SCHEDULE/RESULTS
All times Eastern and subject to change
FOLLOW THE BISON
Internet Video
Stadium
ESPN+
Play-By-Play (Color) Doug Birdsong (Kevin Herr)
Internet Audio BucknellBison.com
Radio Bison Sports Network
Flagship 100.9 The Valley (WVLY)
Play-By-Play Sam Kuperman
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 Ben Blumenthal at beb019@bucknell.edu or 570-577-1835.
POST-GAME INTERVIEWS: After the NCAA-mandated 10-minute “cooling off” period, Cecchini and Bison players will be available for interviews. Check with the host SID for interview location. Please submit player requests to Ben Blumenthal no later than five minutes before the end of regulation.
CREDENTIAL REQUESTS: Requests for media credentials at Bucknell home games are required and are issued to working members of the press only. Season credentials will be granted to media members who cover Bucknell football on a regular basis. Requests for single-game credentials should arrive no later than three days prior to the game. All single-game credentials may be picked up in the Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium press box on game day. Please contact Ben Blumenthal to request a credential.
PROJECTED BUCKNELL STARTERS
SPECIAL TEAMS
BISON NOTES QUICK FACTS
GENERAL INFORMATION
Location Lewisburg, Pa.
Founded (Enrollment) 1846 (3,925)
Affiliation NCAA Division I
Nickname Bison
Colors Blue and Orange
Conference The Patriot League
President Dr. John C. Bravman
Director of Athletics Jermaine Truax
ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS
Football Contact .......................................................................... Ben Blumenthal
E-Mail beb019@bucknell.edu
Office 570-577-1835
Cell 703-618-5139
Web BucknellBison.com
Athletics Twitter (Football Twitter) @Bucknell_Bison (@Bucknell_FB)
Athletics Instagram (Football Instagram) BucknellBison (Bucknell_FB)
Athletics Facebook Bucknell Athletics
COACHING & SUPPORT STAFF
Head Coach Dave Cecchini
Alma Mater Lehigh University, ‘95
Record at Bucknell 9-29 (5th season)
Career Record ...................................................................... 26-67 (10th season)
Offensive Coordinator John Bear
Defensive Coordinator Chris Bowers
Special Teams Coordinator Colin Schaeffer
Assistant Coaches Vinny Giacalone, Jordan Johnson, Greg Parker Braelon Roberts, Sean Pearson, Pat Clark, McNeil Parker
Strength & Conditioning Coach Mark Kulbis
Student Managers Gia White, Gana Mukhtar, Amina Reyes, Timmy Facey
Video Coordinator Garvey Biggers
Athletic Trainers Kaiti Hager, Rayna Murphy, Maddy Miller
Equipment Manager Liel Karstetter
FOOTBALL HISTORY
First Season ................................................................................................. 1883
All-Time Record 611-623-51
All-Time Patriot League Record 81-123-1
Patriot League Championships 1 (1996)
MAC Championships 1 (1965)
Lambert Cup Titles 2 (1960,1964)
AP All-Americans 59 (most recent Alex Pechin, ‘19)
AFCA All-Americans 12 (most recent Alex Pechin, ‘19)
Academic All-Americans 25 (most recent Rick Mottram, ‘19)
NFL Draft Picks 7 (most recent Julién Davenport, ‘17)
TEAM INFORMATION
2023 Patriot League Preseason Poll T-6th
2022 Record .................................................................................................... 3-8
2022 Patriot League Record (Finish) 2-4 (T-4th) Offensive
Bucknell makes its home debut this Saturday against VMI. It’s the second season in a row the Bison have faced the Keydets in week two. Bucknell is looking to improve to 1-1 on the season after falling at FBS opponent James Madison last Saturday.
VMI is seeking its first 2-0 start since the spring 2021 campaign. The Keydets rattled off five straight wins to open that shortened season. VMI defeated Davidson in its opener last weekend.
The Bison and the Keydets are meeting for the seventh time since 1978 and for the sixth time since 2013.
Surrounding Saturday’s home opener are a number of exciting events and activities to give Bison fans a warm welcome back to the Pascucci Family Athletics Complex. Bucknell will celebrate First Responder and Hero Appreciation Night, honoring doctors, nurses, police officers, fire fighters, as well as active and retired military.
A beer garden, sponsored by Yuengling and Bucknell Dining, will be open to students through the end of the third quarter, and students will receive a free Bucknell Football t-shirt, courtest of Geisinger, while supplies last.
Additionally, a postgame fireworks show, presented by Bucknell Football Alumni and Weis Markets, will begin immediately after the conclusion of the game. Bucknell is celebrating Hall of Fame Weekend and Football Alumni Weekend, and the Hall of Fame class of 2023 will be honored at halftime.
WITH A VICTORY BUCKNELL WOULD...
• move to 1-1 on the season
• move to 99-37-1 all-time in first home games
• improve to 4-3 in all-time meetings with VMI
• defeat VMI for the first time since 2015
• improve to 2-3 in home openers under Cecchini
BUCKNELL AT A GLANCE
• Bucknell is 0-1 (0-0 PL) following its season-opening 38-3 loss at FBS opponent James Madison on Sept. 2.
• The Bison were picked to finish in a tie for sixth in the Patriot League based on a vote by the league’s head coaches and sports information directors ahead of the 2023 season.
• Bucknell went 3-8 (2-4 PL) during the 2022 campaign, finishing in a tie for fourth. The Bison, who were picked to finish last in that season’s Patriot League preseason poll, earned league wins over Lehigh (19-17) and Georgetown (24-21, OT) before ending the year with a victory over Marist (24-13).
• Bucknell is in its fifth season under head coach Dave Cecchini, who spent the previous five as head coach at Valparaiso. Cecchini was honored as the Patriot League Dick Biddle Coach of the Year during the four-game spring 2021 campaign.
• Bucknell returned a total of 56 letterwinners in 2023, a group that includes 23 seniors, 20 juniors and 13 sophomores. 12 seniors are three-time letterwinners.
• RB Coleman Bennett, LB Blake Leake, QB Nick Semptimphelter and OL Casey Stephenson are serving as 2023 team captains, as voted on by their teammates.
• Bucknell welcomed a host of new faces to the staff this season, including new offensive coordinator John Bear. Wide receivers coach Braelon Roberts, offensive line coach Sean Pearson, defensive backs coach Pat Clark and safeties coach McNeil Parker are all new assistants on the staff as well.
INSIDE THE JAMES MADISON BOX SCORE
• Bucknell trailed JMU 17-3 at halftime and 24-3 entering the fourth quarter before ultimately falling 38-3. Bucknell held a 204-187 advantage in total offense at halftime and led in time possession by more than four minutes by the end of the game.
• Both teams turned the ball over on their opening possessions. Ethan Robinson intercepted a pass for Bucknell’s first turnover of the season.
• The Dukes began six of their 13 drives in Bucknell territory and were stopped on three of those. The Bucknell defense stopped JMU on two fourth-and-goal attempts, including on one drive that began at the Bison 17-yard line.
Captains Coleman Bennett, Blake Leake, Nick Semptimphelter, Casey Stephenson
Returning All-Patriot League Selections Ethan Pitzel (2nd Team in ‘22)
• Bucknell limited JMU to just 30 passing yards over the first hree quarters. The Dukes made a quarterback change in the third quarter and ended up throwing for 145 yards in the fourth. The Dukes found most of their success in the run game, racking up 261 yards.
INDIVIDUAL HONORS & AWARDS START CHART
BISON NOTES
TYLER ALSTON (2) 2023
• Preseason All-Patriot League Team
COLEMAN BENNETT (3) 2023
• William V. Campbell Trophy nominee 2022
• Academic All-Patriot League Team
• Patriot League Special Teams Player of the Week (11/14)
• Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar 2021
• Preseason All-Patriot League
MIKE BRIGHT JR. (44) 2021 Spring
• Patriot League Rookie of the Week (4/5)
JUSTIN FISHER (99) 2021
• Patriot League Rookie of the Week (9/6)
• HM STATS National Freshman of the Week (9/6)
ETHAN PITZEL (77) 2022
• Second Team All-Patriot League
• Academic All-Patriot League Team
MATT SCHEARER (62) 2023
• Preseason All-Patriot League Team 2022
• Two-time Patriot League Rookie of the Week (10/24), (11/14)
Ethan Pitzel 23 (0)
Damian Harris 22 (14)
Blake Leake 21 (19)
Connor Carretta 21 (3)
Tyler Alston 19 (11)
Ethan Robinson 18 (18)
Zack Tarburton 17 (2)
Mike Bright Jr. 17 (1)
Coleman Bennett 16 (0)
Aneesh Vyas 15 (0)
Jake Guy 15 (0)
Will Ohler 14 (0)
Harrison Shepherd 13 (0)
John Schlendorf 12 (12)
Fredrick Sturgis 12 (1)
Casey Stephenson 10 (0)
Rushawn Baker 10 (7)
Mason Taylor 8 (1)
Nick Semptimphelter 7 (0)
Marques Owens 7 (0)
Josh Gary 7 (0)
Christian Spugnardi 7 (0)
Sean Quarterman 6 (2)
Christian Tait ................................... 5 (0)
Charlie Kreinbucher 6 (4)
Alex Smith Jr. 4 (1)
Okeyo Ayungo 3 (1)
Kyle Fontes 3 (0)
Tyler Beverett 3 (0)
Cade Rooney 2 (1)
Adam Barakat 2 (0)
Colby Grames 2 (0)
Nathaniel Carson 2 (0)
Roman Pearson 1 (1)
Brad Jamison 1 (1)
Mason Jones 1 (1)
John Ohnegian 1 (1)
Ralph Rucker 1 (1)
Eric Weatherly 1 (1)
Danny Meuser 1 (0)
Note: Number in parentheses indicates streak of consecutive starts
• Bucknell’s three points came on a 49-yard field goal by Matt Schearer as time expired in the first half. It capped a seven-play, 43-yard drive that ate up the remaining 2:02 of the quarter. Schearer is now 4-for-4 on field goals over 40 yards over the last two seasons, including three makes from 48 and beyond.
• Damian Harris grabbed three receptions for a career-high 61 yards. 32 of his yards came on a deep ball down the sideline.
• Rushawn Baker gashed the JMU defense on a 30-yard run on the same drive as Harris’ 32-yard reception. The Bison made it to the JMU 23-yard line but failed to convert on a fourth down.
• Ralph Rucker completed 13-of-19 attempts (68.4%) for 140 yards and ran for 17 more.
• Blake Leake led the Bison defense with nine tackles, and Robinson and Roman Pearson both posted two pass breakups.
VMI AT A GLANCE
• VMI won its season opener 12-7 at home over Davidson on Saturday. The Keydets fell behind 7-6 in the third quarter but scored with 51 seconds to go in the game on a 25yard pass from QB Collin Ironside to WR VJ Johnson, capping a 12-play, 85-yard drive.
• Although they scored just 12 points, the Keydets racked up 412 yards of offense (239 passing, 173 rushing) in the opener. They turned it over twice and punted five times.
• VMI was picked to finish ninth in both the Preseason Southern Conference Coaches Poll and the Media Poll. The Keydets finished the 2022 season 1-10 (0-8 SoCon).
• Four Keydets were named to Preseason All-Southern Conference Teams: DB Alex Oliver (1st Team), P Jack Culbreath (1st Team) OL Tyriq Poindexter (2nd Team), and LB Evan Eller (2nd Team).
• Oliver was named the SoCon Defensive Player of the Week this week after totaling six tackles and an interception against Davidson.
• Overall, 11 starters returned to VMI from last season.
• VMI is under the direction of new head coach Danny Rocco, who carries a 122-65 career record. Rocco previously served as head coach at Liberty, Richmond and Delaware. Most recently, Rocco served as a Defensive Senior Analyst for Penn State.
THE BUCKNELL/VMI SERIES
• The all-time series between Bucknell and VMI, which began in 1978, is tied at 3-3. Bucknell is 1-1 when hosting the Keydets and 2-2 when facing them on the road.
• VMI has won the last two meetings, defeating the Bison 24-14 in Lexington last September and 23-17 in triple overtime in Lewisburg in 2016. Two of the last three meetings have gone beyond regulation.
• Bucknell last defeated VMI in 2015, winning 28-22 in overtime on the road.
• All six games in the series have been decided by 12 points or fewer. The Bison also won by a narrow 42-38 margin in Lewisburg in 2014.
• In last year’s meeting, the Bison responded to a 21-0 halftime deficit and a 24-0 deficit int he third quarter with 14 unanswered points, but it was too little too late. The Keydets led 326 to 183 in total offense, posting 195 on the ground. Bucknell won the turnover battle by recovering two VMI fumbles and intercepting one pass.
• Bucknell saw a number of chunk plays on offense in last year’s meeting, including a 34-yard reception by Okeyo Ayungo, a 21-yard reception by Damian Harris, a 19-yard completion to Charlie Kreinbucher, and a 15-yard run by Rushawn Baker. Nick Semptimphelter entered the game in the second half and threw two touchdown passes.
• Bucknell is 7-5 in all-time meetings with current member of the Southern Conference, having faced The Citadel (0-2), Furman (4-0) and VMI (3-3).
BISON IN FIRST HOME GAMES
• Bucknell is 98-37-1 (.726) all-time in its first home game of the season.
• The Bison are 5-5 in their past 10 home openers. Over that span, they have faced Towson, Penn, Lafayette, Villanova, William & Mary, Marist (three times), Cornell, and VMI.
NSIDE THE BUCKNELL DEPTH CHART
• Bucknell’s projected starters on offense have made a combined 92 starts.
• Bucknell’s projected starters on defense have made a combined 137 starts.
• On offense, four seniors, three juniors and four sophomores are expected to start.
• On defense, four seniors, six juniors and one sophomore (CB Roman Pearson) are expected to start.
• Sophomore OL John Ohnegian, sophomore WR Eric Weatherly, junior QB Ralph Rucker, junior LB Brad Jamison, sophomore CB Roman Pearson and junior OL Mason Jones each made their first career starts in the opener against JMU last weekend.
• 17 Bison have made at least 10 career starts. Four have started 20 games or more: OL
PATRIOT LEAGUE STANDINGS
Overall Patriot League Streak
BISON NOTES
Ethan Pitzel (23), WR Damian Harris (22), LB Blake Leake (21), and DL Connor Carretta (21).
• Five Bison have starting streaks of 10 or more games in a row: Leake (19), Robinson (18) Harris (14), S John Schlendorf (12), and DL Tyler Alston (11).
PRONUNCIATION GUIDE
Holy
Fordham
Lehigh
PATRIOT LEAGUE SCHEDULE/RESULTS
Saturday, Sept. 2
Villanova 38, Lehigh 10
Syracuse 65, Colgate 0
Holy Cross 42, Merrimack 20
Georgetown 49, Marist 7
Fordham 46, Wagner 16
JMU 38, Bucknell 3
Lafayette 19, Sacred Heart 14
Saturday, Sept. 9
Holy Cross at Boston College, noon
Sacred Heart at Georgetown, 12:30 p.m.
Lehigh at Merrimack, 4 p.m.
Lafayette at Duke, 6 p.m.
Fordham at Buffalo, 6 p.m.
VMI at Bucknell, 6 p.m.
Colgate at Villanova, 6 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 16
Holy Cross at Yale, noon
Cornell at Lehigh, noon
Columbia at Lafayette, 12:30 p.m.
Stonehill College at Georgetown, 12:30 p.m. Penn at Colgate, 1 p.m.
PATRIOT LEAGUE PRESEASON POLL
• Five Bison, Harris, Leake, Robinson, Schlendorf and Vyas, started all 11 of Bucknell’s games in 2022.
• Only seniors P Ruben Anderson and Alston have played in all 27 of Bucknell’s games over their four years. Leake has missed just one appearance during his career.
• Of the junior class, Schlendorf, Robinson and S Alex Smith Jr. have played in all 23 of the team’s games over three seasons.
• In 2022, seven players each made their first career start. Two were juniors, two were sophomores, and three were freshmen. In 2021, a staggering 30 players each made their first career start. The total of 30 represented just over 34 percent of that team’s roster.
MILESTONES TO WATCH
• Tyler Alston needs 12 tackles to reach 100 for his career
• Coleman Bennett needs 128 kick return yards to reach 1,000 for his career
• Rushawn Baker needs 76 rushing yards to reach 1,000 for his career
• John Schlendorf needs 5 tackles to reach 100 for his career
MILESTONES MET LAST WEEK
• Damian Harris eclipsed 50 receptions (52) for his career
BISON AWARD WINNERS
• The Bison returned one All-Patriot League player, OL Ethan Pitzel (2nd Team in ’22). DL Tyler Alston and K Matt Schearer were both voted to the 2023 Preseason All-Patriot League Team. Coleman Bennett was a 2021 Preseason All-League honoree as a return specialist.
• The Bison graduated three All-Patriot League players following the 2022 season: LB Ben Allen (2nd Team in ’22), S Brent Jackson (2nd Team in ’22), and CB Gavin Pringle (2nd Team in ’22 and ’19, 1st Team in ‘S21).
• Bucknell collected five Patriot League weekly awards last season. Schearer was twice named the Patriot League Rookie of the Week, Bennett earned Special Teams Player of the Week recognition, and Jackson was twice named the Defensive Player of the Week.
• In 2022, Bennett was named an Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar by the publication Diverse: Issues in Higher Education. The award recognizes undergraduate students of color who have excelled in the classroom as well as on the athletic fields.
• Last week, Bennett was named Bucknell’s 2023 nominee for the William V. Campbell Trophy, which is awarded by the National Football Foundation to player with the best combination of academics, community service, and on-field performance. Bucknell and Dayton are the only schools that have had a Campbell Trophy semifinalist each of the past 17 years.
• Six Bison were named to the 2022 CSC Academic All-District Team: Ben Allen, Connor Carretta, Brent Jackson, Ethan Pitzel, Jonathan Searcy and Aneesh Vyas.
• Bucknell returned two of its three Academic All-Patriot League honorees from the 2022 season: Bennett and Pitzel.
• In March, 50 Bucknell football players were named to the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll for achieving a 3.2 GPA or higher. The Bison led all Patriot League teams in the category.
HEAD COACH DAVE CECCHINI
PATRIOT LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
• 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 hird-place finish in the Patriot League, their highest placement since they were the 2014 runners-up. Their Patriot League victories came over defending champion Colgate (32-14), rival Lehigh (20-10) and Georgetown (20-17); two of their three league losses came by a touchdown or less.
• In 2017 while at Valparaiso, Cecchini was a finalist for the American Football Coaches Association’s FCS National Coach of the Year and the STATS FCS Coach of the Year awards; he was also voted as the Pioneer Football League Coach of the Year and the AFCA FCS Region 4 Coach of the Year.
• Since arriving at Bucknell, Cecchini’s players have combined to earn 20 All-Patriot League First/Second Team awards as well as one First Team All-American.
PLAYERS
Dara Adeyemi DAH-ruh ah-de-YEM-ee
Okeyo Ayungo uh-KAY-oh uh-YOUNG-go
Adam Barakat BEAR-a-CAT
Tyler Beverett BEV-er-it.
Princeton Cahee KAY-hee
Aidan Catania Cuh-TAN-ee-ah
Drew Cormier CORE-mee-aye
Kieran Coscia KAH-shuh
Anthony DiLascio di-LASS-ee-oh
Kyle Fontes FON-tess
Deuce Geter GEE-tur
Jack Inserra in-SER-uh
Brad Jamison JAM-uh-sin
Ryan Jedlicka jed-LICK-uh
Matt Karic CARE-ic
Charlie Kreinbucher KRANE-bucker
David LoGrasso luh-GRASS-oh
Danny Meuser MUE-ser
Nathan Natoli na-TOLL-ee
Nick Niemynski Na-MIN-ski
Jeff Odongo Oh-DONG-oh
Will Ohler OH-ler
John Ohnegian oh-NEE-gin
Marques Owens MARCUS
Bradley Pao POW
Ethan Pitzel PIT-zuhl
James Poulos POO-los
Patrick Quinlivan quin-LIV-in
Ryan Schatzel SHAT-zul
John Schlendorf SCHLEN-dorf
Ashton Sempervive semper-VEE-vay
Nick Semptimphelter SEMP-tim-fel-ter
Nick Severin SEV-rin
Daniel Sierk SEER-k
Finn Sposato spo-SA-to
Christian Spugnardi spug-NAR-dee
Aneesh Vyas uh-NEESH VEE-yas
Takai Whitmore tuh-KYE
COACHES
Dave Cecchini cha-KEE-nee
Vinny Giacalone JACK-a-loan
Mark Kulbis KUL-bis
Braelon Roberts BRAY-lon
INSIDE THE 2023 SCHEDULE
• This is the 138th season of football at Bucknell. The Bison played their first-ever game in 1883 and have played continuously since 1887.
• The Bison opened the 2023 slate against FBS opponent James Madison, which tied for first place in the Sun Belt East Division during its inaugural season in the conference with an 8-3 (6-2 SBC) record.
• After hosting VMI for the home opener on Sept. 9, the Bison remain at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium to face Penn, which is coming off its winningest season in more than a decade. It marks the 44th time in the last 45 seasons that Bucknell has had an Ivy League program on the schedule.
• Bucknell’s other non-league games include Cornell on Oct. 14 and Marist to close out the regular season on Nov. 18.
• Bucknell opens Patriot League play on the road at Lafayette on Sept. 30. The Bison will play host to reigning league champion Holy Cross, Lehigh and Georgetown.
• Bucknell’s 2023 opponents went a combined 58-64 last season. They are off to a combined 6-4 record this season.
FACILITY UPGRADES
• Thanks to the support of the Pascucci family, Bucknell’s new artificial turf practice field was broken in last preseason camp. Offering additional training and practice space for several men’s and women’s teams, the new field provides even greater training opportunities for a variety of programs beyond the ones that call Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium home.
• The stadium’s new state-of-the-art video board made its debut in 2021, greatly heightening the fan experience at home events.
• Currently under construction is The Pascucci Team Center which, upon completion, will include a new strength and conditioning center, locker rooms, and a team meeting and event space.
• In recognition of Pascucci’s historic commitment to both financial aid and athletics, the area of campus that includes the stadium and the Christy Mathewson Gates was named the Pascucci Family Athletics Complex.
• The picturesque Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium was dedicated in 1924 and was known originally as Memorial Stadium as a tribute to Bucknell’s numerous war veterans. The stadium underwent a major renovation in 1989, and at that time it was rededicated to honor the iconic Christy Mathewson, who was a three-sport star and model student-athlete during his playing days at Bucknell.
• Bucknell is 255-183-10 all-time at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium.
HOW TO FOLLOW THE BISON
• All of Bucknell’s games this season, with the exception of the season finale at Marist, will be broadcast on ESPN+.
• All of the Bison’s games will be broadcast on 100.9 The Valley (WVLY). The broadcast will also be available for internet streaming on BucknellBison.com.
• Bucknell is active on Twitter (@Bucknell_FB) and Instagram (Bucknell_FB). Interact with the team using the hashtags #ACT and #rayBucknell.
UP NEXT
• Bucknell has an early bye next weekend. The Bison play next at home on Saturday, Sept. 23 against Penn. It’s Homecoming and Family Weekend at Bucknell as well as the team’s Vs. Cancer game.
WIDE RECEIVER
BUCKNELL TWO DEEP VS VMI
OFFENSE DEFENSE SPECIAL TEAMS
29 — Okeyo Ayungo (So. / 6-1 / 185 / Rockville, Md.)
25 — Derrick Anderson Jr. (So. / 6-3 / 175 / Fort Washington, Md.)
LEFT TACKLE
59 — Sean Quarterman (Sr. 6-3 260 Chicago, Ill.)
54 — Harrison Shepherd (Sr. 6-5 280 Wyoming, Ohio)
LEFT GUARD
74 — Casey Stephenson (Sr. / 6-2 / 290 / Philadelphia, Pa.)
71 — Fredrick Sturgis (Jr. 6-4 285 Cincinnati, Ohio)
CENTER
78 — John Ohnegian (So. 6-2 285 Ramsey, N.J.)
71 — Fredrick Sturgis (Jr. 6-4 285 Cincinnati, Ohio)
RIGHT GUARD
75 — Jake Guy (Jr. / 6-2 / 285 / Philadelphia, Pa.)
73 — Mason Jones (Jr. / 6-6 / 295 / Franklin, Tenn.)
RIGHT TACKLE
65 — Zack Tarburton (Sr. 6-3 275 Perkasie, Pa.)
79 — Rowan McGwin (So. / 6-6 274 / Rochester, N.Y.)
TIGHT END
82 — Charlie Kreinbucher (So. 6-5 230 Butler, Pa.)
87 — Kyle Fontes (Jr. 6-4 220 York, Pa.)
WIDE RECEIVER
1 — Eric Weatherly (So. / 5-7 / 171 St. John’s, Fla.)
24 — Josh Gary (So. / 5-11 190 Upper Marlboro, Md.)
WIDE RECEIVER
11 — Damian Harris (Sr. / 6-0 185 / Durham, N.C.)
5 — Christian Tait (Sr. / 6-3 / 185 / Staten Island, N.Y.)
RUNNING BACK
23 — Rushawn Baker (Jr. / 5-11 225 Victor, N.Y.)
3 — Coleman Bennett (Sr. / 5-11 / 185 / Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)
QUARTERBACK
10 — Ralph Rucker (Jr. 6-0 207 Lucas, Texas.)
14 — Nick Semptimphelter (Sr. / 6-1 / 190 / Franklin, Tenn.)
DEFENSIVE END
44 — Mike Bright Jr. (Sr. / 6-4 / 225 Woodland Park, N.J.)
52 — Jack Barnes (Jr. / 6-2 / 220 / Fayetteville, N.C.)
DEFENSIVE TACKLE
90 — Aneesh Vyas (Jr. 6-2 265 West Chester, Ohio)
15 — Cade Rooney (Jr. / 6-3 / 250 / Berwyn, Pa.)
DEFENSIVE TACKLE
0 — Connor Carretta (Sr. 6-2 280 Columbus, Ohio)
92 — Daniel Sierk (So. 6-5 250 Greensburg, Pa.)
DEFENSIVE END
2 — Tyler Alston (Sr. / 6-2 / 230 / Downingtown, Pa.)
22 — Donquarius Parker (So. / 6-1 / 220 / Durham, N.C.)
INSIDE LINEBACKER (MIKE)
33 — Brad Jamison (Jr. / 6-2 / 220 / Upper Township, N.J.)
47 — Jack Goheen (So. 6-2 210 Fishers, Ind.)
INSIDE LINEBACKER (WILL)
34 — Blake Leake (Sr. / 6-1 / 215 / Culpeper, Va.)
13 — Gavin Willis (Fr. / 6-0 / 212 / Louisville, Ky.)
SAFETY
45 — John Schlendorf (Jr. / 5-10 / 180 / Toms River, N.J.)
31 — Drew Cormier (Fr. / 6-1 / 200 / Burlington, Conn.)
SAFETY
20 — Mason Taylor (Jr. / 6-2 / 185 San Pedro, Calif.)
38 — Brad Gerken (Fr. 5-11 / 195 / San Clemente, Calif.)
SAFETY
6 — Alex Smith Jr. (Jr. / 6-2 / 185 / Charlotte, N.C.)
16 — Caleb Gillen (Sr. 5-11 / 185 / White Plains, N.Y.)
CORNERBACK
14 — Roman Pearson (So. 6-2 180 Pickerington, Ohio)
28 — Chris Sims (Jr. 5-9 170 Haverford, Pa.)
CORNERBACK
9 — Ethan Robinson (Jr. 6-0 175 Montgomery, N.Y.)
19 — England Allen (Fr. 5-10 180 Monclova, Ohio)
GAME-BY-GAME STARTERS
PLACE KICKER
62 — Matt Schearer (So. 5-11 / 170 Canonsburg, Pa.)
10 — Ryan Schatzel (Sr. / 6-0 / 160 / Sleepy Hallow, N.Y.)
PUNTER
98 — Ruben Anderson (Sr. 6-2 215 Lenexa, Kan.)
62 — Matt Schearer (So. 5-11 / 170 Canonsburg, Pa.)
LONG SNAPPER
93 — Aidan Davenport (Sr. / 6-3 / 210 / Chatham, N.J.)
61 — Ryan Jedlicka (So. 5-10 180 Greenwich, Conn.)
HOLDER
98 — Ruben Anderson (Sr. 6-2 215 Lenexa, Kan.)
62 — Matt Schearer (So. 5-11 / 170 Canonsburg, Pa.)
KICKOFF RETURN 1
11 — Damian Harris (Sr. 6-0 185 Durham, N.C.)
29 — Okeyo Ayungo (So. / 6-1 185 / Rockville, Md.)
KICKOFF RETURN 2
3 — Coleman Bennett (Sr. 5-11 185 Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)
1 — Eric Weatherly (So. / 5-7 / 171 / St. John’s, Fla.)
PUNT RETURN
9 — Ethan Robinson (Jr. / 6-0 175 / Montgomery, N.Y.)
1 — Eric Weatherly (So. / 5-7 / 171 / St. John’s, Fla.)
2023 BUCKNELL ROSTER
Name Cl. Pos. Ht. Wt. Hometown / High School
0 *** Connor Carretta Sr. DL 6-2 280 Columbus, Ohio / St. Charles Prep
1 ** Marques Owens Jr. WR 5-10 170 Austell, Ga. Harrison
1 Eric Weatherly So.
Opponent WR LT LG C RG RT TE WR WR RB QB
James Madison Ayungo Quarterman Sturgis Ohnegian* Jones* Tarburton Kreinbucher Harris Weatherly* Baker Rucker*
VMI Penn Lafayette Holy Cross
Cornell Lehigh Colgate Fordham
Georgetown Marist
Opponent DE DT DT DE WILL MIKE S S S CB CB
James Madison Bright Jr. Carretta Rooney Alston Leake Jamison* Schlendorf Smith Jr. Taylor Robinson Pearson*
VMI Penn Lafayette Holy Cross
Cornell Lehigh Colgate Fordham
Georgetown Marist
* indicates player’s first career start
Franklin, Tenn. / Battle Ground Academy 15 * Cade Rooney Jr. DL 6-3 250 Berwyn, Pa. St. Joseph’s Prep 15 Daniel Shuster So. WR 6-1 190 Camp Hill, Pa. Camp Hill
(C) Sr. QB 6-1
16 *** Caleb Gillen Sr. S 5-11 185 White Plains, N.Y. / White Plains
17 Aidan Mack So. WR 6-3 200 Whippany, N.J. / Seton Hall Prep 18 Bradley Pao So. CB 6-0 175 Mays Landing, N.J. /
So. LB 6-2 210 Mechanicsburg, Pa. Mechanicsburg Area
43 Owen Garwood Fr. WR 6-2 185 Ambler, Pa. Saint Joseph’s Prep
44 *** Mike Bright Jr. Sr. DL 6-4 225 Woodland Park, N.J. / Hotchkiss School (Conn.)
45 ** John Schlendorf Jr. S 5-10 180 Toms River, N.J. Donovan Catholic/Olympus (Utah)
46 Michael Crabtree Fr. S 5-10 170 Winhall, Vt. / Burr and Burton Academy
47 * Jack Goheen So. LB 6-2 210 Fishers, Ind. Cathedral
49 Tyler Bower Sr. LB 5-11 215 Weston, Conn. Weston
50 Nick Hoying Fr. S/LB 6-0 195 Kings Mills, Ohio Kings
51 ** Will Ohler Jr. DL 6-3 235 Sudbury, Mass. / Lincoln-Sudbury Regional
51 Kalun Blair Fr. DL 6-1 215 Decatur, Ga. / Burleson
52 ** Jack Barnes Jr. DL 6-2 220 Fayetteville, N.C. Blair Academy (N.J.)
53 Tim Andersen Fr. OL 6-2 280 Madison, N.J. / Delbarton
54 ** Harrison Shepherd Sr. OL 6-5 280 Wyoming, Ohio / Wyoming
55 Mark Dunckle Sr. DL 5-9 220 Factoryville, Pa. Lackawanna Trail
55 Ryan O’Connor Fr. OL 6-2 285 Milford, Mass. Milford
56 Mark Mulhern Fr. OL 6-6 320 Chicago, Ill. / Bethlehem Catholic (PA)
57 Peyton Wilp Fr. DL 6-2 270 Cincinnati, Ohio / Archbishop Moeller
58 Aidan Catania Jr. LB 5-11 200 West Chester, Pa. / Malvern Prep
59 ** Sean Quarterman Sr. OL 6-3 260 Chicago, Ill. / Marist H.S.
60 Kieran Coscia So. OL 6-3 260 Pittsfield, Mass. / Pittsfield
61 * Ryan Jedlicka So. LS 5-10 180 Greenwich, Conn. Greenwich
62 * Matt Schearer So. P/K 5-11 170 Canonsburg, Pa. / Central Catholic
63 Jack Inserra Fr. DL 6-2 215 Saddle River, N.J. Northern Highlands
65 *** Zack Tarburton Sr. OL 6-3 275 Perkasie, Pa. / Pennridge
67 Nathan Natoli So. OL 6-6 260 Olney, Md. / Sherwood
68 D.K. Kim So. OL 6-5 290 Gimpo, South Korea Allentown Central Catholic (Pa.)
69 Dominic DiBlasio Fr. OL 6-5 295 Lumberton, N.J. Bishop Eustace Prep
70 Xavier Allen Fr. OL 6-5 270 Silver Spring, Md. / Gonzaga
71
73
74
75
Head Coach: Dave Cecchini (Lehigh ’95)
COACHING & SUPPORT STAFF
Coordinators: John Bear (Trinity International ‘06) (Offensive/QBs); Chris Bowers (Wittenberg ’99) (Defensive); Colin Schaeffer (Juniata College ‘16) (Special Teams/LBs); Offensive Assistant Coaches: Vinny Giacalone (Carnegie Mellon ’10) (TEs/Operations); Jordan Johnson (Buffalo ’16) (RBs); Braelon Roberts (Utah State ‘17) (WRs); Sean Pearson (Wagner ’14) (OL)
Defensive Assistant Coaches: Greg Parker (University of Phoenix) (DL); Pat Clark (Georgia Tech ‘08) (DBs); McNeil Parker (Kenyon College ‘10)) (Safeties)
Student Managers: Timmy Facey, Gana Mukhtar, Amina Reyes, Gia White
Strength & Conditioning Coach: Mark Kulbis (Bowling Green ’13)
Sport Administrator: Tim Pavlechko (Bucknell ’91) (Deputy AD)
Support Staff: Doug Birdsong (Marshall ’87) (Voice of the Bison); Ben Blumenthal (Longwood ’16) (Athletic Communications); Jon Terry (Bucknell ‘93) (Athletic Communications); Garvey Biggers (Video); Kaiti Hager (Cal U (Pa.) ’12) (Athletic Training); Rayna Murphy (Ball State ’17) (Athletic Training); Liel Karstetter (Lock Haven ’10) (Equipment); Tom Ford
ALPHABETICAL ROSTER
18 Pao, Bradley CB
22 Parker, Donquarius DL
14 Pearson, Roman CB
77 Pitzel, Ethan OL
86 Poulos, James OL
59 Quarterman, Sean OL
96 Quinlivan, Patrick DL
9 Robinson, Ethan CB
15 Rooney, Cade DL
10 Rucker, Ralph QB
27 Russell, Ray CB
10 Schatzel, Ryan P/K
62 Schearer, Matt P/K
45 Schlendorf, John S
76 Sempervive, Ashton DL
14 Semptimphelter, Nick ..................................... QB
41 Severin, Nick S
54 Shepherd, Harrison OL
15 Shuster, Daniel WR
92 Sierk, Daniel ...................................................... DL
28 Sims, Chris CB
6 Smith Jr., Alex S
32 Sposato, Finn S
81 Spugnardi, Christian .......................................... TE
74 Stephenson, Casey OL
71 Sturgis, Fredrick OL
5 Tait,
Superlatives
Oldest Mike Bright Jr. (10/27/00)
Youngest ................................ Xavier Allen (7/31/05)
Tallest Dara Adeyemi (6-7)
Shortest Eric Weatherly (5-7)
Heaviest Mark Mulbern (320)
Lightest Ryan Schatzel (160)
In-Season
ROSTER BREAKDOWN
Note: Bold indicates
87 Kyle Fontes Political Science
12 Luke Freeman Undeclared
43 Owen Garwood Undeclared
24 Josh Gary Undeclared
38 Brad Gerken .............. Undeclared Management
26 Deuce Geter Undeclared
16 Caleb Gillen Civil Engineering
47 Jack Goheen Undeclared
88 Colby Grames Biology/Biochemistry
75 Jake Guy Political Science
9 Michael Hardyway Environmental Science
11 Damian Harris Education
50 Nick Hoying Chemical Engineering
63 Jack Inserra Undeclared
33 Brad Jamison Mechanical Engineering
61 Ryan Jedlicka Undeclared
73 Mason Jones Biology
91 Matt Karic Undeclared Management
83 Rourke Kennedy Undeclared Management
68 D.K. Kim Undeclared
82 Charlie Kreinbucher Undeclared Management
95 Grant Laws ....... International Relations/Spanish
34 Blake Leak Markets, Innovation & Design
7 Quentin Lemon Psychology
37 David LoGrasso Undeclared
17 Aidan Mack Undeclared Management
79 Rowan McGwin Undeclared Management
40 Charlie McIntyre Undeclared
4 Danny Meuser Geology/Environmental Science
84 Sam Milligan Undeclared Management
56 Mark Mulhern Biology
67 Nathan Natoli Undeclared Management
21 Paul Neel Finance
94 Nick Niemynski Finance
55 Ryan O’Connor Undeclared
8 Jeff Odongo International Relation
51 Will Ohler Economics
78 John Ohnegian ................................ Undeclared
BISON MAJORS
1 Marques Owens Environmental Science
18 Bradley Pao Undeclared
22 Donquarius Parker Undeclared
14 Roman Pearson Undeclared
77 Ethan Pitzel Finance
86 James Poulos Undeclared
59 Sean Quarterman Finance
96 Patrick Quinlivan Computer Science
9 Ethan Robinson Economics
15 Cade Rooney Finance
10 Ralph Rucker Psychology
27 Ray Russell Computer Science
10 Ryan Schatzel Finance
62 Matt Schearer Mechanical Engineering
45 John Schlendorf Political Science
76 Ashton Sempervive Undeclared Management
14 Nick Semptimphelter ............ Business Analytics
41 Nick Severin Undeclared
54 Harrison Shepherd Finance
15 Daniel Shuster Business Analytics
92 Daniel Sierk Mechanical Engineering
28 Chris Sims Economics
6 Alex Smith Jr. Animal Behavior
32 Finn Sposato Mechanical Engineering
81 Christian Spugnardi Economics
74 Casey Stephenson ........ Environmental Science
71 Fredrick Sturgis Civil Engineering
5 Christian Tait Environmental Studies
65 Zack Tarburton Environmental Studies
20 Mason Taylor Political Science
90 Aneesh Vyas Business Analytics
1 Eric Weatherly Humanities
35 Takai Whitmore Undeclared Management
13 Gavin Willis Undeclared
57 Peyton Wilp
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 as the Patriot League Dick Biddle Coach of the Year for leading the Bison to a spot in the first-ever Patriot League Championship Game. Bucknell, which was picked to finish last in the Patriot League preseason poll, knocked off Pennsylvania rivals Lafayette (38-13) and Lehigh (6-0) to earn a date with defending champion Holy Cross. In addition, Cecchini was selected as a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Award, presented by STATS to the FCS Coach of the 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 2019, Cecchini led the Bison to a third-place finish in the Patriot League, their highest placement since they were the 2014 runners-up. Their Patriot League victories came over defending champion Colgate (32-14), rival Lehigh (20-10) and Georgetown (20-17); two of their three league losses came by a touchdown or less. Bucknell faced a grueling non-conference schedule, featuring FBS opponent Temple and three nationally ranked FCS teams; the Bison ultimately finished the year with a 3-8 overall record.
Cecchini’s offense set school records in completions (229) and passing attempts (426) during the 2019 season. All-Patriot League First Team wide receiver Brandon Sanders became the sixth Bison to make at least 50 catches in a single campaign while quarterback Logan Bitikofer cracked Bucknell’s top 10 in single-season completions (8th, 175) and single-season passing attempts (t-8th, 305). Defensively, the Bison excelled, leading the Patriot League in conference action in yards per play allowed (4.4), takeaways (14), sacks (32) and defensive touchdowns (4); they also finished second in total defense (319.7) and rushing defense (96.3).
Following the 2019 campaign, five Bison were recognized on the All-Patriot League Team while two made the Academic All-Patriot League squad. Punter Alex Pechin closed his recordbreaking career by capturing numerous awards. Most notably, he was honored as an AllAmerican by every entity that selects an All-America team, became the first football player to earn three-straight Patriot League Scholar-Athlete of the Year awards, won the inaugural FCS Punter of the Year award and was presented the prestious STATS FCS Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete Award.
In 2021, Bucknell faced another challenging schedule highlighted by road games at then No. 11/12 Villanova and FBS opponent Army West Point. The Bison were a young team that sent 30 first-time starters to the field, a group that included two seniors, four juniors, 12 sophomores and 12 freshmen and represented just over 30 percent of the roster. At the conclusion of the season, wide receiver Dominic Lyles, who matched the school standard with three touchdown catches in a tight loss to Georgetown, and safety Brent Jackson, who became the first non-senior to be presented the Bison Gridiron Club Award as Team MVP since 2012, were voted to the Academic All-Patriot League Team.
Bucknell made massive strides defensively during the 2022 season, allowing nearly 10 fewer points per game than the year prior and finishing third in the Patriot League in points allowed per game. The Bison also gave up the fewest passing yards among Patriot League teams and led the league in interceptions. Three Bison earned spots on the Academic AllPatriot League Team – the most during Cecchini’s tenure – and four landed on the All-Patriot League Team. Highlighting the All-League honorees was Jackson, who received the Bison Gridiron Club Award for a second time after leading the FCS in solo tackles per game.
The 2022 Bison pulled out several dramatic victories, defeating Pennsylvania-rival Lehigh with a last-minute field goal and upending Georgetown on the road in the team’s first overtime victory since 2017. Bucknell won its last two games of the season, concluding with a 24-13
win over Marist at home.
The head coach at Valparaiso University from 2014 to 2018, Cecchini has a long track record of building explosive offenses at elite academic institutions. Previously the offensive coordinator at Lehigh University, The Citadel and Harvard University, his offenses have shattered school records at his every stop, propelling his teams to a combined seven conference championships. An AllAmerican wide receiver at Lehigh during his playing days in the early 1990s, Cecchini spent 13 of his previous 24 seasons as a coach at his alma mater.
In 2014, Cecchini took over a Valparaiso football program that had won just three games, all against the same opponent, in the four seasons before his arrival. The 2017 campaign saw Valparaiso reach new heights thanks to a potent offense that totaled 330 points and 4,398 yards, both good for second in school history. Picked to finish 10th of 11 teams in the Pioneer Football League, Valparaiso tied for third with a 5-3 record, its most league wins since 1961. Overall, Valparaiso finished above .500, at 6-5, for the first time since 2003.
For guiding Valparaiso’s turnaround, Cecchini was a finalist for the American Football Coaches Association’s FCS National Coach of the Year and the STATS FCS Coach of the Year awards; he was also voted as the Pioneer Football League Coach of the Year and the AFCA FCS Region 4 Coach of the Year.
Cecchini left Valparaiso as the program’s winningest coach through 50 games since 1986. Other highlights of his time at Valparaiso included defeating rival Butler in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2005, going 4-0 in conference games at Brown Field in 2017 and sending two student-athletes to the 2018 FCS National Bowl, which showcases the FCS’s top players.
Before becoming the 17th head football coach in Valparaiso history, Cecchini spent four seasons as the offensive coordinator/ quarterbacks coach at Lehigh. During his second stint on the Mountain Hawk staff, Cecchini built one of the most proficient and explosive offenses in the nation. In 2011, Lehigh ranked in the FCS’s top five in total offense (469.6) and passing offense (340.6) while averaging a Patriot League-best 32.5 points per game. Ten offensive players captured All-Patriot League laurels that season, headlined by Offensive Player of the Year Chris Lum. Lum, who was also the runner-up for the Walter Payton Award, broke the Patriot League’s single-season record for passing yards (4,378) and touchdown passes (32). For his role in Lehigh’s success, Cecchini was a finalist for the FootballScoop FCS Coordinator of the Year award.
HEAD COACH DAVE CECCHINI
With Cecchini guiding the offense, the Mountain Hawks went a combined 39-9 and won two Patriot League titles. Wide receiver Lee Kurfis led the nation in receiving yards per game (122.8) in 2013 while quarterback Mike Colvin finished fifth nationally in total offense (326.64) the year before. Under Cecchini’s watch, four Mountain Hawks garnered All-America honors.
From 2007 to 2009, Cecchini served as The Citadel’s offensive coordinator/wide receivers coach. During his first season in Charleston, the Bulldogs finished with their best record in 15 years, bolstered by an offense that set 16 school records, including points per game (39.5) and total offense (437.6). Cecchini mentored wide receiver Andre Roberts, a First Team AllAmerican who set Citadel records in single-season receptions (95), receiving yards (1,334) and touchdown catches (15). Roberts, who was selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the third round of the 2010 National Football League Draft, is currently a member of the Buffalo Bills organization.
Beginning in 2003, Cecchini spent three seasons as the offensive coordinator/quarterbacks and wide receivers coach at Harvard. His fast-paced offense paid immediate dividends, as the Crimson averaged 461 yards per game during his first campaign, a figure good for fourth nationally. The next season, Harvard went 10-0 and won the Ivy League championship. After the Crimson led the Ivy League in aggregate offense, the AFCA selected Cecchini as its 2005 Mike Campbell Top Assistant Coach Award winner.
Under Cecchini’s tutelage, 14 Harvard records fell, including points per game (33.9). Among his charges was quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, the 2004 Ivy League Player of the Year who was selected by the St. Louis Rams in the 2005 NFL Draft. Fitzpatrick, who is currently the quarterback of the Miami Dolphins, has also spent time in six other NFL organizations.
Before his tenure in Cambridge, Cecchini spent nine seasons on his alma mater’s staff. In 2000, Cecchini’s first campaign as offensive coordinator, Lehigh went 11-0 during the regular season and reached the Division I-AA (now FCS) quarterfinals. Following that season, Cecchini was promoted to assistant head coach while retaining his responsibilities as offensive coordinator. In 2001, his up-tempo offense averaged 38.3 points per game, helping the Mountain Hawks secure their second-straight undefeated regular season and championship quarterfinal appearance. In Cecchini’s first three seasons directing the offense, Lehigh posted a combined 31-6 record and captured two Patriot League titles.
During his playing days at Lehigh, Cecchini became a consensus First Team All-American after leading the nation in receptions and receiving yards per game in 1993. That season, he set Patriot League records in receptions (88), receiving yards (1,318) and touchdown receptions (15); his 15 touchdown catches remain the Patriot League standard to this day. Cecchini, who was later named to the Patriot League 15th Anniversary Team, graduated from Lehigh in 1995 with a bachelor of science degree in marketing.
Cecchini first joined the Mountain Hawk football staff as a tight ends coach. He also served as a running backs coach, quarterbacks coach and wide receivers coach before being promoted to offensive coordinator. During Cecchini’s first stint in Bethlehem, Lehigh averaged more than 350 yards of offense and over 26 points per game.
Cecchini and his wife, Tammy, have two sons: Evan and Will.
Personal
Date of Birth: March 9, 1972
Hometown: Bloomington, Minnesota
Wife: Tammy (head women’s tennis coach at Bucknell)
Children: Sons Evan and Will
Education
Lehigh University, B.S. in marketing, 1995
Head Coaching Career Year School 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 0-1 .000
Totals 26-67 .280
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
THE LAST TIME A BUCKNELL TEAM...
BUCKNELL’S RECORD WHEN...
ABOUT VMI
TALE OF THE TAPE
Shut out an opponent
Was shut out by an opponent
Finished a game with a tie score
Scored 40-49 points
Scored 50-59 points
Scored 60-69 points
Apr. 3, 2021 at Lehigh (6-0)
Oct. 8, 2022 at Holy Cross (0-57)
Nov. 14, 1987 vs. Lehigh (21-21)
Sept. 2, 2017 vs. Marist (45-6)
Nov. 1, 2003 vs. Holy Cross (53-31)
Oct. 24, 1987 vs. Columbia (62-20)
Scored 70-79 points Oct. 10, 1964 vs. Ohio Wesleyan in Newark, Del. (72-0)
Allowed 40-49 points
Allowed 50-59 points
Allowed 60-69 points
Allowed 70-79 points
Allowed 80+ points
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
Sept. 17, 2022 at Central Michigan (0-41)
Oct. 8, 2022 at Holy Cross (0-57)
Nov. 13, 2021 at Army West Point (10-63)
Nov. 25, 1916 at Georgetown (0-78)
Oct. 8, 1966 at Temple (28-82)
Nov. 12, 2022 at Georgetown (24-21 OT)
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)
Nov. 12, 2022 at Georgetown (24-21)
Nov. 12, 2022 at Georgetown (24-21)
Sept. 26, 2007 vs. Marist (Terrance Wilson 108 & Justin Pulgrano 101) (17-16)
Had two 100-yard receivers in the same game Nov. 1, 2014 vs. Lafayette (Jake Hartman 134 & Will Carter 104) (27-24 OT)
Defeated a nationally ranked opponent
Played a nationally ranked opponent
Played an FBS opponent
Oct. 26, 2013 vs. No. 15 Lehigh (48-10)
Nov. 5, 2022 vs. No. 24/18 Fordham (17-59)
Sept. 2, 2023 at James Madison (3-38)
Won 10 games 1997 (10-1)
Won eight games 2014 (8-3)
Had a winning season 2014 (8-3)
THE LAST TIME A BUCKNELL PLAYER...
Had 30 rushing attempts Nov. 12, 2016 (Joey DeFloria (31) at Georgetown, 21-7)
Had 40 rushing attempts Oct. 29, 2011 (Tyler Smith (42) at Lafayette, 39-13)
Had 100 yards rushing Nov. 22, 2022 (Rushawn Baker (120) vs. Marist, 24-13)
Had 200 yards rushing Nov. 12, 2011 (Tyler Smith (204) at Fordham, 21-0)
Had a 60+ yard run Oct. 15, 2022 (Rushawn Baker (75) at Yale, 9-29)
Had a 70+ yard run Oct. 15, 2022 (Rushawn Baker (75) at Yale, 9-29)
Had three rushing touchdowns Nov. 4, 2017 (Chad Freshnock vs. Lehigh, 21-42)
Had four rushing touchdowns Sept. 30, 2000 (Jabu Powell vs. Duquesne, 35-14)
Had five rushing touchdowns Nov. 13, 2004 (Daris Wilson vs. Colgate, 42-7)
Completed a 50+ yard pass Sept. 28, 2019 (Logan Bitikofer to Dominic Lyles (52) at Towson, 7-56)
Had three passing touchdowns Oct. 23, 2021 (Ethan Grady vs. Georgetown, 21-29)
Had four passing touchdowns Oct. 31, 2015 (R.J. Nitti at Lafayette, 35-24)
Had five passing touchdowns Sept. 24, 1994 (Rob Glus at Harvard, 42-23)
Had 20 completions Nov. 12, 2022 (Nick Semptimphelter (21) at Georgetown, 24-21 OT)
Had 30 completions Oct. 27, 2001 (Todd Wenrich (36) at Fordham, 12-17)
Had 50 passing attempts Nov. 23, 2019 (Logan Bitikofer (50) at Fordham, 14-31)
Had 60 passing attempts Oct. 27, 2001 (Todd Wenrich (67) at Fordham, 12-17)
Had 200 yards passing Nov. 23, 2019 (Logan Bitikofer (230) at Fordham, 14-31)
Had 300 yards passing Oct. 24, 2015 (R.J. Nitti (338) vs. Georgetown, 9-17)
Had 100 yards receiving Oct. 23, 2021 (Dominic Lyles (110) vs. Georgetown, 21-29)
Had 200 yards receiving Oct. 11, 2014 (Will Carter (246) at Lehigh, 45-24)
Had 10 receptions Apr. 3, 2021 (Dominic Lyles (14) at Lehigh, 6-0)
Had two touchdown receptions Sept. 3, 2022 (Christian Spugnardi vs. Towson, 13-14)
Had three touchdown receptions Oct. 23, 2021 (Dominic Lyles vs. Georgetown, 21-29)
Made a 40-yard field goal Sept. 2, 2023 (Matt Schearer (49) at James Madison, 3-38)
Made a 50-yard field goal Nov. 12, 2022 (Matt Schearer (50) at Georgetown, 24-21 OT)
Had three field goals in a game Nov. 12, 2022 (Matt Schearer at Georgetown, 24-21 OT)
Had four field goals in a game Oct. 14, 2017 (John Burdick at Cornell, 26-18)
Passed for a two-point conversion Nov. 12, 2022 (Nick Semptimphelter to Josh Gary at Georgetown, 24-21 OT)
Rushed for a two-point conversion Nov. 3, 2018 (Jared Cooper at Lehigh, 17-45)
Made seven extra points Oct. 16, 1999 (Chris Lundberg vs. Duquesne, 49-20)
Made 10 extra points Oct. 10, 1964 (Mike Seigfried vs. Ohio Wesleyan in Newark, Del., 72-0)
Had 10+ punts Oct. 19, 2019 (Alex Pechin (11) at Towson, 7-56)
Had a 70+ yard punt Nov. 23, 2019 (Alex Pechin (70) at Fordham, 14-31)
Had an 80+ yard punt Sept. 22, 1984 (Mike Morrow (80) at Northeastern, 33-34)
Returned a punt for a touchdown Aug. 30, 2014 (Josh Brake (62) vs. VMI, 42-38)
Returned a kickoff for a touchdown Nov. 12, 2022 (Coleman Bennett (93) at Georgetown, 24-21 OT)
Returned an interception for a touchdown Mar. 27, 2021 (Blake Leake (41) vs. Lafayette, 38-13)
Returned a fumble for a touchdown Nov. 23, 2019 (Rick Mottram (5) at Fordham, 14-31)
Returned a blocked punt for a touchdown Oct. 13, 2018 (Gerrit Van Itallie (0) at Monmouth, 19-36)
Recorded two interceptions in a game Sept. 15, 2018 (Bryan Marine at Penn, 17-34)
Recorded three interceptions in a game Nov. 20, 2004 (Dante Ross at Duquesne, 30-20)
Recorded four interceptions in a game Sept. 30, 2000 (Kevin Eiben vs. Duquesne, 35-14)
Forced two fumbles in a game Oct. 16, 2021 (Ben Allen at Fordham, 22-66)
Recovered two fumbles in a game Oct. 16, 2021 (Aneesh Vyas at Fordham, 22-66)
Had 15 tackles in a game Oct. 29, 2022 (Brent Jackson (16) vs. Colgate, 7-13)
Had two sacks in a game Sept. 10, 2022 (Patrick Quinlivan at VMI, 14-24)
Had three sacks in a game Nov. 23, 2019 (Grayson Cherubino at Fordham, 14-31)
Had four sacks in a game Nov. 18, 2017 (Simeon Page at Fordham, 9-20)
Had four tackles for a loss in a game Nov. 23, 2019 (Gerrit Van Itallie at Fordham, 14-31)
Blocked a punt Nov. 20, 2021 (Jack Barnes vs. Holy Cross, 6-45)
Blocked an extra point attempt Nov. 19, 2022 (Aneesh Vyas vs. Marist, 24-13)
Blocked a field goal attempt Sept. 3, 2022 (Aneesh Vyas vs. Towson, 13-14)
Recorded a safety Nov. 19, 2016 vs. Fordham (22-36)
FOOTBALL INFORMATION
Head Coach: Danny Rocco
Record at VMI: 1-0 (1st season)
Career Record: 122-65 (17th season)
Conference: Southern Conference
Stadium: Foster Stadium
Capacity: 10,000
Surface: Grass
2022 Record: 1-10
2022 Conference Record: 0-8 (9th, SoCon)
GENERAL INFORMATION
Location: Lexington, Va.
Founded: 1893
Enrollment: 1,600
Nickname: Keydets
Colors: Red, White & Yellow
President: Retired Maj. Gen. Cedreic T. Wins
Athletic Director: Jim Miller
Website: VMIKeydets.com
FCS PLAYER RANKINGS
Series record 3-3
Last 10 meetings ................................................................... 3-3
First meeting 1978
Last meeting 2022
Record at home 1-1
Record on road 2-2
Record at neutral site 0-0
Streak WMI won two
Last meeting.......................... Sept. 10, 2022 (Lexington, Va.)
...................................................................VMI 24 – Bucknell 14
Last meeting in Lewisburg Sept. 24, 2016
.........................................................VMI 23 – Bucknell 17 (3OT)
Last Bison win ........................ ...... Oct. 3, 2015 (Lexington, Va.)
...........................................................Bucknell 28 – VMI 22 (OT)
Last VMI win Sept. 10, 2022 (Lexington, Va.)
...................................................................VMI 24 – Bucknell 14
ALL-TIME RESULTS
Year Site Result
1978 Lexington, Va. VMI, 25-14
2013 Lexintgon, Va. BU, 35-23
2014 Lewisburg, Pa. BU, 42-38
2015 Lexington, Va. BU, 28-22 (OT)
2016 Lewisburg, Pa. VMI, 23-17 (3OT)
2022 Lexington, Va. VMI, 24-14
Ralph Rucker (140 yards) Leading Passer Collin Ironside (239 yards)
Rushawn Baker (43 yards) Leading Rusher Rashad Raymond (62 yards)
Damian Harris (61 yards) Leading Receiver Aidan Twombly (83 yards)
Blake Leake (9 tackles) Leading Tackler Eric Rankin (14 tackes)
FCS rank in parenthesis Top-30 marks in bold
THE LAST TIME THE BISON AND KEYDETS MET...
Bucknell Football Downed at VMI, 24-14
Junior quarterback Nick Semptimphelter came off the bench to throw two second-half touchdown passes, but Bucknell could not climb all the way back from a 24-point deficit and fell 24-14 at VMI on Saturday at rain-soaked Foster Stadium.
Down 21-0 at the half and 24-0 after Jerry Rice’s 39-yard field goal with 9:33 left in the third quarter, the Bison got back into the game with a couple of scoring drives.
Semptimphelter capped an eight-play drive with a 13-yard touchdown pass to Rushawn Baker out of the backfield with 1:05 left in the third period. The two-point conversion was off the mark.
QB Seth Morgan had the ball slip out of his throwing hand on the second play of VMI’s next possession, and Patrick Quinlivan recovered at the Keydets’ 40-yard line. Moments after the turnover, Akeyo Ayungo made a spectacular catch on the right sideline with a defender in his face, moving the ball to the 5-yard line. On 3rd-and-goal from the 4, Semptimphelter picked out tight end Kyle Fontes in the back of the end zone.
This time the Bison hit the two-point conversion, with Josh Gary catching a pass in the flat before powering through a defender into the end zone to make it 24-14 with 13:04 to play. The Bucknell defense forced a turnover on downs and a punt later in the fourth quarter but could not get any closer.
Semptimphelter ended up 9 for 18 passing while accumulating 95 yards, including 34 yards on the Ayungo connection. Ethan Grady, who started the game at quarterback, was 10 for 20 with 54 yards.
VMI ended up out-gaining the Bison 326 to 178, racking up 178 yards on the ground and 148 through the air. Bucknell ended up winning the turnover battle thanks to a Gavin Pringle interception with under two minutes remaining in the first half. The senior finished with four pass breakups as well.
Freshman Charlie Kreinbucher corralled a 19-yard pass during Bucknell’s opening series, but the drive ended with the Bison throwing an interception. The Keydets were forced to punt on their opening possession, but they marched 67 yards down the field on their second and were helped by a roughing the passer penalty that kept the drive alive. VMI opened the scoring with a 9-yard rushing touchdown up the middle with 7:37 to play in the quarter.
TEAM STATISTICS GAME NOTES
• Bucknell responded to a 21-0 halftime deficit and a 24-0 deficit in the third quarter with 14 unanswered points, but the Bison were unable to complete the comeback attempt.
• Nick Semptimphelter entered the game in the second half and threw two touchdown passes as well as a 2-point conversion to get within 10 points of tying.
• Bucknell’s defense settled in during the second half and limited VMI to just three points over the final two quarters.
• Bucknell won the turnover battle for a second consecutive week by recovering two VMI fumbles as well as a Gavin Pringle interception.
• The Bison saw a number of chunk plays on offense, including a 34-yard reception by Okeyo Ayungo, a 21-yard reception by Damian Harris, a 19-yard completion to Charlie Kreinbucher, and a 15-yard run by Rushawn Baker.
VMI doubled its lead three minutes later when Morgan threw a short pass out wide on 4th-and-2 from their own 45-yard line to Max Brimigion, who went 55 yards to the end zone. Opening the second quarter, VMI drove 73 yards on 11 plays and scored on a 2-yard rush by Hunter Rice to make it a 21-0 Bucknell deficit.
Pringle’s interception kept the VMI lead at three touchdowns in the first half as he stepped in front of a Keydet receiver and returned the pick 17 yards to midfield with 1:14 remaining.
After Bucknell turned it over on downs to open the second half, VMI added three more points with Rice’s only field goal attempts of the day, which capped a 9-play, 46-yard drive.
Momentum began to swing in Bucknell’s favor once the quarter hit the five-minute mark. Semptimphelter led a 43-yard drive that culminated with the Baker score with 1:05 to play in the third quarter. Baker finished the game with four receptions for 20 yards. It was just three minutes later that Fontes caught the first touchdown of his career. The two-point conversion brought Bucknell within 10. Bucknell was forced to punt on its next drive and turned it over on downs on the next two, resulting in the 24-14 final.
Senior safety Brent Jackson led the Bison with eight tackles, including six solo stops and a tackle for a loss. Blake Leake was second with seven tackles, including one for a loss. Also notable were three receptions for 38 yards for Damien Harris, one of which went for 21 yards.
SCORING SUMMARY
TYLER ALSTON (2)
DL SR | 6-2 230
Tackles: 9 vs. Lafayette (10/1/22)
Sacks: 1.5 vs. Lafayette (10/1/22), vs. Towson (9/3/22)
Tackles for Loss: 2 vs. Towson (9/3/22)
Interceptions: 1 vs. Fordham (11/5/22)
DERRICK ANDERSON JR. (25)
WR SO | 6-3 | 175
Receptions: 3 vs. Lafayette (10/1/22)
Receiving Yards: 32 vs. Lafayette (10/1/22)
Long Reception: 14 vs. Lafayette (10/1/22)
RUBEN ANDERSON (98)
P/K SR | 6-2 215
Punt Average: 44.0 vs. Marist (11/19/22)
Long Punt: 58 vs. Towson (9/3/22)
Punt Attempts: 9 at Fordham (10/16/21), at JMU (9/2/23)
Punts of 50+ Yards: 3 vs. Towson (9/3/22), at JMU (9/2/23)
Punts Inside the 20: 3, 4 times (last vs. Colgate, 10/29/22)
Kickoff Attempts: 1 vs. Holy Cross (4/17/21)
Kickoff Average: 52.0 vs. Holy Cross (4/17/21)
OKEYO AYUNGO (29)
WR SO | 6-1 | 185
Receptions: 3 at Central Michigan (9/17/22)
Receiving Yards: 35 at VMI (9/10/22)
Long Reception: 34 at VMI (9/10/22)
RUSHAWN BAKER (23)
RB | JR | 5-11 225
Rushing Attempts: 20 at Yale (10/15/22)
Rushing Yards: 120 vs. Marist (11/19/22)
Long Rush: 75 at Yale (10/15/22)
Rushing TDs: 2 at Lehigh (10/22/22)
Receptions: 4 2x (last at Georgetown, 11/12/22)
Receiving Yards: 20 at VMI (9/10/22)
Receiving TDs: 1 at VMI (9/10/22)
Long Reception: 13 at VMI (9/10/22)
All-Purpose Yards: 122, 2 times (last vs. Marist, 11/19/22)
ADAM BARAKAT (85)
WR SR | 6-3 220
Receptions: 4 at Army West Point (11/13/21)
Receiving Yards: 44 at Army West Point (11/13/21)
Long Reception: 16 at JMU (9/2/23)
TEAM LEADERS
BUCKNELL
BISON CAREER HIGHS
Kickoff Return TDs: 1 at Georgetown (11/12/22)
Punt Returns: 1 at Lafayette (10/9/21)
Punt Return Yards: 4 at Lafayette (10/9/21)
Long Punt Return: 4 at Lafayette (10/9/21)
All-Purpose Yards: 198 at Georgetown (11/12/22)
TYLER BEVERETT (13)
QB | SR 6-3 | 205
Passing Attempts: 12 at Central Michigan (9/17/22), vs. Penn (9/18/21)
Passing Completions: 6 at Central Michigan (9/17/22), vs. Cornell (10/2/21)
Passing Yards: 61 vs. Cornell (10/2/21)
Long Pass: 28 vs. Cornell (10/2/21)
Rushing Attempts: 8 vs. Cornell (10/2/21)
Rushing Yards: 28 vs. Cornell (10/2/21)
Long Rush: 25 vs. Cornell (10/2/21)
Rushing TDs: 1 vs. Cornell (10/2/21), vs. Fordham (4/10/21)
TYLER BOWER (49)
LB | SR 5-11 | 215
Tackles: 1 at Villanova (9/11/21)
MIKE BRIGHT JR. (44)
DL | SR | 6-4 | 225
Tackles: 6 vs. Lehigh (11/6/21)
Tackles for Loss: 2 at Lehigh (4/3/21)
Sacks: 2 at Lehigh (4/3/21)
Pass Breakups: 1, 2 times (last at Georgetown, 11/12/22)
ALEX BROWN (8)
WR | SO 6-3 | 195
Passing Attempts: 9 vs. Fordham (11/5/22)
Passing Completions: 5 vs. Fordham (11/5/22)
Passing Yards: 62 vs. Colgate (10/29/22)
Long Pass: 40 vs. Fordham (11/5/22)
Rushing Attempts: 11 vs. Colgate (10/29/22)
Rushing Yards: 39 vs. Colgate (10/29/22)
Long Rush: 14 at Holy Cross (10/8/22)
CONNOR CARRETTA (0)
DL | SR | 6-2 | 280
Tackles: 7 vs. Holy Cross (11/20/21), at Colgate (10/30/21)
Tackles for Loss: 1.5 vs. Holy Cross (11/20/21)
Sacks: 1.5 vs. Holy Cross (11/20/21)
NATHANIEL CARSON (97)
JUSTIN FISHER (99)
DL | JR | 6-6 235
Tackles: 9 at Sacred Heart (9/4/21)
KYLE FONTES (87)
TE | JR | 6-4 220
Receptions: 3 at VMI (9/10/22)
Receiving Yards: 13 at VMI (9/10/22)
Receiving TDs: 1 at VMI (9/10/22)
Long Reception: 7 at Central Michigan (9/17/22)
LUKE FREEMAN (12)
S SO 6-2 | 190
Tackles: 2 at Central Michigan (9/17/22), at VMI (9/10/22)
JOSH GARY (24)
WR | SO | 5-11 190
Receptions: 3, 2 times (last at Georgetown, 11/12/22)
Receiving Yards: 41 vs. Lafayette (10/1/22)
Long Reception: 22 vs. Lafayette (10/1/22)
Kickoff Returns: 1 vs. Fordham (11/5/22)
CALEB GILLEN (16)
S SR | 5-11 185
Fumble Recoveries: 1 vs. Lafayette (10/1/22)
JACK GOHEEN (47)
LB SO | 6-2 210
Tackles: 2 at JMU (9/2/23)
COLBY GRAMES (88)
TE | SR 6-3 | 225
Receptions: 1 vs. Fordham (4/10/21)
Receiving Yards: 1 vs. Fordham (4/10/21)
Long Reception: 1 vs. Fordham (4/10/21)
MICHAEL HARDYWAY (9)
QB | JR | 6-0 180
Rushing Attempts: 1 at Lafayette (10/9/21)
Rushing Yards: 6 at Lafayette (10/9/21)
Long Rush: 6 at Lafayette (10/9/21)
DAMIAN HARRIS (11)
WR | SR 6-0 | 185
Rushing Attempts: 5 vs. Georgetown (10/23/21)
Rushing Yards: 19 vs. Georgetown (10/23/21)
Long Rush: 8 vs. Georgetown (10/23/21)
Receptions: 4, 4 times (last at Georgetown, 11/12/22)
2-13 1-5
PAT Kicks 0-0 3-3
2Pts Conversions 1-2 0-0
Field Goals 0-0 1-1
Points off Turnover 0 0
• The Keydets led 326 to 183 in total yards, racking up 195 on the ground.
JACK BARNES (52)
DL JR 6-2 | 220
Tackles: 7 at Villanova (9/11/21)
Tackles for Loss: 1 at Yale (10/15/22)
Forced Fumbles: 1 vs. Lafayette (10/1/22)
Blocked Punts: 1 vs. Holy Cross (11/20/21)
Pass Breakups: 1 vs. Marist (11/19/22)
COLEMAN BENNETT (3)
RB | SR 5-11 | 185
Rushing Attempts: 16 vs. Marist (11/19/22)
Rushing Yards: 80 vs. Marist (11/19/22)
Long Rush: 23 vs. Fordham (4/10/21)
Rushing TDs: 1 3x (last at Georgetown, 11/12/22)
Receptions: 4 vs. Lafayette (10/1/22)
Receiving Yards: 52 vs. Towson (9/3/22)
Long Reception: 38 vs. Towson (9/3/22)
Kickoff Returns: 4, 3 times (last vs. Georgetown, 10/23/21)
Kickoff Return Yards: 128 vs. Fordham (4/10/21)
Long Kickoff Return: 93 at Georgetown (11/12/22)
OL | SR 6-6 | 270
Tackles: 3 at Colgate (10/30/21)
Pass Breakups: 1 vs. Cornell (10/2/21)
Fumble Recoveries: 1 at Sacred Heart (9/4/21)
DREW CORMIER (31)
S | FR 6-1 | 200
Tackles: 1 at JMU (9/2/23)
AIDAN DAVENPORT (93)
LS SR | 6-3 | 210
Tackles: 1 at Central Michigan (9/17/22)
SAM DELUCA (42)
LB | SO 6-2 210
Tackles: 1 vs. Towson (9/3/22)
MARK DUNCKLE (55)
DL | SR | 5-9 | 220
Tackles: 1 at Army West Point (11/13/21)
Receiving Yards: 61 at JMU (9/2/23)
Long Reception: 48 vs. Penn (9/18/21)
Receiving TDs: 1 vs. Fordham (11/5/22)
Punt Return Yards: 6 vs. Towson (9/3/22)
Kickoff Returns: 5 at Yale (10/15/22)
Kickoff Return Yards: 117 at Yale (10/15/22)
BRAD JAMISON (33)
LB JR | 6-2 | 220
Tackles: 6 at Colgate (10/30/21), AT JMU (9/2/23)
Tackles for Loss: 0.5 at Villanova (9/11/21), AT JMU (9/2/23)
Sacks: 0.5 at JMU (9/2/23)
CHARLIE KREINBUCHER (82)
TE | SO 6-5 230
Receptions: 2 vs. Fordham (11/5/22)
Receiving Yards: 43 vs. Fordham (11/5/22)
Long Reception: 34 vs. Fordham (11/5/22)
GRANT LAWS (95)
DL JR 6-3 | 280
Tackles: 1 at VMI (9/10/22), at JMU (9/2/23)
Tackles for Loss: 0.5 at VMI (9/10/22)
BLAKE LEAKE (34)
LB SR | 6-1 215
Tackles: 16 vs. Holy Cross (11/20/21)
Tackles for Loss: 1.5 vs. Towson (9/3/22)
Sacks: 1, 2 times (last vs. Fordham, 11/5/22)
Pass Breakups: 2 vs. Marist (11/19/22)
Interceptions: 1, 2 times (last at Georgetown, 11/12/22)
Interception Return Yards: 41 vs. Lafayette (3/27/21)
Long Interception Return: 41 vs. Lafayette (3/27/21)
Interception Return TDs: 1 vs. Lafayette (3/27/21)
Forced Fumbles: 1 vs. Georgetown (10/23/21)
Fumble Recoveries: 1 at Fordham (10/16/21)
QUENTIN LEMON (7)
LB SR | 6-1 200
Tackles: 3 at Army West Point (11/13/21)
Tackles for Loss: 0.5 vs. Holy Cross (11/20/21)
Sacks: 0.5 vs. Holy Cross (11/20/21)
DANNY MEUSER (4)
RB | SR 6-0 200
Rushing Attempts: 21 vs. Penn (9/18/21)
Rushing Yards: 90 vs. Penn (9/18/21)
Long Rush: 36 at Yale (10/15/22)
Rushing TDs: 1 at Fordham (10/16/21), vs. Penn (9/18/21)
Receptions: 4 vs. Fordham (11/5/22)
Receiving Yards: 13 vs. Fordham (11/5/22)
Long Reception: 10 vs. Fordham (4/10/21)
Kickoff Returns: 1 vs. Cornell (10/2/21)
Kickoff Return Yards: 11 vs. Cornell (10/2/21)
Long Kickoff Return: 11 vs. Cornell (10/2/21)
Punt Returns: 1 vs. Lehigh (11/6/21)
Punt Return Yards: 19 vs. Lehigh (11/6/21)
Long Punt Return: 19 vs. Lehigh (11/6/21)
All-Purpose Yards: 92 vs. Penn (9/18/21)
Blocked Punts: 1 vs. Lehigh (11/6/21)
PAUL NEEL (21)
RB | JR | 5-10 | 190
Rushing Attempts: 3 vs. Penn (9/18/21)
Rushing Yards: 15 at Villanova (9/11/21)
Long Rush: 12 at Villanova (9/11/21)
Receptions: 1, 3 time (last at JMU, 9/2/23)
Receiving Yards: 6 vs. Penn (9/18/21)
Long Reception: 6 vs. Penn (9/18/21)
JEFF ODONGO (8)
CB | SR 6-2 190
Tackles: 2 at Villanova (9/11/21)
WILL OHLER (51)
DL JR 6-3 | 235
Tackles: 6 at Lafayette (10/9/21), at VMI (9/10/22)
Tackles for Loss: 1, 3 times (last at Lehigh, 10/22/22)
Sacks: 1.5 at Yale (10/15/22)
Pass Breakups: 1, 2 times (last vs. Marist, 11/19/22)
Forced Fumbles: 1 at Yale (10/15/22), vs. Towson (9/3/22)
MARQUES OWENS (1)
WR JR | 5-10 | 170
Receptions: 4, 2 times (last at Georgetown, 11/12/22)
Receiving Yards: 69 at Colgate (10/30/21)
Long Reception: 40 vs. Fordham (11/5/22)
BISON CAREER HIGHS
Kickoff Returns: 7 vs. Holy Cross (11/20/21)
Kickoff Return Yards: 111 vs. Holy Cross (11/20/21)
Long Kickoff Return: 21 vs. Holy Cross (11/20/21)
All-Purpose Yards: 128 vs. Holy Cross (11/20/21)
DONQUARIUS PARKER (22)
DL SO | 6-1 | 220
Tackles: 2 at JMU (9/2/23)
ROMAN PEARSON (14)
CB | SO | 6-2 180
Tackles: 4 at JMU (9/2/23)
Pass Breakups: 2 at JMU (9/2/23)
SEAN QUARTERMAN (59)
OL/DL SR | 6-3 | 260
Tackles: 2 at Army West Point (11/13/21)
PATRICK QUINLIVIAN (96)
DL JR | 6-2 | 205
Tackles: 2 at VMI (9/10/22)
Sacks: 2 at VMI (9/10/22)
Tackles for Loss: 2 at VMI (9/10/22)
Forced Fumbles: 1 at VMI (9/10/22)
Fumble Recoveries: 1 at Yale (10/15/22), at VMI (9/10/22)
ETHAN ROBINSON (9)
CB | JR | 6-0 175
Tackles: 15 at Fordham (10/16/21)
Tackles for Loss: 2 vs. Marist (11/19/22)
Pass Breakups: 3 vs. Georgetown (10/23/21)
Interceptions: 1, 3 times (last at JMU, 9/2/23)
Forced Fumbles: 1 at Fordham (10/16/21), vs. Cornell (10/2/21)
Sacks: 1 vs. Marist (11/19/22)
CADE ROONEY (15)
DL JR | 6-3 | 250
Tackles: 6 vs. Holy Cross (11/20/21)
Tackles for Loss: 1 at JMU (9/2/23)
RALPH RUCKER (10)
QB JR | 6-0 | 207
Passing Attempts: 19 at JMU (9/2/23)
Passing Completions: 13 at JMU (9/2/23)
Passing Yards: 140 at JMU (9/2/23)
Long Pass: 32 at JMU (9/2/23)
Rushing Attempts: 9 at JMU (9/2/23)
Rushing Yards: 17 at JMU (9/2/23)
Long Rush: 6 at JMU (9/2/23)
RAY RUSSELL (27)
CB | JR | 6-1 185
Tackles: 1, 3 times (last at Lehigh, 10/22/22)
RYAN SCHATZEL (10)
P/K SR 6-0 160
PATs: 3 at Fordham (10/16/21), vs. Cornell (10/2/21)
Field Goals: 2 vs. Lehigh (11/6/21)
Long Field Goal: 45 vs. Lehigh (11/6/21)
Points: 6 vs. Lehigh (11/6/21)
Kickoff Attempts: 4, 5 times (last vs. Fordham, 11/5/22)
Kickoff Average: 65.0 vs. Towson (9/3/22)
MATT SCHEARER (62)
K | SO | 5-11 | 170
Field Goals: 3 at Georgetown (11/12/22)
Long Field Goal: 50 at Georgetown (11/12/22)
PATs Made: 2 vs. Fordham (11/5/22)
Kickoffs: 5, 2 times (last vs. Marist, 11/19/22)
Kickoff Average: 45.2 at Georgetown (11/12/22)
JOHN SCHLENDORF (45)
S JR 5-10 | 180
Tackles: 14 vs. Holy Cross (11/20/21)
Sacks: 1 at Yale (10/15/22), vs. Towson (9/3/22)
Tackles for Loss: 1, 4 times (last at JMU, 9/2/23)
Pass Breakups: 2 at VMI (9/10/22)
Forced Fumbles: 1 at Yale (10/15/22)
Fumble Recoveries: 1 at Army West Point (11/13/21)
NICK SEMPTIMPHELTER (14)
QB | SR 6-1 190
Passing Attempts: 33 at Georgetown (11/12/22)
Pass Completions: 21 at Georgetown (11/12/22)
Passing Yards: 198 at Georgetown (11/12/22)
Long Pass: 48 vs. Penn (9/18/21)
Passing TDs: 2 at VMI (9/10/22)
Rushing Attempts: 12 vs. Marist (11/19/22)
Rushing Yards: 35 vs. Marist (11/19/22)
Long Rush: 12 at Lehigh (10/22/22)
Rushing TDs: 1, 2 times (last vs. Marist, 11/19/22)
DANIEL SIERK (92)
DL | SO | 6-5 250
Tackles: 1 at Central Michigan (9/17/22)
CHRIS SIMS (28)
CB | JR 5-9 170
Tackles: 5 vs. Towson (9/3/22)
Pass Breakups: 1 vs. Towson (9/3/22), at VMI (9/10/22)
Interceptions: 1 at Holy Cross (10/8/22)
Interception Return Yards: 17 at Holy Cross (10/8/22)
ALEX SMITH JR. (6)
S JR 6-2 | 185
Tackles: 8 at Army West Point (11/13/21)
Tackles for Loss: 1 vs. Cornell (10/2/21), vs. Penn (9/18/21)
Interceptions: 1, 3 times (last at Lehigh, 10/22/22)
Interception Return Yards: 20 at Lehigh (10/22/22)
Sacks: 1 vs. Cornell (10/2/21)
Pass Breakups: 2 vs. Towson (9/3/22), vs. Holy Cross (11/20/21)
Forced Fumbles: 1 at Army West Point (11/13/21)
CHRISTIAN SPUGNARDI (81)
TE | JR | 6-6 215
Receptions: 5 at Army West Point (11/13/21)
Receiving Yards: 30 at Army West Point (11/13/21)
Long Reception: 11 vs. Fordham (11/5/22)
Receiving TDs: 2 vs. Towson (9/3/22)
CHRISTIAN TAIT (5)
WR | SR 6-3 | 185
Receptions: 4 at Central Michigan (9/17/22)
Receiving Yards: 35 at Central Michigan (9/17/22)
Long Reception: 17 at Villanova (9/11/21)
MASON TAYLOR (20)
S JR 6-2 | 185
Tackles: 5 at JMU (9/2/23)
Tackles for Loss: 0.5 vs. Cornell (10/2/21)
Pass Breakups: 1, 3 times (last vs. Georgetown, 10/23/21)
ANEESH VYAS (90)
DL | JR | 6-2 265
Tackles: 6 vs. Lafayette (10/1/22)
Tackles for a Loss: 1, 2 times (last at Georgetown, 11/12/22)
Sacks: 0.5 vs. Lafayette (10/1/22)
Forced Fumbles: 1 at Fordham (10/16/21)
Fumble Recoveries: 2 at Fordham (10/16/21)
Pass Breakup: 1 at Yale (10/15/22)
Blocked kick: 1, 3 times (last vs. Marist, 11/19/22)
ERIC WEATHERLY (1)
WR SO | 5-7 | 171
Receptions: 3 at JMU (9/2/23)
Receiving Yards: 20 at JMU (9/2/23)
Long Reception: 18 at JMU (9/2/23)
Punt Returns: 1 at JMU (9/2/23)
Punt Return Yards: 9 at JMU (9/2/23)
Long Punt Return: 9 at JMU (9/2/23)
GAVIN WILLIS (13)
LB FR 6-0 212
Tackles: 1 at JMU (9/2/23)
BISON CAREER HIGHS
2023 GAME REPORTS: GAME 1
Football Falls to James Madison on the Road, 38-3
The Bucknell football team held the James Madison offense, which ranked 13th in the nation in scoring last season, in check through most of Saturday’s 38-3 loss at Bridgeforth Stadium. The Bison defense limited the FBS foe to 30 passing yards and 24 points through the first three quarters. Bucknell made its way onto the scoreboard with a 49-yard Matt Schearer field goal as time expired in the first half to make it a 17-3 game at the break.
The 38 points allowed were not indicative of the defense’s efforts, as six of JMU’s 13 drives began in Bison territory. Bucknell stood strong and allowed the Dukes to score on just three of those. The Bison put together two goal-line stands, and Ethan Robinson grabbed an interception on JMU’s opening possession of the game.
Schearer’s 49-yard kick, which was one shy of his career long, was one of the brighter spots on special teams for the Bison. JMU racked up 94 yards on six punt returns, and Bucknell had one punt blocked.
The defense did break late in the game on a 57-yard touchdown pass from Jordan McCloud to Reggie Brown that gave the Dukes a 31-3 lead.
Bucknell’s offense created several chunk plays as well, including a 32-yard pass from Ralph Rucker to Damian Harris and a 30-yard run by Rushawn Baker that set the Bison up at the JMU 23. Harris hauled in all three of his receptions in the first half for 61 yards. Rucker finished the game 13 of 19 (68.4%) for 140 yards. He also used his legs to escape the pocket on numerous occasions and finished with 17 rushing yards.
Blake Leake led the defense with nine tackles and one tackle for loss. Robinson added two pass breakups to go with his interception.
Both teams turned the ball over on their opening possessions of the game, as Bucknell fumbled four plays in. Bucknell punted it away on its second possession, and the Dukes returned it 25 yards to set up the game’s first score – a 36-yard field goal. JMU returned Bucknell’s next punt 35 yards and got down to the 6-yard line, but the Bison defense forced incompletions on third and fourth down to get the ball back.
TEAM STATISTICS GAME NOTES
• Bucknell entered halftime trailing 17-3 to FBS opponent James Madison in its season opener and ended up falling 38-3.
• JMU averaged 37 points in 2022, which was the team’s first season competing at the FBS level. It finished that season 8-3 after a dominant 19-year run with a .500 record or better in the FCS.
• JMU moved to 41-11 in all-time season openers. It had scored 40 or more points in 16 of those.
• Bucknell led in time of possession by more than four minutes. The Dukes ranked sixth among FBS team in the category last season.
• Bucknell’s defense limited the Dukes to just 30 passing yards through the first three quarters. Ethan Robinson intercepted JMU on its first possession, and the Bison defense made two goal-line stands to get the ball back after turnovers on downs.
The Bison offense followed it up with a 7-play, 71-yard drive and got down to the JMU 23-yard line but were stuffed on 4th-and-1.
Bucknell got the ball back with 2:02 remaining in the first half and trailing 17-0 when Rucker led the team on a 7-play, 43-yard drive that ate up the remaining time. The Bison called timeout with one second left before Schearer split the uprights with ease.
Bucknell forced JMU to punt on its first two drives of the third quarter, but Bucknell’s offense stalled as well. The Bison managed just 16 yards of offense over the final 30 minutes after piling up 204 in the first half.
JMU added one final touchdown with 6:35 to go in the fourth quarter on a 13-yard pass from McCloud to Maxwell Moss. McCloud finished the game 7 of 11 for 144 yards and two touchdowns after entering the game in the second half. Kaelon Black led a dynamic rushing attack for the Dukes, gaining 125 yards on 12 attempts.
Also impressive for the Bison was Eric Weatherly, who pulled down three catches for 20 yards, and Adam Barakat, who made a pair of tough catches for 19.
SCORING SUMMARY
5-8
Touchdowns 0-0 4-8
Field Goals 0-0 1-8
Sacks: Total - Yards 1-6 3-24
PAT: Total - Made 0-0 5-5
Field Goals: Total - Made 1-1 1-1
TEAM LEADERS
• Bucknell’s three points came on a 49-yard FG by Matt Schearer at the end of the first half.
• JMU had six drives start in Bison terriroty and scored on three of them.
2023-24
2023-24 Bucknell Football
FG Sequence
Team Name Bucknell Opponents James Madison (49) (36)
Numbers in (parentheses) indicate field goal was made
2023-24 Bucknell Football
2023-24 Bucknell Football
Bucknell - Game Highs
2023-24 Bucknell Football Team Game Highs