BUCKNELL UNIVERSITY 2023 BISON FOOTBALL MEDIA NOTES
Date Sept. 2 Sept. 9 Sept. 23 Sept. 30 Oct. 7 Oct. 14 Oct. 21 Oct. 28 Nov. 4 Nov. 11 Nov. 18
Opponent at James Madison VMI PENN (HC) at Lafayette* #12 HOLY CROSS* at Cornell LEHIGH* at Colgate* at Fordham* GEORGETOWN* at Marist
Time/Result L, 38-3 W, 21-13 L, 37-21 L, 56-22 L, 55-27 W, 21-13 L, 27-18 W, 49-34 1 p.m. 1 p.m. Noon
3-5...................................................................... Overall...................................................................... 5-3 1-3 PL..............................................................Conference..............................................................1-2 PL 1-3....................................................................... Home....................................................................... 3-1 2-2........................................................................Away........................................................................ 2-2 Won 1..................................................................Streak.................................................................. Lost 1 Dave Cecchini................................................Head Coach...................................................... Joe Conlin 12-33 (5th season)..................................... Record at School..................................... 28-29 (6th season) 29-71 (10th season)..................................... Career Record....................................... 28-29 (6th season) Ralph Rucker (1,610 yards)......................... Leading Passer..............................CJ Montes (2,198 yards) Coleman Bennett (422 yards)...................... Leading Rusher.....................Julius Loughridge (934 yards) Eric Weatherly (467 yards).........................Leading Receiver................................ MJ Wright (654 yards) Brad Jamison (62 tackles)........................... Leading Tackler......................... James Conway (93 tackles)
FOLLOW THE BISON
MEDIA INFORMATION MID-WEEK INTERVIEWS: All interview requests for Cecchini and Bison players should be directed to Ben Blumenthal at beb019@bucknell.edu or 570-577-1835. POST-GAME INTERVIEWS: After the NCAA-mandated 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 Ben Blumenthal 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 single-game credentials may be picked up in the Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium press box on game day. Please contact Ben Blumenthal to request a credential.
AT
<<<< Game 9: Bucknell Bison at Fordham Rams >>>> Saturday, Nov. 4 >> 1 p.m. >> Bronx, N.Y. >> Moglia Stadium
* Patriot League game; HC Homecoming Home games in CAPS and played at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium All times Eastern and subject to change
Internet Video.................................................... ESPN+ Play-by-Play (Color).....Andrew Bogusch (Grant DelVecchio) Internet Audio..................................BucknellBison.com Radio...........................................Bison Sports Network Flagship................................. 100.9 The Valley (WVLY) Play-By-Play (Color)..... Doug Birdsong (Todd Newcomb) Twitter.................................................... @Bucknell_FB Instagram............................................... @Bucknell_FB Hashtag.........................................#ACT | #rayBucknell
FORDHAM
SCHEDULE/RESULTS
BUCKNELL
Media Contact: Ben Blumenthal >> beb019@bucknell.edu >> 703-618-5139 (C) >> 570-577-1835 (O)
PROJECTED BUCKNELL STARTERS OFFENSE
Pos. No. Name Cl. QB 10 Ralph Rucker Jr. RB 23 Rushawn Baker Jr. WR 11 Damian Harris Sr. WR 1 Eric Weatherly So. WR 29 Okeyo Ayungo So. LT 70 Xavier Allen Fr. LG 74 Casey Stephenson Sr. C 78 John Ohnegian So. RG 73 Mason Jones Jr. RT 65 Zack Tarburton Sr. TE 82 Charlie Kreinbucher So.
Ht. 6-0 5-11 6-0 5-7 6-1 6-5 6-2 6-2 6-6 6-3 6-5
Wt. 207 225 185 171 185 270 290 285 295 275 230
Fast Fact School-record 387 pass yds and 4 TDs last game, PL OPOTW Posted 2nd 100-yard game of the season at Colgate, 3 TDs on the season 3rd on team in receiving, 2 TDs this season, 7 rec. last game Leads team in receiving, 132 yds and 2 TDs last game Started first six games this season, 5 receptions for 39 yards Started last five games at left tackle Team captain, 16 career starts on the offensive line Started all 8 games, team’s 2022 Scout Team Player of the Year Started four games this season 23 career starts, including each of the last five 13 career starts, 8 receptions and two TDs this season
Pos. DE DT DT DE ILB ILB S S S CB CB
No. 2 0 90 44 13 33 45 26 6 14 9
Name Tyler Alston Connor Carretta Aneesh Vyas Mike Bright Jr. Gavin Willis Brad Jamison John Schlendorf Deuce Geter Alex Smith Jr. Roman Pearson Ethan Robinson
Cl. Sr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Fr. Jr. Jr. Fr. Jr. So. Jr.
Ht. 6-2 6-2 6-2 6-4 6-0 6-2 5-10 6-1 6-2 6-2 6-0
Wt. 230 280 265 225 212 220 180 205 185 180 175
Fast Fact Preseason All-League, 2nd on D-Line in tackles, 1 sack this season 28 starts, leads D-Line in tackles, team leader in TFLs and sacks Two starts this season, one-time PL Special Teams Player of the Week 24 career starts, 21 tackles, 5 TFLs and 2 sacks this season Took over starting role due to injury, 4 starts, 5th on team in tackles Leads team in tackles (62), 2nd in TFLs (5.5), tied for lead in sack (3) 19 straight starts, 6 PBUs, INT and fumble recovery over last 2 games 4 starts, 30 tackles and 3 PBUs in 6 games played Started all 8 games, 3 INTs in 2022, 42 tackles this season 6 starts this season, 2 INTs this season, 6 PBUs 23 career starts, grabbed 3rd INT of the season last game, 3 PBUs
Pos. PK KO P PR
No. 62 10 98 9 1 3 1 93 98
Name Matt Schearer Ryan Schatzel Ruben Anderson Ethan Robinson Eric Weatherly Coleman Bennett Eric Weatherly Aidan Davenport Ruben Anderson
Cl. So. Sr. Sr. Jr. So. Sr. So. Sr. Sr.
Ht. 5-11 6-0 6-2 6-0 5-7 5-11 5-7 6-3 6-2
Wt. 170 160 215 175 171 185 171 210 215
Fast Fact Preseason All-League, 3 FGs over 40 yds in 2022, 4-7 on FGs this season Averaging 51.7 yards on 34 kickoffs this season 4-year starter, averaging 38.7 on 49 punts this season, 9 inside the 20 4.4 average on 10 returns, long of 15 Transfered to Bucknell from Duke, 44 yards on 2 returns, long of 23 2021 Preseason All-PL return spec., 114 yds on 4 returns last game Transfered to Bucknell from Duke, 4 returns for 66 yards this season In third season as Bucknell’s primary long snapper Punter assuming holding duties for the third time
KR LS H
DEFENSE
SPECIAL TEAMS
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> THIS IS BUCKNELL FOOTBALL >>>> ATTITUDE >>>> CHARACTER >>>> TOUGHNESS >>>> 1
2023 BUCKNELL FOOTBALL MEDIA NOTES >>>> 2
QUICK FACTS
BISON NOTES
GENERAL INFORMATION Location..........................................................................................Lewisburg, Pa. Founded (Enrollment)........................................................................ 1846 (3,925) Affiliation....................................................................................... NCAA Division I Nickname...................................................................................................... Bison Colors......................................................................................... Blue and Orange Conference..............................................................................The Patriot League President.............................................................................. Dr. John C. Bravman Director of Athletics........................................................................Jermaine Truax
Bucknell is on the road for a second consecutive Saturday and will face Fordham at Moglia Stadium in its second-to-last Patriot League game of the season. The Bison are looking to make it back-to-back victories after dispatching Colgate 49-34 last weekend.
ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS Football Contact........................................................................... Ben Blumenthal E-Mail.................................................................................beb019@bucknell.edu Office............................................................................................... 570-577-1835 Cell.................................................................................................. 703-618-5139 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.................................................................. 12-33 (5th season) Career Record....................................................................... 29-71 (10th season) Offensive Coordinator............................................................................ John Bear Defensive Coordinator...................................................................... Chris Bowers Special Teams Coordinator...........................................................Colin Schaeffer Assistant Coaches...................... Vinny Giacalone, Jordan Johnson, Greg Parker ............................... Braelon Roberts, Sean Pearson, Pat Clark, McNeil Parker Strength & Conditioning Coach...........................................................Mark Kulbis Student Managers.......... Gia White, Gana Mukhtar, Amina Reyes, Timmy Facey Video Coordinator..........................................................................Garvey Biggers Athletic Trainers.................................... Kaiti Hager, Rayna Murphy, Maddy Miller Equipment Manager........................................................................ Liel Karstetter FOOTBALL HISTORY First Season.................................................................................................. 1883 All-Time Record................................................................................... 614-627-51 All-Time Patriot League Record.............................................................. 82-126-1 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) TEAM INFORMATION 2023 Patriot League Preseason Poll............................................................. T-6th 2022 Record..................................................................................................... 3-8 2022 Patriot League Record (Finish).....................................................2-4 (T-4th) Offensive Starters Returning/Lost...................................................................11/0 Defensive Starters Returning/Lost.................................................................... 7/4 Letterwinners Returning/Lost........................................................................ 56/13 Newcomers........................................................................................................ 30 Captains.........Coleman Bennett, Blake Leake, Nick Semptimphelter, Casey Stephenson Returning All-Patriot League Selections.................Ethan Pitzel (2nd Team in ‘22)
The Bison are coming off their best offensive performance in recent memory. The team posted 593 yards of total offense, which is tied for second-most in school history last reached in 1998. Quarterback Ralph Rucker also broke the school’s single-game passing yards record with 387 during a four-touchdown performance against the Raiders. The Bison will need a similar output on Saturday, as they take on a Rams team that ranks 10th in FCS in total offense and 13th in scoring offense. Fordham is looking to bounce back after a heartbreaking 49-47 loss to Holy Cross last weekend. Holy Cross took the lead on a back-breaking pick six with five minutes remaining. The loss snapped an eight-game home win streak for the Rams. Fordham has won 10 in a row over the Bion and is two games over .500 in the all-time series, but Bucknell enters the weekend a winner in two of its last three games and with newfound confidence after its most recent victory in New York. WITH A VICTORY BUCKNELL WOULD... • improve to 4-5 on the season • improve to 3-2 in road games this season • win three of its last four games • improve to 2-3 in Patriot League play • defeat Fordham for the first time since 2012 • move to 19-20 in all-time meetings with the Rams • even its record on the road against Fordham at 11-11 BUCKNELL AT A GLANCE • Bucknell collected its first Patriot League win of the season last Saturday, defeating Colgate 49-34 on the road to move to 3-5 (1-3 PL). The Bison have won two of their last three games and improved to 2-2 in away games. • Bucknell’s other victories are over VMI (21-13) and Cornell (21-13). • Teams that have beat the Bison have a combined 27-12 record. Three are nationally ranked, including the FBS’ JMU, and another is receiving votes. • Bucknell currently ranks 17th in FCS in kickoff return average (22.76). As a team, the Bison are third in the Patriot League in passing and tied for first in the league in interceptions after adding two more against the Raiders. • QB Ralph Rucker is coming off a record-setting performance against Colgate and earned Patriot League Offensive Player of the Week on Monday. His 387 passing yards were the most in a single game by a Bison, and his 33 completions were the most since 2001. Rucker also threw four TD passes. • The Bison were picked to finish in a tie for sixth in the Patriot League based on a vote by the league’s head coaches and sports information directors ahead of the 2023 season. • Bucknell went 3-8 (2-4 PL) during the 2022 campaign, finishing in a tie for fourth. The Bison, who were picked to finish last in that season’s Patriot League preseason poll, earned league wins over Lehigh (19-17) and Georgetown (24-21, OT) before ending the year with a victory over Marist (24-13). • Bucknell is in its fifth season under Cecchini, who spent the previous five as head coach at Valparaiso. Cecchini was honored as the Patriot League Dick Biddle Coach of the Year during the four-game spring 2021 campaign. • Bucknell returned a total of 56 letterwinners in 2023, a group that includes 23 seniors, 20 juniors and 13 sophomores. 12 seniors are three-time letterwinners. • RB Coleman Bennett, LB Blake Leake, QB Nick Semptimphelter and OL Casey Stephenson are serving as 2023 team captains, as voted on by their teammates. • Bucknell welcomed a host of new faces to the staff this season, including new offensive coordinator John Bear. Wide receivers coach Braelon Roberts, offensive line coach Sean Pearson, defensive backs coach Pat Clark and safeties coach McNeil Parker are all new assistants on the staff as well. INSIDE THE COLGATE BOX SCORE • Bucknell recorded 593 yards of total offense, which is tied for second-most in school history, in a 49-34 victory at Colgate. The 49 points were the most the Bison had scored since the 2003 season. Bucknell had 400 yards of offense by halftime. • After a back-and-fourth first quarter where Colgate led 13-7, Bucknell scored 27 unanswered points in the second quarter. The Bison scored touchdowns on four consecutive drives. • Leading the dynamic offensive attack was QB Ralph Rucker, who completed 33 of 44
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INDIVIDUAL HONORS & AWARDS TYLER ALSTON (2) ........................... 2023............................. • Preseason All-Patriot League Team COLEMAN BENNETT (3) ........................... 2023............................. • William V. Campbell Trophy nominee ........................... 2022............................. • Academic All-Patriot League Team • Patriot League Special Teams Player of the Week (11/14) • Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar ........................... 2021............................. • Preseason All-Patriot League MIKE BRIGHT JR. (44) ......................2021 Spring....................... • Patriot League Rookie of the Week (4/5) JUSTIN FISHER (99) ........................... 2021............................. • Patriot League Rookie of the Week (9/6) • HM STATS National Freshman of the Week (9/6) ETHAN PITZEL (77) ........................... 2022............................. • Second Team All-Patriot League • Academic All-Patriot League Team RALPH RUCKER (10) ........................... 2023............................. • Patriot League Offensive Player of the Week (10/30) MATT SCHEARER (62) ........................... 2023............................. • Preseason All-Patriot League Team ........................... 2022............................. • Two-time Patriot League Rookie of the Week (10/24), (11/14) ANEESH VYAS (90) ........................... 2023............................. • Patriot League Special Teams Player of the Week (9/25)
START CHART Damian Harris.............................. 29 (21) Connor Carretta........................... 28 (10) Blake Leake................................... 26 (0) Mike Bright Jr................................. 24 (8) Tyler Alston.................................... 24 (0) Ethan Robinson............................. 23 (1) Ethan Pitzel................................... 23 (0) Zack Tarburton............................... 22 (0) Coleman Bennett........................... 21 (5) John Schlendorf........................... 19 (19) Aneesh Vyas................................. 17 (0) Casey Stephenson........................ 16 (6) Jake Guy....................................... 15 (0) Harrison Shepherd........................ 14 (0) Will Ohler...................................... 14 (0) Charlie Kreinbucher......................13 (11) Fredrick Sturgis............................. 13 (0) Rushawn Baker............................. 12 (0) Alex Smith Jr...................................11 (8) Sean Quarterman...........................11 (4) Mason Taylor................................... 9 (0) John Ohnegian................................ 8 (8) Brad Jamison................................... 8 (8) Nick Semptimphelter....................... 8 (0) Okeyo Ayungo................................. 8 (0) Cade Rooney................................... 7 (4) Ralph Rucker................................... 7 (1) Marques Owens.............................. 7 (0) Josh Gary........................................ 7 (0) Christian Spugnardi......................... 7 (0) Roman Pearson............................... 6 (3) Christian Tait.................................... 6 (1) Xavier Allen...................................... 5 (5) Eric Weatherly................................. 5 (1) Mason Jones................................... 5 (0) Kyle Fontes...................................... 5 (0) Deuce Geter.................................... 4 (3) Gavin Willis...................................... 4 (1) Chris Sims....................................... 4 (0) Tyler Beverett.................................. 3 (0) Jack Barnes..................................... 2 (1) Nathan Natoli................................... 2 (1) Adam Barakat.................................. 2 (0) Colby Grames.................................. 2 (0) Nathaniel Carson............................. 2 (0) Derrick Anderson Jr......................... 1 (0) Danny Meuser................................. 1 (0) Note: Number in parentheses indicates streak of consecutive starts
BISON NOTES passes for 387 yards and four touchdowns with no picks. The 33 completions were the most by a Bison since 2001, the 387 yards broke the school record by four yards, and the four touchdown passes were the most by a Bison since 2015. • On the receiving end of most of Rucker’s passes were WRs Eric Weatherly and Josh Gary. Weatherly hauled in 10 catches for 132 yards and two touchdowns, and Gary grabbed nine catches for 139 yards and a score. Charlie Kreinbucher also caught a touchdown pass of 20 yards. • The ground game was also strong for the Bison, as RBs Rushawn Baker and Coleman Bennett both averaged over 5 YPC and combined for 198 yards and three touchdowns. • Bennett totaled 233 all-purpose yards, adding 30 receiving and 112 on four kick returns. • Bucknell’s defense came up with three takeaways in the game. Ethan Robinson and Cade Rooney both had interceptions, and John Schlendorf recovered a fumble and returned it 25 yards. • Colgate QB Michael Brescia scored two rushing touchdowns and threw for another. He also tossed two interceptions before being replaced by Jake Stearney, who added another passing touchdown. • Chris Gee led the Raiders with 106 rushing yards on eight carries. He scored one touchdown of 68 yards. • Special teams were a factor in the game, as Colgate’s Owen Goss tied an FCS record with three blocked kicks. • Bucknell led in time of possession with 33:34 and was a perfect 3-for-3 on fourth down conversions. Bucknell also converted on nine of 17 third down attempts. FORDHAM AT A GLANCE • Fordham is currently fourth in the Patriot League with a 5-3 (1-2 PL) record. The Rams are coming off a 49-47 loss to Holy Cross. • Fordham’s wins are over Wagner, Buffalo, Stonehill College, Lehigh and Stony Brook. The Rams have scored 40 or more points in four of their eight games. • The Rams are currently ranked 10th in total offense, 13th in scoring offense, 12th in passing efficiency, 13th in red zone offense and 14th in turnover margin among FCS programs. They’re also ranked fourth in punt returns. • Fordham QB CJ Montes ranks third in FCS in passing touchdowns (21) and eighth in passing yards (2,198). • Fordham was picked to repeat as the Patriot League runner-up in the 2023 Preseason Poll. The Rams went 9-3 (5-1 PL) last season and earned a spot in the NCAA FCS Championship bracket. • Seven Rams were named to the 2023 Preseason All-Patriot League Team, including four members of the offense. • Fordham head coach Joe Conlin is in his sixth season with the program and has a 28-29 record. THE BUCKNELL/FORDHAM SERIES • Fordham is two games over .500 at 20-18 in the all-time series with the Bison, which began in 1929. The Rams have won 10 in a row in the series dating back to the 2013 campaign. • During the 10-game streak, three of the games have been decided by 10 or fewer points, including an overtime contest in Lewisburg in 2014. • Bucknell is 10-11 when facing Fordham on the road. Bucknell’s last win in the Bronx was a 21-11 decision in 2011. Fordham won 66-21 in the most recent game with Bucknell at Moglia Stadium in 2021. • Bucknell’s last win over the Rams was in 2012 when RB Tyler Smith rushed 29 times for 179 yards and the Bison scored 20 unanswered points in the second half to defeat Fordham 27-24 at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium. • The Bison and the Rams have met each year over the past 34 seasons. • Bucknell won five straight over Fordham between 1993 and 1997. THE LAST MEETING WITH THE RAMS Bucknell 17 – Fordham 59 (Nov. 5, 2022 – Lewisburg, Pa.) • Bucknell held a 3-0 lead until the 8:32 mark in the second quarter when Fordham scored 24 unanswered to close out the first half. The Bison also had it down to a two-score game early in the fourth quarter, but Fordham went on to score 28 unanswered to seal the game. • WR Damian Harris caught his first career TD pass from Nick Semptimphelter to make it 31-17 in the fourth. The junior led the Bison with four receptions for 44 yards. • Junior RB Rushawn Baker scored Bucknell’s other TD on a 12-yard run. It was Baker’s sixth rushing TD of the season and his seventh TD overall. Baker led the team with 70 yards rushing on 15 carries. • Semptimphelter finished the game with 154 yards through the air, completing 12 of 25 passes. Freshman QB Alex Brown also completed five passes on nine attempts for 52 yards, including a 40-yard pass to Marques Owens.
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2023 BUCKNELL FOOTBALL MEDIA NOTES >>>> 4
PATRIOT LEAGUE STANDINGS Lafayette Holy Cross Georgetown Fordham Colgate Lehigh Bucknell
Overall W-L Pct. 7-1 .875 5-3 .625 4-5 .444 5-3 .625 3-5 .375 2-6 .250 3-5 .375
Patriot League W-L Pct. 3-0 1.000 3-1 .750 2-2 .500 1-2 .333 1-2 .333 1-2 .333 1-3 .250
BISON NOTES Streak W6 W1 L2 L1 L1 W1 W1
PATRIOT LEAGUE SCHEDULE/RESULTS Saturday, Oct. 28 Lafayette 35, Georgetown 25 Holy Cross 49, Fordham 47 Bucknell 49, Colgate 34 Saturday, Nov. 4 Holy Cross at Lehigh, noon Colgate at Lafayette, 12:30 p.m. Bucknell at Fordham, 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11 Holy Cross at Army, noon Fordham at Lafayette, 12:30 p.m. Georgetown at Bucknell, 1 p.m. Lehigh at Colgate, 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18 Lafayette at Lehigh, noon Georgetown at Holy Cross, noon Bucknell at Marist, noon Fordham at Colgate, 1
Number in parentheses indicates first-place votes
Points 72 62 51 39 32 19 19
PATRIOT LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK Week Player Sept. 25 Aneesh Vyas Oct. 30 Ralph Rucker
INSIDE THE BUCKNELL DEPTH CHART • Bucknell’s projected starters on offense have made a combined 130 starts. • Bucknell’s projected starters on defense have made a combined 168 starts. • On offense, three seniors, three juniors and four sophomores and one freshman (OL Xavier Allen) are expected to start. • On defense, three seniors, five juniors one sophomore (CB Roman Pearson) and two freshmen are expected to start. • 20 Bison have made at least 10 career starts. Nine have started 20 games or more. • Four Bison have starting streaks of 10 or more games in a row: Harris (21), S John Schlendorf (19), TE Charlie Kreinbucher (11) and DT Connor Carretta (10). • Five Bison, Harris, Leake, Robinson, Schlendorf and Vyas, started all 11 of Bucknell’s games in 2022. • Only senior P Ruben Anderson has played in all 34 of Bucknell’s games over their four years. • Of the junior class, Schlendorf and S Alex Smith Jr. have played in all 30 of the team’s games over three seasons. • 13 Bison have made their first career starts this season, including three freshmen. In 2022, seven players each made their first career starts. Two were juniors, two were sophomores, and three were freshmen. MILESTONES TO WATCH • Ralph Rucker needs one passing touchdown to have the most (14) in a season by a Bison since 1994. • Coleman Bennett needs 3 rush yards to reach 1,000 for his career. • Coleman Bennett needs 39 yards to reach 3,000 career all-purpose yards. • Connor Carretta needs 7 tackles to reach 100 in his career.
PATRIOT LEAGUE PRESEASON POLL ‘22 League ‘22 Overall W-L Place W-L Pct. 1 Holy Cross (12) 6-0 1st 12-1 .923 2 Fordham (2) 5-1 2nd 9-3 .750 3 Colgate 2-4 T-4th 3-8 .273 4 Lafayette 3-3 3rd 4-7 .364 5 Lehigh 2-4 6th 2-9 .182 T-6 Bucknell 2-4 T-4th 3-8 .273 T-6 Georgetown 1-5 7th 2-9 .182
• Bucknell’s defense came up with two interceptions and a season-high four sacks. LB Blake Leake led all Bison with 13 tackles and a sack. LB Ben Allen, DL Mike Bright Jr. and DL Tyler Alston all added sacks as well. • Alston also had one of the two interceptions along with S Brent Jackson. Jackson finished the game with 10 tackles, three pass breakups and a pick. • CB Gavin Pringle matched his career high with four pass breakups. • Fordham QB Tim DeMorat threw for 346 yards on 31 completions and five TDs. WR Fotis Kokosioulis caught two TDs and finished with 12 receptions for 132 yards. • Five different Rams combined for five tackles for loss, and DB Alex Kemper intercepted two passes, one of which he returned 22 yards for a TD.
Honor Statistics Special Teams 2 Blks, 3 Tackles Offensive Player 33 completions, 387 yds, 4 TDs
Ryan Sakamoto, Patriot League Media Relations Director (FB) rsakamoto@patriotleague.com >> 610-289-1963 >> PatriotLeague.com
MILESTONES MET LAST WEEK • Brad Jamison eclipsed 100 tackles in his career. • Ralph Rucker broke Bucknell’s single-game passing record with 387 yards. BISON AWARD WINNERS • Ralph Rucker was named Patriot League Offensive Player of the Week (10/30) for the first time in his career after completing 33 of 44 passes for 387 yards and four touchdowns. • Coleman Bennett was one of 201 college football players to be named a 2023 William V. Campbell Trophy semifinalist. Bucknell and Dayton are the only schools to have a Campbell Trophy semifinalist in each of the last 18 years. • DL Aneesh Vyas was named the Patriot League Special Teams Player of the Week on Monday, Sept. 25 for blocking an extra point and a field goal against Penn. He’s the first Bison to earn a Patriot League weekly award this season. • The Bison returned one All-Patriot League player, OL Ethan Pitzel (2nd Team in ’22). DL Tyler Alston and K Matt Schearer were both voted to the 2023 Preseason All-Patriot League Team. Coleman Bennett was a 2021 Preseason All-League honoree as a return specialist. • The Bison graduated three All-Patriot League players following the 2022 season: LB Ben Allen (2nd Team in ’22), S Brent Jackson (2nd Team in ’22), and CB Gavin Pringle (2nd Team in ’22 and ’19, 1st Team in ‘S21). • In 2022, Bennett was named an Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar by the publication Diverse: Issues in Higher Education. The award recognizes undergraduate students of color who have excelled in the classroom as well as on the athletic fields. • Last week, Bennett was named Bucknell’s 2023 nominee for the William V. Campbell Trophy, which is awarded by the National Football Foundation to player with the best combination of academics, community service, and on-field performance. Bucknell and Dayton are the only schools that have had a Campbell Trophy semifinalist each of the past 17 years. • Six Bison were named to the 2022 CSC Academic All-District Team: Ben Allen, Connor Carretta, Brent Jackson, Ethan Pitzel, Jonathan Searcy and Aneesh Vyas. • Bucknell returned two of its three Academic All-Patriot League honorees from the 2022 season: Bennett and Pitzel. • In March, 50 Bucknell football players were named to the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll
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2023 BUCKNELL FOOTBALL MEDIA NOTES >>>> 5
PRONUNCIATION GUIDE PLAYERS Dara Adeyemi............................................................ DAH-ruh ah-de-YEM-ee Okeyo Ayungo....................................................... uh-KAY-oh uh-YOUNG-go Adam Barakat..............................................................................BEAR-a-CAT Tyler Beverett................................................................................... BEV-er-it. Princeton Cahee.................................................................................KAY-hee Aidan Catania..........................................................................Cuh-TAN-ee-ah Drew Cormier......................................................................... CORE-mee-aye Kieran Coscia.................................................................................. KAH-shuh Anthony DiLascio...................................................................... di-LASS-ee-oh Kyle Fontes....................................................................................... FON-tess Deuce Geter........................................................................................GEE-tur Jack Inserra..................................................................................... in-SER-uh Brad Jamison..................................................................................JAM-uh-sin Ryan Jedlicka................................................................................jed-LICK-uh Matt Karic...........................................................................................CARE-ic Charlie Kreinbucher................................................................. KRANE-bucker David LoGrasso........................................................................luh-GRASS-oh Danny Meuser....................................................................................MUE-ser Nathan Natoli................................................................................ na-TOLL-ee Nick Niemynski...............................................................................Na-MIN-ski Jeff Odongo................................................................................Oh-DONG-oh Will Ohler............................................................................................... OH-ler John Ohnegian.............................................................................. oh-NEE-gin Marques Owens............................................................................... MARCUS Bradley Pao............................................................................................. POW Ethan Pitzel.........................................................................................PIT-zuhl James Poulos.....................................................................................POO-los Patrick Quinlivan..............................................................................quin-LIV-in Ryan Schatzel...................................................................................SHAT-zul John Schlendorf..........................................................................SCHLEN-dorf Ashton Sempervive...............................................................semper-VEE-vay Nick Semptimphelter............................................................. SEMP-tim-fel-ter Nick Severin.........................................................................................SEV-rin Daniel Sierk.........................................................................................SEER-k Finn Sposato....................................................................................spo-SA-to Christian Spugnardi..................................................................spug-NAR-dee Aneesh Vyas................................................................... uh-NEESH VEE-yas Takai Whitmore................................................................................... tuh-KYE COACHES Dave Cecchini............................................................................ cha-KEE-nee Vinny Giacalone.......................................................................... JACK-a-loan Mark Kulbis..........................................................................................KUL-bis Braelon Roberts.................................................................................BRAY-lon
BISON NOTES for achieving a 3.2 GPA or higher. The Bison led all Patriot League teams in the category. 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 (20-17); 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 20 All-Patriot League First/Second Team awards as well as one First Team All-American. INSIDE THE 2023 SCHEDULE • This is the 138th season of football at Bucknell. The Bison played their first-ever game in 1883 and have played continuously since 1887. • The Bison opened the 2023 slate against FBS opponent James Madison, which tied for first place in the Sun Belt East Division during its inaugural season in the conference with an 8-3 (6-2 SBC) record. • After hosting VMI for the home opener on Sept. 9, the Bison remain at Christy MathewsonMemorial Stadium to face Penn, which is coming off its winningest season in more than a decade. It marks the 44th time in the last 45 seasons that Bucknell has had an Ivy League program on the schedule. • Bucknell’s other non-league games include Cornell on Oct. 14 and Marist to close out the regular season on Nov. 18. • Bucknell opened Patriot League play on the road at Lafayette on Sept. 30. The Bison play host to reigning league champion Holy Cross, Lehigh and Georgetown. • Bucknell’s 2023 opponents went a combined 58-64 last season. FACILITY UPGRADES • Thanks to the support of the Pascucci family, Bucknell’s new artificial turf practice field was broken in last preseason camp. Offering additional training and practice space for several men’s and women’s teams, the new field provides even greater training opportunities for a variety of programs beyond the ones that call Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium home. • The stadium’s new state-of-the-art video board made its debut in 2021, greatly heightening the fan experience at home events. • Currently under construction is The Pascucci Team Center which, upon completion, will include a new strength and conditioning center, locker rooms, and a team meeting and event space. • In recognition of Pascucci’s historic commitment to both financial aid and athletics, the area of campus that includes the stadium and the Christy Mathewson Gates was named the Pascucci Family Athletics Complex. • 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. • It has rained during all three home games at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium this season. • Bucknell is 256-185-10 all-time at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium. HOW TO FOLLOW THE BISON • All of Bucknell’s games this season, with the exception of the season finale at Marist, will be broadcast on ESPN+. • All of the Bison’s games will be broadcast on 100.9 The Valley (WVLY). The broadcast will also be available for internet streaming on BucknellBison.com. • Bucknell is active on Twitter (@Bucknell_FB) and Instagram (Bucknell_FB). Interact with the team using the hashtags #ACT and #rayBucknell. UP NEXT • Bucknell returns to Lewisburg on Saturday, Nov. 11 to host Georgetown for its final home game of the season. The Bison will celebrate Senior Day prior to the 1 p.m. kickoff.
BUCKNELLBISON.COM >> @BUCKNELL_FB >> ATTITUDE >> CHARACTER >> TOUGHNESS
2023 BUCKNELL FOOTBALL MEDIA NOTES >>>> 6
BUCKNELL TWO DEEP AT FORDHAM OFFENSE
DEFENSE
SPECIAL TEAMS
WIDE RECEIVER 29 — Okeyo Ayungo (So. / 6-1 / 185 / Rockville, Md.) 25 — Derrick Anderson Jr. (So. / 6-3 / 175 / Fort Washington, Md.)
DEFENSIVE END 44 — Mike Bright Jr. (Sr. / 6-4 / 225 / Woodland Park, N.J.) 52 — Jack Barnes (Jr. / 6-2 / 220 / Fayetteville, N.C.)
PLACE KICKER 62 — Matt Schearer (So. / 5-11 / 170 / Canonsburg, Pa.) 10 — Ryan Schatzel (Sr. / 6-0 / 160 / Sleepy Hallow, N.Y.)
LEFT TACKLE 70 — Xavier Allen (Fr. / 6-5 / 270 / Silver Spring, Md.) 59 — Sean Quarterman (Sr. / 6-3 / 260 / Chicago, Ill.)
DEFENSIVE TACKLE 90 — Aneesh Vyas (Jr. / 6-2 / 265 / West Chester, Ohio) 15 — Cade Rooney (Jr. / 6-3 / 250 / Berwyn, Pa.)
PUNTER 98 — Ruben Anderson (Sr. / 6-2 / 215 / Lenexa, Kan.) 62 — Matt Schearer (So. / 5-11 / 170 / Canonsburg, Pa.)
LEFT GUARD 74 — Casey Stephenson (Sr. / 6-2 / 290 / Philadelphia, Pa.) 71 — Fredrick Sturgis (Jr. / 6-4 / 285 / Cincinnati, Ohio)
DEFENSIVE TACKLE 0 — Connor Carretta (Sr. / 6-2 / 280 / Columbus, Ohio) 92 — Daniel Sierk (So. / 6-5 / 250 / Greensburg, Pa.)
LONG SNAPPER 93 — Aidan Davenport (Sr. / 6-3 / 210 / Chatham, N.J.) 61 — Ryan Jedlicka (So. / 5-10 / 180 / Greenwich, Conn.)
CENTER 78 — John Ohnegian (So. / 6-2 / 285 / Ramsey, N.J.) 71 — Fredrick Sturgis (Jr. / 6-4 / 285 / Cincinnati, Ohio)
DEFENSIVE END 2 — Tyler Alston (Sr. / 6-2 / 230 / Downingtown, Pa.) 22 — Donquarius Parker (So. / 6-1 / 220 / Durham, N.C.)
HOLDER 98 — Ruben Anderson (Sr. / 6-2 / 215 / Lenexa, Kan.) 62 — Matt Schearer (So. / 5-11 / 170 / Canonsburg, Pa.)
RIGHT GUARD 73 — Mason Jones (Jr. / 6-6 / 295 / Franklin, Tenn.) 75 — Jake Guy (Jr. / 6-2 / 285 / Philadelphia, Pa.)
INSIDE LINEBACKER (MIKE) 33 — Brad Jamison (Jr. / 6-2 / 220 / Upper Township, N.J.) 47 — Jack Goheen (So. / 6-2 / 210 / Fishers, Ind.)
KICKOFF RETURN 1 11 — Damian Harris (Sr. / 6-0 / 185 / Durham, N.C.) 29 — Okeyo Ayungo (So. / 6-1 / 185 / Rockville, Md.)
RIGHT TACKLE 65 — Zack Tarburton (Sr. / 6-3 / 275 / Perkasie, Pa.) 67 — Nathan Natoli (So. / 6-6 / 260 / Olney, Md.)
INSIDE LINEBACKER (WILL) 13 — Gavin Willis (Fr. / 6-0 / 212 / Louisville, Ky.) 7 — Quentin Lemon (Sr. / 6-1 / 220 / West Orange, N.J.)
KICKOFF RETURN 2 3 — Coleman Bennett (Sr. / 5-11 / 185 / Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) 1 — Eric Weatherly (So. / 5-7 / 171 / St. John’s, Fla.)
TIGHT END 82 — Charlie Kreinbucher (So. / 6-5 / 230 / Butler, Pa.) 81 — Christian Spugnardi (Jr. / 6-6 / 225 / Bethlehem, Pa.)
SAFETY 45 — John Schlendorf (Jr. / 5-10 / 180 / Toms River, N.J.) 31 — Drew Cormier (Fr. / 6-1 / 200 / Burlington, Conn.)
PUNT RETURN 9 — Ethan Robinson (Jr. / 6-0 / 175 / Montgomery, N.Y.) 1 — Eric Weatherly (So. / 5-7 / 171 / St. John’s, Fla.)
WIDE RECEIVER 1 — Eric Weatherly (So. / 5-7 / 171 / St. John’s, Fla.) 24 — Josh Gary (So. / 5-11 / 190 / Upper Marlboro, Md.)
SAFETY 26 — Deuce Geter (Fr. / 6-1 / 205 / Ashburn, Va.) 16 — Caleb Gillen (Sr. / 5-11 / 185 / White Plains, N.Y.)
WIDE RECEIVER 11 — Damian Harris (Sr. / 6-0 / 185 / Durham, N.C.) 5 — Christian Tait (Sr. / 6-3 / 185 / Staten Island, N.Y.)
SAFETY 6 — Alex Smith Jr. (Jr. / 6-2 / 185 / Charlotte, N.C.) 38 — Brad Gerken (Fr. / 5-11 / 195 / San Clemente, Calif.)
RUNNING BACK 23 — Rushawn Baker (Jr. / 5-11 / 225 / Victor, N.Y.) 3 — Coleman Bennett (Sr. / 5-11 / 185 / Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)
CORNERBACK 14 — Roman Pearson (So. / 6-2 / 180 / Pickerington, Ohio) 28 — Chris Sims (Jr. / 5-9 / 170 / Haverford, Pa.)
QUARTERBACK 10 — Ralph Rucker (Jr. / 6-0 / 207 / Lucas, Texas.) 14 — Nick Semptimphelter (Sr. / 6-1 / 190 / Franklin, Tenn.)
CORNERBACK 9 — Ethan Robinson (Jr. / 6-0 / 175 / Montgomery, N.Y.) 19 — England Allen (Fr. / 5-10 / 180 / Monclova, Ohio)
GAME-BY-GAME STARTERS Opponent James Madison VMI Penn Lafayette Holy Cross Cornell Lehigh Colgate Fordham Georgetown Marist Opponent James Madison VMI Penn Lafayette Holy Cross Cornell Lehigh Colgate Fordham Georgetown Marist
WR LT Ayungo Quarterman Ayungo Shepherd Ayungo Quarterman Ayungo Allen* Ayungo Allen Ayungo Allen Anderson Jr.* Allen Tait Allen
DE Bright Jr. Bright Jr. Bright Jr. Bright Jr. Bright Jr. Bright Jr. Bright Jr. Bright Jr.
DT Carretta Carretta Carretta Carretta Carretta Carretta Carretta Carretta
LG C Sturgis Ohnegian* Sturgis Ohnegian Stephenson Ohnegian Stephenson Ohnegian Stephenson Ohnegian Stephenson Ohnegian Stephenson Ohnegian Stephenson Ohnegian
DT Rooney Rooney Vyas Vyas Rooney Rooney Rooney Rooney
DE Alston Alston Alston Barnes* Alston Alston Alston Barnes
RG Jones* Jones Jones Jones Quarterman Quarterman Quarterman Quarterman
RT Tarburton Tarburton Natoli* Tarburton Tarburton Tarburton Tarburton Natoli
TE Kreinbucher Kreinbucher Kreinbucher Kreinbucher Kreinbucher Kreinbucher Kreinbucher Kreinbucher
WR Harris Harris Harris Harris Harris Harris Harris Harris
WR Weatherly* Fontes (TE) Fontes (TE) Weatherly Weatherly Weatherly Jones (OL) Weatherly
RB Baker Baker Baker Bennett Bennett Bennett Bennett Bennett
QB Rucker* Rucker Rucker Rucker Rucker Rucker Semptimphelter Rucker
WILL Leake Leake Leake Leake Leake Willis Leake Willis
MIKE Jamison* Jamison Jamison Jamison Jamison Jamison Jamison Jamison
S Schlendorf Schlendorf Schlendorf Schlendorf Schlendorf Schlendorf Schlendorf Schlendorf
S Smith Jr. Smith Jr. Smith Jr. Smith Jr. Smith Jr. Smith Jr. Smith Jr. Smith Jr.
S Taylor Taylor Willis* Geter* Willis Geter Geter Geter
CB Robinson Robinson Robinson Robinson Robinson Sims Sims Robinson
CB Pearson* Pearson Pearson Sims* Sims Pearson Pearson Pearson
BUCKNELLBISON.COM >> @BUCKNELL_FB >> ATTITUDE >> CHARACTER >> TOUGHNESS
* indicates player’s first career start
2023 BUCKNELL FOOTBALL MEDIA NOTES >>>> 7
2023 BUCKNELL ROSTER No.
0 *** 1 ** 1 2 *** 3 *** 4 *** 5 *** 6 ** 7 *** 8 * 8 * 9 9 ** 10 10 ** 11 ** 12 * 13 ** 13 14 * 14 ** 15 * 15 16 *** 17 18 19 20 * 21 22 23 ** 24 * 25 * 26 27 * 28 ** 29 * 30 31 32 33 ** 34 *** 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 * 43 44 *** 45 ** 46 47 * 49 50 51 ** 51 52 ** 53 54 ** 55 55 56 57 58 59 ** 60 61 * 62 * 63 65 *** 67 68 69 70 71 ** 73 ** 74 ** 75 **
Name
Connor Carretta Marques Owens Eric Weatherly Tyler Alston Coleman Bennett Danny Meuser Christian Tait Alex Smith Jr. Quentin Lemon Alex Brown Jeff Odongo Michael Hardyway Ethan Robinson Ralph Rucker Ryan Schatzel Damian Harris Luke Freeman Tyler Beverett Gavin Willis Roman Pearson Nick Semptimphelter (C) Cade Rooney Daniel Shuster Caleb Gillen Aidan Mack Bradley Pao England Allen Mason Taylor Paul Neel Donquarius Parker Rushawn Baker Josh Gary Derrick Anderson Jr. Deuce Geter Ray Russell Chris Sims Okeyo Ayungo Princeton Cahee Drew Cormier Finn Sposato Brad Jamison Blake Leake (C) Takai Whitmore Anthony DiLascio David LoGrasso Brad Gerken Kyle Dowgin Charlie McIntyre Nick Severin Sam DeLuca Owen Garwood Mike Bright Jr. John Schlendorf Michael Crabtree Jack Goheen Tyler Bower Nick Hoying Will Ohler Kalun Blair Jack Barnes Tim Andersen Harrison Shepherd Mark Dunckle Ryan O’Connor Mark Mulhern Peyton Wilp Aidan Catania Sean Quarterman Kieran Coscia Ryan Jedlicka Matt Schearer Jack Inserra Zack Tarburton Nathan Natoli D.K. Kim Dominic DiBlasio Xavier Allen Fredrick Sturgis Mason Jones Casey Stephenson (C) Jake Guy
Cl.
Sr. Jr. So. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Sr. So. Sr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Sr. So. Sr. Fr. So. Sr. Jr. So. Sr. So. So. Fr. So. Jr. So. Jr. So. So. Fr. Jr. Jr. So. Fr. Fr. So. Jr. Sr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Sr. Fr. Fr. So. Fr. Sr. Jr. Fr. So. Sr. Fr. Jr. Fr. Jr. Fr. Sr. Sr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Jr. Sr. So. So. So. Fr. Sr. So. So. Fr. Fr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Jr.
Pos. DL WR WR DL RB RB WR S LB WR CB QB CB QB P/K WR S QB LB CB QB DL WR S WR CB CB S RB DL RB WR WR S CB CB WR RB S S LB LB CB RB DL S LS S S LB WR DL S S LB LB S/LB DL DL DL OL OL DL OL OL DL LB OL OL LS P/K DL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL
Ht.
6-2 5-10 5-7 6-2 5-11 6-0 6-3 6-2 6-1 6-3 6-2 6-0 6-0 6-0 6-0 6-0 6-2 6-3 6-0 6-2 6-1 6-3 6-1 5-11 6-3 6-0 5-10 6-2 5-10 6-1 5-11 5-11 6-3 6-1 6-1 5-9 6-1 5-10 6-1 5-11 6-2 6-1 5-11 5-11 6-2 5-11 5-10 6-0 6-3 6-2 6-2 6-4 5-10 5-10 6-2 5-11 6-0 6-3 6-1 6-2 6-2 6-5 5-9 6-2 6-6 6-2 5-11 6-3 6-3 5-10 5-11 6-2 6-3 6-6 6-5 6-5 6-5 6-4 6-6 6-2 6-2
Wt.
280 170 171 230 185 200 185 185 200 195 190 180 175 207 160 185 190 205 212 180 190 250 190 185 200 175 180 185 190 220 225 190 175 205 185 170 185 190 200 195 220 215 171 190 290 195 195 180 185 210 185 225 180 170 210 215 195 235 215 220 280 280 220 285 320 270 200 260 260 180 170 215 275 260 290 295 270 285 295 290 285
Hometown / High School
Columbus, Ohio / St. Charles Prep Austell, Ga. / Harrison St. John’s, Fla./Bartram Trail Downingtown, Pa. / Archbishop Carroll Fort Lauderdale, Fla. / Cardinal Gibbons Dallas, Pa. / Dallas Staten Island, N.Y. / Monsignor Farrell Charlotte, N.C. / Hickory Ridge West Orange, N.J. / Saint Peter’s Prep Rumson, N.J. / Red Bank Catholic Tampa, Fla. / Berkeley Prep Oceanside, Calif. / Oceanside Montgomery, N.Y. / Iona Prep Lucas, Texas / Lovejoy Sleepy Hollow, N.Y. / Sleepy Hollow Durham, N.C. / Hillside Tulsa, Okla. / Victory Christian School Scottsdale, Ariz. / Saguaro Louisville, Ky. / Ballard Pickerington, Ohio / Pickerington Central Franklin, Tenn. / Battle Ground Academy Berwyn, Pa. / St. Joseph’s Prep Camp Hill, Pa. / Camp Hill White Plains, N.Y. / White Plains Whippany, N.J. / Seton Hall Prep Mays Landing, N.J. / St. Augustine Prep Monclova, Ohio / Anthony Wayne San Pedro, Calif. / Adelanto Charlotte, N.C. / Charlotte Catholic Durham, N.C. / Hillside Victor, N.Y. / Victor Upper Marlboro, Md. / St. John’s College HS Fort Washington, Md. / Episcopal (Va.) Ashburn, Va. / Stone Bridge Broadlands, Va. / Briar Woods Haverford, Pa. / Haverford School Rockville, Md. / Rockville Lafayette, La. / Ascension Episcopal / The Taft School Burlington, Conn. / Choate Rosemary Hall Farmington, Conn. / Farmington Upper Township, N.J. / Ocean City Culpeper, Va. / Eastern View Boston, Mass. / Dexter Southfield Hasbrouck Heights, N.J. / Hasbrouck Heights Lynnfield, Mass. / Belmont Hill San Clemente, Calif. / San Clemente Hamilton, N.J. / Notre Dame HS Wyomissing, Pa. / Wyomissing Area Mahwah, N.J. / Don Bosco Prep Mechanicsburg, Pa. / Mechanicsburg Area Ambler, Pa. / Saint Joseph’s Prep Woodland Park, N.J. / Hotchkiss School (Conn.) Toms River, N.J. / Donovan Catholic/Olympus (Utah) Winhall, Vt. / Burr and Burton Academy Fishers, Ind. / Cathedral Weston, Conn. / Weston Kings Mills, Ohio / Kings Sudbury, Mass. / Lincoln-Sudbury Regional Decatur, Ga. / Burleson Fayetteville, N.C. / Blair Academy (N.J.) Madison, N.J. / Delbarton Wyoming, Ohio / Wyoming Factoryville, Pa. / Lackawanna Trail Milford, Mass. / Milford Chicago, Ill. / Bethlehem Catholic (PA) Cincinnati, Ohio / Archbishop Moeller West Chester, Pa. / Malvern Prep Chicago, Ill. / Marist H.S. Pittsfield, Mass. / Pittsfield Greenwich, Conn. / Greenwich Canonsburg, Pa. / Central Catholic Saddle River, N.J. / Northern Highlands Perkasie, Pa. / Pennridge Olney, Md. / Sherwood Gimpo, South Korea / Allentown Central Catholic (Pa.) Lumberton, N.J. / Bishop Eustace Prep Silver Spring, Md. / Gonzaga Cincinnati, Ohio / Archbishop Moeller Franklin, Tenn. / Franklin Philadelphia, Pa. / St. Joseph’s Prep Philadelphia, Pa. / Don Bosco Prep (N.J.)
BUCKNELLBISON.COM >> @BUCKNELL_FB >> ATTITUDE >> CHARACTER >> TOUGHNESS
2023 BUCKNELL FOOTBALL MEDIA NOTES >>>> 8 76 77 *** 78 79 80 81 ** 82 * 83 84 85 * 86 87 * 88 ** 88 89 90 ** 91 92 * 93 ** 94 95 * 96 * 97 98 *** 99 **
Ashton Sempervive Ethan Pitzel John Ohnegian Rowan McGwin TJ Cadden Christian Spugnardi Charlie Kreinbucher Rourke Kennedy Sam Milligan Adam Barakat James Poulos Kyle Fontes Nathaniel Carson Colby Grames Anthony DiMarco Aneesh Vyas Matt Karic Daniel Sierk Aidan Davenport Nick Niemynski Grant Laws Patrick Quinlivan Dara Adeyemi Ruben Anderson Justin Fisher
* Varsity letters earned; (C) Captain
So. Sr. So. So. Fr. Jr. So. Fr. Fr. Sr. So. Jr. Sr. Sr. Fr. Jr. So. So. Sr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Fr. Sr. Jr.
DL OL OL OL WR TE TE WR WR WR OL TE TE TE WR DL P/K DL LS P/K DL DL DL P/K DL
6-2 6-4 6-2 6-6 6-0 6-6 6-5 6-3 6-3 6-3 6-2 6-4 6-6 6-3 6-3 6-2 5-8 6-5 6-3 6-2 6-3 6-2 6-7 6-2 6-6
260 275 285 274 185 215 230 190 200 220 280 220 270 225 195 265 170 250 210 180 280 205 250 215 235
New Egypt, N.J. / New Egypt Solon, Ohio / Solon Ramsey, N.J. / Saint Joseph Regional Rochester, N.Y. / Irondequoit Phoenixville, Pa. / Episcopal Academy Bethlehem, Pa. / Allentown Central Catholic Butler, Pa. / Butler Area Franklin Park, Pa. / North Allegheny Swathmore, Pa. / Strath Haven Los Angeles, Calif. / St. Francis Fort Lauderdale, Fla. / Calvary Christian Academy York, Pa. / Central York Winston-Salem, N.C. / Reagan Redlands, Calif. / Citrus Valley Rochester, N.Y. / McQuaid Jesuit West Chester, Ohio / Lakota West Los Altos, Calif. / Saint Francis Greensburg, Pa. / Hempfield Area Chatham, N.J. / Chatham Blue Bell, Pa. / Germantown Academy Halifax, Mass. / Xaverian Brothers / UMass Medway, Mass. / Milton Academy Luton, England / The Taft School Lenexa, Kan. / Shawnee Mission West King of Prussia, Pa. / Upper Merion Area
COACHING & SUPPORT STAFF Head Coach: Dave Cecchini (Lehigh ’95) Coordinators: John Bear (Trinity International ‘06) (Offensive/QBs); Chris Bowers (Wittenberg ’99) (Defensive); Colin Schaeffer (Juniata College ‘16) (Special Teams/LBs); Offensive Assistant Coaches: Vinny Giacalone (Carnegie Mellon ’10) (TEs/Operations); Jordan Johnson (Buffalo ’16) (RBs); Braelon Roberts (Utah State ‘17) (WRs); Sean Pearson (Wagner ’14) (OL) Defensive Assistant Coaches: Greg Parker (University of Phoenix) (DL); Pat Clark (Georgia Tech ‘08) (DBs); McNeil Parker (Kenyon College ‘10)) (Safeties) Student Managers: Timmy Facey, Gana Mukhtar, Amina Reyes, Gia White 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); Ben Blumenthal (Longwood ’16) (Athletic Communications); Jon Terry (Bucknell ‘93) (Athletic Communications); Garvey Biggers (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 97 19 70 2 53 25 98 29 23 85 52 3 13 51 49 44 8 80 30 0 88 58 31 60 46 93 42 69 36 89 39 55 99 87 12 43
Adeyemi, Dara...................................................DL Allen, England................................................... CB Allen, Xavier.......................................................OL Alston, Tyler.......................................................DL Andersen, Tim....................................................OL Anderson Jr., Derrick........................................ WR Anderson, Ruben............................................. P/K Ayungo, Okeyo................................................. WR Baker, Rushawn................................................ RB Barakat, Adam.................................................. WR Barnes, Jack......................................................DL Bennett, Coleman............................................ RB Beverett, Tyler................................................... QB Blair, Kalun.........................................................DL Bower, Tyler.......................................................LB Bright Jr., Mike...................................................DL Brown, Alex...................................................... WR Cadden, TJ....................................................... WR Cahee, Princeton.............................................. RB Carretta, Connor................................................DL Carson, Nathaniel..............................................TE Catania, Aidan....................................................LB Cormier, Drew......................................................S Coscia, Kieran....................................................OL Crabtree, Michael.................................................S Davenport, Aidan................................................LS DeLuca, Sam.....................................................LB DiBlasio, Dominic...............................................OL DiLascio, Anthony............................................. RB DiMarco, Anthony............................................. WR Dowgin, Kyle......................................................LS Dunckle, Mark....................................................LB Fisher, Justin......................................................DL Fontes, Kyle.......................................................TE Freeman, Luke.....................................................S Garwood, Owen............................................... WR
24 38 26 16 47 88 75 9 11 50 63 33 61 73 91 83 68 82 95 34 7 37 17 79 40 4 84 56 67 21 94 55 8 51 78 1
Gary, Josh........................................................ WR Gerken, Brad........................................................S Geter, Deuce........................................................S Gillen, Caleb.........................................................S Goheen, Jack.....................................................LB Grames, Colby...................................................TE Guy, Jake...........................................................OL Hardyway, Michael............................................ QB Harris, Damian................................................. WR Hoying, Nick................................................... S/LB Inserra, Jack.......................................................DL Jamison, Brad....................................................LB Jedlicka, Ryan....................................................LS Jones, Mason.....................................................OL Karic, Matt........................................................ P/K Kennedy, Rourke.............................................. WR Kim, D.K.............................................................OL Kreinbucher, Charlie...........................................TE Laws, Grant........................................................DL Leake, Blake.................................................... LB Lemon, Quentin..................................................LB LoGrasso, David................................................DL Mack, Aidan...................................................... WR McGwin, Rowan.................................................OL McIntyre, Charlie..................................................S Meuser, Danny.................................................. RB Milligan, Sam.................................................... WR Mulhern, Mark....................................................OL Natoli, Nathan....................................................OL Neel, Paul.......................................................... RB Niemynski, Nick................................................ P/K O’Connor, Ryan..................................................OL Odongo, Jeff...................................................... CB Ohler, Will...........................................................DL Ohnegian, John..................................................OL Owens, Marques.............................................. WR
BUCKNELLBISON.COM >> @BUCKNELL_FB >> ATTITUDE >> CHARACTER >> TOUGHNESS
18 22 14 77 86 59 96 9 15 10 27 10 62 45 76 14 41 54 15 92 28 6 32 81 74 71 5 65 20 90 1 35 13 57
Pao, Bradley...................................................... CB Parker, Donquarius............................................DL Pearson, Roman............................................... CB Pitzel, Ethan.......................................................OL Poulos, James....................................................OL Quarterman, Sean..............................................OL Quinlivan, Patrick...............................................DL Robinson, Ethan................................................ CB Rooney, Cade....................................................DL Rucker, Ralph.................................................... QB Russell, Ray...................................................... CB Schatzel, Ryan................................................. P/K Schearer, Matt.................................................. P/K Schlendorf, John..................................................S Sempervive, Ashton...........................................DL Semptimphelter, Nick......................................QB Severin, Nick........................................................S Shepherd, Harrison............................................OL Shuster, Daniel................................................. WR Sierk, Daniel.......................................................DL Sims, Chris........................................................ CB Smith Jr., Alex......................................................S Sposato, Finn.......................................................S Spugnardi, Christian...........................................TE Stephenson, Casey......................................... OL Sturgis, Fredrick.................................................OL Tait, Christian................................................... WR Tarburton, Zack..................................................OL Taylor, Mason.......................................................S Vyas, Aneesh.....................................................DL Weatherly, Eric................................................. WR Whitmore, Takai................................................ CB Willis, Gavin.......................................................LB Wilp, Peyton.......................................................DL
Note: Bold indicates captain
2023 BUCKNELL FOOTBALL MEDIA NOTES >>>> 9
ROSTER BREAKDOWN Superlatives Oldest................................ Mike Bright Jr. (10/27/00) Youngest.................................Xavier Allen (7/31/05) Tallest.........................................Dara Adeyemi (6-7) Shortest..................................... Eric Weatherly (5-7) Heaviest.....................................Mark Mulbern (320) Lightest......................................Ryan Schatzel (160) In-Season Birthdays September 2........................................................Nick Niemynski 2.................................................Ashton Sempervive 12............................................................Jack Inserra 16.............................................................. Kalun Blair 16.......................................................Ryan O’Connor 17........................................................... Deuce Geter 18..................................................... Roman Pearson 23........................................................... Nick Hoying 25..................................................... Fredrick Sturgis 27....................................................... Okeyo Ayungo 28......................................................... Jack Goheen 28.............................................. Charlie Kreinbucher 28.........................................................Nathan Natoli 28............................................................. Chris Sims October 3.................................................... Coleman Bennett 8......................................................... Colby Grames 8..................................................... Dominic DiBlasio 8..................................................Casey Stephenson 11.......................................................Quentin Lemon 14................................................... Anthony DiLascio 19....................................................Michael Crabtree 25................................................... John Schlendorf 27........................................................Mike Bright Jr. 29........................................................ Drew Cormier 30........................................................... Ray Russell November 2..............................................................Tyler Bower 5.............................................................Blake Leake 13............................................................. Alex Brown 13........................................................ Luke Freeman 18..........................................................Cade Rooney By Class Seniors...................................................................27 Juniors....................................................................26 Sophomores...........................................................26 Freshmen...............................................................27 By Letterwinners Seniors...................................................................23 Juniors....................................................................20 Sophomores...........................................................13 Three-Time Letterwinners.....................................12 ....Tyler Alson, Ruben Anderson, Coleman Bennett, ........ Mike Bright Jr., Connor Carretta, Caleb Gillen, .......... Blake Leake, Quentin Lemon, Danny Meuser .............. Ethan Pitzel, Christian Tai, Zack Tarburton By Position Offense.................................................................. 50 Quarterbacks...........................................................4 Running Backs.........................................................6 Tight Ends................................................................4 Wide Receivers......................................................16 Offensive Linemen.................................................20
Defense..................................................................48 Defensive Linemen................................................18 Linebackers..............................................................9 Safeties..................................................................12 Cornerbacks.............................................................8 Linebackers/Safeties...............................................1 Special Teams..........................................................8 Punters/Kickers........................................................5 Long Snappers.........................................................3 By State Arizona...........................................1 (Tyler Beverett) California..................................................................6 Connecticut..............................................................4 England......................................... 1 (Dara Adeyemi) Florida......................................................................4 Georgia....................................................................2 Illinois.......................................................................2 Indiana............................................. 1 (Jack Goheen) Kansas...................................... 1 (Ruben Anderson) Kentucky........................................... 1 (Gavin Willis) Louisiana................................... 1 (Princeton Cahee) Maryland..................................................................5 Massachusetts.........................................................7 New Jersey............................................................16 New York..................................................................7 North Carolina..........................................................6 Ohio..........................................................................9 Oklahoma...................................... 1 (Luke Freeman) Pennsylvania..........................................................23 South Korea........................................... 1 (D.K. Kim) Tennessee................................................................2 Texas.............................................. 1 (Ralph Rucker) Vermont.....................................1 (Michael Crabtree) Virginia.....................................................................3
BISON MAJORS 97 19 70 2 53 25 98 29 23 85 52 3 13 51 49 44 8 80 30 0 72 58 31 60 46 93 42 69 36 89 39 55 99
Dara Adeyemi........... Early Childhood Education England Allen.................... Biology/Biochemistry Xavier Allen...................................... Undeclared Tyler Alston........................................ Economics Tim Andersen............. Undeclared Management Derrick Anderson Jr.......................... Undeclared Ruben Anderson.......... Mechanical Engineering Okeyo Ayungo............ Undeclared Management Rushawn Baker................................... Sociology Adam Barakat......Markets, Innovation & Design Jack Barnes............................Religious Studies Coleman Bennett................................ Sociology Tyler Beverett.........................................Finance Kalun Blair........................................ Undeclared Tyler Bower........................... Computer Science Mike Bright Jr................................... Psychology Alex Brown....................................... Undeclared TJ Cadden.................. Undeclared Management Princeton Cahee.............................. Undeclared Connor Carretta................................Accounting Nathaniel Carson.....................Civil Engineering Aidan Catania........................... Political Science Drew Cormier................................... Undeclared Kieran Coscia................................... Undeclared Michael Crabtree.............................. Undeclared Aidan Davenport................... Computer Science Sam DeLuca.................................... Undeclared Dominic DiBlasio.............................. Undeclared Anthony DiLascio............................. Undeclared Anthony DiMarco........ Undeclared Management Kyle Dowgin................. Mechanical Engineering Mark Dunckle...................Chemical Engineering Justin Fisher............................. Political Science
BUCKNELLBISON.COM >> @BUCKNELL_FB >> ATTITUDE >> CHARACTER >> TOUGHNESS
87 12 43 24 38 26 16 47 88 75 9 11 50 63 33 61 73 91 83 68 82 95 34 7 37 17 79 40 4 84 56 67 21 94 55 8 51 78 1 18 22 14 77 86 59 96 9 15 10 27 10 62 45 76 14 41 54 15 92 28 6 32 81 74 71 5 65 20 90 1 35 13 57
Kyle Fontes.............................. Political Science Luke Freeman.................................. Undeclared Owen Garwood................................ Undeclared Josh Gary......................................... Undeclared Brad Gerken............... Undeclared Management Deuce Geter..................................... Undeclared Caleb Gillen..............................Civil Engineering Jack Goheen.................................... Undeclared Colby Grames................... Biology/Biochemistry Jake Guy.................................. Political Science Michael Hardyway..........Environmental Science Damian Harris.....................................Education Nick Hoying......................Chemical Engineering Jack Inserra...................................... Undeclared Brad Jamison............... Mechanical Engineering Ryan Jedlicka................................... Undeclared Mason Jones...........................................Biology Matt Karic................... Undeclared Management Rourke Kennedy........ Undeclared Management D.K. Kim........................................... Undeclared Charlie Kreinbucher... Undeclared Management Grant Laws........International Relations/Spanish Blake Leak...........Markets, Innovation & Design Quentin Lemon................................. Psychology David LoGrasso............................... Undeclared Aidan Mack................ Undeclared Management Rowan McGwin.......... Undeclared Management Charlie McIntyre............................... Undeclared Danny Meuser.....Geology/Environmental Science Sam Milligan............... Undeclared Management Mark Mulhern..........................................Biology Nathan Natoli............. Undeclared Management Paul Neel................................................Finance Nick Niemynski.......................................Finance Ryan O’Connor................................ Undeclared Jeff Odongo.......................International Relation Will Ohler........................................... Economics John Ohnegian................................. Undeclared Marques Owens.............Environmental Science Bradley Pao...................................... Undeclared Donquarius Parker........................... Undeclared Roman Pearson............................... Undeclared Ethan Pitzel............................................Finance James Poulos................................... Undeclared Sean Quarterman...................................Finance Patrick Quinlivan................... Computer Science Ethan Robinson................................. Economics Cade Rooney.........................................Finance Ralph Rucker................................... Psychology Ray Russell........................... Computer Science Ryan Schatzel........................................Finance Matt Schearer............... Mechanical Engineering John Schlendorf....................... Political Science Ashton Sempervive.... Undeclared Management Nick Semptimphelter.............Business Analytics Nick Severin..................................... Undeclared Harrison Shepherd.................................Finance Daniel Shuster.......................Business Analytics Daniel Sierk.................. Mechanical Engineering Chris Sims......................................... Economics Alex Smith Jr............................ Animal Behavior Finn Sposato................ Mechanical Engineering Christian Spugnardi........................... Economics Casey Stephenson.........Environmental Science Fredrick Sturgis........................Civil Engineering Christian Tait...................Environmental Studies Zack Tarburton................Environmental Studies Mason Taylor............................ Political Science Aneesh Vyas.........................Business Analytics Eric Weatherly...................................Humanities Takai Whitmore.......... Undeclared Management Gavin Willis...................................... Undeclared Peyton Wilp...................................... Undeclared
2023 BUCKNELL FOOTBALL MEDIA NOTES >>>> 10
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.
Year, for the second time in his career.
During the 2021 spring campaign, Cecchini was voted as the Patriot League Dick Biddle Coach of the Year for leading the Bison to a spot in the first-ever Patriot League Championship Game. Bucknell, which was picked to finish last in the Patriot League preseason poll, knocked off Pennsylvania rivals Lafayette (38-13) and Lehigh (6-0) 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
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 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 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 (8th, 175) and single-season passing attempts (t-8th, 305). 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 Scholar-Athlete Award.
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 University, 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 AllAmerican 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 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.
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 non-senior 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. Three Bison earned spots on the Academic AllPatriot League Team – the most during Cecchini’s tenure – and four landed on the All-Patriot League Team. Highlighting the All-League 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 BUCKNELLBISON.COM >> @BUCKNELL_FB >> ATTITUDE >> CHARACTER >> TOUGHNESS
2023 BUCKNELL FOOTBALL MEDIA NOTES >>>> 11
HEAD COACH DAVE CECCHINI 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, who was selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the third round of the 2010 National Football League Draft, is currently a member of the Buffalo Bills organization. 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. Fitzpatrick, who is currently the quarterback of the Miami Dolphins, has also spent time in six other NFL organizations. 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.
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 2014 Valparaiso 2015 Valparaiso 2016 Valparaiso 2017 Valparaiso 2018 Valparaiso 2019 Bucknell 2021 Spring Bucknell 2021 Bucknell 2022 Bucknell 2023 Bucknell Totals
Record Pct. 4-8 .333 1-9 .100 4-7 .364 6-5 .545 2-9 .182 3-8 .273 2-2 .500 1-10 .091 3-8 .273 3-5 .375 29-71 .290
Coaching Experience Years School 1994-02 Lehigh 2003-05 Harvard 2006-09 The Citadel 2010-13 Lehigh 2014-18 Valparaiso 2019-pres. Bucknell
Position Tight Ends (1994) Running Backs (1995) Quarterbacks (1996) Wide Receivers (1997-99) Offensive Coordinator/WR (2000) Assistant Head Coach/ Offensive Coordinator/QB (2001-02) Offensive Coordinator/QB/WR Offensive Coordinator/WR Offensive Coordinator/QB Head Coach 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
BUCKNELLBISON.COM >> @BUCKNELL_FB >> ATTITUDE >> CHARACTER >> TOUGHNESS
2023 BUCKNELL FOOTBALL MEDIA NOTES >>>> 12
THE LAST TIME A BUCKNELL TEAM...
BUCKNELL’S RECORD WHEN...
Shut out an opponent........................................................................................................................................ Apr. 3, 2021 at Lehigh (6-0) Was shut out by an opponent...................................................................................................................Oct. 8, 2022 at Holy Cross (0-57) Finished a game with a tie score............................................................................................................... Nov. 14, 1987 vs. Lehigh (21-21) Scored 40-49 points.................................................................................................................................. Oct. 28, 2023 at Colgate (49-34) Scored 50-59 points.............................................................................................................................Nov. 1, 2003 vs. Holy Cross (53-31) Scored 60-69 points..............................................................................................................................Oct. 24, 1987 vs. Columbia (62-20) Scored 70-79 points............................................................................................ Oct. 10, 1964 vs. Ohio Wesleyan in Newark, Del. (72-0) Allowed 40-49 points..............................................................................................................................Sept. 30, 2023 at Lafayette 22-56) Allowed 50-59 points..............................................................................................................................Sept. 30, 2023 at Lafayette 22-56) Allowed 60-69 points.................................................................................................................. Nov. 13, 2021 at Army West Point (10-63) Allowed 70-79 points............................................................................................................................Nov. 25, 1916 at Georgetown (0-78) Allowed 80+ points.......................................................................................................................................Oct. 8, 1966 at Temple (28-82) Did not commit a turnover......................................................................................................................... Oct. 28, 2023 at Colgate (49-34) Forced five turnovers.............................................................................................................Oct. 15, 2022 at Yale (4 INT, 1 fumble) (9-29) Forced six turnovers....................................................................................................... Sept. 3, 2016 at Marist (4 INT, 2 fumbles) (26-10) Forced seven turnovers............................................................................................. Oct. 29, 2011 at Lafayette (3 INT, 4 fumbles) (39-13) Committed five or more turnovers...........................................................................................Apr. 17, 2021 vs. Holy Cross (5 INT) (10-33) Did not commit a penalty............................................................................................................................ Sept. 19, 2009 at Cornell (9-33) Was penalized for at least 100 yards................................................................................. Oct. 17, 2015 at Army West Point (105) (14-21) Won an overtime game......................................................................................................................Nov. 12, 2022 at Georgetown (24-21) Played an overtime game...................................................................................................................Nov. 12, 2022 at Georgetown (24-21) Had two 100-yard rushers in the same game.................Sept. 26, 2007 vs. Marist (Terrance Wilson 108 & Justin Pulgrano 101) (17-16) Had two 100-yard receivers in the same game.................. Oct. 28, 2023 at Colgate (Josh Gary 139 & Will Eric Weatherly 132) (49-34) Defeated a nationally ranked opponent......................................................................................... Oct. 26, 2013 vs. No. 15 Lehigh (48-10) Played a nationally ranked opponent................................................................................... Oct. 7, 2023 vs. No. 12/12 Holy Cross (27-55) Played an FBS opponent................................................................................................................ Sept. 2, 2023 at James Madison (3-38) Won 10 games..............................................................................................................................................................................1997 (10-1) Won eight games........................................................................................................................................................................... 2014 (8-3) Had a winning season................................................................................................................................................................... 2014 (8-3)
Home........................................................................................ 1-3 Away......................................................................................... 2-2 Patriot League.......................................................................... 1-3 Ranked Opponent.................................................................... 0-1 Leading after one quarter......................................................... 1-0 Trailing after one quarter.......................................................... 2-5 Tied after one quarter............................................................... 0-0 Leading at halftime................................................................... 3-0 Trailing at halftime.................................................................... 0-5 Tied at halftime......................................................................... 0-0 Leading after three quarters..................................................... 3-0 Trailing after three quarters...................................................... 0-5 Tied after three quarters........................................................... 0-0 Games decided in overtime...................................................... 0-0
THE LAST TIME A BUCKNELL PLAYER... Had 30 rushing attempts......................................................................................Nov. 12, 2016 (Joey DeFloria (31) at Georgetown, 21-7) Had 40 rushing attempts............................................................................................. Oct. 29, 2011 (Tyler Smith (42) at Lafayette, 39-13) Had 100 yards rushing.........................................................................................Oct. 28, 2023 (Rushawn Baker (107) at Colgate, 49-34) Had 200 yards rushing................................................................................................ Nov. 12, 2011 (Tyler Smith (204) at Fordham, 21-0) Had a 60+ yard run........................................................................................................ Oct. 15, 2022 (Rushawn Baker (75) at Yale, 9-29) Had a 70+ yard run........................................................................................................ Oct. 15, 2022 (Rushawn Baker (75) at Yale, 9-29) Had three rushing touchdowns...................................................................................... Nov. 4, 2017 (Chad Freshnock vs. Lehigh, 21-42) Had four rushing touchdowns......................................................................................Sept. 30, 2000 (Jabu Powell vs. Duquesne, 35-14) Had five rushing touchdowns............................................................................................. Nov. 13, 2004 (Daris Wilson vs. Colgate, 42-7) Completed a 50+ yard pass.........................................................Sept. 28, 2019 (Logan Bitikofer to Dominic Lyles (52) at Colgate, 42-7) Had three passing touchdowns.........................................................................................Oct. 28, 2023 (Ralph Rucker at Colgate, 49-34) Had four passing touchdowns...........................................................................................Oct. 28, 2023 (Ralph Rucker at Colgate, 49-34) Had five passing touchdowns.................................................................................................Sept. 24, 1994 (Rob Glus at Harvard, 42-23) Had 20 completions............................................................................................... Sept. 30, 2023 (Ralph Rucker (28) at Lafayette, 22-56) Had 30 completions................................................................................................... Oct. 28, 2023 (Ralph Rucker (33) at Colgate, 49-34) Had 50 passing attempts.......................................................................................Nov. 23, 2019 (Logan Bitikofer (50) at Fordham, 14-31) Had 60 passing attempts..........................................................................................Oct. 27, 2001 (Todd Wenrich (67) at Fordham, 12-17) Had 200 yards passing............................................................................................ Oct. 28, 2023 (Ralph Rucker (387) at Colgate, 49-34) Had 300 yards passing............................................................................................ Oct. 28, 2023 (Ralph Rucker (387) at Colgate, 49-34) Had 100 yards receiving.......................................................... Oct. 28, 2023 (Josh Gary (139) & Eric Weatherly (132) at Colgate, 49-34) Had 200 yards receiving................................................................................................. Oct. 11, 2014 (Will Carter (246) at Lehigh, 45-24) Had 10 receptions.....................................................................................................Oct. 28, 2023 (Eric Weatherly (10) at Colgate, 49-34) Had two touchdown receptions.......................................................................................Oct. 28, 2023 (Eric Weatherly at Colgate, 49-34) Had three touchdown receptions............................................................................ Oct. 23, 2021 (Dominic Lyles vs. Georgetown, 21-29) Made a 40-yard field goal.............................................................................. Sept. 2, 2023 (Matt Schearer (49) at James Madison, 3-38) Made a 50-yard field goal........................................................................... Nov. 12, 2022 (Matt Schearer (50) at Georgetown, 24-21 OT) Had three field goals in a game..........................................................................Nov. 12, 2022 (Matt Schearer at Georgetown, 24-21 OT) Had four field goals in a game............................................................................................. Oct. 14, 2017 (John Burdick at Cornell, 26-18) Passed for a two-point conversion..................................................Oct. 28, 2023 (Ralph Rucker to Coleman Bennett at Colgate, 49-34) Rushed for a two-point conversion................................................................................. Oct. 21, 2023 (Eric Weatherly vs. Lehigh, 18-27) Made seven extra points.......................................................................................... Oct. 16, 1999 (Chris Lundberg vs. Duquesne, 49-20) Made 10 extra points..................................................................Oct. 10, 1964 (Mike Seigfried vs. Ohio Wesleyan in Newark, Del., 72-0) Had 10+ punts.................................................................................................................. Oct. 19, 2019 (Alex Pechin (11) at Towson, 7-56) Had a 70+ yard punt................................................................................................... Nov. 23, 2019 (Alex Pechin (70) at Fordham, 14-31) Had an 80+ yard punt...................................................................................... Sept. 22, 1984 (Mike Morrow (80) at Northeastern, 33-34) Returned a punt for a touchdown...................................................................................... Aug. 30, 2014 (Josh Brake (62) vs. VMI, 42-38) Returned a kickoff for a touchdown................................................................................ Oct. 23, 2023 (Josh Gary (88) vs. Lehigh, 17-28) Returned an interception for a touchdown............................................................... Mar. 27, 2021 (Blake Leake (41) vs. Lafayette, 38-13) Returned a fumble for a touchdown...........................................................................Nov. 23, 2019 (Rick Mottram (5) at Fordham, 14-31) Returned a blocked punt for a touchdown..........................................................Oct. 13, 2018 (Gerrit Van Itallie (0) at Monmouth, 19-36) Recorded two interceptions in a game................................................................................ Sept. 15, 2018 (Bryan Marine at Penn, 17-34) Recorded three interceptions in a game......................................................................... Nov. 20, 2004 (Dante Ross at Duquesne, 30-20) Recorded four interceptions in a game........................................................................ Sept. 30, 2000 (Kevin Eiben vs. Duquesne, 35-14) Forced two fumbles in a game.............................................................................................. Oct. 16, 2021 (Ben Allen at Fordham, 22-66) Recovered two fumbles in a game.................................................................................. Oct. 16, 2021 (Aneesh Vyas at Fordham, 22-66) Had 15 tackles in a game.......................................................................................... Oct. 29, 2022 (Brent Jackson (16) vs. Colgate, 7-13) Had two sacks in a game...................................................................................................Sept. 9, 2023 (Connor Carretta vs. VMI, 21-13) Had three sacks in a game.................................................................................... Nov. 23, 2019 (Grayson Cherubino at Fordham, 14-31) Had four sacks in a game.................................................................................................. Nov. 18, 2017 (Simeon Page at Fordham, 9-20) Had four tackles for a loss in a game..........................................................................Nov. 23, 2019 (Gerrit Van Itallie at Fordham, 14-31) Blocked a punt.........................................................................................................................Sept. 9, 2023 (Jack Goheen vs. VMI, 21-13) Blocked an extra point attempt........................................................................................... Sept. 23, 2023 (Aneesh Vyas vs. Penn, 21-37) Blocked a field goal attempt............................................................................................... Sept. 23, 2023 (Aneesh Vyas vs. Penn, 21-37) Recorded a safety................................................................................................................................. Nov. 19, 2016 vs. Fordham (22-36)
BUCKNELLBISON.COM >> @BUCKNELL_FB >> ATTITUDE >> CHARACTER >> TOUGHNESS
Bison score first........................................................................ 1-0 Opponent scores first............................................................... 2-5 Bison lead in time of possession.............................................. 2-1 Opponent leads in time of possession...................................... 1-4 Bison run more plays................................................................ 3-1 Opponent runs more plays....................................................... 1-2 Bison run at least 65 plays....................................................... 4-2 Bison run fewer than 65 plays.................................................. 0-2 Bison outgain opponent............................................................ 3-0 Opponent outgains Bison......................................................... 0-5 Bison rush for 200+ yards........................................................ 2-0 Opponent rushes for 200+ yards.............................................. 1-3 Bison pass for 200+ yards........................................................ 2-3 Opponent passes for 200+ yards............................................. 3-3 Bison have 400+ total yards..................................................... 1-1 Opponent has 400+ total yards................................................ 1-4 Bison win turnover battle.......................................................... 1-2 Opponent wins turnover battle.................................................. 1-2 Bison force at least two turnovers............................................ 1-2 Opponent forces at least two turnovers.................................... 0-1 Bison commit no turnovers....................................................... 1-1 Opponent commits no turnover................................................ 1-2 Game is decided by more than 10 points................................. 1-5 Game is decided by 10 or fewer points.................................... 2-0 Bison score 25 or more points.................................................. 1-1 Opponent scores 25 or more points......................................... 1-5 Bison held under 25 points....................................................... 2-4 Opponent held under 25 points................................................ 2-0 Day games............................................................................... 2-4 Night games............................................................................. 1-1 Games following a win.............................................................. 0-2 Games following a loss............................................................. 3-2 Playing on grass....................................................................... 0-0 Playing on Astroturf.................................................................. 0-0 Playing on Fieldturf................................................................... 3-5
FCS PLAYER RANKINGS Individual (Top 30) Rank No./Avg. Coleman Bennett (All-Purpose Yards/Game) 6th 147.38 Ralph Rucker (Completions/Game) 25th 19.43 Ralph Rucker (Passing Yards/Game) 27th 230.0
2023 BUCKNELL FOOTBALL MEDIA NOTES >>>> 13
ABOUT FORDHAM
TALE OF THE TAPE
FOOTBALL INFORMATION Head Coach: Joe Conlin Record at Fordham: 28-29 (6th season) Career Record: 28-29 (6th season) Conference: Patriot League Stadium: Moglia Stadium Capacity: 7,000 Surface: FieldTurf 2022 Record: 9-3 2022 Conference Record: 5-1 (2nd, PL) 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 INFORMATION Series record...................................................................... 18-20 Last 10 meetings.................................................................. 0-10 First meeting........................................................................ 1929 Last meeting........................................................................ 2022 Record at home...................................................................... 8-9 Record on road................................................................... 10-11 Record at neutral site............................................................. 0-0 Streak............................................................... Fordham won 10 Last meeting in The Bronx......................................Oct. 16, 2021 ...........................................................Fordham 66 – Bucknell 21 Last Bison win in The Bronx ..................................Nov. 12, 2011 ...........................................................Bucknell 21 – Fordham 11 Last Bison win ............................. Nov. 3, 2012 (Lewisburg, Pa.) ...........................................................Bucknell 27 – Fordham 24 Last Rams win................................ Nov. 5, 2022 (Lewisburg, Pa.) ...........................................................Fordham 59 – Bucknell 17
ALL-TIME RESULTS Year 1929 1930 1931 1932 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Site
Bronx, NY Bronx, NY Bronx, NY Bronx, NY Bronx, NY Lewisburg, PA Bronx, NY Lewisburg, PA Bronx, NY Lewisburg, PA Bronx, NY Lewisburg, PA Bronx, NY Lewisburg, PA Bronx, NY Lewisburg, PA Bronx, NY Lewisburg, PA Bronx, NY Lewisburg, PA Bronx, NY Lewisburg, PA Bronx, NY Lewisburg, PA Bronx, NY
Result
FU, 14-0 FU, 12-0 BU, 14-13 FU, 30-0 BU, 31-7 BU, 44-7 BU, 21-14 FU, 21-0 BU, 27-21 BU, 29-26 BU, 28-21 BU, 51-17 BU, 36-10 FU, 20-17 BU, 45-15 BU, 27-13 FU, 17-12 FU, 34-7 BU, 31-10 BU, 21-20 FU, 28-21 BU, 13-3 BU, 38-24 BU 24-21 OT FU, 21-7
BUCKNELL FORDHAM 3-5 Overall Record 5-3 1-3 PL League/Conference Record 1-2 PL 340.8 (72nd) Total Offense 445.4 (10th) 104.1 (103rd) Rushing Offense 166.6 (35th) 236.6 (36th) Passing Offense 278.8 (11th) 132.78 (49th) Passing Efficiency 158.84 (12th) 22.8 (73rd) Scoring Offense 34.8 (13th) .739 (85th) Red Zone Offense .906 (13th) 424.6 (104th) Total Defense 377.2 (72nd) 199.9 (109th) Rushing Defense 124.6 (29th) 224.8 (76th) Passing Defense 252.6 (106th) 34.1 (107th) Scoring Defense 25.8 (52nd) 0.816 (69th) Red Zone Defense .710 (14th) 29.06 (122nd) Net Punting 39.23 (22nd) 7.46 (64th) Punt Returns 19.0 (4th) 22.76 (17th) Kickoff Returns 16.93 (109th) 0.25 (44th) Turnover Margin 0.75 (14th) 1.50 (86th) Team Sacks 1.12 (108th) 27:50 (99th) Time of Possession 29:48 (61st) Ralph Rucker (1,610 yards) Leading Passer CJ Montes (2,198 yards) Coleman Bennett (422 yards) Leading Rusher Julius Loughridge (934 yards) Eric Weatherly (467 yards) Leading Receiver MJ Wright (654 yards) Brad Jamison (62 tackles) Leading Tackler James Conway (93 tackes) FCS rank in parenthesis Top-30 marks in bold
ALL-TIME RESULTS (CONT.) Year
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2021 spring 2021 2022
Site
Lewisburg, PA Bronx, NY Lewisburg, PA Bronx, NY Lewisburg, PA Bronx, NY Lewisburg, PA Bronx, NY Lewisburg, PA Bronx, NY Lewisburg, PA Bronx, NY Lewisburg, PA
BUCKNELLBISON.COM >> @BUCKNELL_FB >> ATTITUDE >> CHARACTER >> TOUGHNESS
Result
FU, 33-21 BU, 21-0 BU, 27-24 FU, 23-21 FU, 30-27 OT FU, 24-16 FU, 36-22 FU, 20-9 FU, 17-14 FU, 31-14 FU, 31-17 FU, 66-21 FU, 59-17
2023 BUCKNELL FOOTBALL MEDIA NOTES >>>> 14
THE LAST TIME THE BISON AND RAMS MET FORDHAM 0 BUCKNELL 3
24 0
7 7
28 7
59 17
Nov. 5 >> Lewisburg, Pa. >> Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium >> 1 p.m. >> Attendance: 1,324
TEAM STATISTICS
FORDHAM BUCKNELL FIRST DOWNS 30 14 Rushing 11 6 Passing 17 7 Penalty 2 1 NET YARDS RUSHING 184 124 Rushing Attempts 35 29 Average Per Rush 5.3 4.3 Rushing Touchdowns 1 1 Yards Gained Rushing 217 146 Yards Lost Rushing 33 22 NET YARDS PASSING 362 206 Completions-Attempts-Int 33-51-2 17-34-2 Average Per Attempt 7.1 6.1 Average Per Completion 11.0 12.1 Passing Touchdowns 6 1 TOTAL OFFENSE YARDS 546 330 Total offense plays 86 63 Average Gain Per Play 6.3 5.2 Fumbles: Number-Lost 0-0 0-0 Penalties: Number-Yards 7-55 6-45 PUNTS-YARDS 4-190 8-326 Average Yards Per Punt 47.5 40.8 Net Yards Per Punt 38.5 37.2 Inside 20 1 2 50+ Yards 1 2 Touchbacks 1 0 Fair catch 0 5 KICKOFF-YARDS 9-561 4-225 Average Yards Per Kickoff 62.3 56.2 Net Yards Per Kickoff 46.1 32 Touchbacks 3 0 Fair Catch Yards 46 0 Punt returns: Number-Yards-TD 1-28-0 2-16-0 Average Per Return 28.0 8.0 Kickoff returns: Number-Yds-TD 4-97-0 4-25-0 Average Per Return 24.2 6.2 Interceptions: Number-Yds-TD 2-24-1 2-0-0 Fumble Returns: Number-Yds-TD 0-0-0 0-0-0 Miscellaneous Yards 0 0 Possession Time 34:03 25:57 1st Quarter 07:49 07:11 2nd Quarter 10:43 04:17 3rd Quarter 08:06 06:54 4th Quarter 07:25 07:35 Third-Down Conversions 9-18 3-15 Fourth-Down Conversions 2-3 1-2 Red-Zone Scores-Chances 5-5 3-4 Touchdowns 4-5 2-4 Field goals 1-5 1-4 Sacks By: Number-Yards 1-9 4-32 PAT Kicks 8-8 2-2 2Pts Conversions 0-0 0-0 Field Goals 1-1 1-1 Points off Turnover 7 3
GAME NOTES • Bucknell held a 3-0 lead until 8:32 remained in the first half. The Rams went on to score 24 unanswered before the teams entered the locker rooms. • Bucknell drew close again with a Damian Harris receiving TD early in the fourth quarter that made it 31-17, but the Rams scored four fourth-quarter TDs to seal the win. • RB Rushawn Baker scored his sixth rushing TD of the season and led the Bison with 70 yards on the ground. • Harris’ TD reception was the first of his career, and he led the team with 44 receiving yards on four catches. • Bison QB Nick Semp-
timphelter threw for 154 yards, completing 12 of 25 passes with a TD and an interception. • Bucknell’s defense came
up with two interceptions and a season-high four sacks. LB Blake Leake led all Bison with 13 tackles and a sack. • S Brent Jackson grabbed
his third interception of the season and posted 10 tackles.
• Fordham QB Tim DeMorat threw for 346 yards on 31 completions and five TDs. WR Fotis Kokosioulis caught two TDs and finished with 12 receptions for 132 yards.
Football Falls to No. 18 Fordham at Home Damian Harris climbed the ladder to pull down a 12-yard touchdown pass from Nick Semptimphelter that cut No. 18 Fordham’s lead to 31-17 with 13:26 to play in the fourth quarter, but the Rams rattled off 28 unanswered points over the remainder of the game to defeat the Bucknell football team 59-17 at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium on Saturday. It was the second time the Rams scored a flurry of touchdowns in a short period of time, as the nation’s top offense hung 24 on the board in the final five minutes of the first half after Bucknell led 3-0 early. Fordham’s Tim DeMorat passed for five of Fordham’s eight touchdowns and 346 yards after tossing two interceptions in the first half. The Rams also scored on an interception returned for a touchdown, a Taj Barnes 13-yard touchdown rush and a six-yard touchdown pass from Grant Wilson to Jack Kaiser. The Rams finished the game with 546 yards of total offense. Bucknell ended up with 330 yards of offense after posting just 58 in the first half. Semptimphelter threw for 154 yards on 12 of 25 passing, and freshman quarterback Alex Brown added 52 more through the air on five completions. Sophomore running back Rushawn Baker led the team in rushing with 70 yards on 15 carries and scored his sixth rushing touchdown of the season. The Bison defense, which held Fordham off the board until 8:32 remained in the first half, finished with four sacks and two interceptions. Senior safety Brent Jackson and junior defensive lineman Tyler Alston each came down with takeaways, and Jackson posted 10 tackles and three pass breakups. Senior cornerback Gavin Pringle registered four pass breakups, and junior linebacker Blake Leake finished with a game-high 13 tackles. The defense came out strong in the first quarter, stopping the Rams on their first four possessions with a stop on fourth down, a punt and back-to-back picks. Bucknell turned it over with an interception thrown on its first offensive snap and punted on its next two drives, but the Bison made their way onto the scoreboard with a Matt Schearer 31-yard field goal with 12 seconds remaining in the opening quarter. Schearer’s field goal came at the end of a 9-play, 30-yard drive that started at the Fordham 44yard line following Alston’s interception and included a 9-yard reception by Charlie Kreinbucher and an 8-yard completion to Harris. The Bison tried a surprise onside kick immediately after the field goal, and while the Bison recovered, they were called for an offsides penalty. It was one of several special teams blunders that cost the Bison throughout the game. The Rams responded immediately on their first drive of the second quarter, which was also a theme in the contest. A 14-play, 57-yard drive that chewed nearly seven minutes of game clock culminated with a 24-yard field goal as Fordham even the game at 3-3. Fordham went on to throw touchdown passes on its next three drives as the Bison struggled to move the ball, starting two of their final three drives of the half within their own 10-yard line. The Rams’ three touchdowns in the last 4:30 of the half gave them a 24-3 lead heading into the locker rooms. The Bison offense looked far better to start the third quarter, scoring on their opening drive with Baker’s 13-yard touchdown rush that was set up by a 37-yard completion to Coleman Bennett on the sideline down to the Fordham 18. The Rams came right back and capped a 75-yard drive with a DeMorat 23-yard touchdown pass to Mekai Felton. Bucknell managed to stop Fordham on its next two drives to conclude the third quarter. Bucknell opened the fourth quarter with an 8-play, 68-yard drive. Semptimphelter hit tight end Christian Spugnardi with an 11-yard pass to the Fordham 1-yard line and then threw a fade route to Harris in the far corner of the end zone, and the junior wide receiver came down with it for his first career touchdown to make it a two-score deficit. It was the last time the Bison would put points on the board, however, and Fordham would add
SCORING SUMMARY Team BU FU FU FU FU BU FU BU FU FU FU FU
QT 1st 2nd 2nd 2nd 2nd 3rd 3rd 4th 4th 4th 4th 4th
Time 00:12 08:32 04:30 02:19 00:21 13:09 11:38 13:26 09:56 05:36 04:58 01:30
Scoring Play Conversion Schearer 31 yd FG -Peskin 24 yd FG -Allen 12 yd pass from DeMorat Peskin kick Wright 37 yd pass from DeMorat Peskin kick Kokosioulis 8 yd pass from DeMorat Peskin kick Baker 12 yd rush Schearer kick Felton 23 yd pass from DeMorat Peskin kick Harris 1 yd pass from Semptimphelter Schearer kick Kokosioulis 31 yd pass from DeMorat Peskin kick Kemper 22 yd interception return Peskin kick Kaiser 6 yd pass from Wilson Peskin kick Barnes 13 yd rush Peskin kick
Plays-Yds 9-30 14-57 7-59 3-41 6-69 5-75 5-72 8-67 8-60 -2-11 6-85
TOP 4:02 6:28 2:32 0:33 1:10 1:51 1:25 3:14 3:24 -0:38 2:35
Score 3-0 3-3 3-10 3-17 3-24 10-24 10-31 17-31 17-38 17-45 17-52 17-59
TEAM LEADERS BUCKNELL Rushing Baker Neal
FORDHAM Att 15 1
Lg Avg 12 4.7 47 47.0
Rushing Sneed Shaw
Passing C-A-I Yds TD Semptimphelter12-25-1 154 1 Brown 5-9-1 52 0
Lg 37 40
Passing C-A-I Yds TD DeMorat 31-49-2 346 5 Wilson 1-1-0 6 1
Lg 54 6
Receiving Rec Harris 4 Meuser 4 Kreinbucher 2
Yds 44 13 43
Lg 32 12 34
Receiving Rec Kokosioulis 12 Felton 4 Wright 3
Yds 132 46 44
Lg 54 23 37
Tackles Leake Allen Jackson
Ast Total TFL Yds 8 3 1.0 6 3 10 1.0 9 5 10 -
Tackles Solo Greenhagen 6 Conway 5 Williams II 3
Ast Total TFL Yds 6 12 1.0 9 6 11 1 4 -
Solo 5 7 5
Yds 70 47
BUCKNELLBISON.COM >> @BUCKNELL_FB >> ATTITUDE >> CHARACTER >> TOUGHNESS
TD 1 0
TD 1 0 17
Sack 0 1
Att 14 2
Yds 70 37
TD 0 0
TD 2 1 0
Lg Avg 18 5.0 32 18.5 Sack 4 0
2023 BUCKNELL FOOTBALL MEDIA NOTES >>>> 15
BISON CAREER HIGHS TYLER ALSTON (2) DL | SR | 6-2 | 230 Tackles: 9 vs. Lafayette (10/1/22) Sacks: 1.5 vs. Lafayette (10/1/22), vs. Towson (9/3/22) Tackles for Loss: 2 vs. Towson (9/3/22) Interceptions: 1 vs. Fordham (11/5/22) DERRICK ANDERSON JR. (25) WR | SO | 6-3 | 175 Receptions: 6 vs. Holy Cross (10/7/23) Receiving Yards: 115 vs. Holy Cross (10/7/23) Long Reception: 39 at Cornell (10/14/23) Receiving Touchdowns: 2 vs. Holy Cross (10/7/23) RUBEN ANDERSON (98) P/K | SR | 6-2 | 215 Punt Average: 44.0 vs. Marist (11/19/22) Long Punt: 58 vs. Towson (9/3/22) Punt Attempts: 9, 3 times (last vs. Lehigh, 10/21/23) Punts of 50+ Yards: 3 vs. Towson (9/3/22), at JMU (9/2/23) Punts Inside the 20: 3, 5 times (last at Cornell, 10/14/23) Kickoff Attempts: 1 vs. Holy Cross (4/17/21) Kickoff Average: 52.0 vs. Holy Cross (4/17/21) OKEYO AYUNGO (29) WR | SO | 6-1 | 185 Receptions: 3 at Central Michigan (9/17/22) Receiving Yards: 35 at VMI (9/10/22) Long Reception: 34 at VMI (9/10/22) RUSHAWN BAKER (23) RB | JR | 5-11 | 225 Rushing Attempts: 22 vs. VMI (9/9/23) Rushing Yards: 120 vs. Marist (11/19/22) Long Rush: 75 at Yale (10/15/22) Rushing TDs: 2 at Lehigh (10/22/22) Receptions: 4 2x (last at Georgetown, 11/12/22) Receiving Yards: 20 at VMI (9/10/22) Receiving TDs: 1 at VMI (9/10/22) Long Reception: 17 vs. Lehigh (10/21/23) All-Purpose Yards: 122, 2 times (last vs. Marist, 11/19/22) ADAM BARAKAT (85) WR | SR | 6-3 | 220 Receptions: 4 at Army West Point (11/13/21) Receiving Yards: 44 at Army West Point (11/13/21) Long Reception: 16 at JMU (9/2/23) JACK BARNES (52) DL | JR | 6-2 | 220 Tackles: 7 at Villanova (9/11/21) Tackles for Loss: 1, 2 times (last vs. VMI, 9/9/23) 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) COLEMAN BENNETT (3) RB | SR | 5-11 | 185 Rushing Attempts: 29 at Cornell (10/14/23) Rushing Yards: 157 at Cornell (10/14/23) Long Rush: 47 vs. Holy Cross (10/7/23) Rushing TDs: 2 at Colgate (10/28/23) Receptions: 7 vs. Holy Cross (10/7/23) Receiving Yards: 58 vs. Penn (9/23/23) Long Reception: 38 vs. Towson (9/3/22) Kickoff Returns: 5, 2 times (last vs. Holy Cross, 10/7/23) Kickoff Return Yards: 137 at Lafayette (9/30/23) Long Kickoff Return: 93 at Georgetown (11/12/22) Kickoff Return TDs: 1 at Georgetown (11/12/22)
Punt Returns: 1 at Lafayette (10/9/21) Punt Return Yards: 4 at Lafayette (10/9/21) Long Punt Return: 4 at Lafayette (10/9/21) All-Purpose Yards: 240 vs. Holy Cross (10/7/23) TYLER BEVERETT (13) QB | SR | 6-3 | 205 Passing Attempts: 26 vs. Lehigh (10/21/23) Passing Completions: 9 vs. Lehigh (10/21/23) Passing Yards: 81 vs. Lehigh (10/21/23) Long Pass: 28 vs. Cornell (10/2/21) Rushing Attempts: 8, 2 times (last vs. Lehigh, 10/21/23( Rushing Yards: 28 vs. Cornell (10/2/21) Long Rush: 25 vs. Cornell (10/2/21) Rushing TDs: 1 vs. Cornell (10/2/21), vs. Fordham (4/10/21) TYLER BOWER (49) LB | SR | 5-11 | 215 Tackles: 1 at Villanova (9/11/21) MIKE BRIGHT JR. (44) DL | SR | 6-4 | 225 Tackles: 6 vs. Lehigh (11/6/21) Tackles for Loss: 2 at Lehigh (4/3/21) Sacks: 2 at Lehigh (4/3/21) Pass Breakups: 1, 2 times (last at Georgetown, 11/12/22) ALEX BROWN (8) WR | SO | 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) TJ CADDEN (80) WR | FR | 6-0 | 185 Receptions: 1 at Lafayette (9/30/23) Receiving Yards: 11 at Lafayette (9/30/23) Punt Returns: 1 vs. Lehigh (10/21/23) Punt Return Yards: 9 vs. Lehigh (10/21/23) Long Punt Return: 9 vs. Lehigh (10/21/23) Kickoff Returns: 2 vs. Lehigh (10/21/23) Kick Return Yards: 45 Long Kick Return: 24 vs. Lehigh (10/21/23) CONNOR CARRETTA (0) DL | SR | 6-2 | 280 Tackles: 12 vs. Lehigh (10/21/23) Tackles for Loss: 2.5 vs. VMI (9/9/23) Sacks: 2 vs. VMI (9/9/23) Pass Breakups: 1 at Colgate (10/28/23) NATHANIEL CARSON (97) OL | SR | 6-6 | 270 Tackles: 3 at Colgate (10/30/21) Pass Breakups: 1 vs. Cornell (10/2/21) Fumble Recoveries: 1 at Sacred Heart (9/4/21) DREW CORMIER (31) S | FR | 6-1 | 200 Tackles: 1 at JMU (9/2/23)
BUCKNELLBISON.COM >> @BUCKNELL_FB >> ATTITUDE >> CHARACTER >> TOUGHNESS
AIDAN DAVENPORT (93) LS | SR | 6-3 | 210 Tackles: 1 at Central Michigan (9/17/22) SAM DELUCA (42) LB | SO | 6-2 | 210 Tackles: 1 vs. Towson (9/3/22) MARK DUNCKLE (55) DL | SR | 5-9 | 220 Tackles: 1 at Army West Point (11/13/21) JUSTIN FISHER (99) DL | JR | 6-6 | 235 Tackles: 9 at Sacred Heart (9/4/21) Sacks: 0.5 at Colgate (10/28/23) KYLE FONTES (87) TE | JR | 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 | SO | 6-2 | 190 Tackles: 2 at Central Michigan (9/17/22), at VMI (9/10/22) JOSH GARY (24) WR | SO | 5-11 | 190 Receptions: 9 at Colgate (10/28/23) Receiving Yards: 139 at Colgate (10/28/23) Receiving Touchdowns: 1, 2 times (last at Colgate, 10/28/23) Long Reception: 49 at Colgate (10/28/23) Kickoff Returns: 1, 2 times (last vs. Lehigh, 10/21/23) Long Kickoff Return: 88 vs. Lehigh (10/21/23) Kickoff Return TDs: 1 vs. Lehigh (10/21/23) BRAD GERKEN (38) S | FR | 5-11 | 195 Tackles: 1, 2 times (last at Colgate, 10/23/28) DEUCE GETER (26) S | FR | 6-1 | 205 Tackles: 7 at Cornell (10/14/23) Pass Breakups: 1, 3 times (last vs. Lehigh, 10/21/23) CALEB GILLEN (16) S | SR | 5-11 | 185 Fumble Recoveries: 1 vs. Lafayette (10/1/22) JACK GOHEEN (47) LB | SO | 6-2 | 210 Tackles: 7 vs. Lehigh (10/21/23) Pass Breakups: 1 at Colgate (10/28/23) COLBY GRAMES (88) TE | SR | 6-3 | 225 Receptions: 1 vs. Fordham (4/10/21) Receiving Yards: 1 vs. Fordham (4/10/21) Long Reception: 1 vs. Fordham (4/10/21) MICHAEL HARDYWAY (9) QB | JR | 6-0 | 180 Rushing Attempts: 1 at Lafayette (10/9/21) Rushing Yards: 6 at Lafayette (10/9/21) Long Rush: 6 at Lafayette (10/9/21)
2023 BUCKNELL FOOTBALL MEDIA NOTES >>>> 16
BISON CAREER HIGHS DAMIAN HARRIS (11) WR | SR | 6-0 | 185 Rushing Attempts: 5 vs. Georgetown (10/23/21) Rushing Yards: 19 vs. Georgetown (10/23/21) Long Rush: 8 vs. Georgetown (10/23/21) Receptions: 8 vs. VMI (9/9/23) Receiving Yards: 101 vs. VMI (9/9/23) Long Reception: 48 vs. Penn (9/18/21) Receiving TDs: 1, 3 times (last at Cornell, 10/14/23) Punt Return Yards: 6 vs. Towson (9/3/22) Kickoff Returns: 5 at Yale (10/15/22) Kickoff Return Yards: 117 at Yale (10/15/22) NICK HOYING (50) S/LB | FR | 6-0 | 195 Tackles: 3 at Cornell (10/14/23) Tackles for Loss: 1 at Cornell (10/14/23) Sacks: 0.5 at Colgate (10/28/23) JACK INSERRA (63) DL | FR | 6-2 | 215 Tackles: 2 vs. Penn (9/23/23) BRAD JAMISON (33) LB | JR | 6-2 | 220 Tackles: 12 vs. VMI (9/9/23) Tackles for Loss: 2 at Lafayette (9/30/23) Sacks: 1, 2 times (last at Lafayette, 9/30/23) Pass Breakups: 2 vs. Lehigh (10/21/23) RYAN JEDLICKA (61) LS | SO | 5-10 | 180 Tackles: 1 vs. Penn (9/23/23) CHARLIE KREINBUCHER (82) TE | SO | 6-5 | 230 Receptions: 2, 4 times (last at Lafayette, 9/30/23) Receiving Yards: 43 vs. Fordham (11/5/22) Long Reception: 34 vs. Fordham (11/5/22) Receiving Touchdowns: 1, 2 times (last at Colgate, 10/28/23) GRANT LAWS (95) DL | JR | 6-3 | 280 Tackles: 1 at VMI (9/10/22), at JMU (9/2/23) Tackles for Loss: 0.5 at VMI (9/10/22) BLAKE LEAKE (34) LB | SR | 6-1 | 215 Tackles: 16 vs. Holy Cross (11/20/21) Tackles for Loss: 1.5, 2 times (last vs. Penn, 9/23/23( Sacks: 1, 3 times (last vs. VMI, 9/9/23) Pass Breakups: 2 vs. Marist (11/19/22) Interceptions: 1, 2 times (last at Georgetown, 11/12/22) Interception Return Yards: 41 vs. Lafayette (3/27/21) Long Interception Return: 41 vs. Lafayette (3/27/21) Interception Return TDs: 1 vs. Lafayette (3/27/21) Forced Fumbles: 1 vs. Georgetown (10/23/21) Fumble Recoveries: 1 at Fordham (10/16/21) QUENTIN LEMON (7) LB | SR | 6-1 | 200 Tackles: 3 at Army West Point (11/13/21) Tackles for Loss: 0.5 vs. Holy Cross (11/20/21) Sacks: 0.5 vs. Holy Cross (11/20/21) DANNY MEUSER (4) RB | SR | 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) PAUL NEEL (21) RB | JR | 5-10 | 190 Rushing Attempts: 6 vs. Holy Cross (10/7/23) Rushing Yards: 15 at Villanova (9/11/21) Long Rush: 12 at Villanova (9/11/21) Receptions: 1, 5 times (last vs. Holy Cross, 10/7/23) Receiving Yards: 9 vs. Holy Cross (10/7/23) Long Reception: 9 vs. Holy Cross (10/7/23) JEFF ODONGO (8) CB | SR | 6-2 | 190 Tackles: 2 at Villanova (9/11/21) WILL OHLER (51) DL | JR | 6-3 | 235 Tackles: 6 at Lafayette (10/9/21), at VMI (9/10/22) Tackles for Loss: 1, 3 times (last at Lehigh, 10/22/22) Sacks: 1.5 at Yale (10/15/22) Pass Breakups: 1, 2 times (last vs. Marist, 11/19/22) Forced Fumbles: 1 at Yale (10/15/22), vs. Towson (9/3/22) MARQUES OWENS (1) WR | JR | 5-10 | 170 Receptions: 4, 2 times (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) DONQUARIUS PARKER (22) DL | SO | 6-1 | 220 Tackles: 3 vs. VMI (9/9/23) ROMAN PEARSON (14) CB | SO | 6-2 | 180 Tackles: 4, 2 times (last vs. Penn, 9/23/23) Pass Breakups: 2, 2 times (last vs. Lehigh, 10/21/23) Interceptions: 1, 2 times (last vs. Lehigh, 10/21/23) SEAN QUARTERMAN (59) OL/DL | SR | 6-3 | 260 Tackles: 2 at Army West Point (11/13/21) PATRICK QUINLIVIAN (96) DL | JR | 6-2 | 205 Tackles: 2 at VMI (9/10/22) Sacks: 2 at VMI (9/10/22) Tackles for Loss: 2 at VMI (9/10/22) Forced Fumbles: 1 at VMI (9/10/22) Fumble Recoveries: 1 at Yale (10/15/22), at VMI (9/10/22)
BUCKNELLBISON.COM >> @BUCKNELL_FB >> ATTITUDE >> CHARACTER >> TOUGHNESS
ETHAN ROBINSON (9) CB | JR | 6-0 | 175 Tackles: 15 at Fordham (10/16/21) Tackles for Loss: 2 vs. Marist (11/19/22) Pass Breakups: 3 vs. Georgetown (10/23/21) Interceptions: 1, 5 times (last at Colgate, 10/28/23) Forced Fumbles: 1 at Fordham (10/16/21), vs. Cornell (10/2/21) Sacks: 1 vs. Marist (11/19/22) Punt Returns: 3, 3 times (last at Colgate, 10/28/23) Punt Return Yards: 20 vs. VMI (9/9/23) Long Punt Return: 15 vs. VMI (9/9/23) CADE ROONEY (15) DL | JR | 6-3 | 250 Tackles: 6 vs. Holy Cross (11/20/21) Tackles for Loss: 1 at JMU (9/2/23) Interceptions: 1, 2 times (last at Colgate, 10/28/23) RALPH RUCKER (10) QB | JR | 6-0 | 207 Passing Attempts: 4, 2 times (last at Colgate, 10/28/23) 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: 49 at Colgate (10/28/23) Rushing Attempts: 15 vs. VMI (9/9/23) Rushing Yards: 47 vs. VMI (9/9/23) Long Rush: 17 vs. VMI (9/9/23) Rushing Touchdowns: 1 at Cornell (10/14/23) RAY RUSSELL (27) CB | JR | 6-1 | 185 Tackles: 1, 3 times (last at Lehigh, 10/22/22) RYAN SCHATZEL (10) P/K | SR | 6-0 | 160 PATs: 3, 3 times (last vs. Penn, 9/23/23) Field Goals: 2 vs. Lehigh (11/6/21) Long Field Goal: 45 vs. Lehigh (11/6/21) Points: 10 at Georgetown (11/12/22) Kickoff Attempts: 5, 2 times (last vs. Holy Cross, 10/7/23) Kickoff Average: 65.0 vs. Towson (9/3/22) MATT SCHEARER (62) K | SO | 5-11 | 170 Field Goals: 3 at Georgetown (11/12/22) Long Field Goal: 50 at Georgetown (11/12/22) PATs Made: 3, 2 times (last at Cornell, 10/14/23) Kickoffs: 5, 2 times (last vs. Marist, 11/19/22) Kickoff Average: 45.2 at Georgetown (11/12/22) JOHN SCHLENDORF (45) S | JR | 5-10 | 180 Tackles: 14, 2 times (last vs. Penn, 9/23/23) Sacks: 1, 3 times (last vs. VMI, 9/9/23) Tackles for Loss: 1, 6 times (last vs. Penn, 9/23/23) Pass Breakups: 2, 3 times (last vs. Lehigh, 10/21/23) Forced Fumbles: 1 at Yale (10/15/22) Fumble Recoveries: 1, 2 times (last at Colgate, 10/28/23) Interceptions: 1 vs. Lehigh (10/21/23) ASHTON SEMPERVIVE (76) DL | SO | 6-2 | 260 Tackles: 1, 2 times (last vs. Lehigh, 10/21/23) NICK SEMPTIMPHELTER (14) QB | SR | 6-1 | 190 Passing Attempts: 33 at Georgetown (11/12/22) Pass Completions: 21 at Georgetown (11/12/22)
2023 BUCKNELL FOOTBALL MEDIA NOTES >>>> 17
BISON CAREER HIGHS Passing Yards: 198 at Georgetown (11/12/22) Long Pass: 48 vs. Penn (9/18/21) Passing TDs: 2 at VMI (9/10/22) Rushing Attempts: 12 vs. Marist (11/19/22) Rushing Yards: 35 vs. Marist (11/19/22) Long Rush: 13 vs. Lehigh (10/21/23) Rushing TDs: 1, 2 times (last vs. Marist, 11/19/22) DANIEL SIERK (92) DL | SO | 6-5 | 250 Tackles: 1 at Central Michigan (9/17/22)
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: 22 at Cornell (10/14/23) GAVIN WILLIS (13) LB | FR | 6-0 | 212 Tackles: 11 vs. Penn (9/23/23) Tackles for Loss: 0.5 at Cornell (10/14/23) Pass Breakups: 1 vs. Lehigh (10/21/23)
CHRIS SIMS (28) CB | JR | 5-9 | 170 Tackles: 7 at Cornell (10/14/23) Pass Breakups: 1, 4 times (last at Cornell, 10/14/23) Interceptions: 1 at Holy Cross (10/8/22) Interception Return Yards: 17 at Holy Cross (10/8/22) ALEX SMITH JR. (6) S | JR | 6-2 | 185 Tackles: 9 vs. Penn (9/23/23) Tackles for Loss: 1 vs. Cornell (10/2/21), vs. Penn (9/18/21) Interceptions: 1, 3 times (last at Lehigh, 10/22/22) Interception Return Yards: 20 at Lehigh (10/22/22) Sacks: 1 vs. Cornell (10/2/21) Pass Breakups: 2 vs. Towson (9/3/22), vs. Holy Cross (11/20/21) Forced Fumbles: 1, 2 times (last vs. Lehigh, 10/21/23) CHRISTIAN SPUGNARDI (81) TE | JR | 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) CHRISTIAN TAIT (5) WR | SR | 6-3 | 185 Receptions: 4 at Central Michigan (9/17/22) Receiving Yards: 35 at Central Michigan (9/17/22) Long Reception: 19 vs. Penn (9/23/23) MASON TAYLOR (20) S | JR | 6-2 | 185 Tackles: 5 at JMU (9/2/23) Tackles for Loss: 0.5 vs. Cornell (10/2/21) Pass Breakups: 1, 3 times (last vs. Georgetown, 10/23/21) ANEESH VYAS (90) DL | JR | 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, 2 times (last at Lafayette, 9/30/23) Blocked kicks: 2 vs. Penn (9/23/23) ERIC WEATHERLY (1) WR | SO | 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, 2 times (last at Colgate, 10/28/23) Rushing Attempts: 2, 2 times (last vs. Lehigh, 10/21/23) Rushing Yards: 7 vs. Lehigh (10/21/23) Punt Returns: 1, 3 times (last vs. Holy Cross, 10/7/23)
BUCKNELLBISON.COM >> @BUCKNELL_FB >> ATTITUDE >> CHARACTER >> TOUGHNESS
2023 BUCKNELL FOOTBALL MEDIA NOTES >>>> 18
2023 GAME REPORTS: GAME 1 BUCKNELL JMU
0 3
3 14
0 7
0 `14
3 38
Sept. 2 >> Harrisonburg, Va. >> Bridgeforth Stadium >> 6 p.m. >> Attendance: 23,756
TEAM STATISTICS FIRST DOWNS Rushing Passing Penalty NET YARDS RUSHING Attempts Avg. Per Rush Rushing TDs Yards Gained Yds. Lost NET YARDS Passing Comp. - Att. - Int. Avg. / Att. Avg. / Comp. TDs TOTAL OFFENSE YARDS Plays Avg. / Play Fumbles - Lost Penalties - Yards PUNTS-YARDS Avg. / Punt Net / Punt Inside 20 50+ Yards Touchbacks Fair Catch KICKOFFS-YARDS Avg. Yards / Kickoff Net Yards / Kickoff Touchbacks Fair Catch RETURNS Punt: Total - Yards - TDs Punt: Avg. / Return Kickoff: Total - Yards - TDs Kickoff: Avg. / Return INT: Total - Yards - TDs Fumble: Total - Yards - TDs MISCELLANEOUS Miscellaneous Yards Possession Time 1st Quarter 2nd Quarter 3rd Quarter 4th Quarter 3rd Down Conversions 4th Down Conversions Red-Zone Scores-Chances Touchdowns Field Goals Sacks: Total - Yards PAT: Total - Made Field Goals: Total - Made
BUCKNELL 9 2 7 0 62 34 1.8 0 100 38 146 15-23-0 6.3 9.7 0 208 57 3.6 1-1 7-70 10-371 37.1 27.7 1 3 0 0 1-40 40.0 40.0 0 0
JMU 22 11 8 3 261 41 6.4 3 271 10 175 12-24-1 7.3 14.6 2 436 65 6.7 1-0 4-25 3-148 49.3 46.3 1 1 0 1 7-450 64.3 50.0 5 45
1-9-0 9.0 0-0-0 NaN 1-6-0 0-0-0
6-94-0 15.7 0-0-0 NaN 0-0-0 0-0-0
0 32:07 8:23 11:50 7:25 4:29 3 of 15 0 of 1 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-6 0-0 1-1
0 27:53 6:37 3:10 7:35 10:31 5 of 12 0 of 2 5-8 4-8 1-8 3-24 5-5 1-1
GAME NOTES • Bucknell entered halftime trailing 17-3 to FBS opponent James Madison in its season opener and ended up falling 38-3. • JMU averaged 37 points in 2022, which was the team’s first season competing at the FBS level. It finished that season 8-3 after a dominant 19-year run with a .500 record or better in the FCS. • JMU moved to 41-11 in all-time season openers. It had scored 40 or more points in 16 of those. • Bucknell led in time of possession by more than four minutes. The Dukes ranked sixth among FBS team in the category last season. • Bucknell’s defense limited the Dukes to just 30 passing yards through the first three quarters. Ethan Robinson intercepted JMU on its first possession, and the Bison defense made two goal-line stands to get the ball back after turnovers on downs. • Bucknell’s three points came on a 49-yard FG by Matt Schearer at the end of the first half. • JMU had six drives start in Bison terriroty and scored on three of them.
Football Falls to James Madison on the Road, 38-3 The Bucknell football team held the James Madison offense, which ranked 13th in the nation in scoring last season, in check through most of Saturday’s 38-3 loss at Bridgeforth Stadium. The Bison defense limited the FBS foe to 30 passing yards and 24 points through the first three quarters. Bucknell made its way onto the scoreboard with a 49-yard Matt Schearer field goal as time expired in the first half to make it a 17-3 game at the break. The 38 points allowed were not indicative of the defense’s efforts, as six of JMU’s 13 drives began in Bison territory. Bucknell stood strong and allowed the Dukes to score on just three of those. The Bison put together two goal-line stands, and Ethan Robinson grabbed an interception on JMU’s opening possession of the game. Schearer’s 49-yard kick, which was one shy of his career long, was one of the brighter spots on special teams for the Bison. JMU racked up 94 yards on six punt returns, and Bucknell had one punt blocked. The defense did break late in the game on a 57-yard touchdown pass from Jordan McCloud to Reggie Brown that gave the Dukes a 31-3 lead. Bucknell’s offense created several chunk plays as well, including a 32-yard pass from Ralph Rucker to Damian Harris and a 30-yard run by Rushawn Baker that set the Bison up at the JMU 23. Harris hauled in all three of his receptions in the first half for 61 yards. Rucker finished the game 13 of 19 (68.4%) for 140 yards. He also used his legs to escape the pocket on numerous occasions and finished with 17 rushing yards. Blake Leake led the defense with nine tackles and one tackle for loss. Robinson added two pass breakups to go with his interception. Both teams turned the ball over on their opening possessions of the game, as Bucknell fumbled four plays in. Bucknell punted it away on its second possession, and the Dukes returned it 25 yards to set up the game’s first score – a 36-yard field goal. JMU returned Bucknell’s next punt 35 yards and got down to the 6-yard line, but the Bison defense forced incompletions on third and fourth down to get the ball back. The Bison offense followed it up with a 7-play, 71-yard drive and got down to the JMU 23-yard line but were stuffed on 4th-and-1. Bucknell got the ball back with 2:02 remaining in the first half and trailing 17-0 when Rucker led the team on a 7-play, 43-yard drive that ate up the remaining time. The Bison called timeout with one second left before Schearer split the uprights with ease. Bucknell forced JMU to punt on its first two drives of the third quarter, but Bucknell’s offense stalled as well. The Bison managed just 16 yards of offense over the final 30 minutes after piling up 204 in the first half. JMU added one final touchdown with 6:35 to go in the fourth quarter on a 13-yard pass from McCloud to Maxwell Moss. McCloud finished the game 7 of 11 for 144 yards and two touchdowns after entering the game in the second half. Kaelon Black led a dynamic rushing attack for the Dukes, gaining 125 yards on 12 attempts. Also impressive for the Bison was Eric Weatherly, who pulled down three catches for 20 yards, and Adam Barakat, who made a pair of tough catches for 19.
SCORING SUMMARY Team JMU JMU JMU BUC JMU JMU JMU
QT 1st 2nd 2nd 2nd 3rd 4th 4th
Time 07:45 14:26 02:02 00:00 04:45 11:28 06:35
Scoring Play Wise 36yd FG Barnett III 7yd rush Palmer 13yd rush Schearer 49yd FG Lawton 5yd TD rush Brown 57yd pass from McCloud Moss 13yd pass from McCloud
Conversion -Wise kick Wise kick -Wise kick Wise kick Wise kick
Plays-Yds 8-24 3-77 4-45 7-43 5-43 4-84 7-55
TOP 02:27 00:39 01:07 02:02 1:40 1:55 03:10
Score 0-3 0-10 0-17 3-17 3-24 3-31 3-38
TEAM LEADERS BUCKNELL Rushing Baker Bennett Rucker
JMU Att 11 10 9
Yds 43 22 17
TD 0 0 0
Lg 30 5 6
Avg 3.9 2.2 1.9
Passing C-A-I Yds TD Rucker 13-19-0 140 0
Semptimphelter 2-4-0
6
0
Lg 32
Sack 1
Receiving Rec Harris 3 Weatherly 3 Barakat 2 Gary 2
Yds 61 20 19 16
TD 0 0 0 0
Lg 32 18 16 14
Tackles Solo Leake 4 Jamison 3 Schlendorf 4 Alston 1 Taylor 5
Ast Total TFL Yds 5 9 1 1 3 6 0.5 3 2 6 1 1 4 5 ---5 ---
BUCKNELLBISON.COM >> @BUCKNELL_FB >> ATTITUDE >> CHARACTER >> TOUGHNESS
4
2
Rushing Black Palmer Barnett III Knight Lawton
Att 12 10 5 4 4
Yds 125 45 29 23 22
TD 0 1 1 0 1
Passing McCloud Barnett III
C-A-I Yds TD 7-11-0 144 2 3-11-1 15 0
Lg 57 8
Sack 1 0
Receiving Rec Brown 3 Sarratt 2 Moss 2
Yds 77 29 23
Tackles Jones Kamara Reid Walker
Ast Total TFL Yds 5 9 2 6 3 6 2.5 15 3 5 --3 5 1.5 7
Solo 4 3 2 2
TD 1 0 1
Lg Avg 57 10.4 13 4.5 9 5.8 22 5.8 9 5.5
Lg 57 22 13
2023 BUCKNELL FOOTBALL MEDIA NOTES >>>> 19
2023 GAME REPORTS: GAME 2 Bucknell Football Wins Home Opener Over VMI, 21-13 The Bucknell football team defeated VMI 21-13 at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium for its home opener Saturday afternoon. The Bison put up strong numbers offensively, and the defense held the Keydets off the scoreboard through three quarters with an outstanding pass rush. Sept. 9 >> Lewisburg, Pa. >> Mathewson-Memorial Stadium >> 6 p.m. >> Attendance: 1,465 Bucknell (1-1) held on to a narrow 7-0 lead after scoring late in the first quarter. The touchdown lead would remain until VMI (1-1) tied things up in the fourth. Bucknell added two more touchdowns in the final seven minutes, and the Keydets were unable to overcome the deficit. Bucknell’s defense posted six sacks and eight tackles for loss. It limited the Keydets to 75 rushing yards (1.9 YPC). Brad Jamison supplied a team-high 12 tackles, and Connor Carretta recorded two of the Bison sacks with seven tackles. The Bison put up 397 yards of offense, which were the most since the spring 2021 season opener. Ralph Rucker threw for 224 on 19-of-30 (63.3%) passing and tossed a pair of touchdowns. He also ran for 43 yards. Damian Harris collected eight receptions for a career-high 101 yards and a touchdown. Rushawn Baker rushed for 105 yards on 22 carries (4.8 YPC) and a touchdown. It was the third 100yard game of his career. Bucknell’s defense forced five 3-and-outs in the game, including two in the opening quarter. The Bison scored on their second possession of the game, driving 80 yards on nine plays. Rucker hit Harris on a fade route for an 18-yard score and the team’s first touchdown of the new season. Both teams came up empty on the next 16 drives combined. The Bison punted on six consecutive drives, and the Keydets on six consecutive. VMI also missed a long field goal at the end of the first half and another in the third quarter. Bucknell committed the only turnover of the game, fumbling with 2:53 to play in the third. After the long stalemate, the final 10 minutes of the game were packed with action. VMI’s gametying touchdown came on a 27-yard flea flicker pass from quarterback Collin Ironside to Aidan Twombly. Bucknell responded immediately. The Bison drove 79 yards on 11 plays, taking over three minutes off the clock and scoring on a 7-yard pass from Rucker to Charlie Kreinbucher. During that drive, Bucknell faced a 2nd-and-24 from its own 7-yard line before Rucker completed an 18-yard pass to GAME NOTES Okeyo Ayungo on second down and a 31-yard pass to Harris on 3rd-and-6 on the following play. VMI BUCKNELL • After Bucknell scored on FIRST DOWNS 20 21 Harris had three receptions for 51 yards during the drive. Rushing 7 10 its second possession of the On VMI’s ensuing drive, it was Bucknell’s special teams that stepped up. Jack Goheen blocked Passing 11 9 game, it turned into a dethe Keydets’ punt attempt at their own 15-yard line, and Bucknell took over inside the VMI 10. Baker Penalty 2 2 fensive battle in Lewisburg. scored three plays later to give the Bison a 21-7 lead. NET YARDS RUSHING 75 173 Bucknell and VMI came up Attempts 40 46 VMI scored once more on an -play, 39-yard drive, but only 1:30 remained, and the Keydets were empty on the next 16 drives unable to recover their onside kick attempt. Avg. Per Rush 1.9 3.8 combined. Rushing TDs 0 1 Other notable performances for Bucknell included a team-high 117 all-purpose yards for Coleman Yards Gained 122 206 Bennett, who had 54 receiving, 24 rushing and 39 on returns. Jamison added a sack to his career high Yds. Lost 47 33 • Both teams awoke in the NET YARDS Passing 220 224 in tackles. Leake, Schlendorf and Mike Bright Jr. posted sacks as well. Ruben Anderson averaged fourth quarter and scored Comp. - Att. - Int. 20-30-0 19-30-0 40.4 yards on eight punts, landing two inside the 20. a combined 27 points over Avg. / Att. 7.3 7.5 The win gave Bucknell a 4-3 lead in the all-time series against VMI and its first win over the the final 13 minutes of the Avg. / Comp. 11.0 11.8 Keydets since 2015. The Bison have now won back-to-back games at home, including last year’s TDs 2 2 game. season finale against Marist. TOTAL OFFENSE YARDS 295 397 Plays 70 76 • Bucknell’s defense racked Avg. / Play 4.2 5.2 SCORING SUMMARY up six sacks in the game, Fumbles - Lost 1-0 1-1 including two by Connor Team QT Time Scoring Play Conversion Plays-Yds TOP Score Penalties - Yards 6-70 8-85 Carretta. Brad Jamison led PUNTS-YARDS 9-329 8-323 BUC 1st 01:30 Harris 18yd pass from Rucker Schearer kick 9-80 03:20 7-0 Avg. / Punt 36.6 40.4 the defensive effort with 12 VMI 4th 10:08 Twombly 27yd pass from Ironside Beck kick 7-58 02:53 7-7 Net / Punt 31.4 29.6 tackles and a sack. BUC 4th 06:22 Kreinbucher 7yd pass from Rucker Schearer kick 11-79 03:37 14-7
VMI BUCKNELL
Inside 20 50+ Yards Touchbacks Fair Catch KICKOFFS-YARDS Avg. Yards / Kickoff Net Yards / Kickoff Touchbacks Fair Catch RETURNS Punt: Total - Yards - TDs Punt: Avg. / Return Kickoff: Total - Yards - TDs Kickoff: Avg. / Return INT: Total - Yards - TDs Fumble: Total - Yards - TDs MISCELLANEOUS Miscellaneous Yards Possession Time 1st Quarter 2nd Quarter 3rd Quarter 4th Quarter 3rd Down Conversions 4th Down Conversions Red-Zone Scores-Chances Touchdowns Field Goals Sacks: Total - Yards PAT: Total - Made Field Goals: Total - Made
0 7
0 0
0 0
3 0 1 2 2-126 63.0 43.5 0 0
2 1 2 0 4-224 56.0 30.8 0 0
4-46-0 11.5 4-101-0 25.3 0-0-0 0-0-0
4-26-0 6.5 3-39-0 13.0 0-0-0 0-0-0
0 30:09 7:20 7:10 8:18 7:21 5 of 15 0 of 0 1-2 1-2 0-2 3-16 1-1 0-2
0 29:51 7:40 7:50 6:42 7:39 6 of 14 0 of 0 3-3 3-3 0-3 6-41 3-3 0-0
13 `14
13 21
BUC VMI
4th 4th
03:26 01:31
Baker 1yd rush Schearer kick 3-9 Johnson 18yd pass from Ironside Lemmond pass failed 8-39
• Ralph Rucker completed 19 of 30 passes for 224 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He hit Damian Harris on an 18-yard touchdown and Charlie Kreinbucher on a 7-yard touchdown. Rucker also ran for 47 yards.
BUCKNELL
• Harris’ 101 yard on eight receptions were a career high.
TD 1 0 0
Lg 18 17 9
Avg 4.8 3.1 3.0
Passing C-A-I Yds TD Rucker 19-30-0 224 2
Lg 31
Sack 3
Receiving Rec Harris 8 Bennett 4 Kreinbucher 2 Ayungo 2 Weatherly 1
Yds 101 54 17 16 22
Lg 31 29 10 18 22
Tackles Solo Jamison 6 Leake 6 Schlendorf 5 Carretta 3 Robinson 6 Fisher 3 Bright Jr. 2
Ast Total TFL Yds 6 12 1 6 2 8 1 7 2 7 1 9 4 7 2.5 16 0 6 1 1 2 5 --2 4 1 4
• Rushawn Baker rushed for 105 yards and a touchdown, averaging 4.8 yards per carry. • VMI’s Collin Ironside went 20-for-30 for 220 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Keydets offense. • Jack Goheen blocked a VMI punt in the fourth quarter.
01:40 01:46
21-7 21-13
TD 0 0
Lg 13 11
Avg 4.4 3.6
Passing C-A-I Yds TD Ironside 20-30-0 220 2
Lg 27
Sack 6
Receiving Rec Knox 6 Twombly 4 Johnson 4 Thorpe 3
Yds 88 66 32 28
Lg 27 27 18 17
Tackles Knapp Eller Dunn Oliver Summey Speight
Ast Total TFL Yds 4 9 --4 9 0.5 1 3 8 0.5 4 4 7 0.5 2 4 6 0.5 1 1 5 1.5 8
TEAM LEADERS Rushing Baker Rucker Bennett
VMI Att 22 15 8
Yds 105 47 24
BUCKNELLBISON.COM >> @BUCKNELL_FB >> ATTITUDE >> CHARACTER >> TOUGHNESS
TD 1 0 1 0 0
Rushing Rice Raymond
Att 13 12
Solo 5 5 5 3 2 4
Yds 57 43
TD 0 1 1 0
2023 BUCKNELL FOOTBALL MEDIA NOTES >>>> 20
2023 GAME REPORTS: GAME 3 Football Downed by Penn at Home, 37-21 Bucknell’s offense came alive in the second half, scoring all 21 of its points and gaining 228 of its 239 yards over the final 30 minutes, but the Penn Quakers triumphed with a 37-21 victory. Penn (2-0) racked up 515 yards of total offense, including 354 through the air, to spoil Homecoming for Sept. 23 >> Lewisburg, Pa. >> Mathewson-Memorial Stadium >> 3:30 p.m. >> Attendance: 2,046 Bucknell (1-2). Penn jumped out to a 17-0 lead before the Bison made their way onto the scoreboard with one of Ralph Rucker’s three touchdown passes. The Quakers responded to the Bucknell score quickly, however, punching it in twice in four minutes to lead 30-7 heading into the fourth. Bucknell added two more scores in the fourth quarter to arrive at the 37-21 final. Penn found most of its success through the air, as Aidan Sayin completed 35 of 49 attempts for 354 yards and three touchdowns. Jared Richardson was on the receiving end of most of those passes, finishing with 12 catches for 139 yards and a pair of touchdowns. The Quakers converted 9 of 17 third downs compared to Bucknell’s 3 of 12. The Quakers were also dominant with 41:29 in time of possession. Bucknell did win the turnover battle with two interceptions. Penn also scored twice on the ground, as Jonathan Mulatu rushed for 64 yards and a touchdown, and Liam O’Brien gained 31 yards on six carries and a score. The Bison managed just eight net rushing yards in the game against an outstanding Penn defensive front that finished second in the nation in rushing defense in 2022. Eric Weatherly put together a breakout performance for the Bison, hauling in six receptions for 95 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He also flashed with a 21-yard punt return. Coleman Bennett finished with a game-high 160 all-purpose yards, including 58 receiving, 13 rushing and 89 on kick returns. Josh Gary caught Bucknell’s other touchdown, scoring for the first time in his career. The Quakers led 10-0 at halftime with a 249-11 advantage in total yards. Bucknell’s defense and special teams units squandered two other potential scoring chances for Penn. With less than a minute remaining in the first quarter, Sayin threw a ball to the end zone from five yards out that was tipped by Blake Leake and intercepted by Roman Pearson. It was Pearson’s first career pick. Midway through the second, Penn attempted a 33-yard field goal that was blocked by Aneesh Vyas. Vyas later blocked an extra point, and the junior now has five blocked kicks in his career. GAME NOTES With 6:02 remaining in the third quarter and Bucknell trailing by 17, Ethan Robinson intercepted a PENN BUCKNELL • Bucknell struggled to the FIRST DOWNS 28 13 Sayin pass at the Penn 44-yard line for his second pick of the season. On the very next play, Rucker Rushing 12 2 tune of just 11 yards in the climbed the pocket and threw deep to Weatherly, who hauled in the 40-yard touchdown. Weatherly’s Passing 16 9 first half before the offense other touchdown came on Bucknell’s first possession of the fourth quarter when he came in motion Penalty 0 2 came alive over the final 30 and took a shovel pass from Rucker, then weaved through traffic for 31 yards. NET YARDS RUSHING 161 8 minutes. Meanwhile, Penn Attempts 37 17 The Weatherly touchdown made it a two-score game, but the Bison were unable to slow Penn totaled 515 yards of offense down in the fourth. Trailing 37-14 with just a minute remaining in the game, Rucker connected with Avg. Per Rush 4.4 0.5 in the game. Rushing TDs 2 0 Gary for a 13-yard touchdown. It was the first time a Bison quarterback had thrown three touchdowns Yards Gained 175 45 in a game since October 2021. Rucker finished with 230 yards through the air. He was sacked four Yds. Lost 14 37 • The Quakers built a 17-0 NET YARDS Passing 354 230 times. lead before the Bison got Comp. - Att. - Int. 35-49-2 18-34-0 John Schlendorf led the Bucknell defense with 14 tackles and a pass breakup. Leake and Gavin on the board. After Bucknell Avg. / Att. 7.2 6.8 Willis posted 11 tackles each. scored to cut it to 17-7, the Avg. / Comp. 10.1 12.8 TDs 3 3 Quakers scored two more TOTAL OFFENSE YARDS 515 238 quick touchdowns in five SCORING SUMMARY Plays 86 51 minutes to take a 30-7 lead Avg. / Play 6 4.7 Team QT Time Scoring Play Conversion Plays-Yds TOP Score into the fourth quarter. Fumbles - Lost 1-0 0-0
PENN BUCKNELL
Penalties - Yards PUNTS-YARDS Avg. / Punt Net / Punt Inside 20 50+ Yards Touchbacks Fair Catch KICKOFFS-YARDS Avg. Yards / Kickoff Net Yards / Kickoff Touchbacks Fair Catch RETURNS Punt: Total - Yards - TDs Punt: Avg. / Return Kickoff: Total - Yards - TDs Kickoff: Avg. / Return INT: Total - Yards - TDs Fumble: Total - Yards - TDs MISCELLANEOUS Miscellaneous Yards Possession Time 1st Quarter 2nd Quarter 3rd Quarter 4th Quarter 3rd Down Conversions 4th Down Conversions Red-Zone Scores-Chances Touchdowns Field Goals Sacks: Total - Yards PAT: Total - Made Field Goals: Total - Made
7 0
3 0
20 7
2-20 2-69 34.5 24.0 1 0 0 0 7-392 56.0 43.3 0 22
5-39 8-335 41.9 36.5 0 0 1 1 3-170 56.7 25.0 0 0
6-23-0 3.8 4-95-0 23.8 0-0-0 0-0-0
1-21-0 21.0 5-89-0 17.8 2-5-0 0-0-0
0 41:29 10:25 11:58 9:15 9:51 9 of 17 2 of 2 5-7 4-7 1-7 4-29 4-5 1-2
0 18:31 4:35 3:02 5:45 5:09 3 of 12 1 of 1 1-1 1-1 0-1 0-0 3-3 0-0
7 `14
37 21
• Eric Weatherly scored two touchdowns for the Bison, scoring on a 40-yard reception and a 31-yard reception. Ralph Rucker also threw a 13-yard touchdown to Josh Gary.
PEN PEN PEN BUC PEN PEN BUC PEN BUC
1st 2nd 3rd 3rd 3rd 3rd 4th 4th 4th
06:54 00:24 10:24 05:54 05:13 01:12 13:27 02:57 00:56
Haight 8yd pass from Sayin Gotlieb kick Gotlieb 18yd field goal -O’Brien 2yd rush Gotlieb kick Weatherly 40yd pass from Rucker Schearer kick Richardson 7yd pass from Sayin Gotlieb kick blocked Richardson 40yd pass from Sayin Gotlieb kick Weatherly 31yd pass from Rucker Schearer kick Mulatu 1yd rush Gotlieb kick Gary 13yd pass from Rucker Schearer kick
• Penn maintained a potent passing game throughout, as Aidan Sayin completed 35 of 49 attempts for 354 yards and three touchdowns.
BUCKNELL
• Bucknell was unable to get to the quarterback, but it did record two interceptions and did not commit a turnover in the game.
Passing C-A-I Yds TD Rucker 18-34-0 230 0
Lg 40
Receiving Rec Weatherly 6 Bennett 4 Tait 2 Kreinbucher 2 Gary 1
Yds 95 58 27 21 13
Lg 40 23 19 12 13
Tackles Solo Schlendorf 7 Willis 3 Leake 5 Smith Jr. 5
Ast Total TFL Yds 7 14 1 3 8 11 --6 11 1.5 4 4 9 ---
• The Bison managed just eight net rushing yards in the contest. • Aneesh Vyas recorded a blocked field goal and a blocked extra point in the game.
4-50 12-62 9-64 1-40 2-43 4-52 8-79 9-80 10-78
01:06 05:17 03:57 00:08 00:31 01:52 02:38 05:50 01:51
0-7 0-10 0-17 7-17 7-23 7-30 14-30 14-37 21-37
TD 1 0 0 1
Lg 18 8 18 12
Avg 5.8 4.7 8.0 5.2
Passing C-A-I Yds TD Sayin 35-49-2 354 3
Lg 40
Sack 0
Receiving Rec Richardson 12 Haight 6 Owens 4 Casilli 2
Yds 139 80 33 28
Lg 40 36 12 24
Tackles Solo Fairman 3 Slackman 3 Matolcsy 3 Iuliano 1
Ast Total TFL Yds 2 5 1.0 13 2 5 3.5 13 1 4 --2 3 ---
TEAM LEADERS Rushing Baker Bennett Rucker
PENN Att 9 1 6
Yds 16 13 -19
BUCKNELLBISON.COM >> @BUCKNELL_FB >> ATTITUDE >> CHARACTER >> TOUGHNESS
TD 0 0 0
TD 2 0 0 0 1
Lg Avg 7 1.8 13 13.0 6 -3.2 Sack 4
Rushing Mulatu Cisneros Shabay O’Brien
Att 11 7 4 6
Yds 64 33 32 31
TD 2 1 0 0
2023 BUCKNELL FOOTBALL MEDIA NOTES >>>> 21
2023 GAME REPORTS: GAME 4 LAFAYETTE BUCKNELL
14 0
28 12
7 0
7 `10
56 22
Sept. 30 >> Easton, Pa. >> Fisher Stadium >> 3:30 p.m. >> Attendance: 4,283
FIRST DOWNS Rushing Passing Penalty NET YARDS RUSHING Attempts Avg. Per Rush Rushing TDs Yards Gained Yds. Lost NET YARDS Passing Comp. - Att. - Int. Avg. / Att. Avg. / Comp. TDs TOTAL OFFENSE YARDS Plays Avg. / Play Fumbles - Lost Penalties - Yards PUNTS-YARDS Avg. / Punt Net / Punt Inside 20 50+ Yards Touchbacks Fair Catch KICKOFFS-YARDS Avg. Yards / Kickoff Net Yards / Kickoff Touchbacks Fair Catch RETURNS Punt: Total - Yards - TDs Punt: Avg. / Return Kickoff: Total - Yards - TDs Kickoff: Avg. / Return INT: Total - Yards - TDs Fumble: Total - Yards - TDs MISCELLANEOUS Miscellaneous Yards Possession Time 1st Quarter 2nd Quarter 3rd Quarter 4th Quarter 3rd Down Conversions 4th Down Conversions Red-Zone Scores-Chances Touchdowns Field Goals Sacks: Total - Yards PAT: Total - Made Field Goals: Total - Made
BUCKNELL LAFAYETTE 22 28 2 14 16 11 4 3 -24 316 22 47 -1.1 6.7 1 4 42 324 66 8 333 229 31-49-1 16-24-0 6.8 9.5 10.7 14.3 2 4 309 545 71 71 4.4 7.7 1-0 0-0 9-58 7-82 4-142 3-105 35.5 35 28.0 29.7 2 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 5-302 9-404 60.4 44.9 48.4 27.4 2 1 34 0 3-16-0 5.3 4-137-0 34.3 0-0-0 0-0-0
2-30-0 15.0 1-20-0 20.0 1-25-0 0-0-0
0 25:38 8:46 7:49 4:39 4:24 6 of 15 0 of 1 3-4 2-4 1-4 1-5 1-1 1-2
0 34:22 6:14 7:11 10:21 10:36 8 of 12 1 of 1 6-6 6-6 0-6 7-49 8-8 0-0
GAME NOTES • Lafayette raced to a 28-0 lead 20 minutes into the game before Bucknell got on the board. The Leopards held a 42-12 lead at halftime. There were a combined 40 points scored in the second quarter. • Bucknell struggled to run the ball and ended up with -24 net rushing yards. QB Ralph Rucker was sacked seven times in the contest. • Lafayette ended the game with 545 yards of offense, much of which came on chunk plays including a 63yard touchdown pass. • Lafayette QB Dean DiNobile threw four touchdown passes, and four different Leopards scored on the ground.
Bucknell Football Drops Patriot League Opener on the Road at Lafayette Lafayette raced to a 42-12 halftime lead, including 28 unanswered points to begin the game, en route to a 56-22 win over Bucknell at Fisher Stadium Saturday afternoon. Bucknell scored twice in the final eight minutes of the first half to cut the deficit to 35-12, but it was as close as the Bison would get the rest of the way. The Leopards piled up 545 yards of offense in the game and limited Bucknell to negative rushing yards. The Bison posted 333 yards through the air, with Ralph Rucker throwing for 282 on 28-of-44 passing. Nick Semptimphelter entered the game late in the fourth quarter and threw for 51 yards and a touchdown. Lafayette finished the game with seven sacks compared to Bucknell’s one. Lafayette had four plays go for 30 or more yards, including two runs for over 50 yards and a 63yard touchdown pass in the second quarter. Quarterback Dean DeNobile threw for 229 yards and four touchdowns for the Leopards. Running back Jamar Curtis rushed 10 times for 106 yards and a score. Lafayette capitalized on a number of Bucknell mistakes early, including blocking a field goal early in the first quarter. The Bison had a punt blocked on the on the first play of the second quarter, setting the Leopards up at the Bucknell 42-yard line. Lafayette went on to score on a 30-yard rush later that drive. Rucker was intercepted on the following Bucknell drive, leading to a seven-play, 20-yard touchdown drive that made it 28-0. It was on the ensuing drive that the Bison finally made their way onto the scoreboard. With 10 minutes to go in the first half, Rucker hit Eric Weatherly on a 32-yard pass that set the Bison up in Lafayette territory. Four plays later Coleman Bennett scored on a three-yard rush up the middle for his first touchdown of the season. Bucknell scored again on its next drive to cut the deficit to 35-12 as Rucker went 6-of-11 for 87 yards, hitting Weatherly on a 26-yard post for the score. Weatherly pulled the pass in with one hand for his third touchdown in two weeks. He ended the game with a career-high 107 yards on seven receptions. It was Lafayette that scored last in the half, however, moving the ball 75 yards in just four plays. Lafayette slowed its offensive pace in the second half, scoring seven points in the third quarter and seven in the fourth. Bucknell put together two more scoring drives. The Bison went 69 yards on eight plays early in the fourth and finished it with a 29-yard Matt Schearer field goal. Then with just a minute to go in the game, Semptimphelter his Derrick Anderson Jr. on a 36-yard touchdown pass. It was the first touchdown reception of Anderson’s career. Josh Gary joined Weatherly with a solid game receiving, hauling in six receptions for 76 yards. Bennett finished the game with 172 all-purpose yards, posting 40 on five receptions and 137 on kick returns. He returned a kickoff 42 yards to open the second half and took another one 61 yards later in the third quarter. Blake Leake led all Bison defenders with 10 tackles.
SCORING SUMMARY Team LAF LAF LAF LAF BUC LAF BUC LAF LAF BUC LAF BUC
QT 1st 1st 2nd 2nd 2nd 2nd 2nd 2nd 3rd 4th 4th 4th
Time 05:44 02:08 13:50 10:01 08:07 05:58 02:40 01:10 01:42 10:45 02:18 01:05
Scoring Play Conversion Plays-Yds Curtis 10yd rush Simonetta kick 10-76 Conyers 1yd rush Simonetta kick 4-83 Persing 30yd pass from DeNobile Simonetta kick 4-42 Carasia 5yd pass from DeNobile Simonetta kick 7-20 Bennett 3yd rush Schearer kick blocked 6-75 Curtis 8yd pass from DeNobile Simonetta kick 5-73 Weatherly 26yd pass from Rucker fumble 12-77 Steward 63yd pass from DeNobile Simonetta kick 3-75 Edwards 2yd rush Simonetta kick 7-41 Schearer 29yd kick -8-69 Weber 9yd rush Simonetta kick 11-75 Anderson 36yd pass from Semptimphelter Schearer kick 6-61
TOP 03:35 01:38 01:02 02:30 01:54 02:09 03:18 01:30 03:46 03:11 08:27 01:13
Score 0-7 0-14 0-21 0-28 6-28 6-35 12-35 12-42 12-49 15-49 15-56 22-56
TEAM LEADERS
• Rucker threw for 282 yards and a touchdown. Weatherly hauled in seven receptions for 107 yards and a touchdown.
BUCKNELL TD 0 1 0
Lg 3 3 14
Avg 3.0 -0.8 -1.1
• QB Nick Semptimphelter entered the game late and threw a 36-yard touchdown to Derrick Anderson Jr. A 3-yard rush by Coleman Bennett accounted for Bucknell’s other touchdown. Bennett also racked up 137 kick return yards.
Passing C-A-I Yds TD Rucker 28-44-1 282 1 Semptim 3-5-0 51 1
Lg 34 36
Sack 7 0
Receiving Rec Weatherly 7 Gary 6 Anderson Jr. 2 Bennett 5 Kreinbucher 2
Yds 107 76 42 40 8
Lg 34 25 36 15 6
• Bucknell came up empty on an extra point attempt and a field goal.
Tackles Leake Smith Jr. Jamison Geter
Ast Total TFL Yds 2 10 --0 8 --1 8 2.0 6 0 6 ---
Rushing Neel Bennett Rucker
LAFAYETTE Att 1 6 13
Solo 8 8 7 6
Yds 3 -5 -14
BUCKNELLBISON.COM >> @BUCKNELL_FB >> ATTITUDE >> CHARACTER >> TOUGHNESS
TD 1 0 1 0 0
Rushing Curtis Paige Conyers Edwards Weber
Att 10 2 8 8 4
Yds 106 56 43 42 28
TD 1 0 1 1 1
Lg Avg 51 10.6 54 28.0 14 5.4 12 5.3 10 7.0
Passing C-A-I Yds TD DeNobile 16-23-0 229 4
Lg 63
Receiving Rec Steward 1 Persing 3 Carasia 6
Yds 63 59 52
Lg 63 30 19
Tackles Shaeffer Brown DuBois Forney Vaughn
Ast Total TFL Yds 1 9 5.5 40 1 5 --0 5 --0 4 --1 4 0.5 3
Solo 8 4 5 4 3
TD 1 1 1
Sack 1
2023 BUCKNELL FOOTBALL MEDIA NOTES >>>> 22
2023 GAME REPORTS: GAME 5 HOLY CROSS 17 BUCKNELL 7
17 7
7 13
14 `0
55 27
Oct. 7 >> Lewisburg, Pa. >> Mathewson-Memorial Stadium >> 1 p.m. >> Attendance:
FIRST DOWNS Rushing Passing Penalty NET YARDS RUSHING Attempts Avg. Per Rush Rushing TDs Yards Gained Yds. Lost NET YARDS Passing Comp. - Att. - Int. Avg. / Att. Avg. / Comp. TDs TOTAL OFFENSE YARDS Plays Avg. / Play Fumbles - Lost Penalties - Yards PUNTS-YARDS Avg. / Punt Net / Punt Inside 20 50+ Yards Touchbacks Fair Catch KICKOFFS-YARDS Avg. Yards / Kickoff Net Yards / Kickoff Touchbacks Fair Catch RETURNS Punt: Total - Yards - TDs Punt: Avg. / Return Kickoff: Total - Yards - TDs Kickoff: Avg. / Return INT: Total - Yards - TDs Fumble: Total - Yards - TDs MISCELLANEOUS Miscellaneous Yards Possession Time 1st Quarter 2nd Quarter 3rd Quarter 4th Quarter 3rd Down Conversions 4th Down Conversions 0 Red-Zone Scores-Chances Touchdowns Field Goals Sacks: Total - Yards PAT: Total - Made Field Goals: Total - Made
HOLY CROSS BUCKNELL 22 20 11 6 9 10 2 4 316 152 41 37 7.7 4.1 5 1 324 161 8 9 258 248 19-29-0 19-35-1 8.9 7.1 13.6 13.1 2 3 574 400 70 72 8.2 5.6 0-0 1-1 12-130 7-50 4-155 4-152 38.8 38 33.0 31.8 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 10-605 5-273 60.5 54.6 45.2 36.0 3 1 20 6 2-25-0 12.5 3-73-0 24.3 1-0-0 0-0-0
1-23-0 23.0 6-93-0 15.5 0-0-0 0-0-0
0 31:31 6:57 9:58 6:15 8:21 7 of 14 of 1 6-6 4-6 2-6 1-0 7-7 2-2
0 28:29 8:03 5:02 8:45 6:39 8 of 17 0 of 3 1-3 1-3 0-3 1-6 3-4 0-0
GAME NOTES • Holy Cross built a 34-14 lead by halftime, but Bucknell saw several opportunities to cut it to a one-possession game. Trailing 41-27 early in the fourth quarter, a Bucknell pass to the end zone went just over the receiver’s head on fourth down. The Crusaders then scored 14 points to run out the rest rest of the game. • Bucknell’s offense had its best game since the spring 2021 opener, despite turning the ball over twice and failing on three fourth-down conversions. The Bison racked up 400 yards of offense and 27 points. • Bison QB Ralph Rucker threw for 248 yards and three touchdowns - his second three-touchdown game of the season. He also ran for 38 yards. • Derrick Anderson Jr. had a breakout game, catch six passes for 115 yards and two touchdowns. Coleman Bennett had a career day as well, rushing for 106 yards and a touchdown and adding 50 receiving yards. • Holy Cross RB Jordan Fuller scored four times on the ground, and QB Matthew Sluka threw for 258 yards and two TDs. • The Crusaders totaled 574 yards of offense.
No. 12 Holy Cross Outlasts Bucknell Football in Offensive Affair Trailing 41-27, Bucknell threw to the end zone on fourth and seven early in the fourth quarter with a chance to cut No. 12 Holy Cross’ lead to a single touchdown, but Ralph Rucker’s pass sailed just over Eric Weatherly’s head, and the Crusaders went on to win 55-27 Saturday at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium. The Bison football team spent much of the afternoon on the cusp of getting the contest down to a single possession, but the Crusaders remained just out of reach. The failed fourth down conversion was one of three for the Bison, who otherwise put together one of their best offensive showings in some time. The 27 points were the most the Bison have scored since the spring 2021 season opener, as were the 400 yards of total offense they accumulated. The defense had its moments as well, stopping the Crusaders on their only fourth down attempt and forcing punts in several key moments of the game, but Holy Cross’ 574 yards of offense and 6-for-6 day in the red zone were too much to overcome. A number of Bison had career days, including Coleman Bennett. The senior running back posted his first career 100-yard rushing game, finishing with 106 on 21 carries and a touchdown. He also caught seven passes for 50 yards and returned five kickoffs for 84 yards, totaling 240 all-purpose yards. A week after hauling in his first career touchdown at Lafayette, sophomore wide receiver Derrick Anderson Jr. caught six balls for a game-high 115 receiving yards and two scores. Weatherly had a quiet game compared to his last two outings but still managed to pull down a 40yard touchdown catch and return a punt 23 yards that set up the near-touchdown in the fourth quarter. Orchestrating the offensive output was Rucker, who completed 19 of 35 pass attempts for 248 yards and three touchdowns – his second three-touchdown game of the season. The junior transfer also ran nine times for 38 yards. Holy Cross, which entered the game ranked seventh in the nation in total offense, accumulated 258 passing yards and 316 rush yards. Holy Cross running back Jordan Fuller found the end zone four times, netting 147 yards on 18 carries. Quarterback Matthew Sluka completed 19 of 28 passes for 258 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed 15 times for 128 yards. It was Sluka’s first play of the game, and the first play from scrimmage by either team, that set the Crusaders up for an early score. Sluka cut through the middle of the Bison defense for a 67-yard run, and one play later Fuller ran it in from four yards out to open the scoring. Holy Cross added a field goal before Bucknell’s offense came to life with a 47-yard touchdown run by Bennett. It was Bennett’s second touchdown of the season and the longest run of his career. As they did often throughout the game, the Crusaders responded immediately with a 55-yard touchdown pass to Jalen Coker. Bucknell scored on its first possession of the second quarter as well, as Rucker completed a 17-yard pass to Damian Harris before hitting Anderson on a 33-yard touchdown that helped the Bison draw within three of tying. Holy Cross, however, scored 17 unanswered points to close out the first half with a 34-14 lead. The Bison were at their sharpest in the third quarter. After receiving the opening kickoff of the second half, Bucknell marched 75 yards down the field on 10 plays, picking up three first downs in the process. Rucker connected with Anderson on back-to-back passes of 32 yards and seven yards, the latter being Anderson’s second touchdown and cut Holy Cross’ lead to 13. Bucknell forced a 3-and-out on the ensuing Crusaders possession, but again the Bison were unable to take advantage of the opportunity to cut it to a one-score game, turning it over on downs at the Holy Cross 48-yard line. The Crusaders made them pay, scoring just 45 seconds later thanks to two deep passes by Sluka. Bucknell saw another opportunity to draw within a touchdown late in the third quarter. Trailing 41-27, Rucker once again hit Anderson deep on a 27-yard play that got the Bison down to the Holy Cross six-yard line. Two plays later he threw a costly interception in the end zone while attempting a jump pass. Holy Cross added two more scores in the fourth quarter, including a 12-yard touchdown run by Fuller that put the game on ice with 6:12 to play, and a 70-yard Fuller touchdown with under a minute to play. Flags were another major factor in the game, as Holy Cross was penalized 12 times for 130 yards and Bucknell seven times for 50. Linebacker Blake Leake led all tacklers with 13 stops, while Tyler Alston and Connor Carretta shared one of only two sacks by either team in the game.
SCORING SUMMARY Team HOL HOL BUC HOL BUC HOL HOL HOL BUC HOL BUC HOL HOL
QT 1st 1st 1st 1st 2nd 2nd 2nd 2nd 3rd 3rd 3rd 4th 4th
Time 14:17 09:36 05:35 03:07 11:44 07:08 02:03 00:10 10:07 05:03 04:13 06:48 04:07
Scoring Play Conversion Plays-Yds Fuller 4yd rush Palenzuela kick 2-71 Palenzuela 28 yd field goal -7-38 Bennett 47yd rush Schearer kick 7-79 Coker 55yd pass from Sluka Palenzuela kick 4-71 Anderson Jr. 33yd pass from Rucker Schearer kick 7-68 Purdy 1yd rush Palenzuela kick 9-67 Fuller 1yd rush Palenzuela kick 7-34 Palenzuela 22yd field goal -9-45 Anderson Jr. 7yd pass from Rucker Schearer kick 10-75 Dickson 24yd pass from Sluka Palenzuela kick 2-52 Weatherly 40yd pass from Rucker Schearer kick missed 3-75 Fuller 12yd rush Palenzuela kick 12-77 Fuller 70yd rush Palenzuela kick 2-70
TOP 00:37 03:35 03:55 02:22 02:25 04:30 03:13 01:18 04:53 00:45 00:50 06:12 00:15
Score 0-7 0-10 7-10 7-17 14-17 14-24 14-31 14-34 21-34 21-41 27-41 27-48 47-55
Rushing Bennett Rucker Neel
Att 21 9 6
Yds 106 38 10
TD 1 0 0
Lg 47 11 4
Avg 5.0 4.2 1.7
Rushing Fuller Sluka Purdy
TD 4 0 1
Lg 70 67 16
Avg 8.2 8.1 6.2
Passing Rucker
C-A-I Yds TD 9-35-1 248 3
Lg 40
Sack 1
Passing C-A-I Yds TD Sluka 19-28-0 258 2
Lg 55
Sack 1
Receiving Rec Coker 3 Shorter 7 Shipman 2 Dickson 1
Yds 96 53 41 24
Lg 55 15 28 24
Tackles Solo Dobbs 8 Harrison-Lopez 6 Ross 6
Ast Total TFL Yds 4 12 2.0 5 2 8 2.5 3 0 2 -
TEAM LEADERS BUCKNELL
HOLY CROSS
Receiving Rec Anderson Jr. 6 Bennett 7 Weatherly 1
Yds 115 50 40
Tackles Solo Leake 9 Schlendorf 5 Robinson 6 Jamison 3
Ast Total TFL Yds 4 13 3 8 1 7 4 7 -
BUCKNELLBISON.COM >> @BUCKNELL_FB >> ATTITUDE >> CHARACTER >> TOUGHNESS
TD 2 0 1
Lg 33 14 40
Att 18 15 5
Yds 147 128 31
TD 1 0 0 1
2023 BUCKNELL FOOTBALL MEDIA NOTES >>>> 23
2023 GAME REPORTS: GAME 6 CORNELL BUCKNELL
3 0
3 7
7 7
0 7
13 21
Oct. 14 >> Ithaca, N.Y. >> Schoellkopf Field >> 1 p.m. >> Attendance: 2,142
FIRST DOWNS Rushing Passing Penalty NET YARDS RUSHING Attempts Avg. Per Rush Rushing TDs Yards Gained Yds. Lost NET YARDS Passing Comp. - Att. - Int. Avg. / Att. Avg. / Comp. TDs TOTAL OFFENSE YARDS Plays Avg. / Play Fumbles - Lost Penalties - Yards PUNTS-YARDS Avg. / Punt Net / Punt Inside 20 50+ Yards Touchbacks Fair Catch KICKOFFS-YARDS Avg. Yards / Kickoff Net Yards / Kickoff Touchbacks Fair Catch RETURNS Punt: Total - Yards - TDs Punt: Avg. / Return Kickoff: Total - Yards - TDs Kickoff: Avg. / Return INT: Total - Yards - TDs Fumble: Total - Yards - TDs MISCELLANEOUS Miscellaneous Yards Possession Time 1st Quarter 2nd Quarter 3rd Quarter 4th Quarter 3rd Down Conversions 4th Down Conversions Red-Zone Scores-Chances Touchdowns Field Goals Sacks: Total - Yards PAT: Total - Made Field Goals: Total - Made
BUCKNELL 21 8 8 5 176 50 3.5 2 205 29 153 9-21-1 7.3 17.0 1 329 71 4.6 2-1 4-40 5-205 41 36.2 3 0 1 1 4-226 56.5 31.3 0 0
CORNELL 15 5 9 1 82 32 2.6 1 106 24 200 15-26-1 7.7 13.3 0 282 58 4.9 0-0 6-75 4-161 40.2 40.3 1 1 0 0 3-178 59.3 40.3 0 0
0-0-0 NaN 3-57-0 19.0 1-2-0 0-0-0
1-4-0 4.0 4-101-0 25.3 1-33-0 0-0-0
0 30:02 7:26 6:51 6:39 9:06 7 of 14 0 of 1 3-3 3-3 0-3 1-11 3-3 0-0
0 29:58 7:34 8:09 8:21 5:54 3 of 13 0 of 2 2-2 1-2 1-2 2-17 1-1 2-3
GAME NOTES • Bucknell used a potent run game to dispatch Cornell 21-13 on the road. Bucknell trailed twice at 3-0 and 13-7 but held Cornell off the scoreboard in the fourth quarter to win its second game of the season. • Bucknell rushed for 176 yards on 50 carries and totaled 329 yards of offense. • The defense limited Cornell to just 3-for-13 on third down conversions and forced one interception. The Bison also held the Big Red to 2.6 yards per rush. • RB Coleman Bennett carried the ball 29 times for a career-best 157 rushing yards. Meanwhile, RB Rushawn Baker and QB Ralph Rucker each scored touchdowns on 1-yard runs. • Bennett posted six runs of 14 yards or more, including three runs of over 20 yards. • Rucker left the game late in the third quarter due to injury, and Nick Semptimphelter finished out the fourth quarter completing 3 of 4 passes for 54 yards and a touchdown. • DL Tyler Alston and Connor Carretta combined for a sack on Cornell’s final drive of the game, and the Big Red were stopped on fourth down to seal the victory.
Bucknell Football Pounds the Rock in 21-13 Win at Cornell
Coleman Bennett rushed for 157 yards on 29 carries to lead the Bucknell football team to a 21-13 victory over Cornell at Schoellkopf Field on Saturday. With the win, the Bison have defeated Cornell in three straight tries for the first time in the 135-year history of the series. Bucknell trailed 3-0 early on but scored touchdowns in the second, third and fourth quarters, scoring two on the ground and one through the air. The defense, meanwhile, limited Cornell to just a pair of field goals in the first half and allowed one rushing touchdown in the third. Leading by eight points with three minutes to go in the fourth quarter, punter Ruben Anderson pinned the Big Red at their own 5-yard line. Cornell reached the 41-yard line before an 11-yard sack by Tyler Alston and Connor Carretta put the Big Red’s potential game-tying drive in jeopardy. Quarterback Jameson Wang heaved the ball down field on Cornell’s last breath on fourth down, and with Roman Pearson in coverage, the Bison defense held. Bennett’s 157 rushing yards were the most in a game by a Bison since Chad Freshnock gained 174 in 2017. His 29 carries were the most since 2016. Behind Bennett was Rushawn Baker, who gutted out 21 tough yards and a touchdown after missing the last two games. Quarterback Ralph Rucker scored the other rushing touchdown before leaving the game late in the third quarter. Nick Semptimphelter led the 9-play, 75-yard drive that killed nearly four minutes in the fourth quarter and resulted in a 6-yard touchdown pass to Damian Harris that gave the Bison the 21-13 lead. Semptimphelter completed three of four pass attempts for 54 yards. In total, Bucknell held a 329-282 advantage in total offense, gaining 176 on the ground on an astounding 50 rushing attempts. The Bison did turn the ball over twice with an interception and a fumble. Wang completed 15 of 26 attempts for 200 yards. He also ran for 40 yards on 13 attempts. Three Bison hauled in passes of over 30 yards, and Bennett had six rushes of 14 yards or more. His longest of the game set up Bucknell’s first touchdown in the second quarter. The Bison were facing a 3rd-and-14 at their own 24-yard line when Bennett ripped off a 27-yard run on a draw play. Several plays later Rucker ran around the edge at the goal line to give the Bison a 7-3 lead. Cornell regained the lead on its first drive of the second half, driving 61 yards on five plays and scoring on a 5-yard rush by Wang. Bucknell responded later in the third, stringing together together an 11-play, 73-yard drive. A 39-yard pass completion from Rucker to Derrick Anderson Jr. set Bucknell up at the 6-yard line, and three plays later Baker scored his rushing touchdown. Bennett started Bucknell’s first drive of the fourth quarter with a 26-yard run, and Semptimphelter hit Christian Tait on a 12-yard pass and Eric Weatherly on a 36-yard connection. Two plays later Harris caught the 6-yard touchdown to give the Bison the 21-13 lead, and the defense made stops on two consecutive Cornell drives to end the game. Tyler Alston led the Bison with eight tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and half a sack. Deuce Geter and Chris Sims had seven tackles each. Bucknell’s lone takeaway of the game came on Cornell’s first possession, as Wang was hurried by John Schlendorf and Cade Rooney came away with his first career interception.
SCORING SUMMARY Team COR BUC COR COR BUC BUC
QT 1st 2nd 2nd 3rd 3rd 4th
Time 06:01 10:58 00:00 12:55 02:00 09:15
Scoring Play Conversion Kennedy 46yd field goal -Rucker 1yd rush Schearer kick Kennedy 35yd field goal -Wang 5yd rush Kennedy kick Baker 1yd rush Schearer kick Harris 6yd pass from Semptimphelter Schearer kick
Plays-Yds 6-12 14-89 8-26 5-61 11-73 9-75
TOP 03:10 04:33 03:10 01:58 05:03 03:50
Score 0-3 7-3 7-6 7-13 14-13 21-13
TD 1 0 0 0 0 0
Lg 20 10 7 3 3 6
Avg 3.1 4.2 2.8 3.0 1.0 0.2
Passing C-A-I Yds TD Wang 15-26-1 200 0
Lg 36
Sack 1
Receiving Rec Laboy 4 Robbert 2 Powell 1 Musungu 4
Yds 89 60 16 12
Lg 30 36 16 9
Tackles Solo Henderson 6 Taylor 4 Sloan 0 Kobo 1 Lewis III 2 Harris 2
Ast Total TFL Yds 4 10 2.0 4 5 9 1.0 2 7 7 0.5 1 5 6 1.0 7 3 5 1.0 10 3 5 1.5 3
TEAM LEADERS BUCKNELL Rushing Bennett Baker Weatherly Rucker
CORNELL Att 29 10 2 6
TD 0 1 0 1
Lg 27 5 5 5
Avg 5.4 2.1 2.0 -0.3
Passing C-A-I Yds TD Rucker 6-17-1 99 0 Semptim. 3-4-0 54 1
Lg 39 36
Sack 2 0
Receiving Rec Gary 2 Anderson Jr. 3 Weatherly 1 Fontes 1 Tait 1 Harris 1
Yds 43 41 36 15 12 6
Lg 32 39 36 15 12 6
Tackles Alston Geter Sims Smith Jr. Jamison Carretta
Ast Total TFL Yds 2 8 1.5 6 2 7 3 7 1 5 1 5 1.0 1 1 3 1.5 8
Solo 6 5 4 4 4 2
Yds 157 21 4 -22
BUCKNELLBISON.COM >> @BUCKNELL_FB >> ATTITUDE >> CHARACTER >> TOUGHNESS
TD 0 0 0 0 0 1
Rushing Wang Tillman Powell Kiser Carothers Pope
Att 13 5 4 1 3 5
Yds 40 21 11 3 3 1
TD 0 0 0 0
2023 BUCKNELL FOOTBALL MEDIA NOTES >>>> 24
2023 GAME REPORTS: GAME 7 Football Clipped by Mountain Hawks at Home, 27-18 Offensive struggles and special teams blunders made things difficult for the Bison, as Lehigh collected a 27-18 win over the Bucknell football team at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium Saturday afternoon. A 20-3 halftime lead for the Mountain Hawks lasted until late in the fourth Oct. 21 >> Lewisburg, Pa. >> Mathewson-Memorial Stadium >> 1 p.m. >> Attendance: 966 quarter when the two teams combined for three touchdowns in the final 4:17 of play. Bucknell managed 252 yards of total offense, 98 of which it gained over the final 15 minutes, as Lehigh’s pass rush and run defense kept the Bison in check. Lehigh sacked Bucknell quarterbacks four times, including three times on third down in the first half to limit the Bison to just a field goal for nearly 56 minutes. The field goal that Schearer made as time expired in the first half was the result of a big special teams play, of which there were many in the game. Both teams scored touchdowns on returns, and there was a blocked field goal by the Mountain Hawks. Bucknell fell to 2-5 (0-3 PL) on the season, and Lehigh improved to 2-6 (1-2 PL). The Bison alternated quarterbacks with Ralph Rucker sidelined with injury. Nick Semptimphelter got the start and was relieved by Tyler Beverett for most of the middle portions of the contest before reentering in the fourth quarter to lead a touchdown drive. Semptimphelter finished the game 9 of 15 for 91 yards and a touchdown pass to Derrick Anderson Jr. Beverett was 9 of 26 for 81 yards. The two quarterbacks combined for 38 yards rushing, with Semptimphelter’s 22 yards leading all Bison. Seven different Bison caught passes, with Coleman Bennett leading the way at four receptions for 51 yards. Running back Luke Yoder rushed 38 times for 138 yards and two scores to lead the Lehigh offense. The Mountain Hawks’ Brayten Silbor threw for 127 yards and was intercepted twice by the Bison. With Bucknell trailing 27-3 with 4:05 left to play in the final frame, sophomore Josh Gary returned a kickoff 88 yards for a touchdown. Bucknell made a stop on the ensuing Lehigh possession and scored once more with just 37 seconds remaining. It was two long scoring drives by the Mountain Hawks that put the Bison in an early hole to start the game. On its second possession of the game, Lehigh drove 62 yards on 12 plays before Yoder pounded it into the end zone from one yard out. On the next Mountain Hawk possession, following Schearer’s blocked 52-yard field goal attempt, they drove 67 yards on 12 plays and made a 31-yard kick to make it 10-0. Lehigh didn’t have far to go on its next drive, as Nick Peltekian returned the Bison punt 27 yards to get to the 27-yard line. Seven plays later the Mountain Hawks booted another field goal. GAME NOTES Then, after a three-and-out by the Bison offense, Peltekian returned another punt 57 yards for a LEHIGH BUCKNELL touchdown. Peltekian finished the game with 82 yards on three punt returns. • Lehigh held a 20-3 lead FIRST DOWNS 17 17 Rushing 9 4 Trailing 20-0 at the end of the half Bucknell punted away again, but this time the Mountain through most of the contest Passing 6 12 Hawks muffed it, and the Bison recovered at the Lehigh 18-yard line. Schearer made the field goal before the two teams comPenalty 2 1 from 35 yards out as time expired. bined for three touchdowns NET YARDS RUSHING 188 80 Both teams went scoreless in the third quarter and most of the way in the fourth before the in the final five minutes. Attempts 51 33 action picked up with the three combined touchdowns in the final five minutes. Still, even with Avg. Per Rush 3.7 2.4 Gary’s 88-yard touchdown return followed by a made extra point, the Bison trailed by three • Special teams were a Rushing TDs 2 0 possessions with 4:05 to play. The Bison did make good on the two-point conversion following Yards Gained 203 112 major factor in the game, as Anderson’s touchdown, as Eric Weatherly converted on an end around, but it was too little too Yds. Lost 15 32 it featured a blocked field late with 37 seconds left. NET YARDS Passing 127 172 goal, a muffed punt, a punt Roman Pearson and John Schlendorf both came up with interceptions in the game. Pearson’s Comp. - Att. - Int. 8-29-2 18-41-0 return touchdown and a kick was on an overthrown deep ball on a Lehigh third down in the third quarter. It was his second of Avg. / Att. 4.4 4.2 return touchdown. the season. Schlendorf’s was in the end zone on a Lehigh fourth-and-three, and he returned it 21 Avg. / Comp. 15.9 9.6 yards. It was Schlendorf’s first career pick. TDs 0 1 TOTAL OFFENSE YARDS 315 252 Connor Carretta led the Bison in tackles with 12, posting two for a loss, and Brad Jamison • Bucknell’s offense was Plays 80 74 followed with 11 stops. Jamison also had two pass breakups in the game. limited to 80 rushing yards Avg. / Play 3.9 3.4 and 172 passing yards. Fumbles - Lost 2-1 1-1
LEHIGH BUCKNELL
Penalties - Yards PUNTS-YARDS Avg. / Punt Net / Punt Inside 20 50+ Yards Touchbacks Fair Catch KICKOFFS-YARDS Avg. Yards / Kickoff Net Yards / Kickoff Touchbacks Fair Catch RETURNS Punt: Total - Yards - TDs Punt: Avg. / Return Kickoff: Total - Yards - TDs Kickoff: Avg. / Return INT: Total - Yards - TDs Fumble: Total - Yards - TDs MISCELLANEOUS Miscellaneous Yards Possession Time 1st Quarter 2nd Quarter 3rd Quarter 4th Quarter 3rd Down Conversions 4th Down Conversions Red-Zone Scores-Chances Touchdowns Field Goals Sacks: Total - Yards PAT: Total - Made Field Goals: Total - Made
7 0
13 3
0 0
10-70 5-191 38.2 32.4 2 1 1 3 6-359 59.8 31.0 2 0
3-45 9-279 31 19.7 1 1 1 0 3-87 29.0 18.0 0 0
3-82-1 27.3 3-33-0 11.0 0-0-0 0-0-0
1-9-0 9.0 3-133-1 44.3 2-19-0 1-0-0
0 35:30 7:58 9:31 6:47 11:14 8 of 20 1 of 3 4-5 2-5 2-5 4-26 3-3 2-3
2 24:30 7:02 5:29 8:13 3:46 5 of 17 0 of 2 2-3 1-3 1-3 0-0 1-1 1-2
7 15
27 18
• Bucknell alternated quarterbacks with Ralph Rucker sidelined due to injury. Both Semptimphelter and Beverett completed nine passes and were each sacked twice. • Lehigh running back Luke Yoder carried the ball 38 times for 138 yards and two touchdowns. Lehigh’s other touchdown was on a 57-yard punt return. • Josh Gary scored on an 88-yard kickoff return. Bucknell’s other TD was a 3-yard pass from Semptimphelter to Derrick Anderson Jr. • DT Connor Carretta led all players with 12 tackles, including two stops for loss. John Schlendorf and Roman Pearson recorded interceptions for the Bison, as Bucknell won the turnover battle 3-1.
SCORING SUMMARY Team LEH LEH LEH LEH BUC LEH BUC BUC
QT 1st 2nd 2nd 2nd 2nd 4th 4th 4th
Time 02:43 10:19 05:48 04:03 00:00 04:17 04:05 00:37
Scoring Play Yoder 1yd rush Garrido 31yd field goal Garrido 35yd field goal Peltekian 57yd punt return Schearer 35yd field goal Yoder 2yd rush Gary 88yd kickoff return Anderson Jr. 3yd pass
Conversion Garrido kick --Garrido kick -Garrido kick Schearer kick Weatherly rush
Plays-Yds 12-62 12-67 7-13 -1-0 7-18 -9-87
TOP 04:55 04:48 02:30 -00:04 03:31 -01:47
Score 0-7 0-10 0-13 0-20 3-20 3-27 10-27 18-27
TEAM LEADERS BUCKNELL
LEHIGH
Rushing Semptim. Baker Beverett
Att 6 7 9
Yds 22 21 16
TD 0 0 0
Lg 13 8 14
Avg 3.7 3.0 2.0
Rushing Yoder Silbor McFadden
Att 38 6 3
TD 2 0 0
Lg 17 13 16
Avg 3.6 4.7 7.0
Passing Semptim. Beverett
C-A-I Yds TD 9-15-0 91 1 9-26-0 81 0
Lg 15 23
Sack 2 2
Passing Silbor
C-A-I Yds TD 8-29-2 127 0
Lg 37
Sack 0
Receiving Rec Bennett 4 Gary 3 Anderson Jr. 4 Harris 3
Yds 51 35 25 24
Tackles Carretta Jamison Willis Goheen
Ast Total TFL Yds 5 12 2.0 8 6 11 4 9 4 7 -
Solo 7 5 5 3
BUCKNELLBISON.COM >> @BUCKNELL_FB >> ATTITUDE >> CHARACTER >> TOUGHNESS
TD 0 0 1 0
Lg 15 23 9 9
Yds 138 28 21
Receiving Rec Humphrey 1 McFadden 1 Johnson 2 Yoder 2
Yds 37 31 22 21
Tackles DeNucci DeMorat Peltekian Edwards
Ast Total TFL Yds 1 9 1.0 3 4 8 1.5 11 1 7 2 4 -
Solo 8 4 6 2
TD 0 0 0 0
Lg 37 31 13 15
2023 BUCKNELL FOOTBALL MEDIA NOTES >>>> 25
2023 GAME REPORTS: GAME 8 COLGATE BUCKNELL
13 7
0 27
14 9
7 6
34 49
Oct. 28 >> Hamilton, N.Y. >> Andy Kerr Stadium >> 1 p.m. >> Attendance: 4,276
FIRST DOWNS Rushing Passing Penalty NET YARDS RUSHING Attempts Avg. Per Rush Rushing TDs Yards Gained Yds. Lost NET YARDS Passing Comp. - Att. - Int. Avg. / Att. Avg. / Comp. TDs TOTAL OFFENSE YARDS Plays Avg. / Play Fumbles - Lost Penalties - Yards PUNTS-YARDS Avg. / Punt Net / Punt Inside 20 50+ Yards Touchbacks Fair Catch KICKOFFS-YARDS Avg. Yards / Kickoff Net Yards / Kickoff Touchbacks Fair Catch RETURNS Punt: Total - Yards - TDs Punt: Avg. / Return Kickoff: Total - Yards - TDs Kickoff: Avg. / Return INT: Total - Yards - TDs Fumble: Total - Yards - TDs MISCELLANEOUS Miscellaneous Yards Possession Time 1st Quarter 2nd Quarter 3rd Quarter 4th Quarter 3rd Down Conversions 4th Down Conversions Red-Zone Scores-Chances Touchdowns Field Goals Sacks: Total - Yards PAT: Total - Made Field Goals: Total - Made
BUCKNELL 29 11 18 0 206 41 5.0 3 228 22 387 33-44-0 8.8 11.7 4 593 85 7 0-0 6-50 3-91 30.3 30.3 0 0 0 2 9-437 48.6 36.0 2 4
COLGATE 24 10 13 1 200 26 7.7 3 234 34 235 28-44-2 5.3 8.4 2 435 70 6.2 1-1 2-5 4-177 44.2 44.5 1 0 0 1 4-241 60.3 32.3 0 0
3--1-0 -0.3 5-112-0 22.4 2-6-0 1-25-0
0-0-0 NaN 4-73-0 18.3 0-0-0 0-0-0
0 33:34 10:20 8:08 7:45 7:21 9 of 17 3 of 3 4-6 3-6 1-6 2-11 2-5 1-2
67 26:26 4:40 6:52 7:15 7:39 8 of 14 1 of 1 2-2 2-2 0-2 2-6 4-5 0-0
GAME NOTES • Bucknell posted 593 yards (2nd most in school history), including 400 yards in the first half to dispatch the Raiders 49-34 on the road. • The Bison scored 27 unanswered points in the second quarter. • QB Ralph Rucker completed 33 of 45 passes for a school-record 387 yards and four touchdowns. • WRs Eric Weatherly combined for 19 receptions and three touchdowns, and both were over 100 yards. • TE Charlie Kreinbucher was also on the receiving end of a Rucker TD. • RB Rushawn Baker led the team with 107 yards and a TD, and RB Coleman Bennett rushed for 91 yards and two TDs. Bennett finished the game with 233 all-purpose yards, including 112 on four kick returns. • Bucknell’s defense generated three turnovers, including two picks and a fumble. • Colgate QB Michael Brescia scored two TDs on the ground and one through the air.
Bucknell’s Offense Explodes in 49-34 Victory at Colgate Bucknell’s offense exploded to the tune of 593 total yards and seven touchdowns in a 49-34 win over Colgate on the road at Andy Kerr Stadium on Saturday. They were the most points the Bison have scored in a game since 2003, and the 593 yards are tied for second most in program history. It was Bucknell’s first Patriot League win of the season and snapped a three-game win streak for the Raiders. Leading the effort was quarterback Ralph Rucker, who posted an incredible stat line of 33 for 44 passing for 387 yards and four touchdowns. His passing yards broke the Bucknell single-game record last set in 1994. His 33 completions were the most by a Bison since 2001. Wide receivers Eric Weatherly and Josh Gary both eclipsed 100 receiving yards with 132 and 139, respectively. It was the first time since 2014 that two Bison recorded 100 yards receiving in the same game. Weatherly’s 10 receptions were the most since 2021. Bucknell’s passing game wasn’t the only thing working for the offense on Saturday. Running backs Coleman Bennett and Rushawn Baker combined for three touchdowns and both averaged over five yards per carry. Baker finished the game with 107 net yards on 18 carries and a touchdown, and Bennett registered 91 yards on 17 carries and two scores. Bennett racked up 233 all-purpose yards, adding 30 more on three receptions and 112 on four kick returns. The Bison defense made plays throughout the game as well, coming up with three takeaways. Cade Rooney grabbed his second interception in three weeks after a Jack Goheen tipped pass, Ethan Robinson intercepted his third pass of the season in the fourth quarter, and John Schlendorf scooped up a Colgate fumble and returned it 25 yards after Justin Fisher rushed a Raiders offensive lineman into quarterback Michael Brescia in the second quarter. The defense also held Colgate scoreless in the second frame. It was in the second quarter that Bucknell began to take over the game, as the Bison posted 258 yards and 27 points during those 15 minutes. Bucknell scored touchdowns on four consecutive drives in the quarter. Bucknell had over 400 yards of offense by halftime and a 34-13 lead. Both offenses were awake early in the contest and scored on the first three drives of the game. Colgate went 75 yards on eight plays on its first drive, and the Bison went 70 yards on 10 plays on their first. Bucknell’s first touchdown was a 20-yard completion to Charlie Kreinbucher. Colgate scored again on its second drive thanks to a 68-yard touchdown rush by running back Chris Gee, but it would be the last time the Raiders would score until the third quarter. In the second quarter, Bucknell’s defense limited the Raiders to 38 yards and one of five on third down attempts. The Bison, meanwhile, benefited from extremely efficient play by Rucker, Bennett and Baker. Rucker completed 14 of 16 passes for 162 yards. Bennett gained 61 yards on five carries and scored two touchdowns. His first was a 23-yarder that was set up by a 32-yard reception by Weatherly. Later in the quarter, Baker carried the ball five times for 35 yards and a four-yard touchdown run. After a 32-yard pass to Gary got the Bison into Raider territory on a later drive in the second quarter, Bennett scored again on a 31-yard carry. The Bison put an exclamation point on the half with under a minute to play, as the Schlendorf recovered fumble led to a 13-yard touchdown from Rucker to Weatherly. Bennett then scored a twopoint conversion to carry a 21-point lead into the locker rooms. The run game slowed down for Bucknell in the third quarter, but Rucker stayed hot. He connected on five of eight pass attempts for 85 more yards, including a short pass to Gary that he took 49 yards for a score. In the fourth quarter, Rucker threw a deep ball to Weatherly that went for 35 yards and another touchdown. Rucker became the first Bison to throw four touchdowns in a game since R.J. Nitti in 2015. His 387 yards broke Rob Glus’ record-383 set against Fordham in 1994. The last time Bucknell had 593 yards of offense was against Towson in 1998. The school record of 698 was set against Buffalo in 1951. Bucknell led in time of possession with 33:34 and was a perfect three for three on fourth down conversions. The Bison also converted on nine of 17 third down attempts. Special teams were another big factor on Saturday, as Bucknell had one field goal and two extra points blocked. Bennett returned a kickoff 40 yards in the third quarter.
SCORING SUMMARY Team COL BUC COL BUC BUC BUC BUC COL BUC BUC COL BUC COL
QT 1st 1st 1st 2nd 2nd 2nd 2nd 3rd 3rd 3rd 3rd 4th 4th
Time 11:28 07:20 06:33 13:54 06:28 03:49 00:21 10:11 06:08 03:38 02:14 13:39 02:33
Scoring Play Conversion Plays-Yds Brescia 26yd rush Jaworski kick 8-75 Kreinbucher 20yd pass from Rucker Schearer kick 10-70 Gee 68yd rush Jaworski kick missed 2-75 Bennett 23yd rush Schearer kick blocked 3-57 Baker 4yd rush Schearer kick 13-84 Bennett 31yd rush Schearer kick blocked 4-67 Weatherly 13yd pass from Rucker Bennett pass from Rucker 6-45 Hutchinson 13yd pass from Brescia Jaworski kick 9-63 Schearer 27yd field goal -12-34 Gary 49yd pass from Rucker Schearer kick blocked 1-49 Brescia 38yd rush Jaworski kick 4-67 Weatherly 35yd pass from Rucker Rucker pass failed 7-41 Wamp 6yd pass from Stearney Jaworski kick 12-61
TOP 03:32 04:01 00:47 00:48 05:31 01:11 00:38 03:30 03:54 00:09 01:22 03:35 04:19
Score 0-7 7-7 7-13 13-13 20-13 26-13 34-13 34-20 37-20 43-20 43-27 49-27 49-34
TEAM LEADERS BUCKNELL Rushing Baker Bennett
LEHIGH TD 1 2
Lg 20 31
Avg 5.9 5.4
Rushing Gee Brescia
Passing C-A-I Yds TD Rucker 33-44-0 387 4
Lg 49
Sack 2
Receiving Rec Gary 9 Weatherly 10 Harris 7 Kreinbucher 1
Lg 49 35 13 20
Passing C-A-I Yds TD Brescia 21-35-2 184 1 Stearney 7-9-0 51 1
Lg 25 15
Receiving Rec Hurleman 7 Hutchison 4 Moore 5
Yds 74 50 34
Lg 24 25 13
Tackles Frankel Luther Hamlin
Ast Total TFL Yds 4 9 --5 7 --2 7 ---
• RB Chris Gee rushed for a team-high 106 yards, includ- Tackles ing a 68-yard TD run. Willis Robinson Jamison
Att 18 17
Solo 5 7 3
Yds 107 91
Yds 139 132 56 20
TD 1 2 0 1
Ast Total TFL Yds 4 9 --1 8 1.0 3 2 5 0.5 3
BUCKNELLBISON.COM >> @BUCKNELL_FB >> ATTITUDE >> CHARACTER >> TOUGHNESS
Att 8 8
Solo 5 2 5
Yds 106 53
TD 1 2
TD 0 1 0
Lg Avg 68 13.3 38 6.6 Sack 2 1
2023 BUCKNELL FOOTBALL MEDIA NOTES >>>> 26
2023-24 Bucknell Football Overall Team Statistics All games
Team Statistics Scoring Points per game Points Off Turnovers First Downs Rushing Passing Penalty Rushing Yardage Yards gained rushing Yards lost rushing Rushing attempts Average per rush Average per game TDs Rushing Passing Yardage Comp-Att-Int Average per pass Average per catch Average per game TDs Passing Total offense Total plays Average per play Average per game Kick returns: #-Yards Punt returns: #-Yards Int returns: #-Yards Kick return average Punt return average Int return average Fumbles-Lost Penalties-Yards Average per game Punts-Yards Average per punt Net punt average Kickoffs-Yards Average per kick Net kick average Time of possession / game 3rd-down conversion 3rd-down pct 4rd-down conversion
BUCKNELLBISON.COM >> @BUCKNELL_FB >> ATTITUDE >> CHARACTER >> TOUGHNESS
Page 1/2 as of Oct 31, 2023
BUCK 182 22.8 24 152 45 89 18 833 1099 266 280 3.0 104.1 8 1893 162-277-3 6.8 11.7 236.6 16 2726 557 4.9 340.8 29-660 13-97 8-38 22.8 7.5 4.8 8-5 49-437 54.6 50-1857 37.1 29.9 35-1773 50.7 31.3 27:50 47/120 39% 4/12
OPP 273 34.1 24 176 79 83 14 1599 1759 160 315 5.1 199.9 20 1798 153-255-8 7.1 11.8 224.8 15 3397 570 6.0 424.6 23-496 24-304 3-58 21.6 12.7 19.3 6-2 50-477 59.6 34-1335 39.3 35.4 51-2788 54.7 34.4 32:10 53/116 46% 5/12
2023 BUCKNELL FOOTBALL MEDIA NOTES >>>> 27
2023-24 Bucknell Football Overall Team Statistics All games BUCK 33% 12-80 0 25 4-7 0-1 (17-23) 74% (14-23) 61% (16-20) 80% (2-5) 40% 5402 4/1351 -
4rd-down pct Sacks by-Yards Misc Yards Touchdowns scored Field goals - attempts On-Side kicks Red-zone scores Red-zone touchdowns PAT-attempts 2-point conversion-attempts Attendance Games / Avg per game Neutral site games Score by Periods Team 1st Bucknell 21 Opponents 64
2nd 59 78
Page 2/2 as of Oct 31, 2023
3rd 36 62
4th 66 69
OT 0 0
TOT 182 273
BUCKNELLBISON.COM >> @BUCKNELL_FB >> ATTITUDE >> CHARACTER >> TOUGHNESS
OPP 42% 26-167 0 36 8-13 0-3 (31-38) 82% (24-38) 63% (33-35) 94% (0-1) 0% 34457 4/8614 0/0
2023 BUCKNELL FOOTBALL MEDIA NOTES >>>> 28
2023-24 Bucknell Football Individual Statistics All games Rushing
Punt Returns
Page 1/3 as of Oct 31, 2023
Player
gp
att
gain loss
net avg
td
lg
avg/g
Player
no.
yds
avg
td
lg
Coleman Bennett
8
102
458
36
422
4.1
4
47
52.8
Ethan Robinson
10
44
4.4
0
15
Rushawn Baker
6
77
346
33
313
4.1
3
30
52.2
Eric Weatherly
2
44
22.0
0
23
Ralph Rucker
7
62
195
124
71
1.1
1
17
10.1
TJ Cadden
1
9
9.0
0
9
Paul Neel
8
10
21
2
19
1.9
0
6
2.4
Total
13
97
7.5
0
23
Tyler Beverett
1
8
29
13
16
2.0
0
14
16.0
Opponents
24
304
12.7
1
57
Eric Weatherly
8
5
12
9
3
0.6
0
6
0.4
Nick Semptimphelter
5
8
38
36
2
0.3
0
13
0.4
Roman Pearson
8
1
0
0
0
0.0
0
0
0.0
Player
no.
yds
avg
td
lg
Team
8
7
0
13
-13
-1.9
0
0
-1.6
Ethan Robinson
3
17
5.7
0
6
Total
8
280
1099
266
833
3.0
8
47
104.1
Cade Rooney
2
2
1.0
0
2
Opponents
8
315
1759
160
1599
5.1
20
70
199.9
Roman Pearson
2
-2
-1.0
0
0
John Schlendorf
1
21
21.0
0
21
Total
8
38
4.8
0
21
Opponents
3
58
19.3
0
33
Passing pct
yds td
lg avg/g
Interceptions
Player
gp
effic comp-att-int
Ralph Rucker
7
138.2
Nick Semptimphelter
5
156.7
17-28-0 60.7
202
3 36
40.4
Tyler Beverett
1
60.8
9-26-0 34.6
81
0 23
81.0
Player
no.
yds
avg
td
lg
Total
8
132.8
162-277-3 58.5 1893 16 49 236.6
Coleman Bennett
20
461
23.1
0
61
Opponents
8
132.4
153-255-8 60.0 1798 15 63 224.8
Eric Weatherly
4
66
16.5
0
22
TJ Cadden
3
45
15.0
0
24
Rushawn Baker
1
0
0.0
0
0
136-223-3 61.0 1610 13 49
230.0
Receiving
Kick Returns
Player
gp
no.
yds
avg
td
lg
avg/g
Josh Gary
1
88
88.0
1
88
Eric Weatherly
8
30
467
15.6
6
40
58.4
Total
29
660
22.8
1
88
Coleman Bennett
8
29
296
10.2
0
29
37.0
Opponents
23
496
21.6
0
50
Damian Harris
8
29
301
10.4
2
32
37.6
Josh Gary
8
25
328
13.1
2
49
41.0
Derrick Anderson Jr.
6
16
227
14.2
4
39
37.8
Charlie Kreinbucher
8
8
70
8.8
2
20
8.8
Christian Tait
8
6
57
9.5
0
19
7.1
Rushawn Baker
6
5
39
7.8
0
17
6.5
Okeyo Ayungo
6
5
39
7.8
0
18
6.5
Adam Barakat
6
3
23
7.7
0
16
3.8
Paul Neel
8
3
16
5.3
0
9
2.0
Kyle Fontes
4
1
15
15.0
0
15
3.8
Alex Brown
6
1
4
4.0
0
4
0.7
TJ Cadden
7
1
11
11.0
0
11
1.6
Total
8
162
1893
11.7
16
49
236.6
Opponents
8
153
1798
11.8
15
63
224.8
Fumble Returns Player
no.
yds
avg
td
lg
John Schlendorf
1
25
25.0
0
25
Christian Spugnardi
1
0
0.0
0
0
Total
2
25
12.5
0
25
Opponents
5
0
0.0
0
0
BUCKNELLBISON.COM >> @BUCKNELL_FB >> ATTITUDE >> CHARACTER >> TOUGHNESS
2023 BUCKNELL FOOTBALL MEDIA NOTES >>>> 29
2023-24 Bucknell Football Individual Statistics All games
Page 2/3 as of Oct 31, 2023
Scoring
Total Offense PAT Player g plays rush pass total avg/g Player td fg kick rush rcv pass dxp saf pts Ralph Rucker 7 285 71 1610 1681 240.1 8 102 422 0 422 52.8 Eric Weatherly 6 1 - 38 Coleman Bennett 6 77 313 0 313 52.2 Matt Schearer 4-7 16-20 - 28 Rushawn Baker 2 202 204 40.8 Coleman Bennett 4 - 1 - 26 Nick Semptimphelter 5 36 1 34 16 81 97 97.0 Derrick Anderson Jr. 4 - 24 Tyler Beverett 8 10 19 19 2.4 0 Rushawn Baker 3 - 18 Paul Neel 8 5 3 3 0.4 0 Josh Gary 3 - 18 Eric Weatherly 8 0 -13 -13 -1.6 0 Damian Harris 2 - 12 Team Charlie Kreinbucher 2 - 12 Total 8 557 833 1893 2726 340.8 Ralph Rucker 1 1 6 Opponents 8 570 1599 1798 3397 424.6 Total 25 4-7 16-20 1 1 1 0 0 182 Opponents 36 8-13 33-35 0 0 0 0 0 273 Punting Player no. yds avg lg tb fc i20 50+ blk Field Goals Ruben Anderson 48 1857 38.7 56 5 4 9 6 0 2 Player fg pct. 01-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-99 lg blk Team 2 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 Matt Schearer 4-7 57.1 0-0 2-3 1-1 1-2 0-1 49 2 Total 50 1857 37.1 56 5 4 9 6 2 34 1335 39.3 65 2 9 11 3 1 Opponents 8-13 61.5 1-1 2-2 4-6 1-3 0-1 46 1 Opponents FG Sequence Team Name James Madison Lafayette Lehigh Colgate VMI Penn Holy Cross Cornell
Bucknell (49) 41,(29) 52,(35) 29,(27)
Opponents (36) (31),(35),42
Kickoffs Player Ryan Schatzel Total Opponents
50,32 33,(18) (28),(22) (46),(35),44
Numbers in (parentheses) indicate field goal was made
BUCKNELLBISON.COM >> @BUCKNELL_FB >> ATTITUDE >> CHARACTER >> TOUGHNESS
no. yds avg 35 1773 50.7 35 1773 50.7 51 2788 54.7
tb ob retn net ydln 5 1 5 1 23 31.3 33 11 3 29 34.4 30
2023 BUCKNELL FOOTBALL MEDIA NOTES >>>> 30
2023-24 Bucknell Football Individual Statistics All games All Purpose Player
g
rush
rcv
pr
kr
ir total avg/g
Coleman Bennett
8
422
296
0 461
0 1179 147.4
Eric Weatherly
8
3
467
44
66
0
580
72.5
Josh Gary
8
0
328
0
88
0
416
52.0
Rushawn Baker
6
313
39
0
0
0
352
58.7
Damian Harris
8
0
301
0
0
0
301
37.6
Derrick Anderson Jr.
6
0
227
0
0
0
227
37.8
Ralph Rucker
7
71
0
0
0
0
71
10.1
Charlie Kreinbucher
8
0
70
0
0
0
70
8.8
TJ Cadden
7
0
11
9
45
0
65
9.3
Ethan Robinson
6
0
0
44
0 17
61
10.2
Christian Tait
8
0
57
0
0
0
57
7.1
Okeyo Ayungo
6
0
39
0
0
0
39
6.5
Paul Neel
8
19
16
0
0
0
35
4.4
Adam Barakat
6
0
23
0
0
0
23
3.8
John Schlendorf
8
0
0
0
0 21
21
2.6
Tyler Beverett
1
16
0
0
0
0
16
16.0
Kyle Fontes
4
0
15
0
0
0
15
3.8
Alex Brown
6
0
4
0
0
0
4
0.7
Nick Semptimphelter 5
2
0
0
0
0
2
0.4
Cade Rooney
8
0
0
0
0
2
2
0.3
Roman Pearson
8
0
0
0
0
-2
-2
-0.3
Team
8
-13
0
0
0
0
-13
-1.6
Total
8
833 1893
Opponents
8 1599 1798 304 496 58 4255 531.9
97 660 38 3521 440.1
BUCKNELLBISON.COM >> @BUCKNELL_FB >> ATTITUDE >> CHARACTER >> TOUGHNESS
Page 3/3 as of Oct 31, 2023
2023 BUCKNELL FOOTBALL MEDIA NOTES >>>> 31
2023-24 Bucknell Football Overall Defense Statistics All games
Team Defense ## 33 34 45 13 6 0 9 2 26 28 44 47 14 15 52 20 22 99 90 50 3 1 38 80 63 76 73 18 7 84 10 95 4 96 31 25 81 61
Player Brad Jamison Blake Leake John Schlendorf Gavin Willis Alex Smith Jr. Connor Carretta Ethan Robinson Tyler Alston Deuce Geter Chris Sims Mike Bright Jr. Jack Goheen Roman Pearson Cade Rooney Jack Barnes Mason Taylor Donquarius Parker Justin Fisher Aneesh Vyas Nick Hoying Coleman Bennett Eric Weatherly Brad Gerken TJ Cadden Jack Inserra Ashton Sempervive Mason Jones Bradley Pao Quentin Lemon Sam Milligan Ryan Schatzel Grant Laws Danny Meuser Patrick Quinlivan Drew Cormier Derrick Anderson Jr. Christian Spugnardi Ryan Jedlicka Totals Opponents
gp 8 6 8 8 8 8 6 7 6 8 8 8 8 8 8 2 8 7 3 8 8 8 5 7 3 6 7 8 8 7 8 8 1 3 6 6 8 7 8 8
ua 34 33 32 18 27 20 30 18 21 16 10 10 10 5 4 6 5 5 5 7 5 2 3 2 . . 1 1 1 1 1 . 1 . 1 1 1 .
337 308
Tackles a tot 28 62 20 53 16 48 24 42 15 42 17 37 4 34 14 32 9 30 9 25 11 21 11 21 4 14 8 13 8 12 3 9 4 9 4 9 4 9 1 8 2 7 3 5 . 3 . 2 2 2 2 2 . 1 . 1 . 1 . 1 . 1 1 1 . 1 1 1 . 1 . 1 . 1 1 1
226 236
563 544
Page 1/1 as of Oct 31, 2023
Sacks Pass defense Fumbles blkd tfl/yds no-yds int-yds brup qbh fr-yds ff kick saf 5.5-21 3-17 . 3 2 . . . . 3.5-12 1-7 . . 1 . . . . 3.5-14 1-9 1-21 6 1 1-25 . . . 0.5-1 . . 1 1 . . . . . . . 1 . . 1 . . 7.5-37 3-23 . 1 5 . . . . 3-5 . 3-17 3 . . . . . 2-13 1-9 . . 6 . . . . . . . 3 . . . . . . . . 2 . . . . . 4.5-16 2-10 . . 5 . . . . . . . 1 . . . 1 . . . 2--2 6 . . . . . 1-1 . 2-2 . . . . . . 1.5-6 . . 1 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.5-2 0.5-2 . . 1 . . . . 0.5-0 . . 1 . . . 2 . 1.5-6 0.5-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-0 . . . . . . . . . . . .
35-134 62-254
12-80 26-167
BUCKNELLBISON.COM >> @BUCKNELL_FB >> ATTITUDE >> CHARACTER >> TOUGHNESS
8-38 3-58
29 39
23 31
2-25 1 5-0 5
3 6
0 0
2023 BUCKNELL FOOTBALL MEDIA NOTES >>>> 32
2023-24 Bucknell Football Team Game Highs All games Bucknell - Game Highs RUSHES
YARDS RUSHING
YARDS PER RUSH TD RUSHES
50 at Cornell (10/14/2023)
206 at Colgate (10/28/2023) 5.0 at Colgate (10/28/2023) 3 at Colgate (10/28/2023)
PASS ATTEMPTS
49 at Lafayette (09/30/2023)
YARDS PASSING
387 at Colgate (10/28/2023)
PASS COMPLETIONS YARDS PER PASS TD PASSES
TOTAL PLAYS
33 at Colgate (10/28/2023)
8.8 at Colgate (10/28/2023) 4 at Colgate (10/28/2023)
85 at Colgate (10/28/2023)
TOTAL OFFENSE
593 at Colgate (10/28/2023)
POINTS
49 at Colgate (10/28/2023)
YARDS PER PLAY SACKS BY
7.0 at Colgate (10/28/2023) 6 VMI (09/09/2023)
FIRST DOWNS
29 at Colgate (10/28/2023)
PENALTY YARDS
85 VMI (09/09/2023)
PUNTS
9 Lehigh (10/21/2023) 9 at James Madison (09/02/2023)
PENALTIES
TURNOVERS
PUNTING AVG LONG PUNT
PUNTS INSIDE 20
LONG PUNT RETURN
9 at Lafayette (09/30/2023) 2 at Cornell (10/14/2023) 2 Holy Cross (10/07/2023)
41.9 Penn (09/23/2023)
56 at Lafayette (09/30/2023) 3 at Cornell (10/14/2023)
23 Holy Cross (10/07/2023)
BUCKNELLBISON.COM >> @BUCKNELL_FB >> ATTITUDE >> CHARACTER >> TOUGHNESS
Page 1/1 as of Oct 31, 2023
2023 BUCKNELL FOOTBALL MEDIA NOTES >>>> 33
2023-24 Bucknell Football Opponent Match Highs All games Opponent - Game Highs RUSHES
YARDS RUSHING YARDS PER RUSH TD RUSHES
51 Lehigh (10/21/2023)
316 Holy Cross (10/07/2023) 316 at Lafayette (09/30/2023) 7.7 Holy Cross (10/07/2023) 5 Holy Cross (10/07/2023)
PASS ATTEMPTS
49 Penn (09/23/2023)
YARDS PASSING
354 Penn (09/23/2023)
PASS COMPLETIONS YARDS PER PASS TD PASSES
TOTAL PLAYS
35 Penn (09/23/2023)
9.5 at Lafayette (09/30/2023) 4 at Lafayette (09/30/2023)
86 Penn (09/23/2023)
TOTAL OFFENSE
574 Holy Cross (10/07/2023)
POINTS
56 at Lafayette (09/30/2023)
YARDS PER PLAY SACKS BY
FIRST DOWNS PENALTIES
PENALTY YARDS TURNOVERS PUNTS
PUNTING AVG LONG PUNT
PUNTS INSIDE 20
LONG PUNT RETURN
8.2 Holy Cross (10/07/2023)
7 at Lafayette (09/30/2023)
28 at Lafayette (09/30/2023) 28 Penn (09/23/2023) 12 Holy Cross (10/07/2023)
130 Holy Cross (10/07/2023) 3 at Colgate (10/28/2023) 3 Lehigh (10/21/2023) 9 VMI (09/09/2023)
49.3 at James Madison (09/02/2023) 65 at Cornell (10/14/2023) 3 VMI (09/09/2023)
57 Lehigh (10/21/2023)
BUCKNELLBISON.COM >> @BUCKNELL_FB >> ATTITUDE >> CHARACTER >> TOUGHNESS
Page 1/1 as of Oct 31, 2023
2023 BUCKNELL FOOTBALL MEDIA NOTES >>>> 34
2023-24 Bucknell Football Individual Game Highs All games Bucknell - Individual Game Highs RUSHES
Page 1/1 as of Oct 31, 2023
29 Coleman Bennett at Cornell (10/14/2023)
YARDS RUSHING
157 Coleman Bennett at Cornell (10/14/2023)
LONG RUSH
47 Coleman Bennett vs Holy Cross (10/07/2023)
TD RUSHES
PASS ATTEMPTS PASS COMPLETIONS
2 Coleman Bennett at Colgate (10/28/2023)
44 Ralph Rucker at Colgate (10/28/2023) 44 Ralph Rucker at Lafayette (09/30/2023) 33 Ralph Rucker at Colgate (10/28/2023)
YARDS PASSING
387 Ralph Rucker at Colgate (10/28/2023)
LONG PASS
49 Ralph Rucker at Colgate (10/28/2023)
YARDS RECEIVING
139 Josh Gary at Colgate (10/28/2023)
LONG RECEPTION
49 Josh Gary at Colgate (10/28/2023)
TD PASSES
RECEPTIONS
TD RECEPTIONS
PUNTS
PUNTING AVG LONG PUNT
PUNTS INSIDE 20
4 Ralph Rucker at Colgate (10/28/2023)
10 Eric Weatherly at Colgate (10/28/2023) 2 Eric Weatherly at Colgate (10/28/2023) 2 Derrick Anderson Jr. vs Holy Cross (10/07/2023) 2 Eric Weatherly vs Penn (09/23/2023) 9 Ruben Anderson vs Lehigh (10/21/2023)
47.3 Ruben Anderson at Lafayette (09/30/2023) 56 Ruben Anderson at Lafayette (09/30/2023) 3 Ruben Anderson at Cornell (10/14/2023)
LONG PUNT RETURN
23 Eric Weatherly vs Holy Cross (10/07/2023)
TACKLES
14 John Schlendorf vs Penn (09/23/2023)
LONG KICKOFF RETURN SACKS
TACKLES FOR LOSS
88 Josh Gary vs Lehigh (10/21/2023)
2 Connor Carretta vs VMI (09/09/2023)
2.5 Connor Carretta vs VMI (09/09/2023)
BUCKNELLBISON.COM >> @BUCKNELL_FB >> ATTITUDE >> CHARACTER >> TOUGHNESS
2023 BUCKNELL FOOTBALL MEDIA NOTES >>>> 35
2023-24 Bucknell Football Opponent Individual Match Highs All games Opponent - Individual Game Highs RUSHES
Page 1/1 as of Oct 31, 2023
38 Luke Yoder vs Lehigh (10/21/2023)
YARDS RUSHING
147 Jordan Fuller vs Holy Cross (10/07/2023)
LONG RUSH
70 Jordan Fuller vs Holy Cross (10/07/2023)
TD RUSHES
PASS ATTEMPTS
PASS COMPLETIONS
4 Jordan Fuller vs Holy Cross (10/07/2023)
49 Aidan Sayin vs Penn (09/23/2023) 35 Aidan Sayin vs Penn (09/23/2023)
YARDS PASSING
354 Aidan Sayin vs Penn (09/23/2023)
LONG PASS
63 Dean Denobile at Lafayette (09/30/2023)
YARDS RECEIVING
139 Jared Richardson vs Penn (09/23/2023)
LONG RECEPTION
63 Elijah Steward at Lafayette (09/30/2023)
LONG FIELD GOALS
46 Jackson Kennedy at Cornell (10/14/2023)
TD PASSES
RECEPTIONS
TD RECEPTIONS FIELD GOALS
PUNTS
PUNTING AVG LONG PUNT
PUNTS INSIDE 20
LONG PUNT RETURN
LONG KICKOFF RETURN TACKLES SACKS
TACKLES FOR LOSS INTERCEPTIONS
4 Dean Denobile at Lafayette (09/30/2023)
12 Jared Richardson vs Penn (09/23/2023) 2 Jared Richardson vs Penn (09/23/2023)
2 Nick Garrido vs Lehigh (10/21/2023) 2 Jackson Kennedy at Cornell (10/14/2023) 2 Luis Palenzuela vs Holy Cross (10/07/2023) 8 Jack Culbreath vs VMI (09/09/2023)
49.3 Ryan Hanson at James Madison (09/02/2023) 65 Jackson Kennedy at Cornell (10/14/2023) 3 Jack Culbreath vs VMI (09/09/2023)
57 Nick Peltekian vs Lehigh (10/21/2023) 50 Isaac Shabay vs Penn (09/23/2023) 50 Ivan Thorpe vs VMI (09/09/2023)
12 Jacob Dobbs vs Holy Cross (10/07/2023)
3.5 Billy Shaeffer at Lafayette (09/30/2023) 5.5 Billy Shaeffer at Lafayette (09/30/2023)
1 Brody Kidwell at Cornell (10/14/2023) 1 Terrence Spence vs Holy Cross (10/07/2023) 1 Neriyan Brown at Lafayette (09/30/2023)
BUCKNELLBISON.COM >> @BUCKNELL_FB >> ATTITUDE >> CHARACTER >> TOUGHNESS
2023 BUCKNELL FOOTBALL MEDIA NOTES >>>> 36
2023-24 Bucknell Football Games Played All games ## Player 0 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 8 9 9 10 10 11 12 13 13 14 14 15 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 49 50 51 51 52
Connor Carretta Marques Owens Eric Weatherly Tyler Alston Coleman Bennett Danny Meuser Christian Tait Alex Smith Jr. Quentin Lemon Jeff Odongo Alex Brown Michael Hardyway Ethan Robinson Ryan Schatzel Ralph Rucker Damian Harris Luke Freeman Tyler Beverett Gavin Willis Nick Semptimphelter Roman Pearson Cade Rooney Daniel Shuster Caleb Gillen Aidan Mack Bradley Pao England Allen Mason Taylor Paul Neel Donquarius Parker Rushawn Baker Josh Gary Derrick Anderson Jr. Deuce Geter Ray Russell Chris Sims Okeyo Ayungo Princeton Cahee Drew Cormier Finn Sposato Brad Jamison Blake Leake Takai Whitmore Anthony DiLascio David LoGrasso Brad Gerken Kyle Dowgin Charlie McIntyre Nick Severin Sam DeLuca Owen Garwood Mike Bright Jr. John Schlendorf Michael Crabtree Jack Goheen Tyler Bower Nick Hoying Will Ohler Kalun Blair Jack Barnes
GP-GS 8/8 0/0 8/5 7/6 8/5 1/0 8/1 8/8 8/0 2/0 6/0 0/0 6/6 8/0 7/7 8/8 0/0 1/0 8/4 5/1 8/6 8/6 0/0 5/0 0/0 8/0 0/0 2/2 8/0 8/0 6/3 8/0 6/1 6/4 0/0 8/4 6/6 0/0 6/0 0/0 8/8 6/6 0/0 1/0 0/0 5/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 8/8 8/8 0/0 8/0 0/0 8/0 0/0 0/0 8/2
JMU
START ... START START XXX XXX XXX START XXX ... XXX ... START XXX START START ... ... XXX XXX START START ... XXX ... XXX ... START XXX XXX START XXX ... ... ... XXX START ... XXX ... START START ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... START START ... XXX ... XXX ... ... XXX
VMI
START ... XXX START XXX ... XXX START XXX ... XXX ... START XXX START START ... ... XXX ... START START ... XXX ... XXX ... START XXX XXX START XXX XXX ... ... XXX START ... ... ... START START ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... START START ... XXX ... XXX ... ... XXX
Penn
START ... XXX START XXX ... XXX START XXX ... ... ... START XXX START START ... ... START ... START XXX ... ... ... XXX ... ... XXX XXX START XXX ... XXX ... XXX START ... XXX ... START START ... ... ... XXX ... ... ... ... ... START START ... XXX ... XXX ... ... XXX
Laf
START ... START XXX START ... XXX START XXX ... XXX ... START XXX START START ... ... XXX XXX XXX XXX ... XXX ... XXX ... ... XXX XXX ... XXX XXX START ... START START ... XXX ... START START ... XXX ... ... ... ... ... ... ... START START ... XXX ... XXX ... ... START
HolyCr START ... START START START ... XXX START XXX ... XXX ... START XXX START START ... ... START XXX XXX START ... XXX ... XXX ... ... XXX XXX ... XXX XXX XXX ... START START ... XXX ... START START ... ... ... XXX ... ... ... ... ... START START ... XXX ... XXX ... ... XXX
CU
START ... START START START ... XXX START XXX XXX ... ... ... XXX START START ... ... START XXX START START ... ... ... XXX ... ... XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX START ... START START ... XXX ... START ... ... ... ... XXX ... ... ... ... ... START START ... XXX ... XXX ... ... XXX
Lehigh START ... XXX START START ... XXX START XXX ... XXX ... ... XXX ... START ... XXX XXX START START START ... XXX ... XXX ... ... XXX XXX XXX XXX START START ... START ... ... ... ... START START ... ... ... XXX ... ... ... ... ... START START ... XXX ... XXX ... ... XXX
Colg
START ... START ... START ... START START XXX XXX XXX ... START XXX START START ... ... START ... START START ... ... ... XXX ... ... XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX START ... XXX ... ... XXX ... START ... ... ... ... XXX ... ... ... ... ... START START ... XXX ... XXX ... ... START
BUCKNELLBISON.COM >> @BUCKNELL_FB >> ATTITUDE >> CHARACTER >> TOUGHNESS
Page 1/2 as of Oct 31, 2023
2023 BUCKNELL FOOTBALL MEDIA NOTES >>>> 37
2023-24 Bucknell Football Games Played All games ## Player 53 54 55 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 65 67 68 69 70 71 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99
Tim Andersen Harrison Shepherd Mark Dunckle Ryan O'Connor Mark Mulhern Peyton Wilp Aidan Catania Sean Quarterman Kieran Coscia Ryan Jedlicka Matt Schearer Jack Inserra Zack Tarburton Nathan Natoli D.K. Kim Dominic DiBlasio Xavier Allen Fredrick Sturgis Mason Jones Casey Stephenson Jake Guy Ashton Sempervive Ethan Pitzel John Ohnegian Rowan McGwin TJ Cadden Christian Spugnardi Charlie Kreinbucher Rourke Kennedy Sam Milligan Adam Barakat James Poulos Kyle Fontes Colby Grames Nathaniel Carson Anthony DiMarco Aneesh Vyas Matt Karic Daniel Sierk Aidan Davenport Nick Niemynski Grant Laws Patrick Quinlivan Dara Adeyemi Ruben Anderson Justin Fisher
GP-GS 0/0 2/1 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 7/6 6/0 7/0 8/0 3/0 5/5 5/2 2/0 0/0 7/5 6/1 7/4 7/6 0/0 6/0 0/0 7/7 4/0 7/0 8/0 8/8 0/0 7/0 6/0 0/0 4/2 0/0 3/0 0/0 3/2 0/0 7/0 7/0 0/0 8/0 3/0 0/0 8/0 7/0
JMU
... XXX ... ... ... ... ... START XXX ... XXX ... ... ... ... ... XXX ... ... XXX ... ... ... ... XXX XXX XXX START ... XXX XXX ... XXX ... ... ... ... ... XXX XXX ... XXX ... ... XXX XXX
VMI
... START ... ... ... ... ... ... ... XXX XXX ... START ... ... ... ... START START ... ... ... ... START XXX ... XXX START ... XXX XXX ... START ... ... ... XXX ... XXX XXX ... XXX ... ... XXX XXX
Penn
... ... ... ... ... ... ... START ... XXX XXX XXX ... START ... ... XXX XXX START START ... XXX ... START ... XXX XXX START ... ... XXX ... START ... ... ... START ... XXX ... ... XXX ... ... XXX ...
Laf
... ... ... ... ... ... ... XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX START XXX ... ... START XXX START START ... XXX ... START ... XXX XXX START ... XXX XXX ... ... ... XXX ... START ... XXX XXX ... XXX XXX ... XXX XXX
HolyCr ... ... ... ... ... ... ... START XXX XXX XXX ... START XXX XXX ... START XXX XXX START ... XXX ... START XXX XXX XXX START ... XXX XXX ... ... ... XXX ... ... ... XXX XXX ... XXX ... ... XXX XXX
CU
... ... ... ... ... ... ... START XXX XXX XXX ... START ... ... ... START ... XXX START ... XXX ... START ... XXX XXX START ... XXX ... ... XXX ... ... ... ... ... XXX XXX ... XXX XXX ... XXX XXX
Lehigh ... ... ... ... ... ... ... START XXX XXX XXX ... START XXX XXX ... START XXX START START ... XXX ... START XXX XXX XXX START ... XXX ... ... ... ... XXX ... ... ... XXX XXX ... XXX XXX ... XXX XXX
Colg
... ... ... ... ... ... ... START XXX XXX XXX XXX ... START ... ... START XXX XXX START ... XXX ... START ... XXX XXX START ... XXX XXX ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... XXX ... XXX ... ... XXX XXX
BUCKNELLBISON.COM >> @BUCKNELL_FB >> ATTITUDE >> CHARACTER >> TOUGHNESS
Page 2/2 as of Oct 31, 2023