/2024)
LONG RECEPTION 47 Nate Anderson at Navy (08/31/2024)
PUNTS 7 Matt Schearer at Georgetown (10/26/2024)
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 3 Matt Schearer at Georgetown (10/26/2024)
LONG PUNT RETURN 73 TJ Cadden vs Marist (09/21/2024)
LONG KICKOFF RETURN 100 TJ Cadden at Lehigh (09/28/2024)
TACKLES 19 Gavin Willis vs Cornell (10/19/2024)
SACKS
TACKLES FOR LOSS
2 Gavin Willis at Lehigh (09/28/2024)
2 Brandon Biagiarelli vs Marist (09/21/2024)
3 Nick Hoying vs Marist (09/21/2024)
Opponent - Individual Game Highs
RUSHES 23 Jamar Curtis vs Lafayette (11/02/2024)
YARDS RUSHING
166 Jermaine Corbett vs Merrimack (09/14/2024)
166 Hunter Rice at VMI (09/07/2024)
TD RUSHES 3 Luke Yoder at Lehigh (09/28/2024)
LONG RUSH 58 Hunter Rice at VMI (09/07/2024)
PASS ATTEMPTS 49 Jameson Wang vs Cornell (10/19/2024)
PASS COMPLETIONS 32 Jameson Wang vs Cornell (10/19/2024)
YARDS PASSING 274 Jameson Wang vs Cornell (10/19/2024)
TD PASSES 3 Jameson Wang vs Cornell (10/19/2024)
LONG PASS 57 Ayden Pereira vs Merrimack (09/14/2024)
RECEPTIONS 14 Samuel Musungu vs Cornell (10/19/2024)
YARDS RECEIVING 136 Geo rey Jamiel at Lehigh (09/28/2024)
TD RECEPTIONS 2 Samuel Musungu vs Cornell (10/19/2024)
2 Geo rey Jamiel at Lehigh (09/28/2024)
2 Eli Heidenreich at Navy (08/31/2024)
LONG RECEPTION 57 Donovan Wadley vs Merrimack (09/14/2024)
FIELD GOALS 2 Alan Zhao vs Cornell (10/19/2024)
LONG FIELD GOALS
Alan Zhao vs Cornell (10/19/2024) PUNTS
LONG PUNT
PUNTS INSIDE
LONG PUNT RETURN
Ben Shrewsbury at VMI (09/07/2024)
Connor Poole at Lehigh (09/28/2024)
Ben Shrewsbury at VMI (09/07/2024)
Riley Riethman at Navy (08/31/2024)
Eli Heidenreich at Navy (08/31/2024)
LONG KICKOFF RETURN 45 Julien Stokes at Penn (10/12/2024)
TACKLES 15 Saiku White vs Lafayette (11/02/2024) 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 Saiku White vs Lafayette (11/02/2024)
1 Luke Banbury vs Cornell (10/19/2024)
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
4
5
9
16
32 Finn Sposato 0/0
33 Brad Jamison 8/8
35 Charlie Meehleib
36 Michael Cadden 9/0
37 Tristan Menconi 0/0
38 Brad Gerken 0/0
39 Jackson Nowinski 0/0
40 Charlie McIntyre 1/0
41 Jack Bohm-Squicciarini 1/0
42 Ryan Skoronski 0/0
43 Owen Garwood 1/0
44 Caden Allard 0/0
45 John Schlendorf
46 Michael Crabtree
47 Jack Goheen 4/1
49 Jason Ussery 0/0
52 Jack Barnes 9/5
53 Tim Andersen 8/0
54 Reuben Logan 0/0
56 Mark Mulhern
57 Jack Inserra
58 Aidan Catania
59 Dante Mascio 0/0
60 Kieran Coscia 7/0
61 Ryan Jedlicka 8/0
62 Matt Schearer 9/0
64 David LoGrasso 6/0
65 Tristan Arndt 0/0
66 Herschel Johal 1/0
67 Gustav Ste elin 1/0
68 D.K. Kim 3/0
70 Xavier Allen 8/8 START
71 Fredrick Sturgis 8/0
72 Noah Wright 0/0
73 Mason Jones 9/3
74 Casey Stephenson 9/9 START
75 Jake Guy 7/7
76 Ashton Sempervive 9/0
77 Nathan Natoli 7/6
78 John Ohnegian 9/9 START
79 Rowan McGwin 0/0
80 TJ Cadden 9/1
82 Charlie Kreinbucher 9/9
83 Rourke Kennedy 0/0
84 Sam Milligan 9/0
85 AJ Bosch 1/0
86 Braylen Burgess 1/0
87 Kyle Fontes 5/0
88 Will Rich 0/0
89 Anthony DiMarco 0/0
90 Aneesh Vyas 9/7
92 Daniel Sierk 6/0
93 Jack McGill 0/0
94 Nick Niemynski 0/0
95 Grant Laws 8/2
96 Juan Garanton 8/0
97 Dara Adeyemi
98 Seo Bu ngton 3/0
99 Justin Fisher