SCHEDULE/RESULTS
Aug.
Sept. 14
BUCKNELL UNIVERSITY
2024 BISON FOOTBALL MEDIA NOTES
Sept. 28 at Lehigh* (2OT) 38-35 W
Oct. 12 at Penn 31-21 L
Oct. 19 CORNELL (HC) 34-21 L
Oct. 26 at Georgetown* 2 p.m.
Nov. 2 LAFAYETTE* 1 p.m.
Nov. 9 FORDHAM* 1 p.m.
FOLLOW THE BISON
Streaming ESPN+
Play-By-Play/Color Jeremy Huber/Colleen McNamara
Internet Audio BucknellBison.com
Radio Bison Sports Network
Flagship
1070 AM (WKOK)
Play-By-Play/Color Doug Birdsong/Charlie Fisher
Twitter @Bucknell_FB
Instagram @Bucknell_FB
Hashtag #ACT | #rayBucknell
MEDIA INFORMATION
MID-WEEK INTERVIEWS: All interview requests for Cecchini and Bison players should be directed to Jon Terry at terry@bucknell.edu or 570-577-3121.
POST-GAME INTERVIEWS: After the NCAAmandated 10-minute “cooling off” period, Cecchini and Bison players will be available for interviews. Check with the host SID for interview location. Please submit player requests to Jon Terry no later than five minutes before the end of regulation.
CREDENTIAL REQUESTS: Requests for media credentials at Bucknell home games are required and are issued to working members of the press only. Season credentials will be granted to media members who cover Bucknell football on a regular basis. Requests for single-game credentials should arrive no later than three days prior to the game. All singlegame credentials may be picked up in the Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium press box on game day. Please contact Jon Terry to request a credential.
Pos. No. Name
QB 10 Ralph Rucker IV
PROJECTED BUCKNELL STARTERS
QB 9 Michael Hardyway
6-0
6-0
Completed 68.4% of passes with 11 TDs, 4 INT; missed Cornell game
Made 1st career start last week, threw for 214 yards, 2 TDs RB 7 Tariq Thomas
WR 17 Nate Anderson
WR 3 Josh Gary Jr. 5-11
WR 2 Eric Weatherly Jr. 5-8
LT 70 Xavier Allen So. 6-5
LG 74 Casey Stephenson 5th 6-2
C 78 John Ohnegian Jr. 6-2
RG 75 Jake Guy
RT 56 Mark Mulhern
TE 82 Charlie Kreinbucher
Pos. No. Name
Sr. 6-2
So. 6-6
Jr. 6-5
PL Rookie of Week after last 3 games; Jerry Rice Award Watch List
265 yards on 23 receptions this season; TDs at Navy & Penn
210 Career-high 13 catches at Penn; 3 of 27 grabs in 2024 are for TDs
180 7 TDs in 2023 and 10 TDs in 18 games as a Bison
315 Made 7 starts at left tackle as a freshman and started all 7 games this year
300 12th multi-year captain in team history, one of two 5th-yr. seniors, 26 starts
304 Captain, 18 consecutive starts, team’s 2023 Most Outstanding Lineman Award
314 21 starts, missed 2023 with injury, start at VMI was 1st since Nov. 19, 2022
331 Made 1st career start at Penn
260 23 starts, 12 rec. for 95 yds and 3 TDs last season; receiving TD vs. Marist
Cl. Ht. Wt. Fast Fact
DE 52 Jack Barnes Sr. 6-2
N 15 Cade Rooney Sr. 6-3
DE 90 Aneesh Vyas
LB 33 Brad Jamison
Sr. 6-2
Sr. 6-2
LB 13 Gavin Willis So. 6-0
LB 23 Nick Hoying
S 45 John Schlendorf
So. 6-0
Sr. 5-10
S 20 Mason Taylor Sr. 6-2
S 6 Alex Smith Jr. Sr. 6-2
CB 5 Roman Pearson Jr. 6-2
CB 16 Aaron Davis Jr. 5-11
Pos. No. Name
PK 62 Matt Schearer
Ht.
245 7 career starts, 75 career tackles, 14 tackles and 2 TFL this season
295 15 career starts, 2 INTs last season, 14 tackles and 1 TFL this season
300 23 career starts, 2 passes batted down this season, 5 career blocked kicks
240 Captain, 2nd Tm All-PL, 2023 team tackles leader, 31 tackles & 2 sacks this year
230 Team-high 71 tackles; career-high 19 tackles last week vs. Cornell
207 Team’s No. 3 tackler this season with 53 (3 TFL); INT at Navy
195 29 consecutive starts (leads team), 1 PBU and sack-fumble at VMI, 54 tackles
195 Missed 9 games with injury in 2023, 16 career starts, 19 tackles this year
210 Captain, 21 starts, 5 career INTs, 30 tackles this year, pick-6 vs. Marist
195 14 starts, 1 INT and 6 pass breakups in 2023, 22 tackles, 6 PBUs this season
190 Led all NCAA divisions with 21 PBUs at Wheeling in 2023; 3 INTs this season
Fast Fact
5-11 187 2x Preseason All-PL; career-long 50yd FG in 2022; 26-27 PAT, 1-7 FG in 2024
KO 96 Juan Garanton Fr. 5-11 170 Averaging 56.3 yards on 24 KOs this season (2 TB)
P 62 Matt Schearer Jr. 5-11 187 Averaging 42.9 per punt, No. 2 in PL PR 80 TJ Cadden
2 PR TDs this season, 16.1 average is No. 5 in FCS 2 Eric Weatherly
2 punt returns of 21 and 23 yds in 2023, 3 returns this season KR 80 TJ Cadden
3 Josh Gary
LS 61 Ryan Jedlicka
100yd KOR TD at Lehigh; 28.8 average ranks No. 7 in FCS
3 career kickoff returns, returned an 88-yd touchdown vs. Lehigh in 2023
GENERAL INFORMATION
Location
Lewisburg, Pa.
Founded (Enrollment) 1846 (3,950)
Affiliation
NCAA Division I
Nickname Bison
Colors ........................................................................................ Blue and Orange
Conference The Patriot League
President Dr. John C. Bravman
Vice President/Athletics & Recreation
ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS
Jermaine Truax
Associate AD/Football Contact Jon Terry
E-Mail terry@bucknell.edu
Office 570-577-3121
Cell 570-850-9603
Web BucknellBison.com
Athletics Twitter (Football Twitter) @Bucknell_Bison (@Bucknell_FB)
Athletics Instagram (Football Instagram) BucknellBison (Bucknell_FB)
Athletics Facebook ................................................................... Bucknell Athletics
COACHING & SUPPORT STAFF
Head Coach Dave Cecchini
Alma Mater Lehigh University, ‘95
Record at Bucknell 16-39 (6th season)
Career Record 33-77 (11th season)
Offensive Coordinator John Bear
Defensive Coordinator Chris Bowers
Special Teams Coordinator Brad Jarman
Assistant Coaches Vinny Giacalone, McNeil Parker, Sean Pearson, Braelon Roberts, Jalen Banks, Codey Cole, Ashley Cornwell, Roger Wright-Lester
Strength & Conditioning Coach Mark Kulbis
Video Coordinator ........................................................................... Kiem LeGrant
Athletic Trainers Kaiti Hager, Rayna Murphy, Maddy Miller
Equipment Manager Liel Karstetter
FOOTBALL HISTORY
First Season 1883
All-Time Record 618-633-51
All-Time Patriot League Record ............................................................. 83-128-1
Patriot League Championships 1 (1996)
MAC Championships 1 (1965)
Lambert Cup Titles 2 (1960,1964)
AP All-Americans 59 (most recent Alex Pechin, ’19)
AFCA All-Americans 12 (most recent Alex Pechin, ’19)
Academic All-Americans 25 (most recent Rick Mottram, ’19)
NFL Draft Picks 7 (most recent Julién Davenport, ’17)
NFL in 2024 Julién Davenport ’16 (Falcons), Abdullah Anderson ’17 (Titans)
TEAM
INFORMATION
2024 Patriot League Preseason Poll 7th
2023 Record 4-7
2023 Patriot League Record (Finish).................................................... 1-5 (T-6th)
Offensive Starters Returning/Lost 6/5
Defensive Starters Returning/Lost 6/5
Letterwinners Returning/Lost 42/32
Newcomers 33
Captains Brad Jamison, John Ohnegian, Alex Smith Jr., Casey Stephenson
Returning All-Patriot League Selections Brad Jamison (LB) (2nd Team in 2023)
2024 Preseason All-Patriot League Selections Matt Schearer (K)
After back-to-back losses to two good Ivy League teams, the Bison are eager to dive back into Patriot League play this Saturday at Georgetown. Bucknell has five games remaining in the regular season, and all five are conference clashes.
The Bison started Patriot League play with a thrilling 38-35 double-overtime win at Lehigh on Sept. 28. Holy Cross sits atop the standings with a 2-0 record, followed by Bucknell at 1-0, and then Georgetown, Lafayette, and Colgate are all 1-1. This is an interesting week, as the two unbeatens play at two of the 1-1 teams (Holy Cross at Lafayette; Bucknell at Georgetown), and the two winless teams (0-1 Lehigh and 0-2 Fordham) also meet.
If recent history is any indication, overtime could be in the cards again this week in D.C., as Bucknell and Georgetown have gone to OT in each of the last two seasons. The Bison won 24-21 at Cooper Field two seasons ago, and then last year the Hoyas prevailed 50-47 in an absolutely bonkers game in Lewisburg. The Bison trailed 37-15 late in the third quarter after the Hoyas hit a 95-yard TD pass, but then Bucknell stormed back with 29 unanswered points to take a 44-37 lead. Georgetown tied it with 1:45 remaining, and in OT the Hoyas answered a Bucknell field goal with a touchdown to win it. It was the second-highest scoring game in Bucknell history.
The Hoyas come in with a 4-3 record and a 1-1 mark in the Patriot League. Georgetown was impressive in a 17-0 shutout win on the road at defending champion Lafayette two weeks ago, but last week they traveled again and fell 38-28 at Colgate. Georgetown started the season 2-0 with wins over Davidson and Marist, dropped two straight against Sacred Heart and Brown, and then edged Columbia 20-17 to wrap up non-league play.
HAPPY 100TH BIRTHDAY, CMMS!
• Bucknell Athletics is proudly celebrating Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium’s 100th anniversary season in 2024. The actual 100th anniversary of the first game ever played in the facility was last Friday. On Oct. 18, 1924, Bucknell lost its Homecoming game to Lafayette 21-3. It was one of only two losses in an 8-2 season.
• Over the course of 10 decades, the historic landmark has played host to more than 450 football games along with countless other athletic events and community gatherings. The Bison are celebrating a century of tradition throughout the 2024-25 academic year
• The picturesque Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium was dedicated in 1924 and was known originally as Memorial Stadium as a tribute to Bucknell’s numerous war veterans. The stadium underwent a major renovation in 1989, and at that time it was rededicated to honor the iconic Christy Mathewson, who was a three-sport star and model student-athlete during his playing days at Bucknell.
• Bucknell is 256-188-10 all-time at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium.
WITH A VICTORY, BUCKNELL WOULD...
• ... snap a two-game losing streak and climb back to .500 at 4-4 on the season.
• start Patriot League play 2-0 for the first time since the COVID-modified 2021 spring season, and for the first time in a “normal” year since a 3-0 start in 2014.
• ... improve to 3-2 on the road this season.
• ... improve to 21-14-1 all-time against Georgetown and 14-8-1 against the Hoyas in D.C.
THOMAS IN GOOD COMPANY
• Freshman RB Tariq Thomas eaned his third Patriot League Rookie of the Week honor on Monday, and on Wednesday he was one of 30 players named to the Jerry Rice Award Watch List. The Jerry Rice Award, which is named after the legendary Hall of Fame wide receiver, is presented to the Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) Rookie of the Year.
• Montana’s Eli Gillman received the award last season, and past recipients include familiar names such as Shedeur Sanders (Jackson State 2021), Trey Lance (North Dakota State 2019), Chase Edmonds (Fordham 2014), and Cooper Kupp (Eastern Washington 2013).
• Thomas has captured the Patriot League Rookie of the Week honor after each of Bucknell’s last three games. Last week against Cornell he ran for a career-high 94 yards on nine carries – an average of 10.4 yards per carry.
• Thomas has started each of Bucknell’s last six games, and over the last three he has amassed 228 yards on the ground. The Springfield, Mass., native has now earned Rookie of the Week citations after the last three games against Lehigh, Penn, and Cornell. The only week in which he did not win the award was when the Bison were on a bye.
BUCKNELL AT A GLANCE
• The Bison might be wise not to play blackjack anytime soon. Bucknell is 0-4 this season and 2-6 over the last two seasons when scoring exactly 21 points.
• Gavin Willis recorded a career-high 19 tackles against Cornell on Saturday. That is the highest total by a Bucknell player since Evan Byers had 23 against VMI in 2014, and it is the second-highest total by an FCS player in 2024. Blake Gotcher of Northwestern State logged
INDIVIDUAL HONORS & AWARDS
BRANDON BIAGIARELLI (10) 2024
• Patriot League Rookie of Week (9/9)
TJ CADDEN (80) 2024
• 3X Patriot League Special Teams Player of Week (9/9), (9/23), (9/30)
• 2X Stats Perform FCS National Special Teams Player of Week honorable mention (9/9), (9/23)
JUSTIN FISHER (99) 2021
• Patriot League Rookie of Week (9/6)
• HM STATS National Freshman of Week (9/6)
BRAD JAMISON (33) 2024
• NFF Campbell Trophy Smifinalist 2023
• Second Team All-Patriot League
RALPH RUCKER (10) 2024
• Patriot League Offensive Player of Week (9/23) 2023
• Patriot League Offensive Player of Week (10/30)
MATT SCHEARER (62) 2024
• Preseason All-Patriot League Team 2023
• Preseason All-Patriot League Team 2022
• Two-time Patriot League Rookie of Week (10/24), (11/14)
TARIQ THOMAS (7) 2024
• Three-time Patriot League Rookie of Week (9/30, 10/14, 10/21)
• Jerry Rice Award Watch List (FCS Rookie of Year)
ANEESH VYAS (90) 2023
• Patriot League Special Teams Player of Week (9/25)
GAVIN WILLIS (13) 2024
• Patriot League Player of Week (9/30)
• Stats Perform FCS National Defensive Player of Week honorable mention (9/30)
START CHART
John Schlendorf 29 (29)
Casey Stephenson 26 (16)
Charlie Kreinbucher 23 (21)
Aneesh Vyas 23 (6)
Alex Smith Jr. 21 (18)
Jake Guy 21 (6)
John Ohnegian 18 (18)
Brad Jamison 17 (3)
Ralph Rucker IV 16 (0)
Mason Taylor 16 (7)
Cade Rooney 15 (8)
Xavier Allen 14 (7)
Eric Weatherly 14 (7)
Roman Pearson 14 (7)
Josh Gary 14 (7)
Gavin Willis 13 (7)
Fredrick Sturgis 13 (0)
Mason Jones 8 (0)
Nathan Natoli
(0)
Jack Barnes 7 (3)
Marques Owens
Christian Spugnardi
Chris Sims
Deuce Geter ...................................
(0)
(0)
(0)
BISON NOTES
23 tackles against Prairie View A&M earlier this season, and Campbell’s Jalen Brooks also had 19 in a game against William & Mary.
• Willis is now second in the Patriot League in tackles per game (10.1), trailing only Colgate’s Cole Kozlowski (11.1), and he is one of only seven FCS players averaging double-digit tackles.
FCS Leaders, Tackles Per Game
1. Blake Gotcher, Northwestern State 13.8
2. Garret Oliendieck, Indiana State 11.5
3. Cole Kozlowski, Colgate 11.1
4. Kimal Clark, Central Connecticut State 10.4
5. Evan DiMaggio, Furman 10.3
Andrew Jones, Grambling 10.3
7. Gavin Willis, Bucknell 10.1
8. Noah Martin, Samford 9.7
9. Frankie Monte, Holy Cross 9.6
10. Jalen Brooks, Campbell 9.6
• The Bison rank second in the Patriot League in points (27.3) and third in total yards (361.7) per game, and they lead the league in passing yards (237.1) per game. Nationally, the Bison are 59th out of 123 FCS teams in total offense but only 110th in red zone offense, so finishing drives is a focus moving into the home stretch of the season.
• Pressuring the quarterback is something to watch on Saturday, as Georgetown has been one of the best teams in the nation in both getting to the opposing QB and protecting its own. The Hoyas rank third nationally with 3.0 sacks per game, and they rank eighth in FCS with only 0.9 sacks allowed per game. Georgetown’s QBs have only been sacked six times all year, compared with 26 by Bucknell’s QBs.
(0)
(0) Kyle Fontes
Tariq Thomas
Nate Anderson
Aaron Davis
Nick Hoying
William Caneer
Grant Laws
Brad Gerken
Mark Mulhern
Michael Hardyway
Jack Goheen
TJ Cadden
Takai Whitmore
Justin Fisher
Paul Neel
(6)
(4)
(4)
(4)
(0)
(0)
(0)
(2)
(1)
(0)
(0)
(0)
(0)
(0)
Derrick Anderson Jr. 1 (0)
Danny Meuser 1 (0)
Note: Number in parentheses indicates streak of consecutive starts
• TJ Cadden is in the midst of a historic special teams season for the Bison, as he added to his two punt return touchdowns with a 100-yard kickoff return TD at Lehigh. Cadden leads the nation in return TDs and ranks seventh in kickoff return average (28.8) and fifth in punt return average (16.1).
• Cadden ranks fourth in the Patriot League in touchdowns with six. In addition to the three return scores, he also has three TD receptions as a wide receiver. Cadden’s 121.9 all-purpose yards per game lead the league.
• Michael Cadden, a freshman, is TJ’s younger brother. Both have reached the end zone this season. Michael scored on a 2-yard run in the Navy game on opening day.
• WR Eric Weatherly surpassed the 1,000 mark in career receiving yards as a Bison against Cornell. Weatherly is in his second season at Bucknell after transferring from Duke.
• QB Ralph Rucker IV is in his second season leading the Bison offense after transferring from Oklahoma. Rucker missed last week’s game against Cornell with an injury, but in 16 games at Bucknell he has thrown for more than 3,800 yards, he has completed 64.0% of his passes, and he has 32 touchdown passes against only nine interceptions. The 32 TD tosses are thirdmost in team history, and his 3,803 passing yards rank 10th all-time.
• The Bison were picked to finish seventh in the 2024 Patriot League Football Preseason Poll after finishing the 2023 campaign in a tie for sixth with a 4-7 (1-5 PL) record.
• K Matt Schearer was named to the 2024 Preseason All-Patriot League Team for a second season in a row. The Bison also landed eight on the Phil Steele 2024 Patriot League Preseason All-Conference Team.
• Bucknell is in its sixth season under head coach Dave Cecchini, who was voted as the Patriot League Dick Biddle Coach of the Year during the 2021 spring campaign for leading the Bison to a spot in the first-ever Patriot League Championship Game following the abbreviated season. Cecchini’s team is coming off a record-setting campaign in 2023 that saw the offense average 38.8 points per game over the final four contests.
• Bucknell returned a total of 42 letterwinners in 2023, a group that includes two fifth-year seniors, 18 seniors, 14 juniors and eight sophomores. 11 Bison are three-time letterwinners, and fifth-year RB Danny Meuser is a four-time letterwinner. Bucknell lost 32 letterwinners last year.
• Bucknell welcomed 33 newcomers this season, including 27 freshmen. Five newcomers transferred to Bucknell.
• The Bison welcomed a host of new faces to the staff during the offseason: special teams coordinator/linebackers coach Brad Jarman, running backs coach Jalen Banks, defensive line coach Codey Cole, assistant offensive line coach/run game analyst Ashley Cornwell, defensive quality control/cornerbacks coach Roger Wright-Lester, and video coordinator Kiem LeGrant.
• Fifth-year senior OL Casey Stephenson, senior LB Brad Jamison, senior S Alex Smith Jr., and junior OL John Ohnegian were selected by their teammates to serve as team captains for the 2024 season. Stephenson is just the 12th multi-year captain in program history.
• The “CD” stickers Bucknell is wearing on its helmets are to honor fallen teammate Calvin Dickey, who tragically passed away in July.
PATRIOT LEAGUE SCHEDULE/RESULTS
Saturday, Oct. 19 at Yale 38, Lehigh 23 at Harvard 35, Holy Cross 34 at Lafayette 31, Sacred Heart 17 at Colgate 38, Georgetown 28 Cornell 34, at Bucknell 21
Saturday, Oct. 26
Fordham at Lehigh, 12 Colgate at Merrimack, 1 Holy Cross at Lafayette, 1:30 Bucknell at Georgetown, 2
Saturday, Nov. 2 Lehigh at Georgetown, 12:30
Lafayette at Bucknell, 1 Colgate at Fordham, 1
Saturday, Nov. 9
Lehigh at Holy Cross, 12 Lafayette at Colgate, 1 Fordham at Bucknell, 1
PATRIOT LEAGUE PRESEASON POLL
INSIDE THE BUCKNELL DEPTH CHART
• Bucknell’s projected starters on offense have made a combined 151 starts at Bucknell.
• Bucknell’s projected starters on defense have made a combined 164 starts at Bucknell.
• On offense, one fifth-year (OL Casey Stephenson), one senior, seven juniors, one sophomore, and one freshman are expected to start.
• On defense, seven seniors, two juniors and two sophomores are expected to start.
• 17 Bison have made at least 10 starts entering Saturday’s game. S John Schlendorf leads the team with 29 career starts. Schlendorf is joined by five other Bison that have started 20 or more games: Stephenson, TE Charlie Kreinbucher, DL Aneesh Vyas, DB Alex Smith Jr., and OL Jake Guy.
• 13 Bison in total have made their first career starts this season. The latest was QB Michael Hardyway last week against Cornell
• Five Bison have starting streaks of 10 or more games in a row: Schlendorf (29), Kreinbucher (21), S Alex Smith Jr. (18), OL John Ohnegian (18), and Stephenson (16).
• Seniors Schlendorf and Smith Jr. have played in all 40 of the team’s games over their three-plus seasons.
IN THE RECORD BOOK
• TJ Cadden became just the third Patriot League player to return two punts for touchdowns in a single season, and his three total return touchdowns in a season is a school and league record.
• Cadden’s 100-yard kickoff return at Lehigh was just the second 100-yard play of any kind in Bucknell history. A.J. Kizekai had a 100-yard kickoff return against Lafayette in 2008.
• QB Ralph Rucker in 2023 set single-season records for passing completions (211), passing yards (2,537) and total yards (2,667). He also tied the single-season passing touchdowns mark (21).
• Rucker also tied for the second-most touchdown passes in a game (4) and set the record for the most passing yards in a single game (387). At VMI this season, Rucker became just the second Bucknell quarterback with three 300-yard passing games in his career, joining Jim Given ’87.
• On Bucknell’s all-time career lists, Rucker now ranks third in touchdown passes (32), 10th in passing yards (3803), and ninth in completions (328) — all in just 16 games played.
• Rucker’s .640 career completion percentage would be a school record. The current record is .631 by Daris Wilson from 2001-04.
• WR Eric Weatherly tied for fifth in single-season receiving touchdowns in 2023 with seven.
• Bucknell’s 400 passing attempts in 2023 were second-most in program history behind the 426 attempts in 2019. The team’s 242 completions, 2,854 passing yards and 24 touchdown passes were each records.
MILESTONES TO WATCH
• Ralph Rucker IV needs 10 touchdown passes to tie Scott Auchenbach’s school record of 42, which has stood since 1989.
• Rucker needs 197 passing yards for 4,000 in his career.
• Eric Weatherly needs 20 catches for 100 in his career.
• Josh Gary needs 142 receiving yards to reach 1,000 in his career and 25 catches to reach 100 in his career.
• Derrick Anderson Jr. needs 8 receiving yards to reach 500 for his career.
BISON AWARD WINNERS
• The National Football Foundation announced the 203 semifinalists for the 2024 William V. Campbell Trophy®, college football’s premier scholar-athlete award. Bucknell senior linebacker Brad Jamison was among the semifinalists this year. Only Bucknell and Dayton have had a Campbell Trophy semifinalist each of the past 19 years.
PATRIOT LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Week Player Honor Statistics
9/9 TJ Cadden STPOTW 40yd punt return TD, 141 all-purpose 9/9 Brandon Biagiarelli ROTW 3 tackles, 1 sack
9/23 Ralph Rucker IV OPOTW 272 yards, 3 TDs, 77.8% compl.
9/23 TJ Cadden STPOTW 73yd punt return TD, 1 rec. TD
9/30 Gavin Willis DPOTW 9 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 FR
9/30 TJ Cadden STPOTW 100yd KO return TD
9/30 Tariq Thomas ROTW 77 rush yards
10/14 Tariq Thomas ROTW 57 rush yards, 2 TDs 10/21 Tariq Thomas ROTW 9 carries, 94 yards
Ryan Sakamoto, Patriot League Media Relations Director
• Bucknell has earned eight Patriot League weekly awards this season.
• TJ Cadden has twice been an honorable mention for Stats Perform FCS National Special Teams Player of the Week this season, and Gavin Willis earned the same distinction on defense after the Lehigh game.
• The Bison returned one All-Patriot League player, LB Brad Jamison.
• K Matt Schearer was named to the Preseason All-Patriot League Team in July. It was his second time being named to the Preseason All-Patriot League Team after earning the honor in 2023 as well.
• Eight Bison were named to the 2024 Phil Steele Patriot League Preseason All-Conference Team: K Schearer (1st Tm), LB Jamison (2nd Tm), QB Ralph Rucker (3rd Tm), WR Eric Weatherly (3rd Tm), OL Xavier Allen (3rd Tm), OL Casey Stephenson (3rd Tm), OL John Ohnegian (3rd Tm) and S John Schlendorf (3rd Tm).
• The Bison lost First Team All-Patriot League CB Ethan Robinson as well as First Team All-Patriot League KR and Second Team All-League RB Coleman Bennett from last season.
• Bucknell returned one of its three Academic All-Patriot League honorees from last season: OL Ohnegian.
HEAD COACH DAVE CECCHINI
• Dave Cecchini, one of the all-time great wide receivers in Patriot League history who has since gone on to achieve tremendous success in the coaching ranks, was named the 27th Bob Odell Head
PLAYERS
1. Marques Owens MARCUS
4. Danny Meuser MUE-zer
6. Christian Petruzzello PET-tra-ZELL-oh
7. Tariq Thomas ta-REEK
9. Michael Hardyway HARDY-way
10. Brandon Biagiarelli
BEE-ah-jer-REL-ee
14. Takai Whitmore ta-KYE
18. Bradley Pao POW
22. Nick Severin SEV-rin
24. Rostand Olama ROE-stond o-LA-ma
25. JJ Sebert SEE-burt
26. Deuce Geter GEE-tur (hard G)
28. Anthony DiLascio di-LASS-ee-oh
30. William Caneer ca-NEER
31. Drew Cormier COR-meer
32. Finn Sposato spo-SA-to
33. Brad Jamison JAM-i-son
35. Charlie Meehleib MEE-lybe
40. Charlie McIntyre MACK-in-tire
41. Jack Bohm-Squicciarini BOME squich-a-REE-nee
44. Caden Allard KAY-den AL-ard
45. John Schlendorf SCHLEN-dorf
49. Jason Ussery US-erry
56. Mark Mulhern MULL-hern
57. Jack Inserra in-SERR-a
58. Aidan Catania cuh-TAHN-ya
59. Dante Mascio MASS-ee-oh
60. Kieran Coscia KEE-ran KOSHA
61. Ryan Jedlicka jed-LICK-uh
66. Herschel Johal JOE-hall
67. Gustav Steffelin GOO-stav STEFF-eh-linn
76. Ashton Sempervive semper-VEE-vee
78. John Ohnegian oh-NEE-gee-ann (hard G)
81. Christian Spugnardi spug-NAR-dee
82. Charlie “Chuck” Kreinbucher CRANE-buck-er
90. Aneesh Vyas uh-NEESH VEE-oss
92. Daniel Sierk SEE-rk
94. Nick Niemynski ni-MIN-ski
96. Juan Garanton GARE-on-TONN
97. Dara Adeyemi DAR-uh ah-dee-YEM-ee
98. Seo Buffington SAY-oh
COACHES
Dave Cecchini cha-KEE-nee
Vinny Giacalone JACK-a-loan
Mark Kulbis ......................................................................................... KUL-bis
Braelon Roberts BRAY-lon
BISON NOTES
Football Coach at Bucknell University on February 6, 2019.
• Cecchini was voted as the 2021 Spring Patriot League Dick Biddle Coach of the Year for guiding the team to a spot in the Patriot League Championship Game. In addition, he was selected as a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Award, presented by STATS to the FCS Coach of the Year, for the second time in his career.
• In his first season at the helm, Cecchini led the Bison to a third-place finish in the Patriot League, their highest placement since they were the 2014 runners-up. Their Patriot League victories came over defending champion Colgate (32-14), rival Lehigh (20-10) and Georgetown (2017); two of their three league losses came by a touchdown or less.
• In 2017 while at Valparaiso, Cecchini was a finalist for the American Football Coaches Association’s FCS National Coach of the Year and the STATS FCS Coach of the Year awards; he was also voted as the Pioneer Football League Coach of the Year and the AFCA FCS Region 4 Coach of the Year.
• Since arriving at Bucknell, Cecchini’s players have combined to earn 24 All-Patriot League First/ Second Team awards as well as one First Team All-American.
2023 IN REVIEW
• Bucknell went 4-7 (1-5 PL) during the 2023 campaign but saw noticeable improvements in several areas, including a potent offense that set several school records. The four wins were the most in a single season by the Bison since 2017.
• The Bison earned wins over VMI, Cornell, Colgate and Marist. The 49-34 victory over Colgate was arguably the team’s best performance, as it posted 593 total yards and seven touchdowns. They were the most points the Bison had scored since 2003, and the 593 total yards tied for second in program history.
• Bucknell was also competitive in most of its losses, including a heartbreaking 50-47 overtime thriller against Georgetown, a narrow 27-21 loss at Fordham, and a decent first-half showing in the season opener at James Madison before the Dukes went on to start the season 10-0.
• Bucknell set program records for single-season passing yards (2,854), passing touchdowns (24), and average yards per game (259.45). Quarterback Ralph Rucker set records for single-season completions (211), passing yards (2,537), total yards (2,667) and tied the single-season passing touchdowns mark (21). He also set several single-game highs.
• Bucknell got stronger toward the end of the season, averaging 38.8 points over the final four contests.
• Three Bison earned All-Patriot League honors at the end of the 2023 campaign. Cornerback Ethan Robinson landed on the First Team, linebacker Brad Jamison landed on the Second Team, and Coleman Bennett received First Team honors as a kick returner and Second Team honors as a running back.
FACILITY UPGRADES
• The Bison officially opened the doors to the Pascucci Team Center on April 15, 2024, completing a plethora of enhancements in and around Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium in recent years that were made possible through the generous support of Michael Pascucci ’58, P’81, P’87, G’21, G’22.
• Standing prominently between the turf practice field and the north end zone of the stadium, the new facility is a 16,000-square-foot athletics hub that features a state-of-the-art strength and conditioning facility with an expansive weight room that overlooks the turf practice field. Adjacent to the weight room is a sports medicine center.
• Specifically designed to bridge the practice and game-day fields, the team center’s south facade offers sweeping views of Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium. Inside, a spacious team meeting room and conference room allows teams to review film and gather for off-field training and learning events. A Bison Fuel station ensures convenient access to nutritious snacks, supplements and hydration.
• Earlier phases of the project included the installation of a modern LED video board at the south end zone of Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium in 2021 and the completion of a turf practice field in 2022.
• The Bucknell football team’s locker room, located within Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium, was also redone over the summer and includes brand-new lockers, a player’s lounge, and more.
HOW TO FOLLOW THE BISON
• All of Bucknell’s games this season will be broadcast on ESPN+ with the exception of the season opener at Navy, which was shown on CBS Sports Network.
• All of the Bison’s games are aired on local radio on WKOK 1070 AM. The broadcast will also be available for internet streaming on BucknellBison.com.
• Bucknell is active on X (@Bucknell_FB) and Instagram (Bucknell_FB). Interact with the team using the hashtags #ACT and #rayBucknell.
UP NEXT
• Bucknell will play its next two games and three of its final four at home. The Bison host Lafayette next Saturday at 1 p.m.
BUCKNELL TWO DEEP VS. GEORGETOWN OFFENSE
DEFENSE SPECIAL TEAMS
WIDE RECEIVER
3 — Josh Gary (Jr. / 5-11 / 210 / Upper Marlboro, Md.)
84 — Sam Milligan (So. / 6-3 / 220 / Swathmore, Pa.)
LEFT TACKLE
70 — Xavier Allen (So. / 6-5 / 315 / Silver Spring, Md.)
60 Kieran Coscia (Jr. / 6-3 / 300 / Pittsfield, Mass.)
LEFT GUARD
74 — Casey Stephenson (5th. / 6-2 / 300 / Philadelphia, Pa.)
73 — Mason Jones (Sr. / 6-6 / 326 / Franklin, Tenn.)
CENTER
78 — John Ohnegian (Jr. / 6-2 / 304 / Ramsey, N.J.)
71 — Fredrick Sturgis (Sr. / 6-4 / 300 / Cincinnati, Ohio)
RIGHT GUARD
75 — Jake Guy (Sr. / 6-2 / 314 / Philadelphia, Pa.)
53 — Tim Andersen (So. / 6-2 / 295 / Madison, N.J.)
RIGHT TACKLE
56 — Mark Mulhern (So. / 6-6 / 331 / Chicago, Ill.)
77 — Nathan Natoli (Jr. / 6-6 / 295 / Olney, Md.)
TIGHT END
82 — Charlie Kreinbucher (Jr. / 6-5 / 260 / Butler, Pa.)
87 — Kyle Fontes (Jr. / 6-4 / 242 / York, Pa.)
WIDE RECEIVER
2 — Eric Weatherly (Jr. / 5-8 / 180 / St. John’s, Fla.)
80 — TJ Cadden (So. / 6-0 / 195 / Phoenixville, Pa.)
WIDE RECEIVER
17 — Nate Anderson (Jr. / 6-0 / 185 / Fort Wayne, Ind.)
8 — Alex Brown (Jr. / 6-3 / 205 / Rumson, N.J.)
RUNNING BACK
7 Tariq Thomas (Fr. / 5-11 / 185 / Springfield, Mass.)
21 — Paul Neel (Sr. / 5-10 / 205 / Charlotte, N.C.)
QUARTERBACK
10 — Ralph Rucker IV (Sr. / 6-0 / 210 / Lucas, Texas)
9 — Michael Hardyway (Sr. / 6-0 / 208 / Oceanside, Calif.)
DEFENSIVE END
52 — Jack Barnes (Sr. / 6-2 / 245 / Fayetteville, N.C.)
30 — William Caneer (So. / 6-3 / 238 / Huntsville, Ala.)
NOSE
15 — Cade Rooney (Sr. / 6-3 / 295 / Berwyn, Pa.)
95 — Grant Laws (Sr. / 6-3 / 325 / Halifax, Mass.)
DEFENSIVE END
90 — Aneesh Vyas (Sr. / 6-2 / 300 / West Chester, Ohio)
99 — Justin Fisher (Sr. / 6-6 / 270 / King of Prussia, Pa.)
LINEBACKER
33 — Brad Jamison (Sr. / 6-2 / 240 / Upper Township, N.J.)
47 — Jack Goheen (Jr. / 6-2 / 236 / Fishers, Ind.)
LINEBACKER
13 — Gavin Willis (So. / 6-0 / 230 / Louisville, Ky.)
10 — Brandon Biagiarelli (Fr. / 6-3 / 226 / Pittsburgh, Pa.)
LINEBACKER
23 — Nick Hoying (So. / 6-0 / 207 / Kings Mills, Ohio)
40 — Charlie McIntyre (So. / 6-0 / 200 / Wyomissing, Pa.)
SAFETY
6 — Alex Smith Jr. (Sr. / 6-2 / 210 / Charlotte, N.C.)
9 — Terian Williams II (Jr. / 5-11 / 190 / Atlanta, Ga.)
SAFETY
20 — Mason Taylor (Sr. / 6-2 / 195 / San Pedro, Calif.)
34 — Darius Day (Fr. / 5-11 / 185 / Wayland, Mass.)
SAFETY
45 — John Schlendorf (Sr. / 5-10 / 195 / Toms River, N.J.)
25 — JJ Sebert (Fr. / 6-0 / 185 / Powell, Ohio)
CORNERBACK
5 — Roman Pearson (Jr. / 6-2 / 195 / Pickerington, Ohio)
14 — Takai Whitmore (So. / 5-11 / 180 / Boston, Mass.)
CORNERBACK
16 — Aaron Davis (Jr. / 5-11 / 190 / Brandywine, Md.)
11 — Chris Sims (Sr. / 5-9 / 185 / Haverford, Pa.)
STARTERS
MARIST* E. Weatherly X. Allen C. Stephenson J. Ohnegian J. Guy N. Natoli C.
PLACE KICKER
62 — Matt Schearer (Jr. / 5-11 / 187 / Canonsburg, Pa.)
96 — Juan Garanton (Fr. / 5-11 / 170 / Tampa, Fla.)
KICKOFF SPECIALIST
96 — Juan Garanton (Fr. / 5-11 / 170 / Tampa, Fla.)
91 — Matt Karic (Jr. / 5-8 / 170 / Los Altos, Calif.)
PUNTER
62 — Matt Schearer (Jr. / 5-11 / 187 / Canonsburg, Pa.)
96 — Juan Garanton (Fr. / 5-11 / 170 / Tampa, Fla.)
LONG SNAPPER
61 — Ryan Jedlicka (Jr. / 5-10 / 230 / Greenwich, Conn.)
46 — Michael Crabtree (So. / 5-10 / 185 / Winhall, Vt.)
HOLDER
91 — Matt Karic (Jr. / 5-8 / 170 / Los Altos, Calif.)
9 — Michael Hardyway (Sr. / 6-0 / 208 / Oceanside, Calif.)
KICKOFF RETURN
80 — TJ Cadden (So. / 6-0 / 195 / Phoenixville, Pa.)
3 — Josh Gary (Jr. / 5-11 / 210 / Upper Marlboro, Md.)
PUNT RETURN
80 — TJ Cadden (So. / 6-0 / 195 / Phoenixville, Pa.)
2 — Eric Weatherly (Jr. / 5-8 / 180 / St. John’s, Fla.)
T. Thomas R. Rucker at Lehigh E. Weatherly X. Allen C. Stephenson J. Ohnegian
Gary N. Anderson T. Thomas R. Rucker
CORNELL E. Weatherly X. Allen C. Stephenson J. Ohnegian J. Guy M. Mulhern C. Kreinbucher J. Gary N. Anderson T. Thomas M. Hardyway* at Georgetown
LAFAYETTE FORHAM at Holy Cross COLGATE
at Navy
at
Caneer*
2024 BUCKNELL ROSTER
COACHING & SUPPORT STAFF
Head Coach: Dave Cecchini (Lehigh ’95), sixth season Coordinators: John Bear (Trinity International ’06) (Offensive/QBs); Chris Bowers (Wittenberg ’99) (Defensive); Brad Jarman (Missouri State ’18) (Special Teams/LBs); Offensive Assistant Coaches: Vinny Giacalone (Carnegie Mellon ’10) (Asst. Head Coach/TEs); Sean Pearson (Wagner ’14) (OL); Braelon Roberts (Utah State ‘17) (WRs); Jalen Banks (Vanderbilt ’16) (RBs); Ashley Cornwell (Wisconsin ’22) (Asst. OL/Run Game Analyst) Defensive Assistant Coaches: McNeil Parker (Kenyon College ’10) (Safeties); Codey Cole (Kansas ’19) (DL); Roger Wright-Lester (American Military University ’13) (CBs) Strength & Conditioning Coach: Mark Kulbis (Bowling Green ’13)
Sport Administrator: Tim Pavlechko (Bucknell ’91) (Deputy AD)
Support Staff: Doug Birdsong (Marshall ’87) (Voice of the Bison); Jon Terry (Bucknell ‘93) (Athletic Communications); Kiem LeGant (Shippensburg ’16) (Video); Kaiti Hager (Cal U (Pa.) ’12) (Athletic Training); Rayna Murphy (Ball State ’17) (Athletic Training); Liel Karstetter (Lock Haven ’10) (Equipment); Tom Ford (Cazenovia College ’19) (Ticketing)
ALPHABETICAL ROSTER
38 Gerken, Brad
Geter, Deuce
Goheen, Jack
Guy, Jake
Hardyway, Michael
Hoying, Nick
Inserra, Jack
Jamison, Brad
Jedlicka, Ryan
Biagiarelli, Brandon
Bohm-Squicciarini, Jack
Bosch, AJ
Brown, Alex
Seo
Burgess, Braylen
Bush, Logan
Cadden, Michael
Cadden, TJ
Catania, Aidan
Johal, Herschel
Jones, Mason
Karic, Matt
Kennedy, Rourke
Kim, D.K.
Kreinbucher, Charlie
Laws, Grant
Logan, Reuben
LoGrasso, David
Mascio, Dante
McGill, Jack
McGwin, Rowan
McIntyre, Charlie
Meehleib, Charlie
Menconi, Tristan
Meuser, Danny
Milligan, Sam
Mulhern, Mark
Natoli, Nathan
Neel, Paul
Niemynski, Nick
Nowinski, Jackson
Ohnegian, John
Olama, Rostand
Owens, Marques
Rooney, Cade
Rucker IV, Ralph
Sansone, Marco
Schearer, Matt
Schlendorf, John
Sebert, JJ
Sempervive, Ashton
Severin, Nick
Shuster, Daniel
Sierk, Daniel
Sims, Chris
Skoronski, Ryan
Smith Jr., Alex....................................................
Sposato, Finn
Spugnardi, Christian
Steffelin, Gustav
Stephenson, Casey
Sturgis, Fredrick
Taylor, Mason
Thomas, Tariq
Ussery, Jason
Vyas, Aneesh
Eric
Whitmore, Takai
Williams II, Terian
Willis, Gavin
Wright, Noah
Note: Bold indicates captain
Alex Smith, Christian Spugnardi, Casey Stephenson, Fredrick Sturgis
ROSTER BREAKDOWN
BISON MAJORS
97 Dara Adeyemi
0 Derrick Anderson Jr. Economics 17 Nate Anderson Comparative/Digital Humanities
65 Tristan Arndt Undeclared
52 Jack Barnes Religious Studies
10 Brandon Biagiarelli Undeclared Management
41 Jack Bohm-Squicciarini Biology
85 AJ Bosh Undeclared Management
8 Alex Brown Economics
98 Seo Buffington Undeclared
86 Braylen Burgess Undeclared
29 Logan Bush Undeclared
36 Michael Cadden Undeclared
80 TJ Cadden Undeclared Management
30 William Caneer Biology
58 Aidan Catania Political Science
31 Drew Cormier Undeclared
60 Kieran Coscia Economics
46 Michael Crabtree ............................. Undeclared 27 Myles Cunningham Undeclared
16 Aaron Davis Critical Black Studies
34 Darius Day Undeclared
28 Anthony DiLascio Undeclared
89 Anthony DiMarco Undeclared Management
99 Justin Fisher Political Science
HEAD COACH DAVE CECCHINI
Dave Cecchini, one of the all-time great wide receivers in Patriot League history who has since gone on to achieve tremendous success in the coaching ranks, was named the 27th Bob Odell Head Football Coach at Bucknell University on February 6, 2019.
During the 2021 spring campaign, Cecchini was voted the Patriot League Dick Biddle Coach of the Year for leading Bucknell to a spot in the first-ever Patriot League Championship Game. Bucknell, picked to finish last in the preseason poll, knocked off Pennsylvania rivals Lafayette and Lehigh to earn a date with defending champion Holy Cross. In addition, Cecchini was selected as a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Award, presented by STATS to the FCS Coach of the Year, for the second time in his career.
Cecchini’s Bison placed 11 on the 2021 Spring All-Patriot League Team, headlined by a school-record seven First Team selections. Senior linebacker Simeon Page became the fifth Bison to make four All-Patriot League Teams; he later joined Patriot League Scholar-Athlete of the Year Rick Mottram on the Academic All-Patriot League Team.
In total, the Bison have combined for 24 All-Patriot League Team honors during Cecchini’s tenure, including 12 First Team honorees, and 12 have landed on the Academic All-Patriot League Team.
Cecchini’s 2023 team displayed one of the most prolific passing offenses in program history and rewrote the Bucknell record book in terms of passing numbers. The Bison set new single-season standards for passing completions (242), passing yards (2,854) and touchdown passes (24). Transfer quarterback Ralph Rucker set individual records in completions (211), passing yards (2,537) and total offense (2,667), and he tied the program’s single-season passing touchdowns mark (21). Additionally, receivers Damian Harris and Eric Weatherly both eclipsed 600 yards receiving with the former setting the single-game receptions record (15) and the latter hauling in seven touchdowns on the year.
Bucknell achieved its highest win total during the Cecchini era in 2023, highlighted by a dominant victory on the road at Colgate (49-34). In Hamilton, the Bison recorded the secondmost single-game total yardage (593) in school history, while Rucker broke the single-game passing yards record (387) and threw for four touchdowns, completing 33 of 44 attempts. The 49 points were the most Bucknell had ever scored on the Raiders.
Three Bison received All-Patriot League Team accolades following the 2023 campaign, with Coleman Bennett earning First Team honors as a return specialist and Second Team honors as a running back. Cornerback Ethan Robinson was named to the First Team Defense, and linebacker Brad Jamison received a Second Team nod. Bucknell also landed three players on the Academic All-Patriot League Team for a second consecutive season.
In 2019, Cecchini led the Bison to a third-place finish in the Patriot League, their highest placement since they were the 2014 runners-up. Their Patriot League victories came over defending champion Colgate (32-14), rival Lehigh (20-10) and Georgetown (20-17); two of their three league losses came by a touchdown or less. Bucknell faced a grueling non-conference schedule, featuring FBS opponent Temple and three nationally ranked FCS teams; the Bison ultimately finished the year with a 3-8 overall record.
Cecchini’s offense set then-school records in completions (229) and passing attempts (426) during the 2019 season. All-Patriot League First Team wide receiver Brandon Sanders became the sixth Bison to make at least 50 catches in a single campaign while quarterback Logan Bitikofer cracked Bucknell’s top 10 in single-season completions and single-season passing attempts. Defensively, the Bison excelled, leading the Patriot League in conference action in yards per play allowed (4.4), takeaways (14), sacks (32) and defensive touchdowns (4); they also finished second in total defense (319.7) and rushing defense (96.3).
Following the 2019 campaign, five Bison were recognized on the All-Patriot League Team while two made the Academic All-Patriot League squad. Punter Alex Pechin closed his recordbreaking career by capturing numerous awards. Most notably, he was honored as an AllAmerican by every entity that selects an All-America team, became the first football player
to earn three-straight Patriot League Scholar-Athlete of the Year awards, won the inaugural FCS Punter of the Year award and was presented the prestious STATS FCS Doris Robinson ScholarAthlete Award.
In 2021, Bucknell faced another challenging schedule highlighted by road games at then No. 11/12 Villanova and FBS opponent Army West Point. The Bison were a young team that sent 30 first-time starters to the field, a group that included two seniors, four juniors, 12 sophomores and 12 freshmen and represented just over 30 percent of the roster. At the conclusion of the season, wide receiver Dominic Lyles, who matched the school standard with three touchdown catches in a tight loss to Georgetown, and safety Brent Jackson, who became the first nonsenior to be presented the Bison Gridiron Club Award as Team MVP since 2012, were voted to the Academic All-Patriot League Team.
Bucknell made massive strides defensively during the 2022 season, allowing nearly 10 fewer points per game than the year prior and finishing third in the Patriot League in points allowed per game. The Bison also gave up the fewest passing yards among Patriot League teams and led the league in interceptions. Four Bison landed on the All-Patriot League Team. Highlighting the AllLeague honorees was Jackson, who received the Bison Gridiron Club Award for a second time after leading the FCS in solo tackles per game.
The 2022 Bison pulled out several dramatic victories, defeating Pennsylvania-rival Lehigh with a last-minute field goal and upending Georgetown on the road in the team’s first overtime victory since 2017. Bucknell won its last two games of the season, concluding with a 24-13 win over Marist at home.
The head coach at Valparaiso University from 2014 to 2018, Cecchini has a long track record of building explosive offenses at elite academic institutions. Previously the offensive coordinator at Lehigh, The Citadel and Harvard University, his offenses have shattered school records at his every stop, propelling his teams to a combined seven conference championships. An All-American wide receiver at Lehigh during his playing days in the early 1990s, Cecchini spent 13 of his previous 24 seasons as a coach at his alma mater.
In 2014, Cecchini took over a Valparaiso football program that had won just three games, all against the same opponent, in the four seasons before his arrival. The 2017 campaign saw Valparaiso reach new heights thanks to a potent offense that totaled 330 points and 4,398 yards, both good for second in school history. Picked to finish 10th of 11 teams in the Pioneer Football League, Valparaiso tied for third with a 5-3 record, its most league wins since 1961. Overall, Valparaiso finished above .500, at 6-5, for the first time since 2003.
For guiding Valparaiso’s turnaround, Cecchini was a finalist for the American Football Coaches Association’s FCS National Coach of the Year and the STATS FCS Coach of the Year awards; he was also voted as the Pioneer Football League Coach of the Year and the AFCA FCS Region 4 Coach of the Year.
Cecchini left Valparaiso as the program’s winningest coach through 50 games since 1986. Other highlights of his time at Valparaiso included defeating rival Butler in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2005, going 4-0 in conference games at Brown Field in 2017 and sending two student-athletes to the 2018 FCS National Bowl, which showcases the FCS’s top players.
Before becoming the 17th head football coach in Valparaiso history, Cecchini spent four seasons as the offensive coordinator/ quarterbacks coach at Lehigh. During his second stint on the
HEAD COACH DAVE CECCHINI
Mountain Hawk staff, Cecchini built one of the most proficient and explosive offenses in the nation. In 2011, Lehigh ranked in the FCS’s top five in total offense (469.6) and passing offense (340.6) while averaging a Patriot League-best 32.5 points per game. Ten offensive players captured All-Patriot League laurels that season, headlined by Offensive Player of the Year Chris Lum. Lum, who was also the runner-up for the Walter Payton Award, broke the Patriot League’s single-season record for passing yards (4,378) and touchdown passes (32). For his role in Lehigh’s success, Cecchini was a finalist for the FootballScoop FCS Coordinator of the Year award.
With Cecchini guiding the offense, the Mountain Hawks went a combined 39-9 and won two Patriot League titles. Wide receiver Lee Kurfis led the nation in receiving yards per game (122.8) in 2013 while quarterback Mike Colvin finished fifth nationally in total offense (326.64) the year before. Under Cecchini’s watch, four Mountain Hawks garnered All-America honors.
From 2007 to 2009, Cecchini served as The Citadel’s offensive coordinator/wide receivers coach. During his first season in Charleston, the Bulldogs finished with their best record in 15 years, bolstered by an offense that set 16 school records, including points per game (39.5) and total offense (437.6). Cecchini mentored wide receiver Andre Roberts, a First Team AllAmerican who set Citadel records in single-season receptions (95), receiving yards (1,334) and touchdown catches (15). Roberts was selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the third round of the 2010 National Football League Draft and played 13 season, earning First Team All-Pro honors in 2018 and Second Team All-Pro honors in 2020 and 2021.
Beginning in 2003, Cecchini spent three seasons as the offensive coordinator/quarterbacks and wide receivers coach at Harvard. His fast-paced offense paid immediate dividends, as the Crimson averaged 461 yards per game during his first campaign, a figure good for fourth nationally. The next season, Harvard went 10-0 and won the Ivy League championship. After the Crimson led the Ivy League in aggregate offense, the AFCA selected Cecchini as its 2005 Mike Campbell Top Assistant Coach Award winner.
Under Cecchini’s tutelage, 14 Harvard records fell, including points per game (33.9). Among his charges was quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, the 2004 Ivy League Player of the Year who was selected by the St. Louis Rams in the 2005 NFL Draft and spent time with nine different organizations over his 17-season pro career.
Before his tenure in Cambridge, Cecchini spent nine seasons on his alma mater’s staff. In 2000, Cecchini’s first campaign as offensive coordinator, Lehigh went 11-0 during the regular season and reached the Division I-AA (now FCS) quarterfinals. Following that season, Cecchini was promoted to assistant head coach while retaining his responsibilities as offensive coordinator. In 2001, his up-tempo offense averaged 38.3 points per game, helping the Mountain Hawks secure their second-straight undefeated regular season and championship quarterfinal appearance. In Cecchini’s first three seasons directing the offense, Lehigh posted a combined 31-6 record and captured two Patriot League titles.
During his playing days at Lehigh, Cecchini became a consensus First Team All-American after leading the nation in receptions and receiving yards per game in 1993. That season, he set Patriot League records in receptions (88), receiving yards (1,318) and touchdown receptions (15); his 15 touchdown catches remain the Patriot League standard to this day. Cecchini, who was later named to the Patriot League 15th Anniversary Team, graduated from Lehigh in 1995 with a bachelor of science degree in marketing.
Cecchini first joined the Mountain Hawk football staff as a tight ends coach. He also served as a running backs coach, quarterbacks coach and wide receivers coach before being promoted to offensive coordinator. During Cecchini’s first stint in Bethlehem, Lehigh averaged more than 350 yards of offense and over 26 points per game.
Cecchini and his wife, Tammy, have two sons: Evan and Will. Tammy serves as Bucknell’s head women’s tennis coach.
Personal
Date of Birth: March 9, 1972
Hometown: Bloomington, Minnesota
Wife: Tammy (head women’s tennis coach at Bucknell)
Children: Sons Evan and Will
Education
Lehigh University, B.S. in marketing, 1995
Head Coaching Career Year School Record Pct.
2014 Valparaiso 4-8 .333
2015 Valparaiso 1-9 .100
2016 Valparaiso 4-7 .364
2017 Valparaiso 6-5 .545
2018 Valparaiso 2-9 .182
2019 Bucknell 3-8 .273
2021 Spring Bucknell 2-2 .500
2021 Bucknell 1-10 .091
2022 Bucknell 3-8 .273
2023 Bucknell 4-7 .364
2024 Bucknell 3-4 .429
Totals 33-77 .300
Coaching Experience Years School Position 1994-02 Lehigh Tight Ends (1994) Running Backs (1995) Quarterbacks (1996) Wide Receivers (1997-99) Offensive Coordinator/WR (2000) Assistant Head Coach/ Offensive Coordinator/QB (2001-02)
2003-05 Harvard Offensive Coordinator/QB/WR 2006-09 The Citadel Offensive Coordinator/WR 2010-13 Lehigh Offensive Coordinator/QB 2014-18 Valparaiso Head Coach
2019-pres. Bucknell Head Coach
Career Highlights
• Winner of seven conference championships
• 2021 Spring Patriot League Dick Biddle Coach of the Year
• 2021 Spring STATS FCS National Coach of the Year Finalist
• 2017 AFCA FCS National Coach of the Year Finalist
• 2017 STATS FCS National Coach of the Year Finalist
• 2017 FCA FCS Region 4 Coach of the Year
• 2017 Pioneer Football League Coach of the Year
• 2011 FootballScoop FCS Coordinator of the Year
• Coached WR Andre Roberts, a 2010 NFL Draft pick, at The Citadel
• 2005 AFCA Mike Campbell Top Assistant Coach Award
• Coached QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, a 2005 NFL Draft pick, at Harvard
• 1993 consensus First Team All-American as Lehigh wide receiver
• Voted to the Patriot League 15th Anniversary Team
Shut out an opponent
Was shut out by an opponent
THE LAST TIME A BUCKNELL TEAM...
Finished a game with a tie score
Scored 40-49 points
Scored 50-59 points
Scored 60-69 points
Scored 70-79 points
Allowed 40-49 points
Allowed 50-59 points
Allowed 60-69 points
Allowed 70-79 points
Allowed 80+ points
Did not punt
Did not commit a turnover
Forced five turnovers
Forced six turnovers
Forced seven turnovers
Committed five or more turnovers
Did not commit a penalty
Was penalized for at least 100 yards
Won an overtime game
Played an overtime game
Had two 100-yard rushers in the same game
Had two 100-yard receivers in the same game
Defeated a nationally ranked opponent
Played a nationally ranked opponent
Played an FBS opponent
Apr. 3, 2021 at Lehigh (6-0)
Oct. 8, 2022 at Holy Cross (0-57)
Nov. 14, 1987 vs. Lehigh (21-21)
Nov. 11, 2023 vs. Georgetown (47-50 OT)
Nov. 1, 2003 vs. Holy Cross (53-31)
Oct. 24, 1987 vs. Columbia (62-20)
Oct. 10, 1964 vs. Ohio Wesleyan in Newark, Del. (72-0)
Aug. 31, 2024 at Navy (21-49)
Nov. 11, 2023 vs. Georgetown (47-50 OT)
Nov. 13, 2021 at Army West Point (10-63)
Nov. 25, 1916 at Georgetown (0-78)
Oct. 8, 1966 at Temple (28-82)
Oct. 12, 2024 at Penn (21-31)
Nov. 18, 2023 at Marist (38-21)
Oct. 15, 2022 at Yale (4 INT, 1 fumble) (9-29)
Sept. 3, 2016 at Marist (4 INT, 2 fumbles) (26-10)
Oct. 29, 2011 at Lafayette (3 INT, 4 fumbles) (39-13)
Apr. 17, 2021 vs. Holy Cross (5 INT) (10-33)
Sept. 19, 2009 at Cornell (9-33)
Oct. 17, 2015 at Army West Point (105) (14-21)
Sept. 28, 2024 at Lehigh (38-35)
Sept. 28, 2024 at Lehigh (38-35)
Sept. 26, 2007 vs. Marist (Terrance Wilson 108 & Justin Pulgrano 101) (17-16)
Oct. 28, 2023 at Colgate (Josh Gary 139 & Eric Weatherly 132) (49-34)
Oct. 26, 2013 vs. No. 15 Lehigh (48-10)
Oct. 7, 2023 vs. No. 12/12 Holy Cross (27-55)
Aug. 31, 2024 at Navy (21-49)
Won 10 games 1997 (10-1)
Won eight games 2014 (8-3)
Had a winning season 2014 (8-3)
Had 30 rushing attempts
Had 40 rushing attempts
Had 100 yards rushing
Had 200 yards rushing
Had a 60+ yard run
Had a 70+ yard run
Had three rushing touchdowns
Had four rushing touchdowns
Had five rushing touchdowns
Completed a 50+ yard pass
Had three passing touchdowns
Had four passing touchdowns
Had five passing touchdowns
Had 30 completions
Had 50 passing attempts
Had 60 passing attempts
Had 300 yards passing
Had 100 yards receiving
Had 200 yards receiving
Had 10 receptions
Had 15 receptions
Had two touchdown receptions
Had three touchdown receptions
Made a 40-yard field goal
Made a 50-yard field goal
Had three field goals in a game
Had four field goals in a game
Passed for a two-point conversion
Rushed for a two-point conversion
Made seven extra points
Made 10 extra points
Had 10+ punts
Had a 70+ yard punt
Had an 80+ yard punt
Returned a punt for a touchdown
Returned a kickoff for a touchdown
Returned an interception for a touchdown
Returned a fumble for a touchdown
Returned a blocked punt for a touchdown
Recorded two interceptions in a game
Recorded three interceptions in a game
Recorded four interceptions in a game
Forced two fumbles in a game
Recovered two fumbles in a game
Had 15 tackles in a game
Had 20 tackles in a game
Had two sacks in a game
Had three sacks in a game
Had four sacks in a game
Had four tackles for a loss in a game
Blocked a punt
Blocked an extra point attempt
Blocked a field goal attempt
Nov. 12, 2016 (Joey DeFloria (31) at Georgetown, 21-7)
Oct. 29, 2011 (Tyler Smith (42) at Lafayette, 39-13)
Oct. 28, 2023 (Rushawn Baker (107) at Colgate, 49-34)
Nov. 12, 2011 (Tyler Smith (204) at Fordham, 21-0)
Oct. 15, 2022 (Rushawn Baker (75) at Yale, 9-29)
Oct. 15, 2022 (Rushawn Baker (75) at Yale, 9-29)
Nov. 11, 2023 (Rushawn Baker vs. Georgetown, 47-50 OT)
Sept. 30, 2000 (Jabu Powell vs. Duquesne, 35-14)
Nov. 13, 2004 (Daris Wilson vs. Colgate, 42-7)
Nov. 11, 2023 (Ralph Rucker to Derrick Anderson Jr. (65) vs. Georgetown, 47-50 OT)
Sept. 21, 2024 (Ralph Rucker vs. Marist, 34-18)
Oct. 28, 2023 (Ralph Rucker at Colgate, 49-34)
Sept. 24, 1994 (Rob Glus at Harvard, 42-23)
Nov. 4, 2023 (Ralph Rucker (32) at Fordham, 21-27)
Nov. 23, 2019 (Logan Bitikofer (50) at Fordham, 14-31)
Oct. 27, 2001 (Todd Wenrich (67) at Fordham, 12-17)
Sept. 7, 2024 (Ralph Rucker (340) at VMI, 35-28)
Oct. 12, 2024 (Josh Gary (137) at Penn, 21-31)
Oct. 11, 2014 (Will Carter (246) at Lehigh, 45-24)
Oct. 12, 2024 (Josh Gary (13) at Penn, 21-31)
Nov. 18, 2023 (Damian Harris (15) at Marist, 38-21)
Sept. 28, 2024 (Eric Weatherly at Lehigh, 38-35 OT)
Oct. 23, 2021 (Dominic Lyles vs. Georgetown, 21-29)
Sept. 28, 2024 (Matt Schearer (42) at Lehigh, 38-35 OT)
Nov. 12, 2022 (Matt Schearer (50) at Georgetown, 24-21 OT)
Nov. 12, 2022 (Matt Schearer at Georgetown, 24-21 OT)
Oct. 14, 2017 (John Burdick at Cornell, 26-18)
Nov. 4, 2023 (Ralph Rucker to Damian Harris at Fordham, 21-27)
Nov. 11, 2023 (Ralph Rucker vs. Georgetown, 47-50 OT)
Oct. 16, 1999 (Chris Lundberg vs. Duquesne, 49-20)
Oct. 10, 1964 (Mike Seigfried vs. Ohio Wesleyan in Newark, Del., 72-0)
Oct. 19, 2019 (Alex Pechin (11) at Towson, 7-56)
Nov. 23, 2019 (Alex Pechin (70) at Fordham, 14-31)
Sept. 22, 1984 (Mike Morrow (80) at Northeastern, 33-34)
Sept. 21, 2024 (TJ Cadden (73) vs. Marist, 34-18)
Sept. 28, 2024 (TJ Cadden (100) at Lehigh, 38-35 OT)
Sept. 28, 2024 (Aaron Davis (79) at Lehigh, 38-35 OT)
Nov. 23, 2019 (Rick Mottram (5) at Fordham, 14-31)
Oct. 13, 2018 (Gerrit Van Itallie (0) at Monmouth, 19-36)
Sept. 15, 2018 (Bryan Marine at Penn, 17-34)
Nov. 20, 2004 (Dante Ross at Duquesne, 30-20)
Sept. 30, 2000 (Kevin Eiben vs. Duquesne, 35-14)
Oct. 16, 2021 (Ben Allen at Fordham, 22-66)
Sept. 28, 2024 (Gavin Willis at Lehigh, 38-35 OT)
Oct. 19, 2024 (Gavin Willis (19) vs. Cornell, 21-34)
Aug. 30, 2014 (Evan Byers (23) at VMI, 42-38)
Sept. 28, 2024 (Gavin Willis at Lehigh, 38-35 OT)
Nov. 23, 2019 (Grayson Cherubino at Fordham, 14-31)
Nov. 18, 2017 (Simeon Page at Fordham, 9-20)
Nov. 23, 2019 (Gerrit Van Itallie at Fordham, 14-31)
Nov. 4, 2023 (Charlie Kreinbucher at Fordham, 21-27)
Sept. 23, 2023 (Aneesh Vyas vs. Penn, 21-37)
Sept. 23, 2023 (Aneesh Vyas vs. Penn, 21-37)
Recorded a safety Nov. 19, 2016 vs. Fordham (22-36)
FOOTBALL INFORMATION
Head Coach: Rob Sgarlata
Record at Georgetown: 34-71 (11th season)
Career Record: 34-71 (11th season)
Conference: Patriot League
Stadium: Cooper Field
Capacity: 3,750
Surface: FieldTurf
2023 Record: 5-6
2023 Conference Record: 3-3 (4th)
GENERAL INFORMATION
Location: Washington, D.C.
Founded: 1789
Enrollment: 18,179
Nickname: Hoyas
Colors: Blue & Gray
President: John J. DeGioia
Athletic Director: Lee Reed
Website: GUHoyas.com
SERIES INFORMATION
Series record Bucknell leads, 20-14-1
Last 10 meetings ................................................................... 6-4
First meeting.............. 1904
Record on road 13-8-1
Record at neutral site 0-0
Streak Georgetown won 1
Last meeting in Lewisburg Nov. 11, 2023 ............................................... Georgetown 50, Bucknell 47 (OT)
Last Bison win in Lewisburg ........................ Nov. 16, 2019
...................................................... Bucknell 20, Georgetown 17
Last Bison win ....................... Nov. 12, 2022 (Washington, D.C.)
.............................................. Bucknell 24, Georgetown 21 (OT)
Last Hoya win Nov. 11, 2023 (Lewisburg, Pa.) Georgetown 50, Bucknell 47 (OT)
ALL-TIME RESULTS
1904 Washington, D.C. GU, 12-0
1905 Washington, D.C. BU, 18-0
1916 Washington, D.C. GU, 78-0
1922 Washington, D.C. GU, 19-7
1923 Washington, D.C. BU, 14-7
1924 Washington, D.C. BU, 14-6
1925 Washington, D.C. BU, 3-2
1931 Washington, D.C. BU, 7-0
1932 Washington, D.C. tie, 6-6
1936 Washington, D.C. GU, 19-0
1938 Washington, D.C. GU, 13-0
1939 Lewisburg, PA GU, 13-7
2000 Washington, D.C. BU, 24-10
2001 Lewisburg, PA BU, 34-0
2002 Washington, D.C. GU, 32-31
2003 Lewisburg, PA BU, 45-16
2004 Washington, D.C. BU, 35-17
2005 Lewisburg, PA GU, 19-16 OT
2006 Washington, D.C. BU, 17-7
2007 Lewisburg, PA GU, 20-17
2008 Washington, D.C. BU, 27-24
2009 Lewisburg, PA BU, 14-6
2010 Washington, D.C. BU, 24-21
2011 Lewisburg, PA BU, 35-18
2012 Washington, D.C. GU, 10-3
TALE OF THE TAPE
(105th)
(40th)
(78th)
(53rd)
(74th
Year Site
ALL-TIME RESULTS (CONT.)
Result
2013 Lewisburg, PA BU, 17-7
2014 Washington, D.C. BU, 22-17
2015 Lewisburg, PA GU, 17-9
2016 Washington, D.C. BU, 21-7
2017 Lewisburg, PA BU, 12-0
2018 Washington, D.C. GU, 14-3
2019 Lewisburg, PA BU, 20-17
2021 Lewisburg, PA GU 29-21
2022 Washington, D.C. BU 24-21 OT 2023 Lewisburg, PA GU 50-47 OT
THE LAST TIME THE BISON AND HOYAS MET (NOV. 11, 2023)
Bucknell Suffers Senior Day Heartbreak in 50-47 Overtime Loss to Georgetown
The 2023 home finale at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium between Bucknell and Georgetown had a little bit of everything. The Bison scored 29 unanswered at one point, erasing a 22-point deficit and taking the lead with 3:14 to play in the fourth, but the Hoyas tied the game to send it to overtime and outscored the Bison 6-3 in the final frame to escape with the 50-47 win. They were the second-most combined points scored in a Bucknell game behind the 1966 82-29 loss to Temple.
GAME NOTES
• Bucknell scored 29 unanswered points in the second half to erase a 37-15 deficit and take the lead with just over three minutes to play in the fourth quarter. The Bison scored touchdowns on four consecutive drives during the comeback.
• Georgetown scored with 1:45 left in the fourth to tie the game and send it to overtime. Bucknell scored first in overtime with a 41-yard field goal, but the Hoyas posted a 1-yard rushing touchdown on their following drive to win the game.
• The 97 combined points were second-most scored in a Bucknell game in the program’s history.
• Bucknell racked up over 400 yards for a third consecutive contest. 386 of its yards came in the second half.
It was the second year in a row the Bison and Hoyas remained tied trough four quarters, and Matt Schearer’s 41-yard field goal in overtime this year was a yard shorter than his game winner in Washington, D.C. 364 days ago. The Bison were unable to get a final stop this year, as Georgetown’s Joshua Stakely ran into the end zone one final time to end it. It was the 13th touchdown scored on Saturday.
Three touchdowns were scored on the ground by Bucknell, all of which belonged to Rushawn Baker. The junior became the first Bison to rush for three scores since 2017, and he ended the game with 97 net yards. At one point, Baker had six carries for -4 yards and two touchdowns.
Three Bison touchdowns came through the air, as Ralph Rucker finished four yards shy of a thirdconsecutive 300-yard passing game, which no Bison has ever achieved. All three of his touchdown tosses came in the fourth quarter after a rocky start, as the Bison had -20 offensive yards through the first 15 minutes. Rucker hit three different receivers on scores through the air, and leading the way was Christian Tait with 85 receiving yards and the go-ahead touchdown late in the fourth. It was a career day for Tait, who was one of 27 seniors to be recognized before kickoff.
While Bucknell struggled early on, Georgetown raced to a 23-8 lead by halftime. Hoya quarterback Tyler Knoop posted 361 yards passing with four touchdowns including a 95-yarder to Jimmy Kibble, who racked up 179 receiving yards and two scores.
Georgetown found creative ways to score on a number of occasions, recording a safety in the first quarter and returning a Bucknell onside kick 46 yards early in the third.
Bucknell benefited from solid starting field position several times thanks to a number of shanked Georgetown punts. At one point in the third quarter, the Hoyas netted just 10 yards on a punt from their own 3-yard line, but Bucknell fumbled at the goal line on the ensuing drive resulting in one of their three turnovers. The Bison did, however, come away with two interceptions of their own in the game. Alex Smith Jr. picked off a Knoop pass on the first play of the second quarter, and Brad Jamison intercepted one in a crucial spot in the fourth quarter. Bucknell, trailing 37-30 with 7:10 to play, went for it on fourthand-one at the Georgetown 49 and was stopped. Two plays later Jamison came up with the pick, and it led to the game-tying 32-yard touchdown pass to Eric Weatherly. Weatherly finished the game with a team-high five receptions and 74 yards. He also carried the ball three times after both Coleman Bennett and Baker left the game with injuries.
Rucker’s touchdown pass to Derrick Anderson Jr. earlier in the fourth quarter, which cut the deficit to a single touchdown at 37-30, was his longest of the season at 65 yards. Bucknell’s second-longest play of the game was a 38-yard touchdown run by Baker, which sparked the 29-0 scoring run. Rucker also had a solid game running the ball, picking up several first downs and netting 20 yards despite five sacks.
On the final drive of overtime, Georgetown converted on a third-and-four and eventually got down to the goal line. Knoop, on a quarterback keeper, stretched for the goal line with the ball extended, and Tyler Alston knocked it free. Neither team knew whether it was a touchdown or a fumble, but upon further review it was determined knoop was down at the 1-yard line. On third-and-one, Stakely pounded it in for the win.
Alston finished the game with six tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and two sacks. Ethan Robinson posted eight tackles and three pass breakups.
The Bison eclipsed the 400-yard mark for a third consecutive game, totaling 432 on 80 offensive play. 368 of those yards came in the second half.
SCORING SUMMARY
BUC 2nd 04:58
BUC 3rd
BUC 4th 06:16
GEO
BUC OT 00:00 Schearer 41yd field goal -- 4-1 00:00 47-44
GEO
TEAM LEADERS
1st Quarter 12:10 2:50
2nd Quarter 5:53 9:07
3rd Quarter 4:04 10:56
4th Quarter 9:11 5:49
3rd Down Conversions 5 of 13 6 of 17
4th Down Conversions 0 of 0 2 of 4
Red-Zone
• Ralph Rucker, after starting the game with two interceptions, threw for 296 yards and three touchdowns. He was four yards shy of a third-straight 300-yard game.
• Rushawn Baker became the first Bison in six years with three rushing touchdowns.
•Brad Jamison and Alex Smith Jr. both recorded INTs for the Bison.
BUCKNELL
GEORGETOWN
DARA ADEYEMI (97)
DL | SO | 6-7 | 250
Tackles: 1, 3X (last vs. Cornell, 10/19/24)
ENGLAND ALLEN (19)
CB | SO | 5-10 | 180
Pass Breakups: 1 vs. Marist (9/21/24)
DERRICK ANDERSON JR. (0)
WR | JR | 6-3 | 175
Receptions: 6 vs. Holy Cross (10/7/23)
Receiving Yards: 115 vs. Holy Cross (10/7/23)
Long Reception: 65 vs. Georgetown (11/11/23)
Receiving Touchdowns: 2 vs. Holy Cross (10/7/23)
NATE ANDERSON (17)
WR | JR | 6-0 | 185
Receptions: 6 at Penn (10/14/24)
Receiving Yards: 61 at Navy (8/31/24)
Long Reception: 47 at Navy (8/31/24)
Receiving Touchdowns: 1, 2 times (last at Penn, 10/12/24)
JACK BARNES (52)
DL | SR | 6-2 | 220
Tackles: 7 at Villanova (9/11/21)
Tackles for Loss: 1, 4X (last at VMI, 9/7/24)
Forced Fumbles: 1 vs. Lafayette (10/1/22)
Blocked Punts: 1 vs. Holy Cross (11/20/21)
Pass Breakups: 1, 2 times (last at Lafayette, 9/30/23)
BRANDON BIAGIARELLI (10)
LB | FR | 6-3 | 226
Tackles: 7 vs. Marist (9/21/24)
Tackles for Loss: 2 vs. Marist (9/21/24)
Sacks: 2 vs. Marist (9/21/24)
ALEX BROWN (8)
WR | JR | 6-3 | 195
Passing Attempts: 9 vs. Fordham (11/5/22)
Passing Completions: 5 vs. Fordham (11/5/22)
Passing Yards: 62 vs. Colgate (10/29/22)
Long Pass: 40 vs. Fordham (11/5/22)
Rushing Attempts: 11 vs. Colgate (10/29/22)
Rushing Yards: 39 vs. Colgate (10/29/22)
Long Rush: 14 at Holy Cross (10/8/22)
Receptions: 1 at Lafayette (9/30/23)
Receiving Yards: 4 at Lafayette (9/30/23)
LOGAN BUSH (29)
RB | FR | 5-10 | 208
Rushing Attempts: 4 vs. Marist (9/21/24)
Rushing Yards: 13 vs. Marist (9/21/24)
Long Rush: 5 vs. Marist (9/21/24)
Rushing Touchdowns: 1 vs. Cornell (10/19/24)
MICHAEL CADDEN (36)
RB | FR | 5-10 | 190
Rushing Attempts: 5, 3X (last vs. Marist, 9/21/24)
Rushing Yards: 71 vs. Marist (9/21/24)
Long Rush: 32 vs. Marist (9/21/24)
Rushing Touchdowns: 1 at Navy (8/31/24)
Receptions: 2 vs. Marist (9/21/24)
Receiving Yards: 14 vs. Marist (9/21/24)
Long Receptions: 8 vs. Marist (9/21/24)
TJ CADDEN (80)
WR | SO | 6-0 | 185
Receptions: 7 vs. Cornell (10/19/24)
Receiving Yards: 97 at Navy (8/31/24)
Receiving Touchdowns: 1, 3X (last vs. Cornell, 10/19/24)
Long Reception: 37 at Navy (8/31/24)
Punt Returns: 4 at VMI (9/7/24)
Punt Return Yards: 78 vs. Marist (9/21/24)
Long Punt Return: 73 (TD) vs. Marist (9/21/24)
Punt Return Touchdowns: 1, 2X (last vs. Marist, 9/21/24)
Kickoff Returns: 2, 4X (last vs. Cornell, 10/19/24)
Kick Return Yards: 117 at Lehigh (9/28/24)
Long Kick Return: 100 (TD) at Lehigh (9/28/24)
WILLIAM CANEER (30)
DL | SO | 6-3 | 238
Tackles: 7 vs. Cornell (10/19/24)
Tackles for Loss: 2 at Lehigh (9/28/24)
Sacks: 1 vs. Cornell (10/19/24)
AIDAN CATANIA (58)
LB | SR | 5-11 | 225
Tackles: 1 vs. Marist (9/21/24)
DREW CORMIER (31)
S | SO | 6-1 | 200
Tackles: 2 at Navy (8/31/24)
AARON DAVIS (16)
CB | JR | 5-11 | 190
Tackles: 7 vs. Marist (9/21/24)
Interceptions: 1, 3X (last vs. Cornell, 10/19/24)
Long INT Return: 79 (TD) at Lehigh (9/28/24)
DARIUS DAY (34)
S | FR | 5-11 | 185
Tackles: 2 vs. Marist (9/21/24)
Pass Breakups: 1 vs. Marist (9/21/24)
ANTHONY DILASCIO (28)
RB | SO | 5-11 | 190
Rushing Attempts: 1 at Marist (11/18/23)
Rushing Yards: 5 at Marist (11/18/23)
Long Rush: 5 at Marist (11/18/23)
JUSTIN FISHER (99)
DL | SR | 6-6 | 235
Tackles: 9 at Sacred Heart (9/4/21)
Sacks: 0.5 at Colgate (10/28/23)
Pass Breakups: 1 vs. Marist (9/21/24)
KYLE FONTES (87)
TE | SR | 6-4 | 220
Receptions: 3 at VMI (9/10/22)
Receiving Yards: 15 at Cornell (10/14/23)
Receiving TDs: 1 at VMI (9/10/22)
Long Reception: 15 at Cornell (10/14/23)
LUKE FREEMAN (12)
S | JR | 6-2 | 190
Tackles: 2, 3X (last vs. Marist, 9/21/24)
JUAN GARANTON (96)
K/P | FR | 5-11 | 170
Kickoffs: 6 vs. Marist (9/21/24)
Kickoff Yards: 345 vs. Marist (9/21/24)
JOSH GARY (3)
WR | JR | 5-11 | 190
Receptions: 13 at Penn (10/12/24)
Receiving Yards: 139 at Colgate (10/28/23)
Receiving Touchdowns: 2 at VMI (9/7/24)
Long Reception: 49 at Colgate (10/28/23)
Kickoff Returns: 1, 4X (last at Lehigh 9/28/24)
Long Kickoff Return: 88 vs. Lehigh (10/21/23)
Kickoff Return TDs: 1 vs. Lehigh (10/21/23)
BRAD GERKEN (38)
S | SO | 5-11 | 195
Tackles: 7 vs. Georgetown (11/11/23)
Pass Breakups: 1, 3X (last at Marist, 11/18/23)
Tackles for Loss: 1 vs. Georgetown (11/11/23)
Sacks: 1 vs. Georgetown (11/11/23)
Fumble Recoveries: 1 at Fordham (11/4/23)
DEUCE GETER (26)
S | SO | 6-1 | 205
Tackles: 7 at Cornell (10/14/23)
Pass Breakups: 1, 3 times (last vs. Lehigh, 10/21/23)
JACK GOHEEN (47)
LB | JR | 6-2 | 210
Tackles: 7 vs. Lehigh (10/21/23)
Tackles for Loss: 0.5 at Fordham (11/4/23)
Pass Breakups: 1 at Colgate (10/28/23)
MICHAEL HARDYWAY (9)
QB | SR | 6-0 | 180
Passing Completions: 21 vs. Cornell (10/19/24)
Passing Attempts: 39 vs. Cornell (10/19/24)
Passing Yards: 214 vs. Cornell (10/19/24)
Long Pass: 37 at Navy (8/31/24)
Passing Touchdowns: 2 vs. Cornell (10/19/24)
Rushing Attempts: 7 vs. Cornell (10/19/24)
Rushing Yards: 11 vs. Cornell (10/19/24)
Long Rush: 15 vs. Cornell (10/19/24)
NICK HOYING (23)
S/LB | SO | 6-0 | 195
Tackles: 11 at Navy (8/31/24)
Tackles for Loss: 3 vs. Marist (9/21/24)
Sacks: 1 vs. Marist (9/21/24)
Pass Breakups: 1 at VMI (9/7/24)
Interceptions: 1 at Navy (8/31/24)
JACK INSERRA (57)
DL | SO | 6-2 | 215
Tackles: 2, 2X (last at Marist, 11/18/23)
BRAD JAMISON (33)
LB | SR | 6-2 | 220
Tackles: 12 vs. VMI (9/9/23)
Tackles for Loss: 2 at Lafayette (9/30/23)
Sacks: 1, 4X (last vs. Merrimack, 9/14/24)
Pass Breakups: 2 vs. Lehigh (10/21/23)
Interceptions: 1 vs. Georgetown (11/11/23)
Interception Return Yards: 18 vs. Georgetown (11/11/23)
MATT KARIC (91)
K | JR | 5-8 | 170
Kickoffs: 6 at VMI (9/7/24)
Kicoff Yards: 321 at VMI (9/7/24)
CHARLIE KREINBUCHER (82)
TE | JR | 6-5 | 230
Receptions: 2, 6X (last vs. Marist, 9/21/24)
Receiving Yards: 43 vs. Fordham (11/5/22)
Long Reception: 34 vs. Fordham (11/5/22)
Receiving Touchdowns: 1, 4X (last vs. Marist, 9/21/24)
Punt Blocks: 1 at Fordham (11/4/23)
GRANT LAWS (95)
DL | SR | 6-3 | 280
Tackles: 2 vs. Marist (9/21/24)
Tackles for Loss: 0.5 at VMI (9/10/22)
CHARLIE MCINTYRE (40)
S | SO | 6-0 | 200
Tackles: 1 vs. Marist (9/21/24)
DANNY MEUSER (4)
RB | 5TH | 6-0 | 200
Rushing Attempts: 21 vs. Penn (9/18/21)
Rushing Yards: 90 vs. Penn (9/18/21)
Long Rush: 36 at Yale (10/15/22)
Rushing TDs: 1 at Fordham (10/16/21), vs. Penn (9/18/21)
Receptions: 4 vs. Fordham (11/5/22)
Receiving Yards: 13 vs. Fordham (11/5/22)
Long Reception: 10 vs. Fordham (4/10/21)
Kickoff Returns: 1 vs. Cornell (10/2/21)
Kickoff Return Yards: 11 vs. Cornell (10/2/21)
Long Kickoff Return: 11 vs. Cornell (10/2/21)
Punt Returns: 1 vs. Lehigh (11/6/21)
Punt Return Yards: 19 vs. Lehigh (11/6/21)
Long Punt Return: 19 vs. Lehigh (11/6/21)
All-Purpose Yards: 92 vs. Penn (9/18/21)
Blocked Punts: 1 vs. Lehigh (11/6/21)
SAM MILLIGAN (84)
WR | SO | 6-3 | 200
Receptions: 1, 7X (last vs. Cornell, 10/19/24)
Receiving Yards: 32 vs. Marist (9/21/24)
Long Reception: 32 vs. Marist (9/21/24)
Receiving Touchdowns: 1, 2X (last vs. Cornell, 10/19/24)
Kickoff Returns: 2 vs. Georgetown (11/11/23)
Kickoff Return Yards: 19 vs. Georgetown (11/11/23)
Long Kickoff Return: 11 vs. Georgetown (11/11/23)
Punt Returns: 1 vs. Georgetown (11/11/23)
Punt Return Yards: 3 vs. Georgetown (11/11/23)
Long Punt Return: 3 vs. Georgetown (11/11/23)
PAUL NEEL (21)
RB | SR | 5-10 | 190
Rushing Attempts: 12 at Navy (8/31/24)
Rushing Yards: 60 at Navy (8/31/24)
Long Rush: 18 at Navy (8/31/24)
Rushing Touchdowns: 1, 2X (last at VMI, 9/7/24)
Receptions: 3 at VMI (9/7/24)
Receiving Yards: 18 at VMI (9/7/24)
Long Reception: 9 vs. Holy Cross (10/7/23)
MARQUES OWENS (1)
WR | SR | 5-10 | 170
Receptions: 4, 2X (last at Georgetown, 11/12/22)
Receiving Yards: 69 at Colgate (10/30/21)
Long Reception: 40 vs. Fordham (11/5/22)
Kickoff Returns: 7 vs. Holy Cross (11/20/21)
Kickoff Return Yards: 111 vs. Holy Cross (11/20/21)
Long Kickoff Return: 21 vs. Holy Cross (11/20/21)
All-Purpose Yards: 128 vs. Holy Cross (11/20/21)
BRADLEY PAO (18)
CB | JR | 6-0 | 185
Tackles: 1, 4X (last vs. Marist, 9/21/24)
ROMAN PEARSON (5)
CB | JR | 6-2 | 180
Tackles: 6 at VMI (9/7/24)
Pass Breakups: 3 vs. Cornell (10/19/24)
Interceptions: 1, 3X (last vs. Cornell 10/19/24)
Forced Fumbles: 1 vs. Georgetown (11/11/23)
CADE ROONEY (15)
DL | SR | 6-3 | 250
Tackles: 6 vs. Holy Cross (11/20/21)
Tackles for Loss: 1, 2X (last vs. Marist, 9/21/24)
Interceptions: 1, 2 times (last at Colgate, 10/28/23)
RALPH RUCKER (10)
QB | SR | 6-0 | 207
Passing Attempts: 48 at Fordham (11/4/23)
Passing Completions: 33 at Colgate (10/28/23)
Passing Yards: 387 at Colgate (10/28/23)
Passing Touchdowns: 4 at Colgate (10/28/23)
Long Pass: 65 vs. Georgetown (11/11/23)
Rushing Attempts: 15 vs. VMI (9/9/23)
Rushing Yards: 47 vs. VMI (9/9/23)
Long Rush: 19 vs. Georgetown (11/11/23)
Rushing Touchdowns: 1, 2X (last vs. Merrimack, 9/13/24)
MATT SCHEARER (62)
K | JR | 5-11 | 170
Field Goals: 3 at Georgetown (11/12/22)
Long Field Goal: 50 at Georgetown (11/12/22)
PATs Made: 5 at VMI (9/7/24)
Punts: 6 vs. Cornell (10/19/24)
Punt Yards: 229, 2X (last vs. Cornell 10/19/24)
Punting Average: 50.0 vs. Merrimack (9/14/24)
Long Punt: 63, 2X (last at VMI, 9/7/24)
Punts Inside 20: 2, 4X (last vs. Cornell 10/19/24)
Kickoffs: 5, 2 times (last vs. Marist, 11/19/22)
Kickoff Average: 45.2 at Georgetown (11/12/22)
JOHN SCHLENDORF (45)
S | SR | 5-10 | 180
Tackles: 14, 2 times (last vs. Penn, 9/23/23)
Sacks: 1, 5X (last at Penn, 10/12/24)
Tackles for Loss: 1, 10X (last at Penn 10/12/24)
Pass Breakups: 2, 5X (last vs. Cornell 10/19/24)
Forced Fumbles: 1, 2X (last at VMI, 9/7/24)
Fumble Recoveries: 1, 2 times (last at Colgate, 10/28/23)
Interceptions: 1 vs. Lehigh (10/21/23)
JJ SEBERT (25)
S | FR | 6-0 | 185
Tackles: 2 at Navy (8/31/24)
ASHTON SEMPERVIVE (76)
DL | JR | 6-2 | 260
Tackles: 1, 4X (last vs. Cornell 10/19/24)
DANIEL SIERK (92)
DL | JR | 6-5 | 250
Tackles: 1, 3X (last vs. Cornell 10/19/24)
CHRIS SIMS (11)
CB | SR | 5-9 | 170
Tackles: 7 at Cornell (10/14/23)
Pass Breakups: 1, 5X (last at Fordham, 11/4/23)
Interceptions: 1, 2X (last at VMI, 9/7/24)
Interception Return Yards: 21 at VMI (9/7/24)
ALEX SMITH JR. (6)
S | SR | 6-2 | 185
Tackles: 9 vs. Penn (9/23/23)
Tackles for Loss: 2 vs. Merrimack (9/14/24)
Interceptions: 1, 5X (last vs. Marist, 9/21/24)
Interception Return Yards: 38 vs. Marist (9/21/24)
Interception Return Touchdowns: 1 vs. Marist (9/21/24)
Sacks: 1 vs. Cornell (10/2/21)
Pass Breakups: 2, 3X (last at Fordham, 11/4/23)
Forced Fumbles: 1, 2 times (last vs. Lehigh, 10/21/23)
CHRISTIAN SPUGNARDI (81)
TE | SR | 6-6 | 215
Receptions: 5 at Army West Point (11/13/21)
Receiving Yards: 30 at Army West Point (11/13/21)
Long Reception: 11 vs. Fordham (11/5/22)
Receiving TDs: 2 vs. Towson (9/3/22)
MASON TAYLOR (20)
S | SR | 6-2 | 185
Tackles: 5 at JMU (9/2/23)
Tackles for Loss: 0.5 vs. Cornell (10/2/21)
Pass Breakups: 1, 4X (last vs. Marist, 9/21/24)
Interceptions: 1 at Penn (10/12/24)
TARIQ THOMAS (7)
RB | FR | 5-11 | 185
Rushing Attempts: 21 at Penn (10/12/24)
Rushing Yards: 94 vs. Cornell (10/19/24)
Long Rush: 47 vs. Cornell (10/19/24)
Receptions: 2, 2X (most recent at Penn, 9/14/24)
Receiving Yards: 13 vs. Merrimack (9/14/24)
Long Reception: 10 at Lehigh (9/28/24)
Kickoff Returns: 3 at Navy (8/31/24)
Kickoff Return Yards: 58 at Navy (8/31/24)
Long Kickoff Return: 29 at Navy (8/31/24)
ANEESH VYAS (90)
DL | SR | 6-2 | 265
Tackles: 6 vs. Lafayette (10/1/22)
Tackles for a Loss: 1, 2 times (last at Georgetown, 11/12/22)
Sacks: 0.5 vs. Lafayette (10/1/22)
Forced Fumbles: 1 at Fordham (10/16/21)
Fumble Recoveries: 2 at Fordham (10/16/21)
Pass Breakup: 1, 4X (last vs, Merrimack, 9/14/24)
Blocked kicks: 2 vs. Penn (9/23/23)
ERIC WEATHERLY (2)
WR | JR | 5-7 | 171
Receptions: 10 at Colgate (10/28/23)
Receiving Yards: 132 at Colgate (10/28/23)
Long Reception: 40, 2 time (last vs. Holy Cross, 10/7/23)
Receiving Touchdowns: 2, 3 times (last at Lehigh 9/28/24)
Rushing Attempts: 6 at Marist (11/18/23)
Rushing Yards: 20 at Marist (11/18/23)
Long Rush: 7 at Marist (11/18/23)
Rushing Touchdowns: 1 at Marist (11/18/23)
Punt Returns: 3 at Navy (8/31/24)
Punt Return Yards: 23 vs. Holy Cross (10/7/23)
Long Punt Return: 23 vs. Holy Cross (10/7/23)
Kick Returns: 3 at Cornell (10/14/23)
Kick Return Yards: 57 at Cornell (10/14/23)
Long Kick Return: 31 vs. Georgetown (11/11/23)
TAKAI WHITMORE (14)
CB | SO | 5-11 | 170
Tackles: 3, 2X (last vs. Marist, 9/21/24)
TERIAN WILLIAMS II (9)
CB | JR | 5-11 | 190
Tackles: 10 vs. Cornell (10/19/24)
Tackles for Loss: 1, 2X (last vs. Cornell, 10/19/24)
Sacks: 1 vs. Marist (9/21/24)
Interceptions: 1 at Navy (8/31/24)
GAVIN WILLIS (13)
LB | SO | 6-0 | 212
Tackles: 19 vs. Cornell (10/19/24)
Tackles for Loss: 2 at Lehigh (9/28/24)
Sacks: 2 at Lehigh (9/28/24)
Pass Breakups: 1 vs. Lehigh (10/21/23)
2024 GAME REPORTS: GAME 1
BUCKNELL 7 0 7 7 21 NAVY 6 22 7 `14 49 Aug. 31
TEAM STATISTICS
GAME NOTES
• Bucknell got off to an exciting start against the Mids with an opening-drive 47-yard touchdown pass from Ralph Rucker to Nate Anderson, but Navy went on to score 35 unanswered points and held on for a 49-21 win.
• The Mids piled up 437 yards on total offense, gaining 264 on the ground.
• RB Paul Neel led Bucknell’s rushing attack in his first career start. The senior carried 12 times for 60 yards and a third-quarter touchdown.
• Rucker added 34 net rushing yards in addition to his 122 pass yards. He was under duress much of the game, absorbing four sacks.
Football Drops Season Opener at Navy, 49-21
The Bucknell football team opened its 2024 season with a hard-fought 49-21 loss to Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) opponent Navy on Saturday afternoon before 28,763 fans at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. The Bison got out to an electric start with Ralph Rucker IV connecting with Nate Anderson on a 47-yard touchdown pass on the very first possession of the day, but the Midshipmen flipped the game around with a 22-point second quarter.
Rucker, who was under pressure for much of the contest, completed 11 of 24 passes for 122 yards and the touchdown to Anderson, a Western Michigan transfer making his Bison debut. Bucknell gained 337 total yards, including 131 on the ground, with starting running back Paul Neel leading the way with 60 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries.
TJ Cadden made a team-high five catches for 97 yards and was also impactful on special teams with a 24-yard punt return and a 52-yard kickoff return. Anderson, Josh Gary, and Eric Weatherly caught two passes apiece.
Nick Hoying led the defense with 11 total tackles, surpassing his total of 10 from his freshman season in 2023, and he also notched his first career interception. Stanford transfer Terian Williams II also intercepted a pass in his first game as a Bison.
“I thought our guys would fight for 60 minutes, and they absolutely did that,” said head coach Dave Cecchini after the game. “They did not give up, they did not quit. They played just as hard on the last play of the game as the first play of the game; 60 minutes of football in hot, humid conditions.”
Rucker found Anderson wide open down the left sideline for the opening score only 1:23 into the contest, but Navy answered about three minutes later when big fullback Daba Fofanabroke ran loose up the middle for a 49-yard touchdown run. The Bison remained in the lead when the extra point was shoved wide to the right. Bucknell looked good to expand on the margin when Rucker engineered a 13-play drive down to the Navy 19, but the Midshipmen came up with a stop on 4th-and-2.
After the defense forced another punt, Neel started a drive with a good run up the middle, but on replay review it was ruled that Navy knocked the ball loose just before his knee went down, and the Mids were awarded the ball. Navy then took its first lead of the day on Alex Tecza’s 3-yard TD run on the first play of the second quarter.
Blake Horvath tossed a pair of touchdown passes later in the period, and Navy took a 28-7 lead to the locker room.
Eli Heidenreich’s second TD catch of the game made it 35 unanswered points for Navy before the Bison ended the run on Neel’s 3-yard run that was set up by the Hoying interception. Rucker piled up 27 of his 34 rushing yards on the scoring drive.
Bucknell added one more touchdown in the final minute in a nice moment for the Cadden brothers. TJ caught a beautifully thrown deep ball by Michael Hardyway for a 37-yard hookup down to the two, and then younger brother Michael ran it in on the next play for the freshman’s first career score.
Navy gained 264 yards on the ground, led by Fofana’s 82 yards. Quarterbacks Horvath and Braxton Woodson combined to complete 10 of 19 passes for 173 yards and three touchdowns. The Midshipmen had a 437-337 edge in total yards and led 33:01-26:59 in time of possession.
SCORING SUMMARY
1st
2nd
3rd Quarter 7:15 7:45
4th Quarter 5:59 9:01
3rd Down Conversions 6 of 17 10 of 17
4th Down Conversions 1 of 3 1 of 1
Red-Zone Scores-Chances 2-4 5-5 Touchdowns 2-4 5-5 Field Goals 0-4
• WR TJ Cadden hauled in five receptions for a career-high 97 receiving yards. He added a 52-yard kickoff return and a 24-yard punt return. His younger brother, freshman RB Michael Cadden, scored a late Bison touchdown in his first collegiate game.
• Sophomore Nick Hoying led Bucknell’s defensive efforts with 11 tackles and his first career interception. Terian Williams also grabbed an interception, and Brad Jamison recorded Bucknell’s lone sack.
TEAM LEADERS
Bucknell and Navy were meeting for the first time since 1925. BUCKNELL
2024 GAME REPORTS: GAME 2
Big Second Half Lifts Bucknell to 35-28 Win at VMI
TEAM STATISTICS
GAME NOTES
• Ralph Rucker completed 14 of 15 pass attempts for 201 yards and three touchdowns in the second half to defeat VMI on the road. Rucker was 8 for 8 in the third quarter and led Bucknell to touchdowns on its first two possessions of the half.
• The Bison scored 21 unanswered points in the second half after being tied at 14-all at halftime. Josh Gary caught both touchdown passes on Bucknell’s back-to-back scoring drives to open the third quarter.
• TJ Cadden registered 87 receiving yards and a touchdown in addition to his 40-yard punt return touchdown in the first half. It was Bucknell’s first punt return touchdown in 10 years. Eric Weatherly led all receivers with nine receptions for 105 yards.
A big second half that saw 21 unanswered points propelled the Bucknell football team to a 35-28 win over VMI at Alumni Memorial Field on Saturday. After VMI took an early lead on a first quarter pick six, Ralph Rucker IV was outstanding the rest of the way and guided the Bison to their first victory of the season. The Bison quarterback completed 28 of 37 passing attempts (75.7%) for 340 yards and three touchdowns.
The Bison and Keydets were tied at 14-14 at halftime, but junior wide receiver Josh Gary was on the receiving end of two Rucker touchdowns on Bucknell’s first two drives of the third quarter to build a 28-14 lead. Sophomore TJ Cadden, who scored on a 40-yard punt return in the first quarter, caught another Rucker pass early in the fourth to put Bucknell up 35-14. Junior Eric Weatherly led all players with nine receptions for 105 yards. Paul Neel accounted for Bucknell’s other touchdown, scoring in the first quarter on one of his eight carries for 37 yards.
In the second half, Rucker completed 14 of 15 attempts for 201 yards and three touchdowns, missing just once in the fourth quarter.
Bucknell racked up 457 yards of offense for the game, while VMI totaled 378.
The Bison defense gave up just one touchdown in the first half when running back Hunter Rice ran up the middle for a 58-yard score. The Keydets added two late scores with under nine minutes to play in the game to pull within a touchdown, but the Bison were able to kneel out the final 29 seconds to defeat VMI for a second year in a row.
Rice led the Keydets with 166 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries. He also hauled in three catches. VMI quarterback Collin Shannon completed 21 of 32 passes for 129 yards, and backup Chandler Wilson completed 3 of 5 passes and a touchdown on the final VMI drive.
Rucker became just the second Bucknell quarterback to post three 300-yard passing games in his career, joining Jim Given ‘87. Seven of Rucker’s passes were for 15 yards or longer, including a 33yard completion to Weatherly that led to the first touchdown in the third quarter, a 41-yard touchdown pass to Gary that came on a 4th-and-2 play, and a 35-yard touchdown to Cadden.
Cadden’s 40-yard punt return touchdown comes one week after he logged a 24-yard punt return and a 52-yard kickoff return at Navy. He ended the day with 141 all-purpose yards. It was the first Bucknell punt return touchdown since Josh Brake took one 62 yards to the house in a win over VMI on Aug. 30, 2014.
Gavin Willis led all Bison with 12 tackles, including six solo stops. Both Brandon Biagiarelli and John Schlendorf registered sacks. Schlendorf’s sack on the opening drive of the game knocked the ball loose from VMI’s quarterback’s hand, but the Keydets recovered. The Bison would get their lone turnover of the game late in the third quarter when Chris Sims intercepted a pass in the end zone and returned it 21 yards.
SCORING SUMMARY
1st
2nd
3rd Quarter 6:22 8:38
4th Quarter 5:41 9:19
3rd
4th
• Rucker, who totaled 340 passing yards, became just the second Bison quarterback with three career 300-yard games, joining Jim Given ’87.
• Chris Sims came up with Bucknell’s only turnover, intercepting a pass in the third quarter. John Schlendorf forced a fumble that was recovered by VMI, and Gavin Willis led all Bison with 12 tackles.
TEAM LEADERS
BUCKNELL
2024 GAME REPORTS: GAME 3
MERRIMACK 3 14 14 0 31
TEAM STATISTICS
GAME NOTES
• Bucknell and Merrimack traded leads four times in the first half, but the visiting Warriors took the lead for good with 1:46 remaining in the second quarter and scored 21 unanswered points to build a 31-14 lead by the middle of the third.
• Merrimack eclipsed 400 yards of offense, including 258 rushing yards. Running back Jermaine Corbett accounted for 166 rushing yards and a touchdown on 19 carries.
• The Warriors also added a defensive score on a sack-fumble returned for a touchdown in the third quarter.
• Bucknell snapped its scoring drought with a touchdown pass in the final minute of the game to cut the final deficit to 31-21.
Football Falls to Merrimack 31-21 in Home Opener
Bucknell and Merrimack traded leads four times in the first half, but the Warriors went on to score 21 unanswered to take control of the game and hand the Bison a 31-21 loss in their home opener at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium Saturday evening.
Merrimack piled up 405 yards of offense compared to Bucknell’s 260 and added a defensive score. Bucknell’s offense got off to a hot start, scoring on two of its first three drives to go up 14-10 early in the second quarter. Merrimack’s defense buckled down from that point on and forced three Bucknell turnovers in the game while holding the Bison off the scoreboard for the entire third quarter and most of the fourth. Bucknell’s Michael Hardyway threw a touchdown pass to Sam Milligan in the final minute of the game to cut the Seahawk lead to 10.
The Warriors sacked Ralph Rucker IV seven times. The Bison quarterback ended the game 16 of 27 for 141 yards. Rucker’s lone touchdown through the air came in the first quarter when he capped a 10-play, 73-yard drive with a 10-yard pass to Josh Gary in the end zone that put Bucknell in front, 7-3. Merrimack regained the lead on its first possession of the second quarter. The Bison responded immediately with another long drive that ended with an 11-yard touchdown scamper by Rucker.
Merrimack running back Jermaine Corbett led the Merrimack offense with 166 yards on 19 carries. His 25-yard touchdown run late in the second quarter gave the Warriors a 17-14 lead heading into halftime and started the 21-0 run.
Merrimack quarterback Ayden Pereira hit Brendon Wyatt on a 13-yard touchdown early in the third to go up double digits, and the deficit grew to 21 when a sack-fumble was returned by defensive lineman Nicholas Lenon 26 yards for a touchdown. Merrimack finished the game 7 for 13 on third downs.
Bucknell freshman running back Tariq Thomas led the Bison ground game with 51 yards on just seven carries. He also pulled down two catches for 13 yards. Eric Weatherly led all Bucknell receivers with 77 yards on six catches. Nick Hoying registered a teamhigh 10 tackles on defense. TJ Cadden, the reigning Patriot League Special Teams Player of the Week, made another splash play with a 37-yard punt return in the first quarter.
Both Bucknell and Merrimack moved to 1-2 on the season following Saturday’s result.
SCORING SUMMARY
MER 3rd 08:04 Lenon 52yd fumble recovery Davis kick 14-31
BUC 4th 00:46 Milligan 23yd pass from Hardyway Schearer kick
TEAM LEADERS
MERRIMACK
3rd
• Ralph Rucker led two touchdown drives in the first half. He threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Josh Gary to cap a 9-play, 73yard drive in the first quarter. In the second, Rucker ran 11 yards for a score to cap a 5-play, 65-yard drive. He finished the game with 141 passing yards on 16 completions.
• The Merrimack defense sacked Rucker seven times in the contest and intercepted two passes.
2024 GAME REPORTS: GAME 4
MARIST 7 0 0 11 19
TEAM STATISTICS
GAME NOTES
• Bucknell scored touchdowns on offense, defense and special teams to jump out to a 27-7 lead over Marist by halftime. The Bison held on to win 34-18, defeating the Red Foxes for a 10th consecutive time.
• Bucknell’s offense rolled to 458 yards of total offense. Ralph Rucker completed 21 of 27 passes for 272 and three touchdowns.
• TJ Cadden registered a 73-yard punt return touchdown and also caught a touchdown pass in the game. He finished with 155 all-purpose yards.
• Alex Smith Jr. intercepted a Marist pass in the second quarter and returned it 38 yards for a touchdown. It was Bucknell’s first pick-six since the 2021 season.
Bison Football Rides Big First Half to 34-18 Win Over Marist
The Bucknell football team scored three unanswered touchdowns in just over three minutes of game time to jump out to a commanding 27-7 lead over the visiting Marist Red Foxes by halftime, and the Bison added one more score in the second half on the way to a 34-18 Family Weekend win at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium on Saturday evening. It was Bucknell’s 10th consecutive win in the Marist series and evened its season record at 2-2.
Ralph Rucker IV completed 21 of 27 passes for 272 yards and three touchdowns, and TJ Cadden notched his second punt-return touchdown of the season to lead the Bison. Cadden, Eric Weatherly, and Charlie Kreinbucher all caught TD passes as Bucknell moved to 1-1 in home games.
Bucknell’s offense rolled to 458 yards of total offense, but it was a strong showing by the Bison in all three phases of the game as they added touchdowns on defense and special teams. Rucker, who completed his first 13 pass attempts of the game, threw his second touchdown pass of the game to Kreinbucher early in the second quarter to break a 7-7 tie. Cadden returned a punt 73 yards for a touchdown just several plays later, and Alex Smith Jr. returned an interception 36 yards on the following drive to make it three Bison scores in 3:22 of game time.
Aaron Davis joined Smith with an interception, while Gavin Willis’ nine tackles led a Bucknell defense that held Marist to a single score through three quarters. Brandon Biagiarelli registered two of Bucknell’s four sacks. Marist managed to total 435 yards of offense, including 209 passing yards by quarterback Sonny Mannino, but the Red Foxes’ opening drive touchdown was its only score until it converted a field goal to open the fourth quarter.
Marist’s first-quarter touchdown came in response to Bucknell’s opening drive, which saw Rucker lead the offense 79 yards down field and connect with Weatherly on a 36-yard touchdown. It was Weatherly’s first score of the season. Rucker’s touchdown to Kreinbucher was from just two yards out, and the dagger to Cadden was a 12-yard score with 5:51 to play. Rucker reached eight passing touchdowns on the season and is one shy of 30 in his brief Bucknell career.
Bucknell has now scored in the 30s in two games this season and in five of its last eight dating back to last season.
Cadden, who became the first Bison in a decade return a punt for a touchdown in the win over VMI, now has four total touchdowns on the season. He ranks near the top of all FCS players with 607 all-purpose yards. Michael Cadden, TJ’s younger brother, led all Bison with 71 yards on just five carries in the fourth quarter. Paul Neel finished the game with 44 rushing yards on eight carries, and Tariq Thomas ran 12 times for 40 yards.
Smith is the first Bucknell player to return an interception for a touchdown since Blake Leake in 2021.
SCORING SUMMARY
Team QT Time Scoring Play Conversion
1st 12:14 Weatherly
MAR 1st 08:25 Downes 28yd pass from Arjona Mendini
BUC 2nd 12:37 Kreinbucher 2yd pass from Rucker Schearer kick
BUC 2nd 10:33 T. Cadden 73yd punt return Schearer kick
BUC 2nd 09:15 Smith Jr. 38yd interception return Schearer kick
MAR 4th 13:23 Mendini 25yd field goal --- 7-52 04:03 27-10
BUC 4th 05:51 Cadden 12yd pass from Rucker Schearer kick 7-34 02:18 34-10
MAR 4th 01:13 Dexter 5yd pass from Mannino Cardillo pass 7-52 01:03 34-18
TEAM LEADERS
Punt:
1st
2nd
3rd Quarter 9:20 5:40
4th Quarter 6:15 8:45
3rd Down Conversions 6 of 14 6 of 12
4th Down Conversions 0 of 2 0 of 1
Red-Zone Scores-Chances 2-3 2-4 Touchdowns 1-3 2-4 Field
• Freshman running back Michael Cadden led all Bison with 71 rushing yards on just five carries, all of which came in the fourth quarter. Paul Neel rushed eight times for 44 yards, and Tariq Thomas carried the ball 12 times for 40 yards.
• Eric Weatherly was Rucker’s top target, hauling in five catches for 74 yards and a score. Charlie Kreinbucher also caught a touchdown.
• Brandon Biagiarelli logged seven tackles and two sacks.
2024 GAME REPORTS: GAME 5
Bison Football Rides Big First Half to 34-18 Win Over Marist
TEAM STATISTICS
GAME NOTES
• TJ Cadden, who already had two punt return touchdowns this season, set a Goodman Stadium record and tied the Bucknell record with his 100-yard kickoff return.
• Bison head coach Dave Cecchini improved to 4-2 against his alma mater in six seasons with the Bison.
• It was Bucknell’s third straight road win over Lehigh, and fifth-year seniors Casey Stephenson and Danny Meuser became the first Bison ever to go 3-0 at Goodman Stadium.
• Bucknell had not had a pick-six in three seasons but now has one in two straught games. Alex Smith Jr. ran one back against Marist last week and Aaron Davis snapped the fourth-quarter tie with an INT TD at Lehigh.
Senior linebacker Brad Jamison forced a fumble in the second overtime of a wild Patriot League opener to give Bucknell a 38-35 win over Lehigh at muddy Goodman Stadium. It was a resilient effort by the Bison, who erased a 14-0 second quarter deficit and scored touchdowns on offense, defense and special times for a second week in a row. The Bison improved to 3-2 and achieved their best start to a season since 2015. The Mountain Hawks entered the game leading the Patriot League with a 3-1 record.
Bucknell trailed 21-14 in the third quarter and again at 35-28 after Lehigh’s offense scored first in the first overtime. Ralph Rucker IV connected with Eric Weatherly for a 12-yard touchdown on Bucknell’s first overtime try, and Matt Schearer drilled a 42-yard field goal in the second overtime. Jamison stripped Lehigh Luke Yoder on 1st-and-10 from the Bucknell 20-yard line, and Gavin Willis recovered his second fumble of the day to seal the victory.
Rucker finished the game 15 for 22 for 150 yards and two touchdowns, both of which Weatherly caught.
In the second quarter, the Lehigh offense marched 97 yards down field after a Bucknell fumble and scored its second passing touchdown of the first half to take a 14-0 lead with 4:11 to play, but the Bison immediately snatched the momentum thanks to a 100-yard kickoff return touchdown by TJ Cadden, a forced fumble by Mason Taylor, and a 31-yard touchdown pass by Ralph Rucker IV. The wild sequence of events, which all took place in 62 seconds of game time, tied the game by the time the teams entered the locker rooms.
Lehigh regained the lead in the third quarter, but Bucknell answered again with a 7-yard touchdown rush by Rucker. Bucknell took its first lead of the game with just over six minutes to play in the fourth when Aaron Davis picked off a Lehigh pass and returned it 79 yards for a touchdown. It was Bucknell’s second pick-six in as many weeks.
Lehigh managed to tie the game at 28-28 with 1:36 to play in the fourth, but Bucknell had one more chance to win in regulation. The Bison offense drove to Lehigh’s 35-yard line, including a fourth-down conversion on the final offensive play where Rucker connected with Thomas, and Schearer lined up for a 52-yard field goal attempt. The kick had plenty of distance, but the ball bounced off the upright and sent the two teams to overtime. The Bison still made good on one of two field goals and connected on four extra points with backup long snapper Michael Crabtree called into action.
Bucknell finished the game with 270 total yards of offense compared to an even 500 for the Mountain Hawks. 150 of Bucknell’s yards came on the ground, including a season-high by freshman running back Tariq Thomas. Paul Neel rushed seven times for 38 yards. Lehigh’s Yoder rushed 22 times for 137 yards and three touchdowns.
SCORING SUMMARY
1st
2nd Quarter 8:59 6:01
3rd Quarter 9:20 5:40
4th Quarter 6:15 8:45
3rd Down Conversions 5 of 12 7 of 14
4th Down Conversions 1 of 1 2 of 4
Red-Zone Scores-Chances 3-4 3-3
Sacks: Total - Yards 2-21 5-21
PAT: Total - Made 5-5 5-5
2PT Conversion: Total - Made 0-0 0-0
Field Goals: Total - Made 1-2 0-0
• Bucknell won despite being outgained 500-270. The defensive and special teams touchdowns along with another one-play TD drive meant Lehigh had a couple of extra possessions and a 16:38 edge in time of possession.
• QB Ralph Rucker IV threw two touchdown passes and ran for another score; all three TDs came with the Bison trailing by seven points, including the critical toss to Eric Weatherly in overtime.
TEAM LEADERS
BUCKNELL
2024 GAME REPORTS: GAME 6
Penn Parlays Big Third Quarter into 31-21 Win at Franklin Field
Malachi Hosley ran for 146 yards and two big third-quarter touchdowns to help Penn pull away and snap Bucknell’s two-game winning streak, 31-21 on a sunny afternoon at Franklin Field. The Bison piled up 429 total yards, including 314 through the air, five times they lamented coming away without points on drives to at least the Penn 33-yard line.
TEAM STATISTICS
GAME NOTES
• Penn posted its 10th straight series win over the Bison, with Bucknell’s last win coming in 1999.
• It was only the third Division I game ever in which neither team punted. The others were Georgia Southern vs. James Madison in 1986 and Hawai’i vs. San Jose State in 2019.
• Bucknell saw its two game winning streak snapped. The Bison were trying for their first three-game run since 2014.
• The Bison fell despite making a seaon-high 28 first downs and outgaining Penn 429-394.
• RB Tariq Thomas’ two touchdown runs were the first two of his career.
• WR Josh Gary caught 13 passes for 137 yards. The 13 receptions were two shy of Damian Harris’ school record of 15, set last season in a win over Marist.
• The Bison are now 3-3 under head coach Dave Cecchini in the week following a bye.
• Penn improved to 2-2 on the season, with both wins coming against Patriot League teams (Colgate, Bucknell). The Quakers have now won eight straight games against the PL.
Ralph Rucker IV completed his first 13 passes of the day and was 26 of 34 for 241 yards before leaving with an injury on the first play of the fourth quarter. Backup Michael Hardyway was just as effective, hitting on 6 of 9 passes for 53 yards and engineering a fourth-quarter scoring drive that kept Bucknell within striking distance.
Josh Gary caught a career-high 13 passes — two shy of the team record — on 15 targets for 137 yards, and Eric Weatherly (7) and Nate Anderson (6) accounted for another 13 catches. Freshman Tariq Thomas paced the ground attack with 57 yards on 21 carries and two touchdowns.
Bucknell got out to a promising start when FCS kickoff return leader TJ Cadden ran the opening kickoff out to midfield. The Bison picked up a couple of first downs but were ultimately stopped on 4th-and-1 at the Penn 20.
The Quakers, boosted by the fourth-down stop, drove 80 yards in eight plays to take the lead. The key play was a 44-yard catch and run on a wide receiver screen by Bisi Owens on a 3rd-and-8 down to the Bucknell 22. After a Penn holding penalty, Hosley ran it 27 yards down to the 5 and then Jamal Bing scored on the next play for a 7-0 Quakers lead.
Bucknell immediately responded, driving 78 yards in 10 plays, knotting the game on a 9-yard run by Thomas and the PAT by Matt Schearer. Rucker was 6-for-6 for 53 yards on the drive, plus a big 14-yard scramble on 3rd-and-13.
John Schlendorf’s sack on 3rd-and-5 from the Bucknell 6 forced Penn to settle for a 30-yard Sam Smith field goal with 9:22 left in the second quarter, and Penn escaped with that 10-7 lead into the halftime break after the Bison missed two field goals in the final 5:13.
Penn broke it open in the third quarter with two more Hosley touchdown runs of 32 and 13 yards stretching the margin to 24-7.
Rucker connected with Anderson on an 11-yard fade route in the left corner of the end zone to make it 24-14, but the Quakers answered in only three plays, with Aidan Sayin hitting Jared Richardson on a 49-yard strike. Hardyway led an 11-play touchdown drive, culminating with Thomas’ 4-yard run with 11:56 to go in the fourth. Alex Smith Jr. broke up a fourth-down pass to give the Bison the ball back at their own 21 with 8:14 to go, and they drove all the way to the Penn 32 with a chance to make it a one-score game. Hardyway called his own number to pick up a 4th-and-3, and four completions to Gary set up a 49-yard field goal attempt, but it was off the mark with 3:10 to go, and the Quakers made two first downs to run out the clock.
SCORING SUMMARY
TEAM LEADERS
2024 GAME REPORTS: GAME 7
CORNELL 21 6 7 0 34
TEAM STATISTICS
GAME NOTES
• Bucknell had won three straight and five of the previous six in the series. The three-game streak was Bucknell’s longest in the 60-game series that dates back to 1888.
• LB Gavin Willis smashed his career high with 19 tackles, which is the highest total for a Bison since Evan Byers had 23 against VMI in 2013.
• DB Terrian Williams joined Willis in double figures with 10 tackles, S John Schlendorf had eight tackles and two pass breakups, and DL Will Caneer tallied seven tackles and a sack..
• RB Tariq Thomas broke off a career-long 47-yard run in the fourth quarter.
• WR TJ Cadden caught a career-high seven passes. His TD in the final minute of the first half was his sixth score of the season (three receiving and three on returns).
Turnovers Prove Costly as Bison Drop Homecoming Game to Cornell, 34-21
Jameson Wang completed 32 of 49 passes for 274 yards and three touchdowns to lead Cornell to a 34-21 victory over Bucknell at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium. Bison quarterback Michael Hardyway, a senior making his first career start, threw TD passes to TJ Cadden and Sam Milligan, and freshman Logan Bush ran one in for his first career score, but the Bison could not overcome four turnovers as the Big Red spoiled Homecoming and snapped their three-game series losing streak.
Hardyway, in for the injured Ralph Rucker IV, completed 21 of 39 passes for 214 yards and the two touchdowns. Cadden led the receiver corps with seven catches for 84 yards, and freshman running back Tariq Thomas had another strong game with 94 yards on nine carries.
Defensively, Gavin Willis piled up a career-high 19 tackles and Aaron Davis and Roman Pearson both picked off passes, but Cornell’s vaunted offense, which came in ranked 10th nationally in pass efficiency, logged 465 total yards.
The Big Red outscored the Bison 21-0 in the first quarter, with turnovers playing a big role. After Cornell scored on the game’s opening drive, Bucknell was in position to tie it right back up as Hardyway scrambled toward the end zone. But Luke Banbury, who had a monster game for Cornell, poked the ball loose and recovered the fumble at the 1-yard line.
The Big Red drove 95 yards to the Bison 4, but Davis made a huge play getting inside position on the receiver for an interception in the end zone. The Bison could not take advantage, as three plays later Banbury picked off a pass and brought it back 26 yards for a touchdown. After a threeand-out, Wang and Sam Musungu hooked up for the second time in the game, this one from 14 yards out to make it 21-0.
Bush’s first career touchdown got the Bison on the board midway through the second half, and Hardyway engineered a terrific drive to get his team back in the game just before the half. A Cornell field goal made it a 27-7 game, but an unnecessary roughness penalty at the end of the kickoff gave the Bison good field position at its own 47.
Michael Cadden picked up a key first down on a 4th-and-2 carry, and three plays later Hardyway hit older brother TJ Cadden on a 12-yard scoring strike with 14 seconds left to make it a 27-14 game at the half.
Bucknell limited Cornell to only seven points in the second half, and a terrific 28-yard catch and run by Sam Milligan brought the Bison within 34-21 with 12:03 still to play. Milligan caught a slant pass at the 12 and dragged three defenders across the goal line for his second TD of the season.
After a punt, Thomas streaked 47 yards to the Cornell 31 on the first play of the next series, but the very next snap sailed over Hardyway’s head, resulting in a loss of 23 yards. The Bison had to punt with 6:27 remaining, and they were not able to threaten again.
SCORING SUMMARY
1st
1st
2nd
COR 2nd 1:10 Zhao 34 FG
BUCK 2nd 0:14 TJ Cadden 12 pass from Hardyway Schearer kick
COR 3rd 8:33 Woodring 10 pass from Wang Zhao kick 4-24 1:31
BUCK 4th 12:03 Milligan 28 pass from Hardyway Schearer kick
TEAM LEADERS
4th Quarter 10:17 4:43
3rd Down Conversions 8-20 3-15
Sacks:
2PT Conversion: Total - Made 0-0 0-0 Field Goals: Total - Made 2-2 0-0
• Cornell entered the game leading the nation in fewest sacks allowed at 0.5 per game. The Bison had only one, which was credited to Caneer on an intentional grounding penalty.
• Cornell was penalized 12 times for 120 yards in the first half and did not have a single flag in the second.
Team Results
Game Records
Team Statistics
Rushing
Passing
Receiving
Interceptions
Team Defense
Bucknell Averages
Opponents Averages
Rushing/Receiving Game-by-Game
Rushing Player
Tariq Thomas 82-357/2 6-15/0 9-23/0 7-51/0 12-40/0 18-77/0 21-57/2 9-94/0
Ralph Rucker IV 52-85/2 10-34/0 6-21/0 13--10/1 5-6/0 9--10/1 9-44/0 DNP
Paul Neel 45-200/2 12-60/1 8-37/1 4-3/0 8-44/0 7-38/0 2-9/0 4-9/0
Michael Cadden 25-145/1 5-12/1 4-9/0 5-36/0 5-71/0 1-5/0 1--4/0 4-16/0
Danny Meuser 13-43/0 5-11/0 4-24/0 1-0/0 3-8/0 - DNP DNP
Michael Hardyway 11-17/0 - DNP - 1-1/0 DNP 3-5/0 7-11/0
Logan Bush 8-31/1 DNP DNP 2-11/0 4-13/0 DNP - 2-7/1
Nate Anderson 3-16/0 - - - 1-3/0 1-10/0 - 1-3/0
Eric Weatherly 2-4/0 - 1--1/0 1-5/0 - - - -
Josh Gary 1--1/0 - 1--1/0 - - - - -
Receiving Player
Eric Weatherly 38-399/3 2-10/0 9-105/0 6-77/0 5-74/1 5-55/2 7-61/0 4-17/0
Josh Gary 27-313/3 2-15/0 3-54/2 3-17/1 2-28/0 1-5/0 13-137/0 3-57/0
TJ Cadden 25-343/3 5-97/0 6-87/1 - 3-30/1 1-21/0 3-24/0 7-84/1
Nate Anderson 23-265/2 2-61/1 3-32/0 2-21/0 4-47/0 5-49/0 6-52/1 1-3/0
Sam Milligan 7-113/2 1-9/0 1-6/0 1-23/1 1-32/0 1-2/0 1-13/0 1-28/1
Charlie Kreinbucher 7-52/1 - 1-5/0 1-1/0 2-10/1 - 1-20/0 2-16/0
Paul Neel 7-42/0 1-5/0 3-18/0 1-9/0 - - - 2-10/0
Tariq Thomas 6-29/0 - - 2-13/0 - 1-10/0 2-7/0 1--1/0
Derrick Anderson Jr. 4-60/0 - 2-33/0 1-3/0 1-24/0 DNP - -
Kyle Fontes 2-17/0 1-4/0 - - 1-13/0 DNP DNP DNP
Michael Cadden 2-14/0 - - - 2-14/0 - - -
Marques Owens 1-8/0 DNP DNP DNP - 1-8/0 DNP DNP
Danny Meuser 1-5/0 1-5/0 - - - - DNP DNP
Total Tackles
Player
Gavin Willis 41-30 71 4-6 6-6 2-5 6-3 7-2 5-0 11-8
John Schlendorf 38-16 54 4-5 4-2 4-1
Nick Hoying 34-19 53 6-5 4-3 6-4
Terian Williams 22-20 42 1-0 2-4 4-5 1-3 4-4 4-0 6-4
Brad Jamison 17-14 31 5-2 1-3 4-3 DNP 1-2 2-1 4-3
Alex Smith Jr. 18-12 30 4-2 1-3 3-4 2-0 4-2 3-0 1-1
Roman Pearson 16-6 22 2-0 5-1 3-1 - 2-2 1-1 3-1
Mason Taylor 15-4 19 1-0 2-1 3-1 1-1 3-1 4-0 1-0
Aaron Davis 14-4 18 1-0 DNP - 6-1 0-2 3-1 4-0
Brandon Biagiarelli 8-10 18 0-1 2-1 2-1 3-4 0-1 0-1 1-1
Will Caneer 10-4 14 - - 1-2 - 3-0 1-0 5-2
Cade Rooney 9-5 14 3-1 1-0 0-3 2-0 1-1 - 2-0
Jack Barnes 7-7 14 2-2 1-1 0-1 1-1 3-1 - 0-1
Chris Sims 9-4 13 - - 2-2 1-0 4-2
Aneesh Vyas 4-8 12 1-2 1-2 0-1 1-0 -
Takai Whitmore 8-1 9 3-0 1-0 1-0 2-1 - - 1-0
Jack Goheen 5-4 9 - 1-1 0-1 4-2
Justin Fisher 2-4 6 0-1 - - - 1-0 1-1 0-2
Luke Freeman 3-2 5 - 0-1 - 1-1 1-0 - 1-0
Grant Laws
JJ Sebert 2-2 4 2-0 - 0-1 0-1
Bradley Pao 2-1 3 - 1-0 0-1 1-0 - -
Deuce Geter 2-1 3 DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP 2-1
Drew Cormier 2-0 2 2-0 DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP
Darius Day 2-0 2 DNP DNP DNP 2-0 DNP DNP DNP
Charlie Meehleib 2-0 2 - - DNP DNP DNP - 2-0
Ashton Sempervive 1-1 2 1-0 - - - - - 0-1
Christian Spugnardi 1-1 2 - 0-1 - - - 1-0
Matt Karic 1-1 2 1-1
Danny Meuser
Daniel Sierk 0-2 2 DNP DNP - - DNP 0-1 0-1
Dara Adeyemi 0-2 2 0-1 - - - - - 0-1
Josh Gary
Hardyway
Charlie McIntyre 1-0 1 DNP DNP DNP 1-0 DNP DNP DNP
Aidan Catania 1-0 1 DNP DNP DNP 1-0 DNP DNP DNP
David LoGrasso 1-0 1 - DNP - DNP DNP 1-0 -
TJ Cadden 1-0 1 1-0 - - -
Derrick Anderson Jr. 0-1 1 - - 0-1 - DNP - -
Nate Anderson 0-1 1 - 0-1 - - - - -
Ryan Jedlicka
Sam Milligan 0-1 1 - 0-1
Juan Garanton 0-1 1 - DNP - 0-1
Punt Returns
Cadden
Eric Weatherly 3--3 3--3
Kick Returns
Player
TJ Cadden 11-317 1-52
Tariq Thomas 7-133 3-58 1-17 2-47
Michael Cadden 4-47
Williams 3-30 1-16
Josh Gary 1-8
Interceptions Returns
Fumble Returns
Bucknell Inside Opponent Red-Zone
Opponents Inside Bucknell Red-Zone
Bucknell - Game Highs
RUSHES 39 Marist (09/21/2024) 39 at Navy (08/31/2024)
(09/21/2024)
(09/21/2024) TD RUSHES 2 at Penn (10/12/2024) 2 at Navy (08/31/2024)
(10/12/2024)
(10/12/2024)
(09/07/2024)
(09/21/2024)
(09/21/2024)
(09/07/2024)
(10/12/2024)
(09/21/2024)
(09/21/2024)
(09/28/2024)
(09/21/2024)
(10/12/2024)
(09/21/2024)
Marist (09/21/2024) TURNOVERS 4 Cornell (10/19/2024) PUNTS 6 Cornell (10/19/2024)
Merrimack (09/14/2024)
at VMI (09/07/2024) 63 at Navy (08/31/2024) PUNTS INSIDE
2 Cornell (10/19/2024) 2 at Lehigh (09/28/2024) 2 Merrimack (09/14/2024)
LONG PUNT RETURN 73 Marist (09/21/2024)
Opponent - Game Highs
(08/31/2024)
(09/07/2024)
(08/31/2024) PASS
(08/31/2024)
(10/19/2024)
(09/28/2024)
(10/12/2024)
(08/31/2024) SACKS
(09/14/2024)
(10/19/2024)
(10/19/2024)
(09/28/2024)
(09/07/2024) PUNTING
at Lehigh (09/28/2024)
(08/31/2024)
Bucknell - Game Lows
(09/14/2024)
(09/21/2024)
(09/28/2024)
(08/31/2024)
(09/14/2024)
(10/12/2024)
(08/31/2024)
(09/28/2024)
(09/14/2024)
(10/19/2024)
(10/12/2024)
(09/14/2024)
(08/31/2024)
(10/19/2024)
(10/12/2024)
Merrimack (09/14/2024)
(08/31/2024)
(09/14/2024)
(09/14/2024)
(09/14/2024)
(10/12/2024)
at Penn (10/12/2024)
at Penn (10/12/2024) PUNTS INSIDE
Cornell (10/19/2024)
at Penn (10/12/2024) LONG PUNT
at Penn (10/12/2024)
at Lehigh (09/28/2024)
Opponent - Game Lows
(09/07/2024)
(09/21/2024)
(09/21/2024)
(10/19/2024)
Marist (09/21/2024) PASS ATTEMPTS
(09/14/2024)
(08/31/2024)
Merrimack (09/14/2024) YARDS PER PASS
at VMI (09/07/2024)
PASSES 1 at Penn (10/12/2024)
Merrimack (09/14/2024) 1 at VMI (09/07/2024) TOTAL PLAYS 56 at Penn (10/12/2024)
at VMI (09/07/2024)
(10/19/2024)
Marist (09/21/2024)
Cornell (10/19/2024)
Marist (09/21/2024) FIRST DOWNS 19 at Penn (10/12/2024)
4 at Penn (10/12/2024)
PENALTY YARDS 43 at Lehigh (09/28/2024) INTERCEPTIONS BY 0 at Penn (10/12/2024) 0 at Lehigh (09/28/2024) 0 at Navy (08/31/2024)
PUNTS 0 at Penn (10/12/2024)
PUNTING AVG 0.0 at Penn (10/12/2024)
LONG PUNT 0 at Penn (10/12/2024)
PUNTS INSIDE 20 0 Cornell (10/19/2024) 0 at Penn (10/12/2024) 0 at Lehigh (09/28/2024) 0 at VMI (09/07/2024)
LONG PUNT RETURN 0 at Penn (10/12/2024) 0 at Lehigh (09/28/2024) 0 Marist (09/21/2024)
Bucknell - Individual Game Highs
RUSHES
YARDS RUSHING
21 Tariq Thomas at Penn (10/12/2024)
94 Tariq Thomas vs Cornell (10/19/2024)
TD RUSHES 2 Tariq Thomas at Penn (10/12/2024)
LONG RUSH 47 Tariq Thomas vs Cornell (10/19/2024)
PASS ATTEMPTS 39 Michael Hardyway vs Cornell (10/19/2024)
PASS COMPLETIONS 28 Ralph Rucker IV at VMI (09/07/2024)
YARDS PASSING
340 Ralph Rucker IV at VMI (09/07/2024)
TD PASSES 3 Ralph Rucker IV vs Marist (09/21/2024)
3 Ralph Rucker IV at VMI (09/07/2024)
LONG PASS 47 Ralph Rucker IV at Navy (08/31/2024)
RECEPTIONS 13 Josh Gary at Penn (10/12/2024)
YARDS RECEIVING 137 Josh Gary at Penn (10/12/2024)
TD RECEPTIONS 2 Eric Weatherly at Lehigh (09/28/2024)
2 Josh Gary at VMI (09/07/2024)
LONG RECEPTION 47 Nate Anderson at Navy (08/31/2024)
PUNTS 6 Matt Schearer vs Cornell (10/19/2024)
PUNTING AVG
LONG PUNT
PUNTS INSIDE 20
LONG PUNT RETURN
LONG KICKOFF RETURN
Matt Schearer vs Merrimack (09/14/2024)
63 Matt Schearer at VMI (09/07/2024)
63 Matt Schearer at Navy (08/31/2024)
2 Matt Schearer vs Cornell (10/19/2024)
2 Matt Schearer at Lehigh (09/28/2024)
2 Matt Schearer vs Merrimack (09/14/2024)
73 TJ Cadden vs Marist (09/21/2024)
100 TJ Cadden at Lehigh (09/28/2024)
TACKLES 19 Gavin Willis vs Cornell (10/19/2024)
SACKS
TACKLES FOR LOSS
2 Gavin Willis at Lehigh (09/28/2024)
2 Brandon Biagiarelli vs Marist (09/21/2024)
3 Nick Hoying vs Marist (09/21/2024)
Opponent - Individual Game Highs
RUSHES
YARDS RUSHING
TD RUSHES
LONG RUSH
PASS ATTEMPTS
22 Malachi Hosley at Penn (10/12/2024)
22 Luke Yoder at Lehigh (09/28/2024)
166 Jermaine Corbett vs Merrimack (09/14/2024)
166 Hunter Rice at VMI (09/07/2024)
3 Luke Yoder at Lehigh (09/28/2024)
58 Hunter Rice at VMI (09/07/2024)
49 Jameson Wang vs Cornell (10/19/2024)
PASS COMPLETIONS 32 Jameson Wang vs Cornell (10/19/2024)
YARDS PASSING
274 Jameson Wang vs Cornell (10/19/2024)
TD PASSES 3 Jameson Wang vs Cornell (10/19/2024)
LONG PASS 57 Ayden Pereira vs Merrimack (09/14/2024)
RECEPTIONS 14 Samuel Musungu vs Cornell (10/19/2024)
YARDS RECEIVING
TD RECEPTIONS
136 Geo rey Jamiel at Lehigh (09/28/2024)
2 Samuel Musungu vs Cornell (10/19/2024)
2 Geo rey Jamiel at Lehigh (09/28/2024)
2 Eli Heidenreich at Navy (08/31/2024)
LONG RECEPTION 57 Donovan Wadley vs Merrimack (09/14/2024)
FIELD GOALS
LONG FIELD GOALS
2 Alan Zhao vs Cornell (10/19/2024)
Alan Zhao vs Cornell (10/19/2024)
PUNTS 7 Ben Shrewsbury at VMI (09/07/2024)
PUNTING AVG 45.0 Connor Poole at Lehigh (09/28/2024)
LONG PUNT 54 Ben Shrewsbury at VMI (09/07/2024)
PUNTS INSIDE 20 3 Riley Riethman at Navy (08/31/2024)
LONG PUNT RETURN 23 Eli Heidenreich at Navy (08/31/2024)
LONG KICKOFF RETURN 45 Julien Stokes at Penn (10/12/2024)
TACKLES 15 Kouri Crump at VMI (09/07/2024)
SACKS 4 Nicholas Lenon vs Merrimack (09/14/2024)
TACKLES FOR LOSS 4 Nicholas Lenon vs Merrimack (09/14/2024)
INTERCEPTIONS
1 Luke Banbury vs Cornell (10/19/2024)
1 Nate Robinson Jr. vs Marist (09/21/2024)
1 Grant Jackson vs Merrimack (09/14/2024)
1 Donte Williams vs Merrimack (09/14/2024)
1 Asa Locks at VMI (09/07/2024)
31 Drew Cormier 1/0
32 Finn Sposato 0/0
33 Brad Jamison 6/6
34 Darius Day 1/0
35 Charlie Meehleib 4/0
36 Michael Cadden 7/0
37 Tristan Menconi 0/0
38 Brad Gerken 0/0
39 Jackson Nowinski 0/0
40 Charlie McIntyre 1/0
41 Jack Bohm-Squicciarini 0/0
42 Ryan Skoronski 0/0
43 Owen Garwood 1/0
44 Caden Allard 0/0
45 John Schlendorf
46 Michael Crabtree 1/0
47 Jack Goheen 4/1
49 Jason Ussery 0/0
52 Jack Barnes 7/5
53 Tim Andersen 6/0
54 Reuben Logan 0/0
56 Mark Mulhern 6/2
57 Jack Inserra 5/0
58 Aidan Catania 1/0
## Player GP-GS Navy VMI Merri Marist Lehigh Penn CU
59 Dante Mascio 0/0
60 Kieran Coscia 5/0 XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX
61 Ryan Jedlicka 6/0 XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX
62 Matt Schearer 7/0 XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX
64 David LoGrasso 4/0 XXX XXX XXX XXX
65 Tristan Arndt 0/0
66 Herschel Johal 1/0 ... ... ... XXX ... ... ...
67 Gustav Ste elin 1/0 XXX
68 D.K. Kim 2/0 XXX XXX
70 Xavier Allen 7/7 START START START START START START START
71 Fredrick Sturgis 6/0 XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX
72 Noah Wright 0/0
73 Mason Jones 7/1 START XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX
74 Casey Stephenson 7/7 START START START START START START START
75 Jake Guy 6/6 ... START START START START START START
76 Ashton Sempervive 7/0 XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX
77 Nathan Natoli 6/5 START START START START START XXX
78 John Ohnegian 7/7 START START START START START START START
79 Rowan McGwin 0/0
80 TJ Cadden 7/1 XXX XXX START XXX XXX XXX XXX
81 Christian Spugnardi 7/0 XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX
82 Charlie Kreinbucher 7/7 START START START START START START START
83 Rourke Kennedy 0/0
84 Sam Milligan 7/0 XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX
85 AJ Bosch 1/0 XXX
86 Braylen Burgess 1/0 XXX
87 Kyle Fontes 4/0 XXX XXX XXX XXX
88 Will Rich 0/0
89 Anthony DiMarco 0/0
90 Aneesh Vyas 7/6 XXX START START START START START START
91 Matt Karic 7/0 XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX
92 Daniel Sierk 4/0 XXX XXX XXX XXX
93 Jack McGill 0/0
94 Nick Niemynski 0/0
95 Grant Laws 7/2 START START XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX
96 Juan Garanton 6/0 XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX
97 Dara Adeyemi 7/0
98 Seo Bu ngton 2/0 XXX XXX
99 Justin Fisher 7/1 START XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX