SCHEDULE/RESULTS
Aug.
Sept. 14
Sept. 21
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* 21-20 L
Nov. 2 LAFAYETTE* 1 p.m.
Nov. 9 FORDHAM*
Nov. 16 at Holy Cross* Noon Nov. 23 COLGATE* 1
* Patriot League game; HC Homecoming Home games in CAPS and played at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium All times Eastern and subject to change
FOLLOW THE BISON
Play-By-Play/Color Doug Birdsong/Charlie Fisher
Internet Audio BucknellBison.com
Radio Bison Sports Network
Flagship 1070 AM (WKOK)
Play-By-Play/Color Joe Vasile/Luke Smith
Twitter @Bucknell_FB
Instagram @Bucknell_FB Hashtag #ACT | #rayBucknell
MEDIA INFORMATION
MID-WEEK INTERVIEWS: All interview requests for Cecchini and Bison players should be directed to Jon Terry at terry@bucknell.edu or 570-577-3121.
POST-GAME INTERVIEWS: After the NCAAmandated 10-minute “cooling off” period, Cecchini and Bison players will be available for interviews. Check with the host SID for interview location. Please submit player requests to Jon Terry no later than five minutes before the end of regulation.
CREDENTIAL REQUESTS: Requests for media credentials at Bucknell home games are required and are issued to working members of the press only. Season credentials will be granted to media members who cover Bucknell football on a regular basis. Requests for single-game credentials should arrive no later than three days prior to the game. All singlegame credentials may be picked up in the Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium press box on game day. Please contact Jon Terry to request a credential.
Pos. No. Name
QB 10 Ralph Rucker IV
PROJECTED BUCKNELL STARTERS
210 Completed 67.0% of passes with 11 TDs, 4 INT
RB 7 Tariq Thomas Fr. 5-11 185 3x PL Rookie of Week; Jerry Rice Award Watch List; 136 yds, 2 TD at Gtown
WR 17 Nate Anderson
WR 3 Josh Gary
WR 2 Eric Weatherly Jr. 5-8
LT 70 Xavier Allen So. 6-5
C 78 John Ohnegian
RG 75 Jake Guy
RT 56 Mark Mulhern
TE 82 Charlie Kreinbucher
306 yards on 26 receptions this season; TDs at Navy & Penn
Career-high 13 catches at Penn; 3 of 31 grabs in 2024 are for TDs
180 7 TDs in 2023 and 10 TDs in 19 games as a Bison
315 Made 7 starts at left tackle as a freshman and started all 8 games this year
LG 74 Casey Stephenson 5th 6-2 300 12th multi-year captain in team history, one of two 5th-yr. seniors, 27 starts
6-2 304 Captain, 19 consecutive starts, team’s 2023 Most Outstanding Lineman Award
Sr. 6-2
So. 6-6
Jr. 6-5
DE 52 Jack Barnes Sr. 6-2
N 15 Cade Rooney
DE 90 Aneesh Vyas
Sr. 6-3
Sr. 6-2
314 21 starts, missed 2023 with injury, start at VMI was 1st since Nov. 19, 2022
331 Made 1st career start at Penn
260 24 starts, 12 rec. for 95 yds and 3 TDs last season; receiving TD vs. Marist
OFFENSE DEFENSE
Pos. No. Name Cl. Ht. Wt. Fast Fact
245 7 career starts, 76 career tackles, 15 tackles and 2 TFL this season
295 16 career starts, 2 INTs last season, 17 tackles and 1.5 TFL this season
300 23 career starts, 2 passes batted down this season, 5 career blocked kicks
LB 33 Brad Jamison Sr. 6-2 240 Captain, 2nd Tm All-PL, 2023 team tackles leader, 39 tackles & 2 sacks this year
LB 13 Gavin Willis So. 6-0 230 4th in FCS in tackles per game (10.5); career-high 19 tackles vs. Cornell
LB 23 Nick Hoying So. 6-0
S 45 John Schlendorf
Sr. 5-10
207 Team’s No. 2 tackler this season with 60 (3 TFL); INT at Navy
195 30 consecutive starts (leads team), strip-sack at VMI, 56 tackles
S 20 Mason Taylor Sr. 6-2 195 Missed 9 games with injury in 2023, 17 career starts, 20 tackles this year
S 6 Alex Smith Jr.
6-2 210 Captain, 22 starts, 5 career INTs, 32 tackles this year, pick-6 vs. Marist
CB 5 Roman Pearson Jr. 6-2 195 15 starts, 26 tackles, 6 PBUs, 2 INT this season (both in last 2 weeks)
CB 16 Aaron Davis Jr. 5-11
Led all NCAA divisions with 21 PBUs at Wheeling in 2023; 3 INTs this season
SPECIAL TEAMS
Pos. No. Name Cl. Ht. Wt. Fast Fact
PK 62 Matt Schearer Jr. 5-11
KO 96 Juan Garanton Fr. 5-11
P 62 Matt Schearer Jr. 5-11
187 2x Preseason All-PL; career-long 50yd FG in 2022; 28-29 PAT, 3-10 FG in 2024
170 Averaging 56.3 yards on 29 KOs this season (2 TB)
187 Averaging 42.4 per punt, No. 3 in PL
PR 80 TJ Cadden So. 6-0 195 2 PR TDs
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 16-40 (6th season)
Career Record 33-78 (11th season)
Offensive Coordinator John Bear
Defensive Coordinator Chris Bowers
Special Teams Coordinator Brad Jarman
Assistant Coaches Vinny Giacalone, McNeil Parker, Sean Pearson, Braelon Roberts, Jalen Banks, Codey Cole, Ashley Cornwell, Roger Wright-Lester
Strength & Conditioning Coach Mark Kulbis
Video Coordinator ........................................................................... Kiem LeGrant
Athletic Trainers Kaiti Hager, Rayna Murphy, Maddy Miller
Equipment Manager Liel Karstetter
FOOTBALL HISTORY
First Season 1883
All-Time Record
618-634-51
All-Time Patriot League Record ............................................................. 83-129-1
Patriot League Championships 1 (1996)
MAC Championships 1 (1965)
Lambert Cup Titles 2 (1960,1964)
AP All-Americans 59 (most recent Alex Pechin, ’19)
AFCA All-Americans 12 (most recent Alex Pechin, ’19)
Academic All-Americans 25 (most recent Rick Mottram, ’19)
NFL Draft Picks 7 (most recent Julién Davenport, ’17)
NFL in 2024 Julién Davenport ’16 (Falcons), Abdullah Anderson ’17 (Titans)
TEAM INFORMATION
2024 Patriot League Preseason Poll 7th
2023 Record 4-7
2023 Patriot League Record (Finish).................................................... 1-5 (T-6th)
Offensive Starters Returning/Lost 6/5
Defensive Starters Returning/Lost 6/5
Letterwinners Returning/Lost 42/32
Newcomers 33
Captains Brad Jamison, John Ohnegian, Alex Smith Jr., Casey Stephenson
Returning All-Patriot League Selections Brad Jamison (LB) (2nd Team in 2023)
2024 Preseason All-Patriot League Selections Matt Schearer (K)
We’re down to four games remaining in the 2024 regular season, and three of them will be home games at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium. Next up is defending Patriot League champion Lafayette this Saturday, as both teams look to bounce back from close losses.
The Bison left Washington, D.C., frustrated after a 21-20 loss to Georgetown on Saturday. Twice Bucknell marched the ball right down the field on the way to an early 14-0 lead, but the Bison struggled to sustain drives in the second half and missed on two good chances to take the lead in the fourth quarter.
Lafayette meanwhile, spotted Holy Cross a 21-0 lead before falling 34-28 at home on Saturday. Down six, the Leopards drove to the Holy Cross 16 late in the fourth quarter, but a 4th-and-8 pass into the end zone fell incomplete.
The Crusaders now lead the Patriot League with a 3-0 conference record, and then Bucknell is one of the four one-loss teams, making this week’s game all the more important in the title chase.
This will be the 102nd all-time meeting between the Bison and Leopards. The very first also happened to be Bucknell’s first official intercollegiate football game on Nov. 30, 1883. Since then, Lafayette has become Bucknell’s most-played opponent, and the Leopards hold a 5738-6 lead in the all-time series.
HAPPY 100TH BIRTHDAY, CMMS!
• Bucknell Athletics is proudly celebrating Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium’s 100th anniversary season in 2024. The actual 100th anniversary of the first game ever played in the facility was two weeks ago. On Oct. 18, 1924, Bucknell lost its Homecoming game to Lafayette 21-3. It was one of only two losses in an 8-2 season.
• Over the course of 10 decades, the historic landmark has played host to more than 450 football games along with countless other athletic events and community gatherings. The Bison are celebrating a century of tradition throughout the 2024-25 academic year
• The picturesque Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium was dedicated in 1924 and was known originally as Memorial Stadium as a tribute to Bucknell’s numerous war veterans. The stadium underwent a major renovation in 1989, and at that time it was rededicated to honor the iconic Christy Mathewson, who was a three-sport star and model student-athlete during his playing days at Bucknell.
• Bucknell is 256-188-10 all-time at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium.
WITH A VICTORY, BUCKNELL WOULD...
• ... snap a three-game losing streak and move to 2-1 in Patriot League play.
• ... shake a three-game series losing streak to the Leopards.
• ... get back to .500 (23-23-1) in home games against Lafayette.
• ... improve to 2-2 at home this season.
THOMAS IN GOOD COMPANY
• Freshman RB Tariq Thomas has earned three Patriot League Rookie of the Week honors in the last five weeks, and last 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 set career rushing highs in back-to-back games. He ran for a career-high 94 yards on nine carries – an average of 10.4 yards per carry — against Cornell two weeks ago, and last time out at Georgetown he logged 136 yards and two touchdowns.
• Thomas has started each of Bucknell’s last seven games, and over the last four he has amassed 364 yards on the ground.
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.
• LB Gavin Willis recorded a career-high 19 tackles against Cornell and added 13 more against Georgetown. The 19 tackles is the highest total by a Bucknell player since Evan Byers had 23 against VMI in 2014, and it is the third-highest total by an FCS player in 2024. Blake Gotcher of Northwestern State logged 23 tackles against Prairie View A&M, and this past Saturday Villanova’s Shane Hartzell had 20 against New Hampshire.
• Willis is now second in the Patriot League in tackles per game (10.5), trailing only Colgate’s Cole Kozlowski (10.9), and he is one of only seven FCS players averaging double-digit tackles.
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)
• Stats Perform FCS National Rookie of Week honorable mention (10/28)
ANEESH VYAS (90) 2023
• Patriot League Special Teams Player of Week (9/25)
GAVIN WILLIS (13) 2024
• Patriot League Player of Week (9/30)
• Stats Perform FCS National Defensive Player of Week honorable mention (9/30)
START CHART
John Schlendorf 30 (30)
Casey Stephenson 27 (17)
Charlie Kreinbucher 24 (22)
Aneesh Vyas 23 (0)
Alex Smith Jr. 22 (19)
Jake Guy 21 (0)
John Ohnegian 19 (19)
Brad Jamison 18 (4)
Ralph Rucker IV 17 (1)
Mason Taylor 17 (8)
Cade Rooney 16 (9)
Xavier Allen 15 (8)
Eric Weatherly 15 (8)
Roman Pearson 15 (8)
Josh Gary 15 (8)
Gavin Willis 14 (8)
Fredrick Sturgis 13 (0)
Mason Jones 9 (1)
Nathan Natoli
(0)
Tariq Thomas 7 (7)
Nate Anderson
(5)
Jack Barnes 7 (0)
Marques Owens
Christian Spugnardi ........................
Aaron Davis
Nick Hoying
Chris Sims
Deuce Geter
Kyle Fontes
Mark Mulhern
William Caneer
(0)
(0)
(5)
(5)
(0)
(0)
(0)
(3)
(1)
Justin Fisher 2 (1)
Grant Laws
Brad Gerken
Michael Hardyway
Jack Goheen
TJ Cadden
Takai Whitmore
Paul Neel
(0)
(0)
(0)
(0)
(0)
(0)
(0)
Derrick Anderson Jr. 1 (0)
Danny Meuser
(0)
Note: Number in parentheses indicates streak of consecutive starts
FCS Leaders, Tackles Per Game
BISON NOTES
1. Blake Gotcher, Northwestern State 13.3
Garret Oliendieck, Indiana State 11.5
Cole Kozlowski, Colgate 10.9
Gavin Willis, Bucknell 10.5
Evan DiMaggio, Furman 10.3
Kimal Clark, Central Connecticut State 10.1 Dontae Lunan, UAlbany 10.1
• Last week, the Bison faced the Patriot League’s top-ranked defense at Georgetown, and now Bucknell takes on the No. 2 defense in Lafayette. The Leopards are giving up 25.1 points per game, but the Bison still lead the Patriot League in passing yards per game (235.8) and rank third in total yards per game (363.0).
• One big difference from last week is that the Bison had to be wary of a Hoyas pass rush that leads the league and ranks in the top five nationally with 25 sacks. Lafayette has only six sacks all season, but the Leopards have a league-high seven fumble recoveries to go with seven interceptions.
• In last year’s game in Easton, Lafayette piled up seven sacks and limited the Bison to -24 rushing yards in its 56-22 win. Bucknell fell behind 28-0 and it was 42-12 at the half, so the Bison were forced to throw the ball on most plays.
• Bucknell leads the PL with 10 interceptions, two of which have been returned for touchdowns. Aaron Davis leads the team with three picks, which ties him for the league lead with three others.
• The Bison would like to see its defense get more rest this week. Bucknell’s defense has been on the field for just under 34 minutes per game, which is the fourth-most in all of FCS. Only Rhode Island, Houston Christian, and Utah Tech have had their defenses on the field more.
• TJ Cadden is in the midst of a historic special teams season for the Bison, as he added to his two punt return touchdowns with a 100-yard kickoff return TD at Lehigh. Cadden leads the nation in return TDs.
• Cadden ranks fifth 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 114.1 all-purpose yards per game rank second in the league, just 0.6 behind Lehigh’s Jaden Green.
• Michael Cadden, a freshman, is TJ’s younger brother. Both have reached the end zone this season. Michael scored on a 2-yard run in the Navy game on opening day.
• Eric Weatherly surpassed the 1,000 mark in career receiving yards as a Bison against Cornell. Weatherly is in his second season at Bucknell after transferring from Duke.
• Ralph Rucker IV is in his second season leading the Bison offense after transferring from Oklahoma. Rucker missed the Cornell game with an injury before returning last week at Georgetown. In 17 games at Bucknell he has thrown for more than 4,000 yards, he has completed 63.9% of his passes, and he has 32 touchdown passes against only nine interceptions. The 32 TD tosses are third-most in team history, and his 4,043 passing yards rank 6th all-time.
Bucknell Career Passing Leaders
1. Brandon Wesley (2010-13) 6277
2. Scott Auchenbach (1986-89) 5256
3. R.J. Nitti (2013-16) 5171
4. Jim Given (1985-87) 4790
5. Marcello Trigg (2006-09) 4090
6. Ralph Rucker IV (2023-24) 4043
7. Jim Fox (1993-96) 3988
8. Don McDowell (1997-99) 3982
9. Rob Glus (1991-94) 3940
10. Bob Gibbon (1983-84) 3895
Bucknell Career Passing Touchdown Leaders
1. Scott Auchenbach (1986-89) 42
2. R.J. Nitti (2013-16) 34
Ralph Rucker IV (2023-24) 32
Marcello Trigg (2006-09) 31
Bob Gibbon (1983-84) 30
• The Bison were picked to finish seventh in the 2024 Patriot League Football Preseason Poll after finishing the 2023 campaign in a tie for sixth with a 4-7 (1-5 PL) record.
• K Matt Schearer was named to the 2024 Preseason All-Patriot League Team for a second season in a row. The Bison also landed eight on the Phil Steele 2024 Patriot League Preseason All-Conference Team.
• Bucknell is in its sixth season under head coach Dave Cecchini, who was voted as the
7
2024 PATRIOT LEAGUE STANDINGS
PATRIOT LEAGUE SCHEDULE/RESULTS
Saturday, Oct. 26 at Lehigh 33, Fordham 19 at Merrimack 51, Colgate 17 Holy Cross 34, at Lafayette 28 at Georgetown 21, Bucknell 20
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
Saturday, Nov. 16 Colgate at Lehigh, 12 Bucknell at Holy Cross, 12 Stonehill at Lafayette, 12:30 Georgetown at Fordham, 1
PATRIOT LEAGUE PRESEASON POLL
PATRIOT LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Week Player Honor Statistics
9/9 TJ Cadden STPOTW 40yd punt return TD, 141 all-purpose 9/9 Brandon Biagiarelli ROTW 3 tackles, 1 sack 9/23 Ralph Rucker IV OPOTW 272 yards, 3 TDs, 77.8% compl. 9/23 TJ Cadden STPOTW 73yd punt return TD, 1 rec. TD 9/30 Gavin Willis DPOTW 9 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 FR 9/30 TJ Cadden STPOTW 100yd KO return TD 9/30 Tariq Thomas ROTW 77 rush yards
10/14 Tariq Thomas ROTW 57 rush yards, 2 TDs 10/21 Tariq Thomas ROTW 9 carries, 94 yards
Ryan Sakamoto, Patriot League Media Relations Director
BISON NOTES
Patriot League Dick Biddle Coach of the Year during the 2021 spring campaign for leading the Bison to a spot in the first-ever Patriot League Championship Game following the abbreviated season. Cecchini’s team is coming off a record-setting campaign in 2023 that saw the offense average 38.8 points per game over the final four contests.
• Bucknell returned a total of 42 letterwinners in 2023, a group that includes two fifth-year seniors, 18 seniors, 14 juniors and eight sophomores. 11 Bison are three-time letterwinners, and fifth-year RB Danny Meuser is a four-time letterwinner. Bucknell lost 32 letterwinners last year.
• Bucknell welcomed 33 newcomers this season, including 27 freshmen. Five newcomers transferred to Bucknell.
• The Bison welcomed a host of new faces to the staff during the offseason: special teams coordinator/linebackers coach Brad Jarman, running backs coach Jalen Banks, defensive line coach Codey Cole, assistant offensive line coach/run game analyst Ashley Cornwell, defensive quality control/cornerbacks coach Roger Wright-Lester, and video coordinator Kiem LeGrant.
• Fifth-year senior OL Casey Stephenson, senior LB Brad Jamison, senior S Alex Smith Jr., and junior OL John Ohnegian were selected by their teammates to serve as team captains for the 2024 season. Stephenson is just the 12th multi-year captain in program history.
• The “CD” stickers Bucknell is wearing on its helmets are to honor fallen teammate Calvin Dickey, who tragically passed away in July.
INSIDE THE BUCKNELL DEPTH CHART
• Bucknell’s projected starters on offense have made a combined 161 starts at Bucknell.
• Bucknell’s projected starters on defense have made a combined 173 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 on Oct. 19 against Cornell
• Five Bison have starting streaks of 10 or more games in a row: Schlendorf (30), Kreinbucher (22), S Alex Smith Jr. (19), OL John Ohnegian (19), and Stephenson (17).
• Seniors Schlendorf and Smith Jr. have played in all 41 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 (4029), and eighth in completions (345) — all in just 17 games played.
• Rucker’s .639 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 971 passing yards for 5,000 in his career.
• Eric Weatherly needs 15 catches for 100 in his career.
• Josh Gary needs 76 receiving yards to reach 1,000 in his career and 21 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.
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
• 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 Football Coach at Bucknell University on February 6, 2019.
• Cecchini was voted as the 2021 Spring Patriot League Dick Biddle Coach of the Year for guiding the team to a spot in the Patriot League Championship Game. In addition, he was selected as a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Award, presented by STATS to the FCS Coach of the Year, for the second time in his career.
• In his first season at the helm, Cecchini led the Bison to a third-place finish in the Patriot League, their highest placement since they were the 2014 runners-up. Their Patriot League victories came over defending champion Colgate (32-14), rival Lehigh (20-10) and Georgetown (2017); two of their three league losses came by a touchdown or less.
• In 2017 while at Valparaiso, Cecchini was a finalist for the American Football Coaches Association’s FCS National Coach of the Year and the STATS FCS Coach of the Year awards; he was also voted as the Pioneer Football League Coach of the Year and the AFCA FCS Region 4 Coach of the Year.
• Since arriving at Bucknell, Cecchini’s players have combined to earn 24 All-Patriot League First/ Second Team awards as well as one First Team All-American.
FACILITY UPGRADES
• The Bison officially opened the doors to the Pascucci Team Center on April 15, 2024, completing a plethora of enhancements in and around Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium in recent years that were made possible through the generous support of Michael Pascucci ’58, P’81, P’87, G’21, G’22.
• Standing prominently between the turf practice field and the north end zone of the stadium, the new facility is a 16,000-square-foot athletics hub that features a state-of-the-art strength and conditioning facility with an expansive weight room that overlooks the turf practice field. Adjacent to the weight room is a sports medicine center.
• Specifically designed to bridge the practice and game-day fields, the team center’s south facade offers sweeping views of Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium. Inside, a spacious team meeting room and conference room allows teams to review film and gather for off-field training and learning events. A Bison Fuel station ensures convenient access to nutritious snacks, supplements and hydration.
• Earlier phases of the project included the installation of a modern LED video board at the south end zone of Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium in 2021 and the completion of a turf practice field in 2022.
• The Bucknell football team’s locker room, located within Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium, was also redone over the summer and includes brand-new lockers, a player’s lounge, and more.
HOW TO FOLLOW THE BISON
• All of Bucknell’s games this season will be broadcast on ESPN+ with the exception of the season opener at Navy, which was shown on CBS Sports Network.
• All of the Bison’s games are aired on local radio on WKOK 1070 AM. The broadcast will also be available for internet streaming on BucknellBison.com.
• Bucknell is active on X (@Bucknell_FB) and Instagram (Bucknell_FB). Interact with the team using the hashtags #ACT and #rayBucknell.
UP NEXT
• The Bison welcome Fordham to Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium next Saturday, Nov. 9.
WIDE RECEIVER
BUCKNELL TWO DEEP VS. LAFAYETTE
OFFENSE DEFENSE SPECIAL TEAMS
3 — Josh Gary (Jr. / 5-11 / 210 / Upper Marlboro, Md.)
84 — Sam Milligan (So. / 6-3 / 220 / Swathmore, Pa.)
LEFT TACKLE
70 — Xavier Allen (So. / 6-5 / 315 / Silver Spring, Md.)
60 Kieran Coscia (Jr. / 6-3 / 300 / Pittsfield, Mass.)
LEFT GUARD
74 — Casey Stephenson (5th. / 6-2 / 300 / Philadelphia, Pa.)
73 — Mason Jones (Sr. / 6-6 / 326 / Franklin, Tenn.)
CENTER
78 — John Ohnegian (Jr. / 6-2 / 304 / Ramsey, N.J.)
71 — Fredrick Sturgis (Sr. / 6-4 / 300 / Cincinnati, Ohio)
RIGHT GUARD
75 — Jake Guy (Sr. / 6-2 / 314 / Philadelphia, Pa.)
53 — Tim Andersen (So. / 6-2 / 295 / Madison, N.J.)
RIGHT TACKLE
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.)
E. Weatherly X. Allen C. Stephenson J. Ohnegian J. Guy
MARIST* E. Weatherly X. Allen C. Stephenson J. Ohnegian J. Guy
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.)
R. Rucker at Lehigh E. Weatherly X. Allen C. Stephenson J. Ohnegian J. Guy
T. Thomas R. Rucker at Penn E. Weatherly X. Allen C. Stephenson J. Ohnegian J. Guy M. Mulhern* C. Kreinbucher J. Gary N. Anderson T. Thomas R. Rucker
CORNELL E. Weatherly X. Allen C. Stephenson J. Ohnegian J. Guy M. Mulhern C. Kreinbucher J. Gary N. Anderson T. Thomas M. Hardyway* at Georgetown E. Weatherly X. Allen C. Stephenson J. Ohnegian M. Jones M. Mulhern C. Kreinbucher J. Gary N. Anderson T. Thomas R. Rucker
LAFAYETTE FORHAM at Holy Cross
COLGATE
Opponent
Laws N. Hoying* G. Willis B. Jamison J. Schlendorf M. Taylor A. Smith Jr. T. Whitmore* R. Pearson
MERRIMACK W. Caneer* C. Rooney A. Vyas J. Barnes G. Willis B. Jamison
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 3-5 .375
Totals 33-78 .297
Coaching Experience Years School Position
1994-02 Lehigh Tight Ends (1994) Running Backs (1995) Quarterbacks (1996) Wide Receivers (1997-99) Offensive Coordinator/WR (2000) Assistant Head Coach/ Offensive Coordinator/QB (2001-02)
2003-05 Harvard Offensive Coordinator/QB/WR 2006-09 The Citadel Offensive Coordinator/WR 2010-13 Lehigh Offensive Coordinator/QB 2014-18 Valparaiso Head Coach
2019-pres. Bucknell Head Coach
Career Highlights
• Winner of seven conference championships
• 2021 Spring Patriot League Dick Biddle Coach of the Year
• 2021 Spring STATS FCS National Coach of the Year Finalist
• 2017 AFCA FCS National Coach of the Year Finalist
• 2017 STATS FCS National Coach of the Year Finalist
• 2017 FCA FCS Region 4 Coach of the Year
• 2017 Pioneer Football League Coach of the Year
• 2011 FootballScoop FCS Coordinator of the Year
• Coached WR Andre Roberts, a 2010 NFL Draft pick, at The Citadel
• 2005 AFCA Mike Campbell Top Assistant Coach Award
• Coached QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, a 2005 NFL Draft pick, at Harvard
• 1993 consensus First Team All-American as Lehigh wide receiver
• Voted to the Patriot League 15th Anniversary Team
Shut out an opponent
Was shut out by an opponent
THE LAST TIME A BUCKNELL TEAM...
Finished a game with a tie score
Scored 40-49 points
Scored 50-59 points
Scored 60-69 points
Scored 70-79 points
Allowed 40-49 points
Allowed 50-59 points
Allowed 60-69 points
Allowed 70-79 points
Allowed 80+ points
Did not punt
Did not commit a turnover
Forced five turnovers
Forced six turnovers
Forced seven turnovers
Committed five or more turnovers
Did not commit a penalty
Was penalized for at least 100 yards
Won an overtime game
Played an overtime game
Had two 100-yard rushers in the same game
Had two 100-yard receivers in the same game
Defeated a nationally ranked opponent
Played a nationally ranked opponent
Played an FBS opponent
Apr. 3, 2021 at Lehigh (6-0)
Oct. 8, 2022 at Holy Cross (0-57)
Nov. 14, 1987 vs. Lehigh (21-21)
Nov. 11, 2023 vs. Georgetown (47-50 OT)
Nov. 1, 2003 vs. Holy Cross (53-31)
Oct. 24, 1987 vs. Columbia (62-20)
Oct. 10, 1964 vs. Ohio Wesleyan in Newark, Del. (72-0)
Aug. 31, 2024 at Navy (21-49)
Nov. 11, 2023 vs. Georgetown (47-50 OT)
Nov. 13, 2021 at Army West Point (10-63)
Nov. 25, 1916 at Georgetown (0-78)
Oct. 8, 1966 at Temple (28-82)
Oct. 12, 2024 at Penn (21-31)
Nov. 18, 2023 at Marist (38-21)
Oct. 15, 2022 at Yale (4 INT, 1 fumble) (9-29)
Sept. 3, 2016 at Marist (4 INT, 2 fumbles) (26-10)
Oct. 29, 2011 at Lafayette (3 INT, 4 fumbles) (39-13)
Apr. 17, 2021 vs. Holy Cross (5 INT) (10-33)
Sept. 19, 2009 at Cornell (9-33)
Oct. 17, 2015 at Army West Point (105) (14-21)
Sept. 28, 2024 at Lehigh (38-35)
Sept. 28, 2024 at Lehigh (38-35)
Sept. 26, 2007 vs. Marist (Terrance Wilson 108 & Justin Pulgrano 101) (17-16)
Oct. 28, 2023 at Colgate (Josh Gary 139 & Eric Weatherly 132) (49-34)
Oct. 26, 2013 vs. No. 15 Lehigh (48-10)
Oct. 7, 2023 vs. No. 12/12 Holy Cross (27-55)
Aug. 31, 2024 at Navy (21-49)
Won 10 games 1997 (10-1)
Won eight games 2014 (8-3)
Had a winning season 2014 (8-3)
Had 30 rushing attempts
Had 40 rushing attempts
Had 100 yards rushing
Had 200 yards rushing
Had a 60+ yard run
Had a 70+ yard run
Had three rushing touchdowns
Had four rushing touchdowns
Had five rushing touchdowns
Completed a 50+ yard pass
Had three passing touchdowns
Had four passing touchdowns
Had five passing touchdowns
Had 30 completions
Had 50 passing attempts
Had 60 passing attempts
Had 300 yards passing
Had 100 yards receiving
Had 200 yards receiving
Had 10 receptions
Had 15 receptions
Had two touchdown receptions
Had three touchdown receptions
Made a 40-yard field goal
Made a 50-yard field goal
Had three field goals in a game
Had four field goals in a game
Passed for a two-point conversion
Rushed for a two-point conversion
Made seven extra points
Made 10 extra points
Had 10+ punts
Had a 70+ yard punt
Had an 80+ yard punt
Returned a punt for a touchdown
Returned a kickoff for a touchdown
Returned an interception for a touchdown
Returned a fumble for a touchdown
Returned a blocked punt for a touchdown
Recorded two interceptions in a game
Recorded three interceptions in a game
Recorded four interceptions in a game
Forced two fumbles in a game
Recovered two fumbles in a game
Had 15 tackles in a game
Had 20 tackles in a game
Had two sacks in a game
Had three sacks in a game
Had four sacks in a game
Had four tackles for a loss in a game
Blocked a punt
Blocked an extra point attempt
Blocked a field goal attempt
Nov. 12, 2016 (Joey DeFloria (31) at Georgetown, 21-7)
Oct. 29, 2011 (Tyler Smith (42) at Lafayette, 39-13)
Oct. 28, 2024 (Tariq Thomas (136) at Georgetown, 20-21)
Nov. 12, 2011 (Tyler Smith (204) at Fordham, 21-0)
Oct. 15, 2022 (Rushawn Baker (75) at Yale, 9-29)
Oct. 15, 2022 (Rushawn Baker (75) at Yale, 9-29)
Nov. 11, 2023 (Rushawn Baker vs. Georgetown, 47-50 OT)
Sept. 30, 2000 (Jabu Powell vs. Duquesne, 35-14)
Nov. 13, 2004 (Daris Wilson vs. Colgate, 42-7)
Nov. 11, 2023 (Ralph Rucker to Derrick Anderson Jr. (65) vs. Georgetown, 47-50 OT)
Sept. 21, 2024 (Ralph Rucker vs. Marist, 34-18)
Oct. 28, 2023 (Ralph Rucker at Colgate, 49-34)
Sept. 24, 1994 (Rob Glus at Harvard, 42-23)
Nov. 4, 2023 (Ralph Rucker (32) at Fordham, 21-27)
Nov. 23, 2019 (Logan Bitikofer (50) at Fordham, 14-31)
Oct. 27, 2001 (Todd Wenrich (67) at Fordham, 12-17)
Sept. 7, 2024 (Ralph Rucker (340) at VMI, 35-28)
Oct. 12, 2024 (Josh Gary (137) at Penn, 21-31)
Oct. 11, 2014 (Will Carter (246) at Lehigh, 45-24)
Oct. 12, 2024 (Josh Gary (13) at Penn, 21-31)
Nov. 18, 2023 (Damian Harris (15) at Marist, 38-21)
Sept. 28, 2024 (Eric Weatherly at Lehigh, 38-35 OT)
Oct. 23, 2021 (Dominic Lyles vs. Georgetown, 21-29)
Sept. 28, 2024 (Matt Schearer (42) at Lehigh, 38-35 OT)
Nov. 12, 2022 (Matt Schearer (50) at Georgetown, 24-21 OT)
Nov. 12, 2022 (Matt Schearer at Georgetown, 24-21 OT)
Oct. 14, 2017 (John Burdick at Cornell, 26-18)
Nov. 4, 2023 (Ralph Rucker to Damian Harris at Fordham, 21-27)
Nov. 11, 2023 (Ralph Rucker vs. Georgetown, 47-50 OT)
Oct. 16, 1999 (Chris Lundberg vs. Duquesne, 49-20)
Oct. 10, 1964 (Mike Seigfried vs. Ohio Wesleyan in Newark, Del., 72-0)
Oct. 19, 2019 (Alex Pechin (11) at Towson, 7-56)
Nov. 23, 2019 (Alex Pechin (70) at Fordham, 14-31)
Sept. 22, 1984 (Mike Morrow (80) at Northeastern, 33-34)
Sept. 21, 2024 (TJ Cadden (73) vs. Marist, 34-18)
Sept. 28, 2024 (TJ Cadden (100) at Lehigh, 38-35 OT)
Sept. 28, 2024 (Aaron Davis (79) at Lehigh, 38-35 OT)
Nov. 23, 2019 (Rick Mottram (5) at Fordham, 14-31)
Oct. 13, 2018 (Gerrit Van Itallie (0) at Monmouth, 19-36)
Sept. 15, 2018 (Bryan Marine at Penn, 17-34)
Nov. 20, 2004 (Dante Ross at Duquesne, 30-20)
Sept. 30, 2000 (Kevin Eiben vs. Duquesne, 35-14)
Oct. 16, 2021 (Ben Allen at Fordham, 22-66)
Sept. 28, 2024 (Gavin Willis at Lehigh, 38-35 OT)
Oct. 19, 2024 (Gavin Willis (19) vs. Cornell, 21-34)
Aug. 30, 2014 (Evan Byers (23) at VMI, 42-38)
Sept. 28, 2024 (Gavin Willis at Lehigh, 38-35 OT)
Nov. 23, 2019 (Grayson Cherubino at Fordham, 14-31)
Nov. 18, 2017 (Simeon Page at Fordham, 9-20)
Nov. 23, 2019 (Gerrit Van Itallie at Fordham, 14-31)
Nov. 4, 2023 (Charlie Kreinbucher at Fordham, 21-27)
Sept. 23, 2023 (Aneesh Vyas vs. Penn, 21-37)
Sept. 23, 2023 (Aneesh Vyas vs. Penn, 21-37)
Recorded a safety Nov. 19, 2016 vs. Fordham (22-36)
ABOUT LAFAYETTE
FOOTBALL INFORMATION
Head Coach: John Troxell
Record at Lafayette: 17-14 (3rd season)
Career Record: 109-81 (19th season)
Conference: Patriot League
Stadium: Fisher Field at Fisher Stadium
Capacity: 13,132
Surface: FieldTurf
2023 Record: 9-3
2023 Conference Record: 5-1 (1st)
GENERAL INFORMATION
Location: Easton, Pa.
Founded: 1826
Enrollment: 2,729
Nickname: Leopards
Colors: Maroon & White
President: Nicole Hurd
Athletic Director: Sherryta Freeman
Website: GoLeopards.com
SERIES INFORMATION
Series record 38-57-6
Last 10 meetings ................................................................... 5-5
First meeting............... Lafayette 59, Bucknell 0 (Nov. 30, 1883)
Last meeting Lafayette 56, Bucknell 22 (Sept. 30, 2023)
Record at home 22-22-1
Record on road 16-35-5
Record at neutral site 0-0
Streak Lafayette won 3
Last meeting in Easton Sept. 30, 2023
...........................................................Lafayette 56 – Bucknell 22
Last Bison win in Easton ........................ Oct. 21, 2017 Bucknell 13 – Lafayette 7
Last meeting in Lewisburg ....................................... Oct. 1, 2022
...........................................................Lafayette 24 – Bucknell 14
Last Bison win ........................ March 27, 2021 (Lewisburg, Pa.) Bucknell 38 – Lafayette 13 Year
ALL-TIME RESULTS
1883 Lewisburg, PA LC, 59-0
1888 Easton, PA LC, 54-0
1890 Easton, PA tie, 0-0 1891 Easton, PA BU, 16-10
1894 Easton, PA LC, 44-0
1898 Easton, PA LC, 6-0
1899 Easton, PA LC, 12-0
1905 Easton, PA LC, 47-0
1907 Easton, PA LC, 34-0
1908 Easton, PA tie, 6-6
1910 Easton, PA LC, 12-0
1911 Easton, PA LC, 6-0
1912 Easton, PA tie, 0-0
1920 Easton, PA LC, 10-7
1921 Lewisburg, PA LC, 20-7
1922 Easton, PA LC, 28-7
1924 Lewisburg, PA LC, 21-3
1928 Lewisburg, PA tie, 0-0
1929 Easton, PA BU, 6-3
1932 Lewisburg, PA BU, 14-6
1933 Easton, PA BU, 21-0
1942 Lewisburg, PA BU, 13-7
1945 Easton, PA BU, 26-2
1946 Lewisburg, PA BU, 29-0
1947 Easton, PA LC, 27-7
1948 Lewisburg, PA LC, 19-7
1949 Easton, PA BU, 21-14
1950 Lewisburg, PA BU, 32-0
1951 Easton, PA BU, 40-21
TALE OF THE TAPE
ALL-TIME RESULTS (CONT.)
Year
1952 Lewisburg, PA BU, 45-13
1953 Easton, PA LC, 7-6
1954 Lewisburg, PA BU, 7-0
1955 Easton, PA LC, 34-13
1956 Lewisburg, PA LC, 13-7
1957 Easton, PA LC, 35-13
1958 Lewisburg, PA LC, 34-6
1959 Easton, PA LC, 12-6
1960 Lewisburg, PA BU, 28-0
1961 Easton, PA BU, 13-0
1962 Lewisburg, PA BU, 28-6
1963 Easton, PA LC, 14-13
1964 Lewisburg, PA BU, 54-12
1965 Easton, PA LC, 14-13
1966 Lewisburg, PA LC, 25-7
1967 Easton, PA LC, 21-6
1968 Lewisburg, PA BU, 13-10
1969 Easton, PA BU, 21-20
1970 Lewisburg, PA BU, 30-28
1971 Easton, PA BU, 33-0
1972 Lewisburg, PA BU, 26-7
1973 Easton, PA tie, 0-0
1974 Lewisburg, PA BU, 10-6
1975 Easton, PA BU, 15-5
1976 Lewisburg, PA LC, 17-7
1977 Easton, PA LC, 34-7
1978 Lewisburg, PA LC, 14-7
1979 Easton, PA tie, 0-0
1980 Lewisburg, PA BU, 14-0
1981 Easton, PA LC, 37-0
1982 Lewisburg, PA LC, 37-6
1983 Easton, PA LC, 33-3
1984 Lewisburg, PA BU, 10-3
1985 Easton, PA LC, 47-0
1986 Lewisburg, PA LC, 52-34
1987 Easton, PA LC, 42-21
1988 Lewisburg, PA LC, 52-35
1989 Lewisburg, PA BU, 54-33
1990 Easton, PA BC, 24-14
Year Site
Result
1991 Easton, PA LC, 20-16
1992 Lewisburg, PA LC, 49-7
1993 Easton, PA LC, 31-14
1994 Lewisburg, PA LC, 56-14
1995 Lewisburg, PA BU, 30-11
1996 Easton, PA LC, 23-7
1997 Easton, PA BU, 23-21
1998 Lewisburg, PA BU, 33-22
1999 Easton, PA LC, 22-21
2000 Lewisburg, PA BU, 42-30
2001 Easton, PA BU, 17-16
2002 Lewisburg, PA LC, 19-3
2003 Easton, PA LC, 35-17
2004 Lewisburg, PA LC, 14-13
2005 Easton, PA LC, 33-20
2006 Lewisburg, PA LC, 31-0
2007 Easton, PA LC, 34-7
2008 Lewisburg, PA LC, 38-21
2009 Easton, PA LC, 35-14
2010 Lewisburg, PA LC, 33-22
2011 Easton, PA BU, 39-13
2012 Lewisburg, PA LC, 20-14
2013 Easton, PA LC, 31-7
2014 Lewisburg, PA BU, 27-24 OT
2015 Easton, PA BU, 35-24
2016 Lewisburg, PA BU, 42-17
2017 Easton, PA BU, 13-7 OT
2018 Lewisburg, PA LC, 29-27
2019 Easton, PA LC, 21-17
2021 Spring Lewisburg, PA BU, 38-13
2021 Easton, PA LC, 27-0
2022 Lewisburg, PA LC, 24-14
2023 Easton, PA LC, 56-22
THE LAST TIME THE BISON AND LEOPARADS MET (SEPT. 30, 2023)
Bucknell Football Drops Patriot League Opener on the Road at Lafayette
GAME NOTES
• Lafayette raced to a 28-0 lead 20 minutes into the game before Bucknell got on the board. The Leopards held a 42-12 lead at halftime. There were a combined 40 points scored in the second quarter.
• Bucknell struggled to run the ball and ended up with -24 net rushing yards. QB Ralph Rucker was sacked seven times in the contest.
• Lafayette ended the game with 545 yards of offense, much of which came on chunk plays including a 63yard touchdown pass.
• Lafayette QB Dean DiNobile threw four touchdown passes, and four different Leopards scored on the ground.
• Rucker threw for 282 yards and a touchdown. Weatherly hauled in seven receptions for 107 yards and a touchdown.
34:22
1st Quarter 8:46 6:14
2nd Quarter 7:49 7:11
3rd Quarter 4:39 10:21
4th Quarter 4:24 10:36
3rd Down Conversions 6 of 15 8 of 12
4th Down Conversions 0 of 1 1 of 1
Red-Zone
• QB Nick Semptimphelter entered the game late and threw a 36-yard touchdown to Derrick Anderson Jr. A 3-yard rush by Coleman Bennett accounted for Bucknell’s other touchdown. Bennett also racked up 137 kick return yards.
• Bucknell came up empty on an extra point attempt and a field goal.
Lafayette raced to a 42-12 halftime lead, including 28 unanswered points to begin the game, en route to a 56-22 win over Bucknell at Fisher Stadium. Bucknell scored twice in the final eight minutes of the first half to cut the deficit to 35-12, but it was as close as the Bison would get the rest of the way. The Leopards piled up 545 yards of offense in the game and limited Bucknell to negative rushing yards.
The Bison posted 333 yards through the air, with Ralph Rucker throwing for 282 on 28-of-44 passing. Nick Semptimphelter entered the game late in the fourth quarter and threw for 51 yards and a touchdown. Lafayette finished the game with seven sacks compared to Bucknell’s one.
Lafayette had four plays go for 30 or more yards, including two runs for over 50 yards and a 63yard touchdown pass in the second quarter.
Quarterback Dean DeNobile threw for 229 yards and four touchdowns for the Leopards. Running back Jamar Curtis rushed 10 times for 106 yards and a score.
Lafayette capitalized on a number of Bucknell mistakes early, including blocking a field goal early in the first quarter. The Bison had a punt blocked on the on the first play of the second quarter, setting the Leopards up at the Bucknell 42-yard line. Lafayette went on to score on a 30-yard rush later that drive. Rucker was intercepted on the following Bucknell drive, leading to a seven-play, 20-yard touchdown drive that made it 28-0.
It was on the ensuing drive that the Bison finally made their way onto the scoreboard. With 10 minutes to go in the first half, Rucker hit Eric Weatherly on a 32-yard pass that set the Bison up in Lafayette territory. Four plays later Coleman Bennett scored on a three-yard rush up the middle for his first touchdown of the season.
Bucknell scored again on its next drive to cut the deficit to 35-12 as Rucker went 6-of-11 for 87 yards, hitting Weatherly on a 26-yard post for the score. Weatherly pulled the pass in with one hand for his third touchdown in two weeks. He ended the game with a career-high 107 yards on seven receptions.
It was Lafayette that scored last in the half, however, moving the ball 75 yards in just four plays. Lafayette slowed its offensive pace in the second half, scoring seven points in the third quarter and seven in the fourth. Bucknell put together two more scoring drives. The Bison went 69 yards on eight plays early in the fourth and finished it with a 29-yard Matt Schearer field goal. Then with just a minute to go in the game, Semptimphelter his Derrick Anderson Jr. on a 36-yard touchdown pass. It was the first touchdown reception of Anderson’s career.
SCORING SUMMARY
TEAM LEADERS
Josh Gary joined Weatherly with a solid game receiving, hauling in six receptions for 76 yards. Bennett finished the game with 172 all-purpose yards, posting 40 on five receptions and 137 on kick returns. He returned a kickoff 42 yards to open the second half and took another one 61 yards later in the third quarter. Blake Leake led all Bison defenders with 10 tackles. BUCKNELL
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, 7X (last at Georgetown, 10/26/24)
Receiving Yards: 43 vs. Fordham (11/5/22)
Long Reception: 34 vs. Fordham (11/5/22)
Receiving Touchdowns: 1, 4X (last vs. Marist, 9/21/24)
Punt Blocks: 1 at Fordham (11/4/23)
GRANT LAWS (95)
DL | SR | 6-3 | 280
Tackles: 2 vs. Marist (9/21/24)
Tackles for Loss: 0.5 at VMI (9/10/22)
CHARLIE MCINTYRE (40)
S | SO | 6-0 | 200
Tackles: 1 vs. Marist (9/21/24)
DANNY MEUSER (4)
RB | 5TH | 6-0 | 200
Rushing Attempts: 21 vs. Penn (9/18/21)
Rushing Yards: 90 vs. Penn (9/18/21)
Long Rush: 36 at Yale (10/15/22)
Rushing TDs: 1 at Fordham (10/16/21), vs. Penn (9/18/21)
Receptions: 4 vs. Fordham (11/5/22)
Receiving Yards: 13 vs. Fordham (11/5/22)
Long Reception: 10 vs. Fordham (4/10/21)
Kickoff Returns: 1 vs. Cornell (10/2/21)
Kickoff Return Yards: 11 vs. Cornell (10/2/21)
Long Kickoff Return: 11 vs. Cornell (10/2/21)
Punt Returns: 1 vs. Lehigh (11/6/21)
Punt Return Yards: 19 vs. Lehigh (11/6/21)
Long Punt Return: 19 vs. Lehigh (11/6/21)
All-Purpose Yards: 92 vs. Penn (9/18/21)
Blocked Punts: 1 vs. Lehigh (11/6/21)
SAM MILLIGAN (84)
WR | SO | 6-3 | 200
Receptions: 1, 8X (last at Georgetown, 10/26/24)
Receiving Yards: 36 at Georgetown (10/26/24)
Long Reception: 36 at Georgetown (10/26/24)
Receiving Touchdowns: 1, 2X (last vs. Cornell, 10/19/24)
Kickoff Returns: 2 vs. Georgetown (11/11/23)
Kickoff Return Yards: 19 vs. Georgetown (11/11/23)
Long Kickoff Return: 11 vs. Georgetown (11/11/23)
Punt Returns: 1 vs. Georgetown (11/11/23)
Punt Return Yards: 3 vs. Georgetown (11/11/23)
Long Punt Return: 3 vs. Georgetown (11/11/23)
PAUL NEEL (21)
RB | SR | 5-10 | 190
Rushing Attempts: 12 at Navy (8/31/24)
Rushing Yards: 60 at Navy (8/31/24)
Long Rush: 18 at Navy (8/31/24)
Rushing Touchdowns: 1, 2X (last at VMI, 9/7/24)
Receptions: 3 at VMI (9/7/24)
Receiving Yards: 18 at VMI (9/7/24)
Long Reception: 9 vs. Holy Cross (10/7/23)
MARQUES OWENS (1)
WR | SR | 5-10 | 170
Receptions: 4, 2X (last at Georgetown, 11/12/22)
Receiving Yards: 69 at Colgate (10/30/21)
Long Reception: 40 vs. Fordham (11/5/22)
Kickoff Returns: 7 vs. Holy Cross (11/20/21)
Kickoff Return Yards: 111 vs. Holy Cross (11/20/21)
Long Kickoff Return: 21 vs. Holy Cross (11/20/21)
All-Purpose Yards: 128 vs. Holy Cross (11/20/21)
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, 5X (last at Georgetown, 10/26/24)
Forced Fumbles: 1 vs. Georgetown (11/11/23)
CADE ROONEY (15)
DL | SR | 6-3 | 250
Tackles: 6 vs. Holy Cross (11/20/21)
Tackles for Loss: 1, 2X (last vs. Marist, 9/21/24)
Interceptions: 1, 2 times (last at Colgate, 10/28/23)
RALPH RUCKER (10)
QB | SR | 6-0 | 207
Passing Attempts: 48 at Fordham (11/4/23)
Passing Completions: 33 at Colgate (10/28/23)
Passing Yards: 387 at Colgate (10/28/23)
Passing Touchdowns: 4 at Colgate (10/28/23)
Long Pass: 65 vs. Georgetown (11/11/23)
Rushing Attempts: 15 vs. VMI (9/9/23)
Rushing Yards: 47 vs. VMI (9/9/23)
Long Rush: 19 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: 7 at Georgetown (10/26/24)
Punt Yards: 286 at Georgetown (10/26/24)
Punting Average: 50.0 vs. Merrimack (9/14/24)
Long Punt: 63, 2X (last at VMI, 9/7/24)
Punts Inside 20: 3 at Georgetown (10/26/24)
Kickoffs: 5, 2 times (last vs. Marist, 11/19/22)
Kickoff Average: 45.2 at Georgetown (11/12/22)
JOHN SCHLENDORF (45)
S | SR | 5-10 | 180
Tackles: 14, 2 times (last vs. Penn, 9/23/23)
Sacks: 1, 5X (last at Penn, 10/12/24)
Tackles for Loss: 1, 11X (last at Georgetown, 10/26/24)
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)
Fumble Recoveries: 1 at Georgetown (10/26/24)
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: 24 at Georgetown (10/26/24)
Rushing Yards: 136 at Georgetown (10/26/24)
Rushing TDs: 2, 2x (most recent at G’town, 10/26/24)
Long Rush: 47 vs. Cornell (10/19/24)
Receptions: 2, 3X (most recent at G’town, 10/26/24)
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: 4 at Georgetown (10/26/24)
Forced Fumbles: at Georgetown (10/26/24)
TERIAN WILLIAMS II (9)
CB | JR | 5-11 | 190
Tackles: 10 vs. Cornell (10/19/24)
Tackles for Loss: 1, 2X (last vs. Cornell, 10/19/24)
Sacks: 1 vs. Marist (9/21/24)
Interceptions: 1 at Navy (8/31/24)
GAVIN WILLIS (13)
LB | SO | 6-0 | 212
Tackles: 19 vs. Cornell (10/19/24)
Tackles for Loss: 2 at Lehigh (9/28/24)
Sacks: 2 at Lehigh (9/28/24)
2024 GAME REPORTS: GAME 1
BUCKNELL 7 0 7 7 21 NAVY 6 22 7 `14 49 Aug. 31
TEAM STATISTICS
GAME NOTES
• Bucknell got off to an exciting start against the Mids with an opening-drive 47-yard touchdown pass from Ralph Rucker to Nate Anderson, but Navy went on to score 35 unanswered points and held on for a 49-21 win.
• The Mids piled up 437 yards on total offense, gaining 264 on the ground.
• RB Paul Neel led Bucknell’s rushing attack in his first career start. The senior carried 12 times for 60 yards and a third-quarter touchdown.
• Rucker added 34 net rushing yards in addition to his 122 pass yards. He was under duress much of the game, absorbing four sacks.
Football Drops Season Opener at Navy, 49-21
The Bucknell football team opened its 2024 season with a hard-fought 49-21 loss to Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) opponent Navy on Saturday afternoon before 28,763 fans at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. The Bison got out to an electric start with Ralph Rucker IV connecting with Nate Anderson on a 47-yard touchdown pass on the very first possession of the day, but the Midshipmen flipped the game around with a 22-point second quarter.
Rucker, who was under pressure for much of the contest, completed 11 of 24 passes for 122 yards and the touchdown to Anderson, a Western Michigan transfer making his Bison debut. Bucknell gained 337 total yards, including 131 on the ground, with starting running back Paul Neel leading the way with 60 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries.
TJ Cadden made a team-high five catches for 97 yards and was also impactful on special teams with a 24-yard punt return and a 52-yard kickoff return. Anderson, Josh Gary, and Eric Weatherly caught two passes apiece.
Nick Hoying led the defense with 11 total tackles, surpassing his total of 10 from his freshman season in 2023, and he also notched his first career interception. Stanford transfer Terian Williams II also intercepted a pass in his first game as a Bison.
“I thought our guys would fight for 60 minutes, and they absolutely did that,” said head coach Dave Cecchini after the game. “They did not give up, they did not quit. They played just as hard on the last play of the game as the first play of the game; 60 minutes of football in hot, humid conditions.”
Rucker found Anderson wide open down the left sideline for the opening score only 1:23 into the contest, but Navy answered about three minutes later when big fullback Daba Fofanabroke ran loose up the middle for a 49-yard touchdown run. The Bison remained in the lead when the extra point was shoved wide to the right. Bucknell looked good to expand on the margin when Rucker engineered a 13-play drive down to the Navy 19, but the Midshipmen came up with a stop on 4th-and-2.
After the defense forced another punt, Neel started a drive with a good run up the middle, but on replay review it was ruled that Navy knocked the ball loose just before his knee went down, and the Mids were awarded the ball. Navy then took its first lead of the day on Alex Tecza’s 3-yard TD run on the first play of the second quarter.
Blake Horvath tossed a pair of touchdown passes later in the period, and Navy took a 28-7 lead to the locker room.
Eli Heidenreich’s second TD catch of the game made it 35 unanswered points for Navy before the Bison ended the run on Neel’s 3-yard run that was set up by the Hoying interception. Rucker piled up 27 of his 34 rushing yards on the scoring drive.
Bucknell added one more touchdown in the final minute in a nice moment for the Cadden brothers. TJ caught a beautifully thrown deep ball by Michael Hardyway for a 37-yard hookup down to the two, and then younger brother Michael ran it in on the next play for the freshman’s first career score.
Navy gained 264 yards on the ground, led by Fofana’s 82 yards. Quarterbacks Horvath and Braxton Woodson combined to complete 10 of 19 passes for 173 yards and three touchdowns. The Midshipmen had a 437-337 edge in total yards and led 33:01-26:59 in time of possession.
SCORING SUMMARY
1st
2nd
3rd Quarter 7:15 7:45
4th Quarter 5:59 9:01
3rd Down Conversions 6 of 17 10 of 17
4th Down Conversions 1 of 3 1 of 1
Red-Zone Scores-Chances 2-4 5-5 Touchdowns 2-4 5-5 Field Goals 0-4
• WR TJ Cadden hauled in five receptions for a career-high 97 receiving yards. He added a 52-yard kickoff return and a 24-yard punt return. His younger brother, freshman RB Michael Cadden, scored a late Bison touchdown in his first collegiate game.
• Sophomore Nick Hoying led Bucknell’s defensive efforts with 11 tackles and his first career interception. Terian Williams also grabbed an interception, and Brad Jamison recorded Bucknell’s lone sack.
TEAM LEADERS
Bucknell and Navy were meeting for the first time since 1925. BUCKNELL
2024 GAME REPORTS: GAME 2
Big Second Half Lifts Bucknell to 35-28 Win at VMI
TEAM STATISTICS
GAME NOTES
• Ralph Rucker completed 14 of 15 pass attempts for 201 yards and three touchdowns in the second half to defeat VMI on the road. Rucker was 8 for 8 in the third quarter and led Bucknell to touchdowns on its first two possessions of the half.
• The Bison scored 21 unanswered points in the second half after being tied at 14-all at halftime. Josh Gary caught both touchdown passes on Bucknell’s back-to-back scoring drives to open the third quarter.
• TJ Cadden registered 87 receiving yards and a touchdown in addition to his 40-yard punt return touchdown in the first half. It was Bucknell’s first punt return touchdown in 10 years. Eric Weatherly led all receivers with nine receptions for 105 yards.
A big second half that saw 21 unanswered points propelled the Bucknell football team to a 35-28 win over VMI at Alumni Memorial Field on Saturday. After VMI took an early lead on a first quarter pick six, Ralph Rucker IV was outstanding the rest of the way and guided the Bison to their first victory of the season. The Bison quarterback completed 28 of 37 passing attempts (75.7%) for 340 yards and three touchdowns.
The Bison and Keydets were tied at 14-14 at halftime, but junior wide receiver Josh Gary was on the receiving end of two Rucker touchdowns on Bucknell’s first two drives of the third quarter to build a 28-14 lead. Sophomore TJ Cadden, who scored on a 40-yard punt return in the first quarter, caught another Rucker pass early in the fourth to put Bucknell up 35-14. Junior Eric Weatherly led all players with nine receptions for 105 yards. Paul Neel accounted for Bucknell’s other touchdown, scoring in the first quarter on one of his eight carries for 37 yards.
In the second half, Rucker completed 14 of 15 attempts for 201 yards and three touchdowns, missing just once in the fourth quarter.
Bucknell racked up 457 yards of offense for the game, while VMI totaled 378.
The Bison defense gave up just one touchdown in the first half when running back Hunter Rice ran up the middle for a 58-yard score. The Keydets added two late scores with under nine minutes to play in the game to pull within a touchdown, but the Bison were able to kneel out the final 29 seconds to defeat VMI for a second year in a row.
Rice led the Keydets with 166 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries. He also hauled in three catches. VMI quarterback Collin Shannon completed 21 of 32 passes for 129 yards, and backup Chandler Wilson completed 3 of 5 passes and a touchdown on the final VMI drive.
Rucker became just the second Bucknell quarterback to post three 300-yard passing games in his career, joining Jim Given ‘87. Seven of Rucker’s passes were for 15 yards or longer, including a 33yard completion to Weatherly that led to the first touchdown in the third quarter, a 41-yard touchdown pass to Gary that came on a 4th-and-2 play, and a 35-yard touchdown to Cadden.
Cadden’s 40-yard punt return touchdown comes one week after he logged a 24-yard punt return and a 52-yard kickoff return at Navy. He ended the day with 141 all-purpose yards. It was the first Bucknell punt return touchdown since Josh Brake took one 62 yards to the house in a win over VMI on Aug. 30, 2014.
Gavin Willis led all Bison with 12 tackles, including six solo stops. Both Brandon Biagiarelli and John Schlendorf registered sacks. Schlendorf’s sack on the opening drive of the game knocked the ball loose from VMI’s quarterback’s hand, but the Keydets recovered. The Bison would get their lone turnover of the game late in the third quarter when Chris Sims intercepted a pass in the end zone and returned it 21 yards.
SCORING SUMMARY
1st
2nd
3rd Quarter 6:22 8:38
4th Quarter 5:41 9:19
3rd
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.
2024 GAME REPORTS: GAME 8
Bison Clipped at Georgetown, 21-20
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Bucknell freshman Tariq Thomas ran for a career-high 136 yards and two touchdowns, but Georgetown erased an early 14-0 deficit and held off the Bison 21-20 at Cooper Field.
TEAM STATISTICS
GAME NOTES
• This has been an evenly matched series in recent years. The two previous Bucknell-Georgetown games had gone to overtime, and this one was decided by one point.
• Bucknell now leads the all-time series 20-15-1 dating back to 1904.
• RB Tariq Thomas posted the first 100-yard rushing game by a Bison back since Rushawn Baker last season at Colgate.
• DB Takai Whitmore gave the Bison some good reps off the bench, finishing with four tackles and a forced fumble.
• Georgetown came into the game ranked third in FCS in sacks per game (3.0) and tallied four in this one, including the game-ending play.
• DB Roman Pearson intercepted a pass for the second straight game.
Ralph Rucker IV, back after a one-week injury absence, completed 17 of 29 pass attempts for 240 yards. He tried to engineer two potential go-ahead drives in the closing minutes, but one ended on a missed field goal and the other on a fourth-down sack at the Georgetown 45-yard line, which sent the Hoyas into victory formation.
Thomas was the catalyst as the Bison jumped out to the 14-0 lead. Rucker was 3-for-3 and Thomas carried four times for 29 yards on Bucknell’s first drive of the game, a 75-yard march that ended with the freshman’s 15-yard sprint through a gaping hole.
Chris Sims’ fumble recovery after a strip by Takai Whitmore set up Bucknell’s second touchdown. On the second play of the second quarter, Thomas took the ball on a sweep to the left, made a great cut back to the inside, and scored from 27 yards out.
Savion Hart’s 40-yard dash put the Hoyas on the board with 4:29 left in the half, and the hosts tied it on an 11-yard pass from Lauter to Nicholas Dunneman with only 14 seconds left in the half.
Georgetown’s kickoff went out of bounds, and the Bison got aggressive in the closing seconds of the half. Rucker twice connected with Nate Anderson on sideline routes, setting up a Matt Schearer 43-yard field goal as time expired.
The Hoyas took their first lead of the day at 21-17 on a Bryce Cox one-yard plunge with 5:56 left in the third. The Bison thought they had taken the lead early in the fourth on a nice drive that was keyed by a 36-yard pass from Rucker to Sam Milligan on a 3rd-and-3 play. Rucker later ran it in from the 6, but the touchdown was nullified by a holding call. A dropped pass in the end zone on third down set up Schearer’s 32-yard field goal to make it a 21-20 game.
Roman Pearson intercepted a deep ball at his own 12 with 6:55 to play, and Rucker hit Josh Gary on a 45-yard pass down the right sideline to get the ball into Georgetown territory. The Bison could not capitalize, however, as Schearer’s 36-yard field goal attempt missed wide to the right.
The Bison defense came up with another stop with two minutes to play. A third-down pass from Rucker to Thomas, followed by a Rucker scramble for 10 yards set them up with a first down at the Georgetown 45. After three incompletions, GianCarlo Rufo sacked Rucker on fourth down to end it. Georgetown outgained the Bison 404-368 and won the possession time battle 37:20 to 22:40. The Hoyas had two backs go over 100 yards rushing. Hart carried 17 times for 112 yards, and Cox tallied 104 yards on 17 totes. Georgetown ran for 274 yards as a team.
Gavin Willis, coming off a 19-tackle performance against Cornell, led the Bison with 13 tackles. Brad Jamison had eight and Nick Hoying seven.
SCORING SUMMARY
1st Quarter
2nd Quarter
3rd Quarter 4:01 9:56
4th Quarter 6:57 8:03
3rd Down Conversions 3-13 6-14
4th Down Conversions 0-1 1-2
Red-Zone Scores-Chances 2-3 2-2
Sacks: Total - Yards 0-0 4-30
PAT: Total - Made 2-2 3-3
2PT Conversion: Total - Made 0-0 0-0
Field Goals: Total - Made 2-3 0-0
• K Matt Schearer’s 43-yard field goal was a season long. He also dropped three punts inside the 20.
• DB Ralph Rucker IV eclipsed 4,000 passing yards in his two-year Bucknell career. He is just the sixth Bison signal caller to reach that milestone.
TEAM LEADERS
Team Results
Game Records
Team Statistics
Rushing
Passing
Receiving
Interceptions
Team Defense
Averages
Rushing/Receiving Game-by-Game
Rushing Player
Tariq Thomas 106-493/4 6-15/0 9-23/0 7-51/0 12-40/0 18-77/0 21-57/2 9-94/0 24-136/2
Ralph Rucker IV 58-71/2 10-34/0 6-21/0 13--10/1 5-6/0 9--10/1 9-44/0 DNP 6--14/0
Paul Neel 47-206/2 12-60/1 8-37/1 4-3/0 8-44/0 7-38/0 2-9/0 4-9/0 2-6/0
Michael Cadden 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 DNP
Michael Hardyway 11-17/0 - DNP - 1-1/0 DNP 3-5/0 7-11/0 DNP
Logan Bush 8-31/1 DNP DNP 2-11/0 4-13/0 DNP - 2-7/1 DNP
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 43-456/3 2-10/0 9-105/0 6-77/0 5-74/1 5-55/2 7-61/0 4-17/0 5-57/0
Josh Gary 31-379/3 2-15/0 3-54/2 3-17/1 2-28/0 1-5/0 13-137/0 3-57/0 4-66/0
TJ Cadden 26-356/3 5-97/0 6-87/1 - 3-30/1 1-21/0 3-24/0 7-84/1 1-13/0
Nate Anderson 26-306/2 2-61/1 3-32/0 2-21/0 4-47/0 5-49/0 6-52/1 1-3/0 3-41/0
Charlie Kreinbucher 9-75/1 - 1-5/0 1-1/0 2-10/1 - 1-20/0 2-16/0 2-23/0
Sam Milligan 8-149/2 1-9/0 1-6/0 1-23/1 1-32/0 1-2/0 1-13/0 1-28/1 1-36/0
Paul Neel 7-42/0 1-5/0 3-18/0 1-9/0 - - - 2-10/0 -
Tariq Thomas 7-33/0 - - 2-13/0 - 1-10/0 2-7/0 1--1/0 1-4/0
Derrick Anderson Jr. 4-60/0 - 2-33/0 1-3/0 1-24/0 DNP - - -
Kyle Fontes 2-17/0 1-4/0 - - 1-13/0 DNP DNP DNP DNP
Michael Cadden 2-14/0 - - - 2-14/0 - - - -
Marques Owens 1-8/0 DNP DNP DNP - 1-8/0 DNP DNP DNP
Danny Meuser 1-5/0 1-5/0 - - - - DNP DNP DNP
Total Tackles
Player
Gavin Willis 49-35 84 4-6
Nick Hoying 39-21 60
John Schlendorf 40-16 56
Terian Williams 24-23 47
Brad Jamison 23-16 39 5-2 1-3 4-3 DNP
Alex Smith Jr. 20-12 32 4-2 1-3 3-4
Roman Pearson 20-6 26 2-0
Aaron Davis 18-4 22 1-0 DNP -
Mason Taylor 15-5 20 1-0
Brandon Biagiarelli 9-11 20 0-1 2-1 2-1 3-4
Aneesh Vyas 9-9 18 1-2 1-2
Cade Rooney 10-7 17 3-1 1-0
Will Caneer 12-4 16 - -
Jack Barnes 8-7 15 2-2 1-1 0-1 1-1 3-1 -
Chris Sims 9-5 14 -
Takai Whitmore 12-1 13 3-0
Jack Goheen 5-4 9 - 1-1 0-1
Justin Fisher 2-6 8
Luke Freeman
Grant Laws
Dara Adeyemi 2-3 5 0-1 -
JJ Sebert 2-2 4 2-0 - 0-1 0-1 -
Deuce Geter 2-2 4 DNP DNP DNP DNP
Bradley Pao 2-1 3 - 1-0 0-1 1-0 -
Alex Brown 1-2 3 - - - - DNP -
Charlie Meehleib
Milligan
Matt Karic
Anderson
Danny Meuser
Sierk
Josh Gary
Hardyway
McIntyre
Jack Inserra
Aidan Catania
David LoGrasso
Cadden
Anderson
Jedlicka
Garanton
Punt Returns
Kick Returns Player
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)
YARDS RUSHING 186 Marist (09/21/2024) YARDS PER RUSH 4.8 Marist (09/21/2024) TD RUSHES 2 at Georgetown (10/26/2024) 2 at Penn (10/12/2024) 2 at Navy (08/31/2024)
(10/12/2024)
(10/12/2024) YARDS PASSING
at VMI (09/07/2024) YARDS PER PASS
Marist (09/21/2024) TD PASSES
Marist (09/21/2024) 3 at VMI (09/07/2024) TOTAL
(10/12/2024)
(09/21/2024)
(09/21/2024)
(10/12/2024)
(09/21/2024)
(09/21/2024) TURNOVERS 4 Cornell (10/19/2024)
(10/26/2024)
Merrimack (09/14/2024)
PUNT
at VMI (09/07/2024) 63 at Navy (08/31/2024) PUNTS INSIDE 20 3 at Georgetown (10/26/2024)
LONG PUNT RETURN 73 Marist (09/21/2024)
Opponent - Game Highs
(08/31/2024)
(10/26/2024)
(09/07/2024)
(08/31/2024) PASS
(10/19/2024)
(08/31/2024)
(10/19/2024)
(09/28/2024)
(10/12/2024)
(08/31/2024) SACKS
(09/14/2024)
(10/19/2024)
(10/19/2024)
(09/28/2024)
(09/07/2024) PUNTING
at Lehigh (09/28/2024)
(08/31/2024)
Bucknell - Game Lows
RUSHES
28 Cornell (10/19/2024)
YARDS RUSHING 96 Merrimack (09/14/2024)
YARDS PER RUSH 2.9 Merrimack (09/14/2024)
TD RUSHES 0 Marist (09/21/2024)
PASS ATTEMPTS 22 at Lehigh (09/28/2024)
PASS COMPLETIONS 15 at Lehigh (09/28/2024) 15 at Navy (08/31/2024)
YARDS PASSING 150 at Lehigh (09/28/2024)
YARDS PER PASS 5.5 Merrimack (09/14/2024)
TD PASSES 0 at Georgetown (10/26/2024)
TOTAL PLAYS 58 at Lehigh (09/28/2024)
TOTAL OFFENSE 260 Merrimack (09/14/2024)
YARDS PER PLAY 4.1 Merrimack (09/14/2024)
POINTS 20 at Georgetown (10/26/2024)
SACKS BY 0 at Georgetown (10/26/2024)
FIRST DOWNS 14 at Navy (08/31/2024)
PENALTIES 4 Merrimack (09/14/2024)
PENALTY YARDS 32 Merrimack (09/14/2024)
INTERCEPTIONS BY 0 Merrimack (09/14/2024)
PUNTS 0 at Penn (10/12/2024)
PUNTING AVG 0.0 at Penn (10/12/2024)
LONG PUNT 0 at Penn (10/12/2024)
PUNTS INSIDE 20 0 at Penn (10/12/2024)
LONG PUNT RETURN 0 Cornell (10/19/2024) 0 at Penn (10/12/2024) 0 at Lehigh (09/28/2024)
Opponent - Game Lows
(09/07/2024) YARDS RUSHING
(09/21/2024)
(09/21/2024)
(10/19/2024)
(09/21/2024) PASS ATTEMPTS
(09/14/2024)
(08/31/2024)
at Georgetown (10/26/2024)
PER PASS
at VMI (09/07/2024)
PASSES 1 at Georgetown (10/26/2024)
at Penn (10/12/2024)
Merrimack (09/14/2024)
at VMI (09/07/2024) TOTAL
(10/12/2024)
(09/07/2024)
(10/19/2024)
Cornell (10/19/2024) 2 Marist (09/21/2024) FIRST DOWNS 19 at Penn (10/12/2024)
PENALTIES 4 at Penn (10/12/2024)
PENALTY YARDS 43 at Lehigh (09/28/2024)
INTERCEPTIONS BY 0 at Georgetown (10/26/2024) 0 at Penn (10/12/2024) 0 at Lehigh (09/28/2024) 0 at Navy (08/31/2024)
PUNTS 0 at Penn (10/12/2024)
PUNTING AVG 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
Tariq Thomas at Georgetown (10/26/2024)
YARDS RUSHING 136 Tariq Thomas at Georgetown (10/26/2024)
TD RUSHES
LONG RUSH
PASS ATTEMPTS
PASS COMPLETIONS
Tariq Thomas at Georgetown (10/26/2024) 2 Tariq Thomas at Penn (10/12/2024)
Tariq Thomas vs Cornell (10/19/2024)
Michael Hardyway vs Cornell (10/19/2024)
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
Ralph Rucker IV at Navy (08/31/2024) RECEPTIONS
YARDS RECEIVING
Josh Gary at Penn (10/12/2024)
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
Nate Anderson at Navy (08/31/2024) PUNTS 7 Matt Schearer at Georgetown (10/26/2024)
PUNTING AVG
Matt Schearer vs Merrimack (09/14/2024)
LONG PUNT 63 Matt Schearer at VMI (09/07/2024)
63 Matt Schearer at Navy (08/31/2024)
PUNTS INSIDE 20 3 Matt Schearer at Georgetown (10/26/2024)
LONG PUNT RETURN 73 TJ Cadden vs Marist (09/21/2024)
LONG KICKOFF RETURN 100 TJ Cadden at Lehigh (09/28/2024)
TACKLES 19 Gavin Willis vs Cornell (10/19/2024)
SACKS 2 Gavin Willis at Lehigh (09/28/2024)
2 Brandon Biagiarelli vs Marist (09/21/2024)
TACKLES FOR LOSS 3 Nick Hoying vs Marist (09/21/2024)
Opponent - Individual Game Highs
RUSHES
YARDS RUSHING
TD RUSHES
LONG RUSH
PASS ATTEMPTS
PASS COMPLETIONS
YARDS PASSING
TD PASSES
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)
32 Jameson Wang vs Cornell (10/19/2024)
274 Jameson Wang vs Cornell (10/19/2024)
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)
4
4
5
6
32 Finn Sposato 0/0
33 Brad Jamison 7/7
34 Darius Day 1/0
35 Charlie Meehleib 5/0
36 Michael Cadden 8/0
37 Tristan Menconi 0/0
38 Brad Gerken 0/0
39 Jackson Nowinski 0/0 ...
40 Charlie McIntyre 1/0
41 Jack Bohm-Squicciarini 1/0
42 Ryan Skoronski 0/0
43 Owen Garwood 1/0
44 Caden Allard 0/0
45 John Schlendorf 8/8
46 Michael Crabtree 1/0
47 Jack Goheen 4/1
49 Jason Ussery 0/0
52 Jack Barnes 8/5
53 Tim Andersen 7/0
54 Reuben Logan 0/0
56 Mark Mulhern 7/3
57 Jack Inserra 6/0
58 Aidan Catania 1/0
59 Dante Mascio 0/0
60 Kieran Coscia 6/0 XXX
61 Ryan Jedlicka 7/0
62 Matt Schearer 8/0
64 David LoGrasso 5/0
65 Tristan Arndt 0/0
66 Herschel Johal 1/0
67 Gustav Ste elin 1/0
68 D.K. Kim 2/0
70 Xavier Allen 8/8
71 Fredrick Sturgis 7/0
72 Noah Wright 0/0
73 Mason Jones 8/2 START
74 Casey Stephenson 8/8
75 Jake Guy 6/6
76 Ashton Sempervive 8/0
77 Nathan Natoli 6/5
78 John Ohnegian 8/8
79 Rowan McGwin 0/0
80 TJ Cadden 8/1
82 Charlie Kreinbucher 8/8
83 Rourke Kennedy 0/0
84 Sam Milligan 8/0
85 AJ Bosch 1/0
86 Braylen Burgess 1/0
87 Kyle Fontes 4/0
88 Will Rich 0/0
89 Anthony DiMarco 0/0
90 Aneesh Vyas 8/6
93 Jack McGill 0/0
94 Nick Niemynski 0/0
95 Grant Laws 7/2
Juan Garanton 7/0
97 Dara Adeyemi 8/0
98 Seo Bu ngton 3/0
99 Justin Fisher 8/2