Bucknell Football Notes 10/15/22

Date Opponent

Sept. 3 TOWSON L, 13-14 (OT)

Sept. 10 at VMI L, 14-24

Sept. 17 at Central Michigan L, 0-41

Oct. 1 LAFAYETTE* (HC) L, 14-24

Oct. 8 at Holy Cross* L, 0-57

Oct. 15 at Yale 12 p.m.

Oct. 22 at Lehigh* 12 p.m.

Oct. 29 COLGATE* 1 p.m.

Nov. 5 FORDHAM* 1 p.m.

Nov. 12 at Georgetown* 12:30 p.m.

Nov. 19 MARIST 1 p.m.

* Patriot League game; HC Homecoming

Home games in CAPS and played at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium

times

Internet Video ESPN+ Internet Audio BucknellBison.com

Radio Bison Sports Network

Flagship 100.9 The Valley (WVLY) Play-By-Play (Color) Doug Birdson (Kevin Herr)

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-mandat ed 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 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 Mathew son-Memorial Stadium press box on game day. Please contact Ben Blumenthal to request a credential.

<<<< Game 6: Bucknell Bison at Yale Bulldogs

Oct. 15

12 p.m.

New Haven, Conn.

Yale Bowl

Streak Won 3

Dave Cecchini

Head Coach

Tony Reno 6-25 (4th season)

Record at School 55-39 (10th season) 23-63 (9th season)

Ethan Grady (507 yards)

Career Record 55-39 (10th season)

Leading Passer Nolan Grooms (566 yards)

Leading Rusher Tre Peterson (356) Damian Harris (129 yards)

Rushawn Baker (232 yards)

Leading Receiver David Pantelis (255) Brent Jackson (50 tackles)

Pos. No. Name

Leading Tackler Hamilton Moore (30)

PROJECTED BUCKNELL STARTERS

Cl. Ht. Wt. Fast Fact

QB 12 Ethan Grady So. 6-2 215 Started the first four games, leads the team in passing yards (507)

RB 23 Rushawn Baker So. 5-11 225 Started one game this season, leads the team with 232 rushing yards

SE 29 Okeyo Ayungo Fr. 6-1 185 Two starts this season, third on team in receiving (9 rec., 95 yards)

WR 1 Marques Owens So. 5-10 170 Leading receiver in 2021, five receptions for 51 yards this year

WR 11 Damian Harris Jr. 6-0 185 Team leader in receiving (10 rec., 129 yards)

LT 77 Ethan Pitzel Jr. 6-4 275 Team captain, has made 18 career starts at left tackle

LG 70 R.J. Mehan Sr. 6-4 305 Has made 15 starts, did not start last game at Holy Cross

C 75 Jake Guy So. 6-2 285 10 career starts at center, missed two games this season

RG 71 Fredrick Sturgis So. 6-4 285 13 games played, including six starts at right guard

RT 65 Zack Tarburton Jr. 6-3 275 14 career starts, including two this season

TE 87 Kyle Fontes So. 6-4 220 Two starts this season, four receptions for 20 yards

Pos. No. Name

DEFENSE

Cl. Ht. Wt. Fast Fact

DE 2 Tyler Alston Jr. 6-2 230 Fifth on the team in tackles (27), 1.5 sacks in Lafayette game

DT 0 Connor Carretta Jr. 6-2 280 15 career starts, 10 tackles this season

DT 90 Aneesh Vyas So. 6-2 265 Started all five games this season, 13 tackles DE 44 Mike Bright Jr. Jr. 6-4 225 15 career starts, 11 tackles in three starts this season

ILB 34 Blake Leake Jr. 6-1 215 Second on the team in tackles (37), 2.5 TFLs in 2022

ILB 30 Ben Allen Sr. 6-1 220 Team captain, third on the team in tackles (36), 2.5 TFLs

OLB 45 John Schlendorf So. 5-10 180 Started all five games, 24 tackles and four pass breakups

SS 21 Jonathan Searcy Sr. 6-2 190 Team captain, 18 tackles and one TFL, 15 career starts

Brent Jackson Sr.

Gavin Pringle

Ethan Robinson

Team captain, leads all FCS players with 7.2 solo tackles per game

Preseason All-League, an interception and league-best 10 pass breakups

11 straight starts, 18 tackles and an interception in 2022

SPECIAL TEAMS

GENERAL INFORMATION

Location Lewisburg, Pa.

Founded (Enrollment) 1846 (3,724)

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 6-25 (4th season)

Career Record 23-63 (9 seasons)

Offensive Coordinator Jason Miran Defensive Coordinator Chris Bowers Special Teams Coordinator Colin Schaeffer Assistant Coaches Kevin Bracken, Marco Butler, Vinny Giacalone, Jordan Johnson, Greg Parker, Erik Pratt, Ryan Redd Strength & Conditioning Coach Mark Kulbis Student Assistants Daniel Docal, Robert Schwartz, Thomas Vella Video Coordinator Zach Fanelli Athletic Trainers Kaiti Hager, Rayna Murphy Equipment Manager Liel Karstetter

FOOTBALL HISTORY

First Season 1883

All-Time Record 608-618-51

All-Time Patriot League Record 79-121-1 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

TEAM INFORMATION

2022 Patriot League

Patriot League

Base Offense

Defense

Offensive Starters Returning/Lost

Defensive Starters Returning/Lost

BISON NOTES

The Bucknell football team visits the historic Yale Bowl for its first meeting with the Yale Bulldogs in 25 years. Though the series history between the two teams is sparse, it dates

the way back to 1902. The Bison will be seeking their first win of the season on Saturday

their second straight victory over the Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs are winners of three in a row and are 3-1 on the season after opening with a loss at Holy Cross. Yale is Bucknell’s only Ivy League opponent on the schedule this sea son, and it’s the team’s 152nd all-time matchup with a member of that conference. Bucknell has played an Ivy League team in 43 of the last 44 seasons.

WITH A VICTORY BUCKNELL WOULD...

• improve 2-3 in the all-time series with Yale, winning a second straight game in the series • snap a 12-game losing skid that dates back to last season

• win a second straight game over an Ivy League opponent

• collect its first road win since April 3, 2021

BUCKNELL AT A GLANCE

• Bucknell (0-5, 0-2 PL) is seeking its first win of the season when it visits Yale on Saturday. The team is coming off a 57-0 loss against nationally-ranked Holy Cross at Polar Park last weekend.

• The Bison are in the midst of a three-game road stretch and will travel to Lehigh next week before playing three of their final four at home.

• Several Bison have put forth strong individual efforts through the first five games of the season and are up in the rankings both within the league and on a national level. Senior S Brent Jackson leads the FCS with 7.2 solo tackles per game, and his 50 total tackles are fourth-most in the Patriot League. Senior DB Gavin Pringle is first in the league with 10 pass breakups, and junior P Ruben Anderson’s six punts of 50+ yards are tied for most in the league.

• Bucknell was picked to finish seventh in the Patriot League based on a vote by the league’s head coaches and sports information directors ahead of the 2022 season.

• The Bison finished 1-10 overall in the 2021 season and went 0-6 against league oppo nents. They were picked in the same spot prior to the shortened 2021 spring season before capturing the Patriot League South Division title and earning a spot in the first-ever Patriot League Championship. Bucknell eventually fell to Holy Cross in the title game that spring, and the Crusaders were picked to win the league again in 2022 as the three-time defending champions.

• Senior DB Gavin Pringle was voted to the 2022 Preseason All-Patriot League Team for a third time in his career. Pringle is a two-time All-Patriot League selection and tied for the team lead in pass breakups last year despite missing more than half the season with injury.

• The Bison returned a staggering 51 letterwinners in 2022, as dozens of underclassmen gained playing experience during an injury-plagued season last fall. The young group of returning lettermen include 18 sophomores, 23 juniors and 10 seniors. Five seniors are three-time letterwinners: Pringle, DB Jonathan Searcy, LB Ben Allen, DB Brent Jackson and DL Cooper Kim.

• Bucknell’s lone victory during the 2021 campaign came at home in week 4 against Cornell. The Bison scored two unanswered touchdowns in the fourth quarter and generated four turnovers during Homecoming Weekend. Quarterback Nick Semptimphelter connected with tight end Christian Spugnardi for the go-ahead touchdown. Semptimphelter later ran for a two-yard touchdown.

(most recent Julién Davenport, ‘17)

• Bucknell is in its fourth season under head coach Dave Cecchini, who spent the previous five years at Valparaiso. For leading the Bison to a spot in the Patriot League Champion ship Game during the 2021 spring season, he was voted as the Patriot League Dick Biddle Coach of the Year.

• Searcy, Allen, Jackson and junior OL Ethan Pitzel were selected as team captains for the 2022 season.

INSIDE THE HOLY CROSS BOX SCORE

O

Letterwinners Returning/Lost 51/14

Captains Ben Allen, Brent Jackson, Ethan Pitzel, Jonathan Searcy Returning All-Patriot League Selections Gavin Pringle (1st in ‘21S; 2nd in ‘19)

2021 Preseason All-Patriot League Selections

Pringle

• No. 9/10 Holy Cross held the Bison off the scoreboard en route to a 57-0 win at the EBW Classic at Polar Park.

• The Crusaders racked up 511 yards of total offense, including 314 on the ground, com pared to Bucknell’s 169. They scored three touchdowns through the air, ran for four and scored one on special teams.

• Danny Meuser posted one of the better days for the Bison, accumulating 73 yards on 14 rushing attempts for a 5.2 average. His longest run was 29 yards.

• Nick Semptimphelter completed seven of his 15 pass attempts for 60 yards. He also ran it nine times and was sacked four times. Freshman quarterback Alex Brown ran the ball twice for 19 yards.

• Brent Jackson led the Bison with nine tackles to remain among the leading tacklers in FCS. It was his sixth straight game with eight or more stops, dating back to last season.

COLEMAN BENNETT (3) 2022

BISON NOTESINDIVIDUAL HONORS & AWARDS START CHART

• Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar 2021

• Preseason All-Patriot League

MIKE BRIGHT JR. (48) 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 GRADY (12) 2021

• Patriot League Rookie of the Week (10/25)

BRENT JACKSON (31) 2022

• William V. Campbell Trophy Semifinalist

• Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar 2021

• Academic All-Patriot League

GAVIN PRINGLE (17) 2022

• Preseason All-Patriot League 2021

• Preseason All-Patriot League 2021 Spring

• All-Patriot League 1st Team

• Preseason All-Patriot League 2019

• All-Patriot League 2nd Team

• HM Hero Sports Freshman All-America Team

• HM STATS National Freshman of the Week (11/18)

JONATHAN SEARCY (21) 2021

• Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week (10/4)

• Bison Athlete of the Week (10/4)

• HM STATS Defensive Player of the Week (10/4)

Gavin Pringle 21 (5)

Ethan Pitzel 18 (5)

Brent Jackson 17 (16)

Ben Allen 16 (16)

Connor Carretta 15 (13)

Damian Harris 15 (7)

Jonathan Searcy 15 (6)

Mike Bright Jr. 15 (2)

Coleman Bennett 15 (1)

R.J. Mehan 15 (0)

Blake Leake 14 (12)

Zack Tarburton 14 (0)

Tyler Alston 12 (4)

Ethan Robinson 11 (11)

Aneesh Vyas 9 (5)

Jake Guy 9 (2)

Ethan Grady 9 (0)

Will Ohler 9 (0)

Harrison Shepherd 8 (1)

Connor Holmes 7 (0)

Mason Taylor 7 (0)

Fredrick Sturgis 6 (5)

Marques Owens 6 (1)

Christian Spugnardi ........................ 6 (0)

John Schlendorf 5 (5)

Casey Stephenson 4 (1)

Sean Quarterman 4 (0)

Nick Semptimphelter 3 (1)

Rushawn Baker 3 (0)

Mason Muir 3 (0)

Alex Smith Jr. 3 (0)

Tyler Beverett 3 (0)

Matt McCreight 3 (0)

Okeyo Ayungo 2 (2)

Adam Barakat 2 (1)

Kyle Fontes 2 (0)

Josh Gary 2 (0)

Colby Grames 2 (0)

Nathaniel Carson 2 (0)

Charlie Shadek 2 (0)

Danny Meuser 1 (0)

Note: Number in parentheses indicates streak of consecutive starts

• Cornerback Chris Sims grabbed his first career interception and returned it 17 yards.

• Holy Cross quarterback Matthew Sluka was 10 of 17 for 183 yards and three touchdowns through the air. He also ran it 11 times for 72 yards and a touchdown. Three different Holy Cross receivers caught touchdowns, including a 40-yard score by wide receiver Spencer Gilliam.

• Along with Sluka, running backs Peter Oliver and Jordan Fuller surpassed 50 yards rush ing, and Fuller added two touchdowns.

• Devin Haskins blocked a Bucknell punt in the first quarter and returned it eight yards for a touchdown. It was Haskins’ third straight game with a blocked punt.

YALE AT A GLANCE

• Yale is 3-1 this season after winning its last three in a row over Dartmouth, Howard and Cornell. The Bulldogs opened the season with a loss at Holy Cross.

• The Bulldogs were picked fourth in the Ivy League preseason poll after finishing fifth in 2021 with a 5-5 (4-3 Ivy) record. Yale went 1-1 against the Patriot League last season, shutting out Lehigh 34-0 and falling to Holy Cross 20-17.

• Yale has been among the top offensive teams in the country this season, ranking 25th in FCS with 420.2 yards per game. The Bulldogs have been powered by a dominant rushing attack that averag es 247 yards per game, which is fifth in FCS. They hung 38 points on Cornell and 34 on Howard.

• Defensively, the Bulldogs are allowing 24.8 points per contest and averaging 3.75 sacks.

• RB Tre Peterson and QB Nolan Grooms have both run for over 300 yards this season, and freshman RB Joshua Pitsenberger isn’t far behind at 237. The trio has combined for eight touch downs as well. Peterson was named the Ivy League Offensive Player of the Week on Monday after rushing for 173 yards against Dartmouth.

• Grooms is averaging 141.5 yards through the air and has tossed four touchdown passes and four interceptions. 60 percent of his completions have gone to sophomore WR David Pantelis and junior WR Mason Tipton.

• Also earning an Ivy League weekly honor on Monday was LB Hamilton Moore, who sealed the Dartmouth game with a late interception and recorded a game-high nine tackles. He leads the roster with 30 tackles and two picks this season.

• Leading the Bulldogs with four sacks on the season is senior DL Osorachukwu Ifesinachukwu. He’s joined by defensive end Clay Patterson, who was named a 2022 Stats Perform FCS Presea son Second Team All-American.

• Yale’s defense is loaded with nine seniors expected to start on Saturday. 11 seniors and seven juniors overall are expected to start.

• Yale head coach Tony Reno is in his 10th season with the program and is 55-39 overall. He led the Bulldogs to their first league title in 37 years during the 2017 campaign and followed it up with his second championship in 2019.

THE BUCKNELL/YALE SERIES

• The Bison and the Bulldogs are meeting for the fifth time. Yale leads 3-1 in the all-time series, which dates all the way back to 1902. All four games have been played at Yale.

• Yale won the first three meetings in 1902 (36-5), 1923 (29-14) and 1996 (23-21). Bucknell came out on top in the most recent matchup in 1997 (25-24).

• Bucknell is 42-106-3 all-time against Ivy League programs.

• The Bison played at least one Ivy League team every year since 1978, a streak that reached 42-consecutive seasons with 2019’s loss to then No. 23/RV Princeton.

• That lengthy streak was snapped when Bucknell played only Patriot League opponents during the 2021 spring campaign, which was pushed back from 2020 and abbreviated to four games due to the COVID-19 health threat. Bucknell resumed its competition against Ivy League foes last season, going 1-1 with a win against Cornell and a loss to Penn.

THE LAST MEETING WITH THE BULLDOGS

• Bucknell collected its first victory over Yale on Oct. 11, 1997, winning 25-24 at the Yale Bowl in New Haven, Conn.

• The Bison came back from a 12-0 first quarter deficit and scored 17 unanswered points to carry a 17-12 lead into the fourth quarter. The Bulldogs briefly regained the lead just 27 sec onds into the fourth, but the Bison jumped back in front with a touchdown with 10:11 to play. Yale scored with 3:18 to play in the game to draw within one of tying at 25-24 and attempted a 2-point conversion to take the lead, but the rushing attempt came up short.

• Bucknell’s Chris Peer ran for a team-high 56 yards and the go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter. Freshman LaMario Bradwell also added a touchdown on the ground as well as 34 yards rushing. Bison quarterback Jim John threw for 101 yards on 7 of 15 passing and a touchdown.

• Yale quarterback Joe Walland threw for 190 yards and three touchdowns, and running back Jake Fuller picked up 111 rushing yards on 27 carries.

INSIDE THE BUCKNELL DEPTH CHART

• Bucknell’s projected starters on offense have made a combined 99 starts. All 11 projected offensive starters have made at least one start.

PATRIOT LEAGUE

Overall Patriot League Streak

W-L Pct. W-L Pct.

Holy Cross 6-0 1.000 2-0 1.000 W6

Fordham 5-1 .833 2-0 1.000 W2

Lafayette 2-4 .333 1-0 1.000

Lehigh 1-5 .167 1-1 .500

Colgate 1-4 .200 0-1 .000

Georgetown 1-5 .167 0-2 .000

Bucknell 0-5 .000 0-2 .000

PATRIOT LEAGUE SCHEDULE/RESULTS

Saturday, Oct. 8

Fordham 40, Lehigh 28

Princeton 23, Lafayette 2

Penn 59, Georgetown 28

Holy Cross 57, Bucknell 0

Saturday, Oct. 15

Colgate at Army, 12

Bucknell at Yale, 12

Lehigh at Cornell, 1 Stony Brook at Fordham, 6

Saturday, Oct. 22

Bucknell at Lehigh, 12 Georgetown at Colgate, 12 Holy Cross at Lafayette, 3:30

PATRIOT LEAGUE PRESEASON POLL

‘21 League ‘21 Overall Points W-L Place W-L Pct.

Holy Cross (11) 6-0 1st 10-3

Fordham (2) 4-2 3rd

Colgate (1) 5-1 2nd

Lafayette 2-4 5th

Lehigh 3-3

Georgetown 1-5

Bucknell

BISON NOTES

• Bucknell’s projected starters on defense have made a combined 150 starts. All 11 projected starters on defense have made at least one start.

• On offense, one senior (OL R.J. Mehan), three juniors, six sophomores and one freshman (WR Okeyo Ayungo) are expected to start. Junior LT Ethan Pitzel leads the offensive group with 18 starts under his belt.

• On defense, four seniors, four juniors and three sophomores are expected to start. DB Gavin Pringle leads the entire roster in career starts (21).

• 14 Bison currently have at least 10 career starts: DB Gavin Pringle (21), OL Ethan Pitzel (18), DB Brent Jackson (17), LB Ben Allen (16), OL R.J. Mehan (16), DL Mike Bright Jr. (15), OL Zack Tarburton (15), RB Coleman Bennett (15), DL Connor Carretta (15), WR Damian Harris (15), ILB Blake Leake (14), DB Jonathan Searcy (15) and DL Tyler Alston (12) and DB Ethan Robinson (11). Of that group, five are seniors, eight are juniors and one is a sophomore.

• Only Allen and Jackson started all 11 of Bucknell’s 2021 games. On the offensive side of the ball, Harris, Pitzel and Mehan each made 10 starts last season.

• Five Bison currently boast starting streaks in the double digits: Allen (16), Jackson (16), Carretta (13), Leake (12) and Robinson (11).

• Only two seniors have played in all 31 of Bucknell’s games during their time in Lewisburg to date: Allen and Searcy.

• Two juniors have played in all 20 of Bucknell’s games during their time in Lewisburg to date: DL Tyler Alston and P/K Ruben Anderson.

• 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; two were seniors, four were juniors, 12 were sophomores and 12 were freshmen.

MILESTONES MET LAST WEEK

• CB Chris Sims intercepted the first pass of his career

• WR Damian Harris reached 300 receiving yards in his career

MILESTONES TO WATCH

• S Jonathan Searcy needs three tackles to reach 100 for his career

• RB Rushawn Baker needs 43 rush yards to reach 500 for his career

• CB Gavin Pringle needs two pass breakups to reach 30 for his career

• WR Marques Owens needs sevens receiving yards to reach 300 for his career

BISON AWARD WINNERS

Senior DB Brent Jackson was named a semifinalist for the 2022 William V. Campbell Trophy®, the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) announced last week. Only Bucknell and Dayton have had a Campbell Trophy semifinalist each of the past 17 years.

• The Bison returned one All-Patriot League player in DB Gavin Pringle (1st in ‘21S, 2nd in ‘19).

• Pringle has been voted to the Preseason All-Patriot League Team in three consecutive seasons, and RB Coleman Bennett was voted to the 2021 Preseason All-Patriot League Team, representing Bucknell as a return specialist.

• The Bison graduated All-Patriot League honorees RB Jared Cooper and WR Dominic Lyles following the 2021 season.

• DB Brent Jackson was voted to the 2021 Academic All-Patriot League Team, earning the award for the first time in his career.

• Bennett and Jackson were named 2022 Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars by the publication Diverse: Issues in Higher Education in May. The award recognizes undergraduate students of color who have excelled in the classroom as well as on the athletic fields.

HEAD COACH DAVE CECCHINI

• Dave Cecchini, one of the all-time great wide receivers in Patriot League history who has since gone on to achieve tremendous success in the coaching ranks, was named the 27th Bob Odell Head Football Coach at Bucknell University on February 6, 2019.

• Cecchini was voted as the 2021 Spring Patriot League Dick Biddle Coach of the Year for guiding the team to a spot in the Patriot League Championship Game. In addition, he was selected as a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Award, presented by STATS to the FCS Coach of the Year, for the second time in his career.

• In his first season at the helm, Cecchini led the Bison to a third-place finish in the Patriot League, their highest placement since they were the 2014 runners-up. Their Patriot League victories came over defending champion Colgate (32-14), rival Lehigh (20-10) and Georgetown (20-17); two of their three league losses came by a touchdown or less.

• In 2017 while at Valparaiso, Cecchini was a finalist for the American Football Coaches Associa tion’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.

Ryan Sakamoto, Patriot League Media Relations Director (FB) rsakamoto@patriotleague.com >> 610-289-1963 >> PatriotLeague.com

BISON NOTES

PLAYERS

Okeyo Ayungo

Adam Barakat

uh-KAY-oh uh-YOUNG-go

BEAR-a-CAT

Tyler Beverett BEV-er-it.

Aidan Catania cuh-TAN-ee-ah

Duncan Cloniger

CLAW-ni-jer

Kieran Coscia KAH-shuh

Kyle Fontes

Brad Jamison

FON-tess

JAM-uh-sin

Ryan Jedlicka jed-LICK-uh

Matt Karic CARE-ic

Charlie Kreinbucher

KRINE-bucker

Matt McCreight mic-CRATE

Danny Meuser MUE-ser

Mason Muir MEWR

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

Jonathan Searcy SEAR-see

Ashton Sempervive semper-VEE-vay

Nick Semptimphelter SEMP-tim-fel-ter

Charlie Shadek SHAD-eck

Daniel Sierk SEER-k

Finn Sposato spo-SA-to

Christian Spugnardi spug-NAR-dee

Aneesh Vyas uh-NEESH VEE-yas

COACHES

Dave Cecchini

cha-KEE-nee

Vinny Giacalone JACK-a-loan

Mark Kulbis KUL-bis

Jason Miran MEER-in

INSIDE THE 2022 SCHEDULE

• This is the 137th season of football at Bucknell. The Bison played their first game in 1883 and have played continuously since 1887.

• Bucknell’s challenging 2022 schedule includes trips to FBS program Central Michigan and Ivy League opponent Yale. Central Michigan marks the third FBS team the Bison have scheduled in four seasons.

• Bucknell’s 2022 opponents went a combined 58-64 in 2021, with Central Michigan winning its Sun Bowl game and Holy Cross advancing to the FCS playoffs for the third-straight season. VMI earned a spot in the 2021 spring FCS playoffs on the strength of its first conference title since 1977 while Towson, which did not compete during the 2020-21 school year, won seven games in both 2019 and 2018, advancing to the 2018 FCS playoffs.

• Bucknell begins Patriot League action at home against Lafayette on Oct. 1.

• Bucknell’s other home contests include on Colgate on Oct. 29, Fordham on Nov. 5, and Pioneer Football League member Marist for Senior Day on Nov. 19 to close out the regular season on 19.

FACILITY UPGRADES

• Thanks to the support of the Pascucci family, Bucknell’s new artificial turf practice field was broken in during 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 last season, greatly heightening the fan experience at home events.

• Future additions to The Pascucci Team Center include a new strength and conditioning center, a men’s lacrosse locker room, 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 has been 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.

HOW TO FOLLOW THE BISON

• All of Bucknell’s home games and its road contests at VMI, Yale, Holy Cross, Lehigh and George town will air on ESPN+, which became home of the Patriot League Network ahead of the 2020-21 school year.

• The Bison’s game at FBS foe Central Michigan will be broadcast on ESPN3.

• All of the Bison’s games will be broadcast on 100.9 The Valley (WVLY). The broadcast will also be available on WVLY.com/The__Valley and 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 plays its third consecutive road game at Lehigh on Saturday, Oct. 22. It will be 86th alltime meeting between the Bison and the Mountain Hawks.

BUCKNELL TWO DEEP VS.

WIDE RECEIVER (SPLIT END)

29 — Okeyo Ayungo (Fr. / 6-1 / 185 / Rockville, Md.)

— Adam Barakat (Jr. / 6-3 / 220 / Los Angeles, Calif.)

LEFT TACKLE

77 — Ethan Pitzel (Jr. / 6-4 / 275 / Solon, Ohio)

— Gavin Kennedy (Fr. / 6-5 / 295 / Turnersville, N.J.)

LEFT GUARD

70 — R.J. Mehan (Sr. / 6-4 / 305 / Worthington, Ohio) OR

— Casey Stephenson (Jr. / 6-2 / 290 / Philadelphia, Pa.)

CENTER

75 — Jake Guy (So. / 6-2 / 285 / Philadelphia, Pa.)

59 — Sean Quarterman (Jr. / 6-3 / 260 / Chicago, Ill.)

RIGHT GUARD

71 — Fredrick Sturgis (So. / 6-4 / 285 / Cincinnati, Ohio)

68 — D.K. Kim (Fr. / 6-5 / 290 / Gimpo, South Korea)

RIGHT TACKLE

65 — Zack Tarburton (Jr. / 6-3 / 275 / Perkasie, Pa.)

— Harrison Shepherd (Jr. / 6-5 / 280 / Wyoming, Ohio)

TIGHT END

87 — Kyle Fontes (So. / 6-4 / 220 / York, Pa.)

81 — Christian Spugnardi (So. / 6-6 / 215 / Bethlehem, Pa.)

WIDE RECEIVER

1 — Marques Owens (So. / 5-10 / 170 / Austell, Ga.)

5 — Christian Tait (Jr. / 6-3 / 185 / Staten Island, N.Y.)

WIDE RECEIVER (FLANKER)

11 — Damian Harris (Jr. / 6-0 / 185 / Durham, N.C.)

24 — Josh Gary (Fr. / 5-11 / 190 / Upper Marlboro, Md.)

RUNNING BACK

3 — Coleman Bennett (Jr. / 5-11 / 185 / Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)

23 — Rushawn Baker (So. / 5-11 / 225 / Victor, N.Y.)

QUARTERBACK

12 — Ethan Grady (So. / 6-2 / 215 / Manhattan Beach, Calif.)

14 — Nick Semptimphelter (Jr. / 6-1 / 190 / Franklin, Tenn.)

DEFENSIVE END

44 — Mike Bright Jr. (Jr. / 6-4 / 225 / Woodland Park, N.J.)

51 — Will Ohler (So. / 6-3 / 235 / Sudbury, Mass.)

DEFENSIVE TACKLE

0 — Connor Carretta (Jr. / 6-2 / 280 / Columbus, Ohio)

15 — Cade Rooney (So. / 6-3 / 250 / Berwyn, Pa.)

DEFENSIVE TACKLE

90 — Aneesh Vyas (So. / 6-2 / 265 / West Chester, Pa.)

95 — Grant Laws (So. / 6-3 / 280 / Halifax, Mass.)

DEFENSIVE END

2 — Tyler Alston (Jr. / 6-2 / 230 / Downingtown, Pa.)

52 — Jack Barnes (So. / 6-2 / 220 / Fayetteville, N.C.)

INSIDE LINEBACKER

34 — Blake Leake (Jr. / 6-1 / 215 / Culpeper, Va.)

7 — Quentin Lemon (Jr. / 6-1 / 200 / West Orange, N.J.)

INSIDE LINEBACKER

30 — Ben Allen (Sr. / 6-1 / 220 / Whitehouse, Ohio)

53 — Cooper Kim (Sr. / 6-1 / 230 / Moorestown, N.J.)

OUTSIDE LINEBACKER

45 — John Schlendorf (So. / 5-10 / 180 / Toms River, N.J.)

28 — Chris Sims (So. / 5-9 / 170 / Haverford, Pa.)

STRONG SAFETY

21 — Jonathan Searcy (Sr. / 6-2 / 190 / Medford, N.J.)

6 — Alex Smith Jr. (So. / 6-2 / 185 / Charlotte, N.C.)

FREE SAFETY

31 — Brent Jackson (Sr. / 6-2 / 205 / Denton, Texas)

36 — Justin Murray (Sr. / 6-1 / 225 / Coppell, Texas)

CORNERBACK

17 — Gavin Pringle (Sr. / 6-0 / 180 / Baltimore, Md.)

14 — Roman Pearson (Fr. / 6-2 / 180 / Pickerington, Ohio)

CORNERBACK

26 — Ethan Robinson (So. / 6-0 / 175 / Montgomery, N.Y.)

16 — Caleb Gillen (Jr. / 5-11 / 185 / White Plains, N.Y.)

GAME-BY-GAME STARTERS

SPECIAL

PLACE KICKER

10 — Ryan Schatzel (Jr. / 6-0 / 160 / Sleepy Hollow, N.Y.)

94 — Nick Niemynski (So. / 6-2 / 180 / Blue Bell, Pa.)

PUNTER

98 — Ruben Anderson (Jr. / 6-2 / 215 / Lenexa, Kan.)

62 — Matt Schearer (Fr. / 5-11 / 170 / Canonsburg, Pa.)

LONG SNAPPER

93 — Aidan Davenport (Jr. / 6-3 / 210 / Chatham, N.J.)

61 — Ryan Jedlicka (Fr. / 5-10 / 180 / Greenwich, Conn.)

HOLDER

98 — Ruben Anderson (Jr. / 6-2 / 215 / Lenexa, Kan.)

91 — Matt Karic (Fr. / 5-8 / 170 / Los Altos, Calif.)

KICKOFF RETURN 1

11 — Damian Harris (Jr. / 6-0 / 185 / Durham, N.C.)

3 — Coleman Bennett (Jr. / 5-11 / 185 / Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)

KICKOFF RETURN 2

24 — Josh Gary (Fr. / 5-11 / 190 / Upper Marlboro, Md.)

— Gavin Pringle (Sr. / 6-0 / 180 / Baltimore, Md.)

PUNT RETURN

— Gavin Pringle (Sr. / 6-0 / 180 / Baltimore, Md.)

— Damian Harris (Jr. / 6-0 / 185 / Durham, N.C.)

Opponent

Towson

Holy

Yale

Lehigh Colgate

Grames Owens Harris Bennett Grady

Quarterman Sturgis Shepherd Grames Owens Harris Bennett Grady

Sturgis Tarburton Fontes Owens Harris Bennett Grady

Sturgis Tarburton Fontes Gary Harris Baker Grady

Sturgis Shepherd Kreinbucher Owens Harris Bennett Semptimphelter

Connor Carretta

Marques Owens

Tyler Alston

Coleman Bennett

Danny Meuser

Christian Tait Jr.

Alex Smith Jr. So.

Quentin Lemon Jr.

2022 BUCKNELL ROSTER

Columbus, Ohio / St. Charles

Austell, Ga.

6-2

Jeff Odongo Jr. S 6-2

Alex Brown Fr.

6-3 195

Connor Holmes Sr. WR 5-10 170

Ryan Schatzel Jr. P/K 6-0 160

Harrison

Downingtown, Pa. / Archbishop Carroll

Fort Lauderdale, Fla. / Cardinal Gibbons

Dallas, Pa. / Dallas

Staten Island, N.Y. / Monsignor Farrell

Charlotte, N.C. / Hickory Ridge

West Orange, N.J. / Saint Peter’s Prep

Tampa, Fla. / Berkeley Prep

Rumson, N.J. / Red Bank Catholic

Parlin, N.J. / Sayreville War Memorial

Sleepy Hollow, N.Y. / Sleepy Hollow

Damian Harris Jr. WR 6-0 185 Durham, N.C. / Hillside

Ethan Grady

QB 6-2 215 Manhattan Beach, Calif. / St. Monica Catholic

Luke Freeman Fr. S 6-2 190 Tulsa, Okla. / Victory Christian School

Matt McCreight Sr. WR 6-3 190 Chandler, Ariz. / Valley Christian

Nick Semptimphelter Jr. QB 6-1 190

Franklin, Tenn. / Battle Ground Academy

Roman Pearson Fr. CB 6-2 180 Pickerington, Ohio / Pickerington Central

Cade Rooney So. DL 6-3 250 Berwyn, Pa. / St. Joseph’s Prep

Caleb Gillen Jr. CB/S 5-11 185 White Plains, N.Y. / White Plains

Gavin Pringle Sr. CB/S 6-0 180 Baltimore, Md. / Mount Saint Joseph

Tyler Beverett Jr. QB 6-3 205 Scottsdale, Ariz. / Saguaro

Bradley Pao Fr. CB 6-0 175 Mays Landing, N.J. / St. Augustine Prep

Michael Hardyway So. QB 6-0 180 Oceanside, Calif. / Oceanside

Mason Taylor So. S 6-2 185 San Pedro, Calif. / Adelanto

Jonathan Searcy (C) Sr. S 6-2 190 Medford, N.J. / Shawnee

Mikey Neal Sr. RB 5-6 170 Baltimore, Md. / Calvert Hall

Rushawn Baker So. RB 5-11 225 Victor, N.Y. / Victor

Josh Gary Fr. WR 5-11 190 Upper Marlboro, Md. / St. John’s College HS

Derrick Anderson Jr. Fr. WR 6-3 175 Fort Washington, Md. / Episcopal (Va.)

Ethan Robinson So. CB 6-0 175 Montgomery, N.Y. / Iona Prep

Ray Russell So. CB 6-1 185 Broadlands, Va. / Briar Woods

* Chris Sims So. CB 5-9 170 Haverford, Pa. / Haverford School

Okeyo Ayungo Fr. WR 6-1 185 Rockville, Md. / Rockville

Ben Allen (C) Sr. LB 6-1 220 Whitehouse, Ohio / Anthony Wayne

*** Brent Jackson (C) Sr. S 6-2 205 Denton, Texas / John H. Guyer

Duncan Cloniger Fr. QB 6-2 190 St. Louis, Mo. / John Burroughs

Brad Jamison So. LB 6-2 220 Upper Township, N.J. / Ocean City

** Blake Leake Jr. LB 6-1 215 Culpeper, Va. / Eastern View

Paul Neel So. RB 5-10 190 Charlotte, N.C. / Charlotte Catholic

Justin Murray Sr. S 6-1 225 Coppell, Texas / Coppell

Kyle Dowgin Jr. LS 5-10 195 Hamilton, N.J. / Notre Dame HS

Finn Sposato Fr. DB 5-11 195 Farmington, Conn. / Farmington

Sam DeLuca Fr. LB 6-2 210 Mechanicsburg, Pa. / Mechanicsburg Area

Donquarius Parker Fr. DL 6-1 220 Durham, N.C. / Hillside

Mike Bright Jr. Jr. DL 6-4 225 Woodland Park, N.J. / Hotchkiss School (Conn.)

John Schlendorf So. S 5-10 180 Toms River, N.J. / Donovan Catholic/Olympus (Utah)

Mack

Tyler Bower Jr.

Jack Goheen

Will Ohler

6-3 200

N.J. / Seton Hall Prep

5-11 215 Weston, Conn. / Weston

LB 6-2 210 Fishers, Ind. / Cathedral

6-3 235 Sudbury, Mass. / Lincoln-Sudbury Regional

Jack Barnes So. DL 6-2 220 Fayetteville, N.C.

Pa.

Mass.

D.C.

Jake Guy So. OL 6-2 285

Ashton Sempervive Fr. DL 6-2 260

Ethan Pitzel (C) Jr. OL 6-4 275

John Ohnegian Fr. OL 6-2 285

Philadelphia, Pa. / Don Bosco Prep (N.J.)

New Egypt, N.J. / New Egypt

Solon, Ohio / Solon

Ramsey, N.J. / Saint Joseph Regional

Rowan McGwin Fr. OL 6-6 274 Rochester, N.Y. / Irondequoit

Christian Spugnardi So. TE 6-6 215

Bethlehem, Pa. / Allentown Central Catholic

Charlie Kreinbucher Fr. TE 6-5 230 Butler, Pa. / Butler Area

Mason Muir So. WR 6-5 195 Greenwich, Conn. / Greenwich

Adam Barakat Jr. WR 6-3 220 Los Angeles, Calif. / St. Francis

Charlie Shadek Sr. TE 6-3 225 Wellesley, Mass. / Kent School (Conn.)

Kyle Fontes So. TE 6-4 220 York, Pa. / Central York

Colby Grames Jr. TE 6-3 225

Redlands, Calif. / Citrus Valley

Aneesh Vyas So. DL 6-2 265 West Chester, Ohio / Lakota West

Matt Karic Fr. P/K 5-8 170 Los Altos, Calif. / Saint Francis

Daniel Sierk

DL 6-5 250 Greensburg, Pa. / Hempfield Area

Aidan Davenport Jr. LS 6-3 210 Chatham, N.J. / Chatham

Nick Niemynski So. P/K 6-2 180 Blue Bell, Pa. / Germantown Academy

Grant Laws So. DL 6-3 280 Halifax, Mass. / Xaverian Brothers / UMass

Patrick Quinlivan So. DL 6-2

Nathaniel Carson Jr.

Anderson

Fisher

Head Coach: Dave Cecchini (Lehigh ’95)

6-6

Medway, Mass. / Milton Academy

N.C.

Kan.

Reagan

Shawnee Mission West

of Prussia, Pa. / Upper Merion Area

COACHING & SUPPORT STAFF

Chris Bowers (Wittenberg ’99) (Defensive); Jason Miran (Penn ’09) (Offensive/QB); Colin Schaeffer (Juniata College ‘16) (Special Teams/DL)

Assistant Coaches: Vinny Giacalone (Carnegie Mellon ’10) (OL/Operations); Jordan Johnson (Buffalo ’16) (RB); Erik Pratt (East Stroudsburg ‘16) (TE/Recruiting Coordinator/Tackles) Ryan Redd (Miami of Ohio ’06) (WR)

Defensive Assistant Coaches: Kevin Bracken (Moravian ’15) (LB/Run Game); Marco Butler (Western Carolina ‘00) (DB); Greg Parker (University of Phoenix) (OLB) Student Assistants: Daniel Docal, Robert Schwartz, Thomas Vella 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 Communi cations); Zach Fanelli (William Paterson ’20) (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)

Allen, Ben

Alston, Tyler

Anderson Jr., Derrick

Anderson, Ruben

Okeyo

Adam

Barnes,

Coleman

Tyler

Jr., Mike

Alex

Carretta, Connor

Nathaniel

Aidan

Duncan

Coscia, Kieran

Aidan

Sam

Dowgin,

Colby

Harris, Damian

Holmes, Connor

Jackson, Brent

Brad

Jedlicka, Ryan

Jones, Mason

Karic, Matt....................................................P/K

Kennedy, Gavin

Cooper

Kim, D.K.

Grant

Leake, Blake

Charlie

Quentin

Mack, Aidan

Matt

McGwin, Rowan

Mehan, R.J.

Meuser, Danny

Muir, Mason

Murray, Justin

Natoli, Nathan

Neal, Mikey

Neel, Paul

Niemynski, Nick

Odongo, Jeff

Ohler, Will

Ohnegian, John

Owens, Marques

Pao, Bradley

Parker, Donquarius

Pearson, Roman

Ethan

Poulos, James

Pringle, Gavin

Sean

Patrick

Robinson, Ethan

Rooney, Cade

Russell, Ray

Schatzel, Ryan

Schearer, Matt

Schlendorf, John

Scott, Kenneth

Searcy, Jonathan

Sempervive, Ashton

Nick

Charlie

Harrison

Sierk, Daniel

Sims, Chris

Jr., Alex

Benji

Finn

Spugnardi, Christian

Stephenson, Casey

Sturgis, Fredrick

Christian

Tarburton, Zack

Taylor, Mason

Vyas, Aneesh

HEAD COACH DAVE CECCHINI

Dave Cecchini, one of the all-time great wide re ceivers 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 presea son poll, knocked off Pennsylvania rivals Lafayette (38-13) and Lehigh (6-0) to earn a date with defend ing 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-re cord 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).

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 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 Pio neer 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, go ing 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 of fensive 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.

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 All-American 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 Houston Texans.

Beginning in 2003, Cecchini spent three seasons as the offensive coordinator/quarterbacks and wide receiv ers 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 a member of the Washington Football Team, has also spent time in eight 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 receiv ers 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 is currently the head women’s tennis coach at Bucknell.

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 0-5 .000

Totals 23-63 .267

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 Apr. 3, 2021 at Lehigh (6-0)

Was shut out by an opponent Oct. 8, 2022 at Holy Cross (0-57)

Finished a game with a tie score Nov. 14, 1987 vs. Lehigh (21-21)

Scored 40-49 points Sept. 2, 2017 vs. Marist (45-6)

Scored 50-59 points Nov. 1, 2003 vs. Holy Cross (53-31)

Scored 60-69 points Oct. 24, 1987 vs. Columbia (62-20)

Scored 70-79 points Oct. 10, 1964 vs. Ohio Wesleyan in Newark, Del. (72-0)

Allowed 40-49 points Sept. 17, 2022 at Central Michigan (0-41)

Allowed 50-59 points Oct. 8, 2022 at Holy Cross (0-57)

Allowed 60-69 points Nov. 13, 2021 at Army West Point (10-63)

Allowed 70-79 points Nov. 25, 1916 at Georgetown (0-78)

Allowed 80+ points Oct. 8, 1966 at Temple (28-82)

Did not commit a turnover Sept. 3, 2022 vs. Towson (13-14)

Forced five turnovers Sept. 15, 2018 at Penn (2 INT, 3 fumbles) (17-34)

Forced six turnovers Sept. 3, 2016 at Marist (4 INT, 2 fumbles) (26-10)

Forced seven turnovers Oct. 29, 2011 at Lafayette (3 INT, 4 fumbles) (39-13)

Committed five or more turnovers Apr. 17, 2021 vs. Holy Cross (5 INT) (10-33)

Did not commit a penalty Sept. 19, 2009 at Cornell (9-33)

Was penalized for at least 100 yards Oct. 17, 2015 at Army West Point (105) (14-21)

Won an overtime game Oct. 21, 2017 at Lafayette (13-7)

Played an overtime game Sept. 3, 2022 vs. Towson (13-14)

Had two 100-yard rushers in the same game Sept. 26, 2007 vs. Marist (Terrance Wilson 108 & Justin Pulgrano 101) (17-16)

Had two 100-yard receivers in the same game Nov. 1, 2014 vs. Lafayette (Jake Hartman 134 & Will Carter 104) (27-24 OT)

Defeated a nationally ranked opponent

Oct. 26, 2013 vs. No. 15 Lehigh (48-10)

Played a nationally ranked opponent Oct. 8, 2022 at No. 9/10 Holy Cross (0-57)

Played an FBS opponent Sept. 17, 2022 at Central Michigan (0-41)

Won 10 games 1997 (10-1)

Won eight games 2014 (8-3)

Had a winning season 2014 (8-3)

Had 30 rushing attempts

Nov. 12, 2016 (Joey DeFloria (31) at Georgetown, 21-7)

Had 40 rushing attempts Oct. 29, 2011 (Tyler Smith (42) at Lafayette, 39-13)

Had 100 yards rushing Oct. 26, 2019 (Jared Cooper (103) at Lafayette, 17-21)

Had 200 yards rushing Nov. 12, 2011 (Tyler Smith (204) at Fordham, 21-0)

Had a 60+ yard run Sept. 3, 2022 (Rushawn Baker (69) vs. Towson, 13-14)

Had a 70+ yard run Nov. 4, 2017 (Chad Freshnock (85) vs. Lehigh, 21-42)

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 Oct. 1, 2022 (Ethan Grady (20) vs. Lafayette, 14-24)

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 Nov. 6, 2021 (Ryan Schatzel (45) vs. Lehigh, 6-38) Made a 50-yard field goal Oct. 3, 1981 (Al Yuknus (52) vs. Davidson, 23-3)

Had three field goals in a game Nov. 18, 2017 (John Burdick at Fordham, 9-20) Had four field goals in a game Oct. 14, 2017 (John Burdick at Cornell, 26-18)

Home 0-2

Away 0-3

Patriot League 0-2

Ranked Opponent 0-1

Leading after one quarter 0-0

Trailing after one quarter 0-2

Tied after one quarter 0-3

Leading at halftime 0-0

Trailing at halftime 0-4

Tied at halftime 0-1

Leading after three quarters 0-0

Trailing after three quarters 0-5

Tied after three quarters 0-0

Games decided in overtime 0-1

Bison score first 0-0

Opponent scores first 0-5

Bison lead in time of possession 0-1

Opponent leads in time of possession 0-4

Bison run more plays 0-1

Opponent runs more plays 0-4

Bison run at least 65 plays 0-3

Bison run fewer than 65 plays 0-2

Bison outgain opponent 0-1

Opponent outgains Bison 0-4

Bison rush for 200+ yards 0-0

Opponent rushes for 200+ yards 0-2

Bison pass for 200+ yards 0-0

Opponent passes for 200+ yards 0-2

Bison have 400+ total yards 0-0

Opponent has 400+ total yards 0-2

Bison win turnover battle 0-2

Opponent wins turnover battle 0-2

Bison force at least two turnovers 0-2

Opponent forces at least two turnovers 0-4

Bison commit no turnovers 0-1

Opponent commits no turnover 0-0

Game is decided by more than 10 points 0-2

Game is decided by 10 or fewer points 0-3

Bison score 25 or more points 0-0

Opponent scores 25 or more points 0-2

Bison held under 25 points 0-5

Opponent held under 25 points 0-3

Day games 0-4

Night games 0-1

Games following a win 0-0

Games following a loss 0-4

Playing on grass 0-1

Playing on Astroturf 0-0

Playing on Fieldturf 0-4

FCS

Passed for a two-point conversion

Oct. 10, 1964 (Mike Seigfried vs. Ohio Wesleyan in Newark, Del., 72-0)

Oct. 1, 2022 (Ethan Grady to Coleman Bennett vs. Lafayette, 14-24) 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

Had 10+ punts Oct. 19, 2019 (Alex Pechin (11) at Towson, 7-56)

Had a 70+ yard punt Nov. 23, 2019 (Alex Pechin (70) at Fordham, 14-31) Had an 80+ yard punt Sept. 22, 1984 (Mike Morrow (80) at Northeastern, 33-34)

Returned a punt for a touchdown Aug. 30, 2014 (Josh Brake (62) vs. VMI, 42-38)

Returned a kickoff for a touchdown Oct. 3, 2015 (Joey DeFloria (85) at VMI, 28-22 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 Nov. 20, 2021 (Blake Leake (16) vs. Holy Cross, 6-45)

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 Oct. 28, 2017 (Abdullah Anderson & Joe Lauro at Colgate, 3-40)

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: Tony Reno

Record at Yale: 55-39 (10th season)

Career Record: 55-39 (10th season)

Conference: Ivy League Stadium: Yale Bowl Capacity: 61,446

Surface: Turf

2021 Record: 5-5

Conference Record: 4-3 (5th, Ivy League)

GENERAL INFORMATION

Location: New Haven, Conn.

Founded: 1701

Enrollment: 35,306

Nickname: Bulldogs

Colors: Blue & White

President: Peter Salovey

Athletic Director: Victoria M. Chun Website: YaleBulldogs.com

Series record 1-3

Last 10 meetings

1-3

First meeting Yale 36, Bucknell 5 (Nov. 8,1902)

Last meeting Bucknell 25, Yale 24 (Oct. 11, 1997)

Record at home 0-0

Record on road 1-3

Record at neutral site 0-0

Streak Bucknell won one Last meeting in Lewisburg N/A

N/A

Last Bison win Oct. 11, 1997 in New Haven, Conn. Bucknell 25, Yale 24

Last Bulldogs win................ Oct. 12, 1996 in New Haven, Conn. Yale 23, Bucknell 21

BUCKNELL

0-5

TALE OF THE TAPE

YALE

Overall Record 3-1

League Record 2-0 IVY 227.6 (121st)

0-2 PL

Total Offense 420.2 (25th) 83.8 (114th)

Rushing Offense 247.0 (5th) 143.8 (109th)

Passing Offense 173.2 (91st) 84.12 (121st)

Passing Efficiency 133.38 (49th) 8.2 (122nd)

Scoring Offense 27.5 (48th) .545 (119th)

Red Zone Offense .800 (54th) 227.6 (121st)

Total Defense 359.5 (45th) 214.8 (107th)

Rushing Defense 134.5 (46th) 186.8 (21st)

Passing Defense 225.0 (65th) 32.0 (83rd)

Scoring Defense 24.8 (41st)

Red Zone Defense .769 (39th) 36.35 (58th)

.810 (67th)

Net Punting 34.09 (83rd) 4.25 (90th)

Punt Returns 22.50 (6th) 16.35 (102nd)

-0.40 (82nd)

Kickoff Returns 16.60 (100th)

Turnover Margin -0.25 (77th)

1.60 (79th)

Time of Possession 31:32 (33rd)

Team Sacks 3.75 (9th) 27:26 (101st)

Ethan Grady (507 yards)

Leading Passer Nolan Grooms (566 yards) Rushawn Baker (232 yards) Leading Rusher Tre Peterson (356 yards) Damian Harris (129 yards)

Leading Receiver David Pantelis (255 yards) Brent Jackson (50 tackles) Leading Tackler Hamilton Moore (30 tackes)

FCS rank in parenthesis Top-30 marks in bold

BEN ALLEN (30)

LB | SR | 6-1 | 220

Tackles: 11 vs. Penn (9/18/21)

Tackles for Loss: 2 at Fordham (10/16/21)

Sacks: 1, 3 times (last vs. Holy Cross, 11/20/21)

Pass Breakups: 1 vs. Penn (9/18/21)

Forced Fumbles: 2 at Fordham (10/16/21)

Fumble Recoveries: 1 vs. Georgetown (10/23/21), vs. Cornell (10/2/21)

TYLER ALSTON (42)

LB | JR | 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)

DERRICK ANDERSON JR. (25)

WR | FR | 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 | JR | 6-2 | 215

Punt Average: 43.7 vs. Towson (9/3/22)

Long Punt: 58 vs. Towson (9/3/22)

Punt Attempts: 9 at Fordham (10/16/21)

Punts of 50+ Yards: 3 vs. Towson (9/3/22)

Punts Inside the 20: 3, 3 times (last at VMI, 9/10/22)

Kickoff Attempts: 1 vs. Holy Cross (4/17/21)

Kickoff Average: 52.0 vs. Holy Cross (4/17/21)

OKEYO AYUNGO (29)

WR | FR | 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 | SO | 5-11 | 225

Rushing Attempts: 15 vs. Lafayette (10/1/22), vs. Towson (9/3/22)

Rushing Yards: 95 vs. Towson (9/3/22)

Long Rush: 69 vs. Towson (9/3/22)

Rushing TDs: 1 vs. Lafayette (10/1/22), at Fordham (10/16/21)

Receptions: 4 at VMI (9/10/22)

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: 95 vs. Towson (9/3/22)

ADAM BARAKAT (85)

TE | JR | 6-3 | 220

Receptions: 4 at Army West Point (11/13/21)

Receiving Yards: 44 at Army West Point (11/13/21)

Long Reception: 14 vs. Holy Cross (11/20/21), at Army West Point (11/13/21)

JACK BARNES (52)

DL | SO | 6-2 | 220

Tackles: 7 at Villanova (9/11/21)

Tackles for Loss: 0.5 at Villanova (9/11/21)

Forced Fumbles: 1 vs. Lafayette (10/1/22)

Blocked Punts: 1 vs. Holy Cross (11/20/21)

COLEMAN BENNETT (3)

RB/WR | JR | 5-11 | 185

Rushing Attempts: 15 at Lafayette (10/9/21)

Rushing Yards: 60 vs. Towson (9/3/22)

Long Rush: 23 vs. Fordham (4/10/21)

Rushing TDs: 1 vs. Lafayette (10/1/22), vs. Fordham (4/10/21)

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: 76 vs. Fordham (4/10/21)

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: 186 vs. Fordham (4/10/21)

TYLER BEVERETT (18)

QB | JR | 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 | JR | 5-11 | 215

Tackles: 1 at Villanova (9/11/21)

MIKE BRIGHT JR. (44)

DL | JR | 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 vs. Georgetown (10/23/21)

ALEX BROWN (8)

QB | FR | 6-3 | 195

Rushing Attempts: 2 at Holy Cross (10/8/22) Rushing Yards: 19 at Holy Cross (10/8/22) Long Rush: 14 at Holy Cross (10/8/22)

CONNOR CARRETTA (57)

DL | JR | 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)

DL | JR | 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)

AIDAN DAVENPORT (93)

LS | JR | 6-3 | 210

Tackles: 1 at Central Michigan (9/17/22)

SAM DELUCA (42)

LB | FR | 6-2 | 210

Tackles: 1 vs. Towson (9/3/22)

MARK DUNCKLE (55)

DL | JR | 5-9 | 220

Tackles: 1 at Army West Point (11/13/21)

JUSTIN FISHER (99)

DL | SO | 6-6 | 235

Tackles: 9 at Sacred Heart (9/4/21)

KYLE FONTES (87)

TE | SO | 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 | FR | 6-2 | 190

Tackles: 2 at Central Michigan (9/17/22), at VMI (9/10/22)

JOSH GARY (24)

WR | FR | 5-11 | 190

Receptions: 3 vs. Lafayette (10/1/22)

Receiving Yards: 41 vs. Lafayette (10/1/22)

Long Reception: 22 vs. Lafayette (10/1/22)

CALEB GILLEN (16)

DB | JR | 5-11 | 185

Fumble Recoveries: 1 vs. Lafayette (10/1/22)

ETHAN GRADY (12)

QB | SO | 6-2 | 215

Passing Attempts: 40 vs. Lafayette (10/1/22)

Passing Completions: 20 vs. Lafayette (10/1/22)

Passing Yards: 199 vs. Lafayette (10/1/22)

Long Pass: 43 vs. Towson (9/3/22)

Passing TDs: 3 vs. Georgetown (10/23/21)

Rushing Attempts: 4 at Central Michigan (9/17/22)

COLBY GRAMES (88)

TE | JR | 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 (19)

QB | SO | 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 | JR | 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 at Villanova (9/11/21)

Receiving Yards: 48 vs. Towson (9/3/22), vs. Penn (9/18/21)

Long Reception: 48 vs. Penn (9/18/21)

Punt Return Yards: 6 vs. Towson (9/3/22)

Kickoff Return Yards: 22 at VMI (9/10/22)

CONNOR HOLMES (9)

WR | SR | 5-10 | 170

Receptions: 8 vs. Princeton (9/28/19)

Receiving Yards: 88 vs. Princeton (9/28/19)

Long Reception: 21 vs. Princeton (9/28/19)

Receiving TDs: 1 vs. Princeton (9/28/19)

BRENT JACKSON (31)

S | SR | 6-2 | 205

Tackles: 12 at Central Michigan (9/17/22), vs. Towson (9/3/22)

Tackles for Loss: 1, 5 times (last at VMI, 9/10/22)

Sacks: 1 vs. Georgetown (11/16/19), vs. Lehigh (11/9/19)

Pass Breakups: 2 at Central Michigan (9/17/22)

Forced Fumbles: 1 at Fordham (10/16/21)

Fumble Recoveries: 1 at Fordham (10/16/21), vs. Holy Cross (4/17/21)

BRAD JAMISON (33)

LB | SO | 6-2 | 220

Tackles: 6 at Colgate (10/30/21)

Tackles for Loss: 0.5 at Villanova (9/11/21)

COOPER KIM (53)

LB | SR | 6-1 | 230

Tackles: 7 at Army West Point (11/13/21)

Tackles for Loss: 1 at Holy Cross (10/8/22), at Temple (8/31/19)

CHARLIE KREINBUCHER (34)

TE | FR | 6-5 | 230

Receptions: 1, 3 times (last at Holy Cross, 10/8/22)

Receiving Yards: 19 at VMI (9/10/22)

Long Reception: 19 at VMI (9/10/22)

GRANT LAWS (95)

DL | SO | 6-3 | 280

Tackles: 1 at VMI (9/10/22)

Tackles for Loss: 0.5 at VMI (9/10/22)

BLAKE LEAKE (34)

LB | JR | 6-1 | 215

Tackles: 16 vs. Holy Cross (11/20/21)

Tackles for Loss: 1.5 vs. Towson (9/3/22)

Sacks: 1 vs. Holy Cross (11/20/21)

Pass Breakups: 1, 4 times (last at Holy Cross, 10/8/22)

Interceptions: 1 vs. Lafayette (3/27/21)

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)

S | JR | 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)

MATT McCREIGHT (13)

WR | SR | 6-3 | 190

Receptions: 4 vs. Cornell (10/2/21)

Receiving Yards: 31 vs. Cornell (10/2/21)

Long Reception: 15 vs. Cornell (10/2/21)

DANNY MEUSER (4)

RB | SO | 6-0 | 200

Rushing Attempts: 21 vs. Penn (9/18/21)

Rushing Yards: 90 vs. Penn (9/18/21)

Long Rush: 29 at Holy Cross (10/8/22)

Rushing TDs: 1 at Fordham (10/16/21), vs. Penn (9/18/21)

Receptions: 2 vs. Penn (9/18/21)vs. Fordham (4/10/21)

Receiving Yards: 12 vs. Fordham (4/10/21)

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)

MASON MUIR (83)

WR | SO | 6-5 | 195

Receptions: 5 vs. Holy Cross (11/20/21)

Receiving Yards: 50 vs. Holy Cross (11/20/21)

Long Reception: 26 at Colgate (10/30/21)

Receiving TDs: 1 vs. Holy Cross (11/20/21), at Colgate (10/30/21)

JUSTIN MURRAY (36)

S | SR | 6-1 | 225

Tackles: 1 at Central Michigan (9/17/22)

MIKEY NEAL (22)

RB | SR | 5-6 | 170

Rushing Attempts: 3 at Villanova (9/11/21)

Rushing Yards: 15 at Holy Cross (10/8/22)

Long Rush: 11 at Holy Cross (10/8/22)

PAUL NEEL (35)

RB | SO | 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 vs. Penn (9/18/21), at Villanova (9/11/21)

Receiving Yards: 6 vs. Penn (9/18/21)

Long Reception: 6 vs. Penn (9/18/21)

JEFF ODONGO (8)

S | JR | 6-2 | 190

Tackles: 2 at Villanova (9/11/21)

WILL OHLER (51)

DL | SO | 6-3 | 235

Tackles: 6 at Lafayette (10/9/21), at VMI (9/10/22)

Tackles for Loss: 1 vs. Towson (9/3/22), vs. Cornell (10/2/21)

Pass Breakups: 1 at Lafayette (10/9/21)

Forced Fumbles: 1 vs. Towson (9/3/22)

MARQUES OWENS (1)

WR | SO | 5-10 | 170

Receptions: 4 vs. Lehigh (11/6/21)

Receiving Yards: 69 at Colgate (10/30/21)

Long Reception: 38 at Colgate (10/30/21)

Kickoff Returns: 7 vs. Holy Cross (11/20/21)

Kickoff Return Yards: 111 vs. Holy Cross (11/20/21)

Long Kickoff Return: 21 vs. Holy Cross (11/20/21)

All-Purpose Yards: 128 vs. Holy Cross (11/20/21)

ROMAN PEARSON (14)

CB | FR | 6-2 | 180

Tackles: 1 at Holy Cross (10/8/22)

GAVIN PRINGLE (17)

CB/S | SR | 5-11 | 175

Tackles: 9, 3 times (last vs. Fordham, 4/10/21)

Tackles for Loss: 1.5 vs. Cornell (10/2/21)

Pass Breakups: 4 at VMI (9/10/22)

Interceptions: 1, 3 times, last at VMI (9/10/22)

Interception Return Yards: 36 at Temple (8/31/19)

Long Interception Return: 36 at Temple (8/31/19)

Interception Return TDs: 1 at Temple (8/31/19)

Forced Fumbles: 1 vs. Georgetown (11/16/19)

Fumble Recoveries: 1 vs. Georgetown (11/16/19)

Fumble Return Yards: 55 vs. Georgetown (11/16/19)

Long Fumble Return: 55 vs. Georgetown (11/16/19)

Fumble Return TDs: 1 vs. Georgetown (11/16/19)

Kickoff Returns: 2 at Holy Cross (10/8/22)

Kickoff Return Yards: 31 at Holy Cross (10/8/22)

Long Kickoff Return: 18 vs. Villanova (9/14/19)

Punt Returns: 4 vs. Lafayette (10/1/22)

Punt Return Yards: 27 vs. Lafayette (10/1/22)

Long Punt Return: 16 vs. Lafayette (10/1/22)

SEAN QUARTERMAN (59)

OL/DL | JR | 6-3 | 260

Tackles: 2 at Army West Point (11/13/21)

PATRICK QUINLIVIAN (96)

DL | SO | 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: at VMI (9/10/22)

ETHAN ROBINSON (26)

CB | SO | 6-0 | 175

Tackles: 15 at Fordham (10/16/21)

Tackles for Loss: 0.5 vs. Towson (9/3/22)

Pass Breakups: 3 vs. Georgetown (10/23/21)

Interceptions: 1 vs. Towson (9/3/22), vs. Cornell (10/2/21)

Forced Fumbles: 1 at Fordham (10/16/21), vs. Cornell (10/2/21)

CADE ROONEY (15)

DE | SO | 6-3 | 250

Tackles: 6 vs. Holy Cross (11/20/21)

RAY RUSSELL (27)

CB | SO | 6-1 | 185

Tackles: 1, 2 times (last at Holy Cross, 10/8/22)

RYAN SCHATZEL (10)

P/K | JR | 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, 3 times (last vs. Georgetown, 10/23/21)

Kickoff Average: 65.0 vs. Towson (9/3/22)

JOHN SCHLENDORF (45)

S | SO | 5-10 | 180

Tackles: 14 vs. Holy Cross (11/20/21)

Sacks: 1 vs. Towson (9/3/22)

Tackles for Loss: 1 at Central Michigan (9/17/22), vs. Towson (9/3/22)

Pass Breakups: 2 at VMI (9/10/22)

Fumble Recoveries: 1 at Army West Point (11/13/21)

JONATHAN SEARCY (21)

S | SR | 6-2 | 190

Tackles: 10 at Colgate (10/30/21)

Tackles for Loss: 1.5 at Fordham (10/16/21)

Sacks: 1 at Fordham (10/16/21), at Lafayette (10/9/21)

Pass Breakups: 1 vs. Cornell (10/2/21)

Interceptions: 1 vs. Cornell (10/2/21)

Interception Return Yards: 11 vs. Cornell (10/2/21)

Long Interception Return: 11 vs. Cornell (10/2/21)

Forced Fumbles: 1 vs. Cornell (10/2/21)

NICK SEMPTIMPHELTER (14)

QB | JR | 6-1 | 190

Passing Attempts: 24 at Fordham (10/16/21)

Pass Completions: 14 at Lafayette (10/9/21)

Passing Yards: 100 at Fordham (10/16/21)

Long Pass: 48 vs. Penn (9/18/21)

Passing TDs: 2 at VMI (9/10/22)

Rushing Attempts: 9 at Holy Cross (10/8/22)

Rushing Yards: 3 at Lafayette (10/9/21)

Long Rush: 10 at Holy Cross (10/8/22)

Rushing TDs: 1 vs. Cornell (10/2/21)

DANIEL SIERK (92)

DL | FR | 6-5 | 250

Tackles: 1 at Central Michigan (9/17/22)

CHRIS SIMS (28)

CB | SO | 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 | SO | 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 at Central Michigan (9/17/22)

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 | SO | 6-6 | 215

Receptions: 5 at Army West Point (11/13/21)

Receiving Yards: 30 at Army West Point (11/13/21)

Long Reception: 9 vs. Lehigh (11/6/21)

Receiving TDs: 2 vs. Towson (9/3/22)

CHRISTIAN TAIT (5)

WR | JR | 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 | SO | 6-2 | 185

Tackles: 4 vs. Cornell (10/2/21)

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 | SO | 6-2 | 265

Tackles: 6 vs. Lafayette (10/1/22)

Tackles for a Loss: 1 vs. Georgetown (10/23/21)

Sacks: 0.5 vs. Lafayette (10/1/22)

Forced Fumbles: 1 at Fordham (10/16/21)

Fumble Recoveries: 2 at Fordham (10/16/21)

TEAM STATISTICS

TOWSON BUCKNELL

FIRST DOWNS 27 14

Rushing 14 5 Passing 12 7 Penalty 1 2

NET YARDS RUSHING 158 149

Rushing Attempts 51 30

Average Per Rush 3.1 5.0

Rushing Touchdowns 2 0 Yards Gained Rushing 198 164 Yards Lost Rushing 40 15

NET YARDS PASSING 225 158

Completions-Attempts-Int 25-43-1 12-31-0 Average Per Attempt 5.2 5.1 Average Per Completion 9.0 13.2 Passing Touchdowns 0 2

TOTAL OFFENSE YARDS 383 307

Total offense plays 94 61

Average Gain Per Play 4.1 5.0

Fumbles: Number-Lost 1-0 1-0

Penalties: Number-Yards 6-60 4-35

PUNTS-YARDS 5-194 6-262

Average Yards Per Punt 38.8 43.7

Net Yards Per Punt 36.8 46.3

Inside 20 3 3

50+ Yards 0 3

Touchbacks 0 0 Fair catch 0 1

KICKOFF-YARDS 2-125 2-130

Average Yards Per Kickoff 62.5 65.0

Net Yards Per Kickoff 32.5 39 Touchbacks 0 0 Fair Catch Yards 0 0

Punt returns: Number-Yards-TD 2--1-0 2-10-0

Average Per Return -0.5 5.0

Kickoff returns: Number-Yds-TD 2-52-0 2-60-0

Average Per Return 26.0 30.0

Interceptions: Number-Yds-TD 0-0-0 1-0-0

Fumble Returns: Number-Yds-TD 0-0-0 0-0-0

Miscellaneous Yards -7 0

Possession Time 38:35 21:25

1st Quarter 11:24 03:36

2nd Quarter 10:14 04:46

3rd Quarter 07:24 07:36

4th Quarter 09:33 05:27

Third-Down Conversions 10-20 4-14

Fourth-Down Conversions 1-3 0-2

Red-Zone Scores-Chances 2-5 2-2

Touchdowns 2-5 2-2

Field goals 0-5 0-2

Sacks By: Number-Yards 0-0 3-20

PAT Kicks 2-2 1-2

2Pts Conversions 0-0 0-0

Field Goals 0-2 0-2

Points off Turnover 0 0

GAME NOTES

• Towson scored a touchdown on its first possession of overtime, and Bucknell followed with a touchdown on its first possession, but the Bison missed the PAT to end the game.

• Both teams went scoreless until just over two minutes remained in the third quarter, when Bucknell and Towson swapped touchdowns in quick succession.

• Bucknell QB Eathan Grady hooked up with TE Christian Spugnardi for two touchdown passes.

• A 1-yard TD pass from Grady to Spugnardi, set up by a 69-yard run by Rushawn Baker down to the one, drew the Bison even 39 seconds into the fourth quarter.

• Towson converted a big 4th-and-8 on the first possession of overtime and then cashed in on a Devin Matthews touchdown to take a 14-7 lead.

• Bucknell RBs Baker and Coleman Bennett combined to get the Bison to the 4-yard line, and on 3rd-and-goal Grady dropped a pass over a defender to Spugnardi in the end zone in OT.

• Bucknell played turn over-free. while CB Ethan Robinson picked off a Towson pass.

Football Drops Overtime Heartbreaker to Towson, 14-13 in Season Opener

Ethan Grady hooked up with tight end Christian Spugnardi for the duo’s second touchdown of the night, pulling Bucknell within one point on the second possession of overtime, but the extra point was off the mark and Towson escaped with a 14-13 victory on Saturday night before a spirited crowd at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium.

The 2022 season opener for both teams was a defensive struggle throughout. The game re mained scoreless until just over two minutes remained in the third quarter, when Bison and Tigers swapped touchdowns in quick succession. A 1-yard TD pass from Grady to Spugnardi, set up by a 69yard run by Rushawn Baker down to the one, drew the Bison even 39 seconds into the fourth quarter.

Towson converted a big 4th-and-8 on the first possession of overtime and then cashed in on a Devin Matthews touchdown to take a 14-7 lead. Running backs Baker and Coleman Bennett com bined to get the Bison to the 4-yard line, and on 3rd-and-goal Grady dropped a pass over a defender to Spugnardi in the end zone.

Bucknell ran for 149 yards on the night, with Baker gaining 95 yards on 15 carries and Bennett 60 yards on 14 totes. Grady completed 12 of 31 passes for 158 yards and two touchdowns. The Bison did not turn the ball over.

Brent Jackson and Blake Leake made 12 tackles and Ethan Robinson picked off a pass to lead a stout defensive effort.

Bucknell’s defense forced Towson to punt on five of its 13 drives in the game and made two crucial fourth down stops.

Getting the Bucknell offense going in the first quarter, Grady connected with Damian Harris on a 43-yard flea flicker that set the Bison up at the Towson 29-yard line for Bucknell’s longest play of the first half. The second drive of the game stalled, however, and Bucknell failed to convert on fourth down.

Grady’s second-longest pass of the night was a 38-yard heave to Bennett down the sideline in the third quarter, and Bennett followed it up with a 12-yard scamper that took Bucknell to the Towson 31-yard line. Still, the game remained scoreless after a narrowly missed 45-yard field goal attempt.

Towson broke the tie following a seven-play, 72-yard drive as Matthews rushed five yards up the middle for a touchdown with 2:07 to go in the third.

On Bucknell’s next possession, Baker set up the tying touchdown by breaking a tackle and bounc ing it outside for the 69-yard rush, which was the longest play by either team throughout the night.

Towson threatened again on its next possession, driving 48 yards on 13 plays to the Bucknell 20-yard line, but Aneesh Vyas blocked a Tigers field goal attempt to preserve the 7-7 tie. Bucknell saw two more drives in the fourth quarter that each ended with punts.

Bucknell, which hadn’t played an overtime game since 2017, elected to give Towson the first of fensive series. The Tigers suffered a false start on 3rd-and-three, and after an incompletion faced the 4th-and-long. Tyrell Pigrome converted a 15-yard pass to set up the go-ahead 3-yard rush.

Baker ran for 11 yards in Bucknell’s overtime drive to put the Bison in position for the second Spugnardi touchdown. It was the sophomore’s third career TD reception.

Bucknell finished the game with three sacks for 20 yards, including 1.5 for Tyler Alston. Mean while, Robinson and Alex Smith Jr. combined for four of the team’s seven pass breakups.

SCORING SUMMARY

TEAM LEADERS

BUCKNELL

TOWSON

Rushing Att Yds

Pigrome

Smith

Passing

Avg

Receiving

Tackles

TEAM STATISTICS

BUCKNELL VMI

FIRST DOWNS 10 18

Rushing 2 8 Passing 6 8 Penalty 2 2

NET YARDS RUSHING 34 178

Rushing Attempts 30 42 Average Per Rush 1.1 4.2 Rushing Touchdowns 0 2 Yards Gained Rushing 60 195 Yards Lost Rushing 26 17

NET YARDS PASSING 149 148

Completions-Attempts-Int 19-38-2 15-28-1 Average Per Attempt 3.9 5.3 Average Per Completion 7.8 9.9 Passing Touchdowns 2 1

TOTAL OFFENSE YARDS 183 326

Total offense plays 68 70

Average Gain Per Play 2.7 4.7

Fumbles: Number-Lost 1-0 3-2

Penalties: Number-Yards 3-24 8-65

PUNTS-YARDS 7-284 6-219

Average Yards Per Punt 40.6 36.5 Net Yards Per Punt 39.1 33.7

Inside 20 3 0

50+ Yards 1 1 Touchbacks 0 1 Fair catch 4 1

KICKOFF-YARDS 3-166 5-288

Average Yards Per Kickoff 55.3 57.6

Net Yards Per Kickoff 34.3 41.6 Touchbacks 0 1 Fair Catch Yards 0 0

Punt returns: Number-Yards-TD 2-3-0 2-10-0

Average Per Return -1.5 5.0

Kickoff returns: Number-Yds-TD 4-55-0 2-36-0

Average Per Return 13.8 18.0

Interceptions: Number-Yds-TD 1-17-0 2-7-0

Fumble Returns: Number-Yds-TD 0-0-0 0-0-0

Miscellaneous Yards 0 0

Possession Time 29:39 30:21

1st Quarter 06:34 08:26

2nd Quarter 08:16 06:44

3rd Quarter 08:40 06:20

4th Quarter 06:09 08:51

Third-Down Conversions 5-18 6-16

Fourth-Down Conversions 0-4 1-2

Red-Zone Scores-Chances 2-2 2-2

Touchdowns 2-2 2-2

Field goals 0-2 0-2

Sacks By: Number-Yards 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

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 consec utive week by recovering two VMI fumbles as well as a Gavin Pringle intercep tion.

• The Bison saw a number of chunk plays on offense, including a 34-yard recep tion by Okeyo Ayungo, a 21-yard reception by Damian Harris, a 19-yard completion to Charlie Krein bucher, and a 15-yard run by Rushawn Baker.

• The Keydets led 326 to 183 in total yards, racking up 195 on the ground.

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.

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

TEAM LEADERS

BUCKNELL

TOWSON

Rushing

Passing

Football Drops Road Game at FBS Opponent Central Michigan

The Bucknell defense limited Central Michigan to just seven points and grabbed an interception in a stout defensive effort over the first two quarters, but the Chippewas got hot in the second half and rattled off touchdowns on five consecutive drives to secure a 41-0 victory at Kelly/Shorts Stadium on Saturday.

After Central Michigan punted, threw an interception and missed two field goals on its first four drives, the Chippewas broke the scoreless tie with 4:37 to play in the second quarter on a 10-yard touchdown pass from Daniel Richardson to Joel Wilson. It was the first of two passing TDs for the sophomore.

Bucknell’s best scoring chance was on a 10-play, 42-yard drive in the second quarter that ended up at the Central Michigan 28, but the Bison’s field goal attempt went wide. It was one of four missed field goals in the game, with the Chippewas missing the mark on three of them.

Central Michigan’s leading rusher, Lew Nichols III, cashed in on two rushing touchdowns in the third quarter, and quarterback Jase Bauer ran for two more in the fourth.

Ethan Grady, who started the game at quarterback for the Bison, finished 11 of 24 with 96 yards through the air and an interception. Tyler Beverett played most of the second half and went 6 for 12 for 57 yards. Christian Tait hauled in four receptions for 35 yards. Meanwhile, Rushawn Baker ran for a team-high 31 yards on eight attempts.

Safety Brent Jackson matched his career high with 12 tackles and two pass breakups. Alex Smith Jr. had the Bison interception, and Gavin Pringle posted three pass breakups and five tackles.

Bucknell saw several extended drives that ended in Central Michigan territory over the first half. The offense crossed midfield on its second possession of the game thanks to a 13-yard completion to Okeyo Ayungo, a seven-yard pass to Damian Harris and 11 yards on the ground by Coleman Bennett. The drive stalled at the CMU 47 and the Bison punted it away.

Bucknell’s next drive began with an 18-yard run by Beverett. Beverett later hit Josh Gary on an 18-yard completion down to the 19-yard line, but a fumbled snap backed the offense up to the 28, resulting in the 48-yard field goal attempt.

TEAM STATISTICS

BUCKNELL CMU

FIRST DOWNS 12 29

Rushing 2 15 Passing 9 13 Penalty 1 1

NET YARDS RUSHING 21 287

Rushing Attempts 30 45

Average Per Rush 0.7 6.4 Rushing Touchdowns 0 4 Yards Gained Rushing 83 291 Yards Lost Rushing 62 4

NET YARDS PASSING 153 242

Completions-Attempts-Int 17-36-1 16-33-1 Average Per Attempt 4.2 7.3 Average Per Completion 9.0 15.1 Passing Touchdowns 0 2

TOTAL OFFENSE YARDS 174 529

Total offense plays 66 78

Average Gain Per Play 2.6 6.8

Fumbles: Number-Lost 4-1 1-1

Penalties: Number-Yards 3-24 3-35

PUNTS-YARDS 9-351 2-92

Average Yards Per Punt 39.0 46.0

Net Yards Per Punt 32.9 36

Inside 20 1 1

50+ Yards 1 1 Touchbacks 1 1 Fair catch 2 1

KICKOFF-YARDS 1-59 7-426

Average Yards Per Kickoff 59.0 60.9 Net Yards Per Kickoff 18 39 Touchbacks 0 4 Fair Catch Yards 0 0

Punt returns: Number-Yards-TD 0-0-0 3-24-0

Average Per Return 0.0 8.0

Kickoff returns: Number-Yds-TD 2-38-0 1-41-0

Average Per Return 19.0 41.0

Interceptions: Number-Yds-TD 1-0-0 1-18-0

Fumble Returns: Number-Yds-TD 0-0-0 0-0-0

Miscellaneous Yards 0 0

Possession Time 31:30 28:30

1st Quarter 09:23 05:37

2nd Quarter 06:56 08:04

3rd Quarter 07:53 07:07

4th Quarter 07:18 07:42

Third-Down Conversions 2-16 6-13

Fourth-Down Conversions 0-1 2-2

Red-Zone Scores-Chances 0-1 5-5

Touchdowns 0-1 5-5

Field goals 0-1 0-5

Sacks By: Number-Yards 0-0 3-16

PAT Kicks 0-0 5-6

2Pts Conversions 0-0 0-0

Field Goals 0-1 0-3

Points off Turnover 0

GAME NOTES

• The Bucknell defense limited Central Michigan to seven points in the first half and came away with two turnovers in the game, but the Chippewas ran away with 34 points in the second half to hand Bucknell its third loss of the season.

• Bucknell QB Ethan Grady went down in the third quarter and replaced by Tyler Beverett, who completed six passes for 57 yards. Grady finished the day with 96 yards on 11 completions.

• Bucknell struggled to run the ball, ending up with 21 net yards after being sacked three times for -16 yards and fumbling four times, losing one.

• Alex Smith Jr. grabbed his first career interception in the game, while Gavin Pringle stood out with three pass breakups. Also on the defensive side, Brent Jackson matched a career high with 12 tackles.

• The game saw a total of five missed kicks, including three field goals and a PAT by the Chippewas.

• CMU’s Daniel Richardson tossed two TDs, while Lew Nichols and Jase Bauer combined for four TDs on the ground.

Central Michigan’s first scoring drive went 80 yards and took 12 plays as well as two fourth-down conversions. Richardson’s pass initially bounced off one reciever’s hands and into another’s in the end zone.

The Bison piled up 103 yards to Central Michigan’s 177 over the first two quarters and posted nine first downs to CMU’s 12.

Central Michigan missed a field goal and punted on its first two possessions of the second half, but the Chippewas got right back into scoring position when a blocked punt set their offense up and Buck nell’s 25-yard line. It look Nichols just two rushes to get in the end zone and extend the lead to 13-0.

The Chippewas then scored on a six-play, 43-yard drive, a seven-play, 71-yard drive, a five-play, 72-yard drive and an eight-play, 67-yard drive on consecutive possessions. Sandwiched between the four rushing TDs by Nichols III and Bauer, Richardson connected with Langston Lewis for a 45-yard heave deep down the middle of the field.

The Bison nearly got on the board in the fourth quarter when Baker broke free down the sideline for a 14-yard gain, but he narrowly stepped out of bounds at the Central Michigan 35-yard line. Buck nell later turned it over on downs.

SCORING SUMMARY

Team

CMU

CMU

CMU

CMU

CMU

TEAM LEADERS

BUCKNELL

Tackles

Total

CENTRAL MICHIGAN

Rushing Att Yds TD Lg Avg

Nichols 30 166 2 31 5.5

Lukes

Bauer

0 30 15.7

7.8

Passing C-A-I Yds TD Lg Sack

Yds

Richardson 15-32-1

2 45 0 Bauer

Receiving

0

Tackles

Football Falls 24-14 at Home to Lafayette

Rushawn Baker barreled two yards into the end zone to give Bucknell a 6-3 lead late in the second quarter of Saturday’s Homecoming game against Lafayette, but the Leopards went on to score 21 unanswered. Coleman Bennett added another Bison touchdown and a two-point conversion late, but it wasn’t enough as the Leopards held on for a 24-14 victory at a rain-soaked Christy Mathewson-Me morial Stadium.

Lafayette quarterback Rent Montie ran for touchdowns in the second and third quarters, including one of 42 yards 3:11 into the second half. Lafayette put the lead just out of reach when defensive back A.T. Ntantang returned an interception 80 yards with 8:01 to play in the game to make the score 24-6. Bucknell quarterback Ethan Grady completed 20 of 40 attempts for 199 yards and three intercep tions. Baker finished with 71 yards rushing on 15 attempts. Marques Owens hauled in three catches for 44 yards, and Josh Gary caught three for 41 yards.

Bucknell piled up 307 yards for the game compared to 257 for the Leopards.

Bucknell saw several opportunities to score points in the first quarter, including on the opening kickoff of the game when Bennett ran it back 97 yards to the end zone, but a holding penalty wiped it off the board and pushed the Bison all the way back to their own 10-yard line. After forcing a Lafayette punt, Bucknell drove 45 yards on eight plays down to the five, but again it couldn’t capitalize and turned it over on downs.

The Leopards opened the scoring on their second possession, moving the ball 88 yards on 13 plays and settling for a 24-yard field goal to make it 3-0 at the 13:42 mark in the second quarter. La fayette had a chance to add on another field goal on its following drive, but the attempt hi the upright from 21 yards out.

The Bison caught a break when they punted the ball away from their own 27-yard line with 4:12 to go in the half and Lafayette’s returner dropped it, allowing Caleb Gillen to recover it at the Leopards’ 20. Bucknell took advantage, as Bennett hauled in a one-handed catch for 14 yards, and two plays later Baker turned in his second touchdown of the season. The extra point attempt was missed, how ever, and the Bison settled for a 6-3 lead.

TEAM STATISTICS

LAFAYETTE BUCKNELL

FIRST DOWNS 14 18

Rushing 7 8 Passing 7 10 Penalty 0 0

NET YARDS RUSHING 137 108

Rushing Attempts 43 27

Average Per Rush 3.2 4.0 Rushing Touchdowns 2 2 Yards Gained Rushing 173 126 Yards Lost Rushing 36 18

NET YARDS PASSING 122 199

Completions-Attempts-Int 16-21-0 20-40-3 Average Per Attempt 5.8 5.0 Average Per Completion 7.6 10.0 Passing Touchdowns 0 0

TOTAL OFFENSE YARDS 259 307

Total offense plays 64 67

Average Gain Per Play 4.0 4.6

Fumbles: Number-Lost 2-1 0-0

Penalties: Number-Yards 4-30 4-35

PUNTS-YARDS 5-183 4-166

Average Yards Per Punt 36.6 41.5

Net Yards Per Punt 31.2 35.8

Inside 20 0 2 50+ Yards 0 1 Touchbacks 0 0 Fair catch 0 1

KICKOFF-YARDS 5-256 2-117

Average Yards Per Kickoff 51.2 58.5

Net Yards Per Kickoff 37.8 26.5 Touchbacks 0 0 Fair Catch Yards 6 0

Punt returns: Number-Yards-TD 2-23-0 4-27-0

Average Per Return 11.5 6.8

Kickoff returns: Number-Yds-TD 2-64-0 4-71-0

Average Per Return 32.0 17.8

Interceptions: Number-Yds-TD 3-85-1 0-0-0

Fumble Returns: Number-Yds-TD 0-0-0 1-0-0

Miscellaneous Yards

Possession Time 31:04 28:56

1st Quarter 06:28 08:32

2nd Quarter 10:45 04:15

3rd Quarter 06:55 08:05

4th Quarter 06:56 08:04

Third-Down Conversions 8-18 4-13

Fourth-Down Conversions 1-2 1-3

Red-Zone Scores-Chances 2-3 2-5

Touchdowns 1-3 2-5

Field goals 1-3 0-5

Sacks By: Number-Yards 0-0 3-28

PAT Kicks 3-3 0-1

2Pts Conversions 0-0 1-1

Field Goals 1-2 0-1

Points

Turnover 14 6

0

GAME NOTES

• The Bison scored two rushing touchdowns, including a 2-yarder by RB Rushawn Baker later in the second quarter and a 13-yarder by RB Coleman Bennett in the fourth quar ter. Bennett also caught a 2-point conversion.

• QB Ethan Grady took ev ery snap under center and completed a career-high 20 passes on 40 attempts while throwing for 199 yards.

• Grady threw three inter ceptions, and it was the first time the Bison lost the turnover battle this season.

• Nine different Bison caught passes, including three each for Marques Owens, Josh Gary and Derrick Anderson Jr. Owens led the way with 44 yards receiving, including a 20-yard catch.

• Bucknell posted three sacks in the game, includ ing 1.5 for Tyler Alston. Ben Allen led the team in tackles with 10.

• Lafayette QB Rent Montie scored two rushing touch downs in the game while throwing for 122 yards.

• Lafayette RB Jamar Curtis posted a team-high 56 rush yards.

With just 2:05 to play in the half, Lafayette drove 45 yards on seven plays and scored on a 1-yard run by Montie to make it 10-6 going into the locker rooms.

After forcing Lafayette to punt on its opening drive of the third quarter, the Bison gave it back three plays later as Ntantang grabbed his first of two interceptions in the game. It was on Lafayette’s second drive of the half that Montie ripped off the 42-yard run up the middle of the defense to push the lead to 17-6.

Bucknell saw another chance to score points two possessions later after moving the ball 36 yards on 13 plays down to the Lafayette 23, but a 40-yard field goal attempt was blocked with 4:14 to go in the third.

Lafayette added its final touchdown on the pick-six with just over eight minutes to play in the game. On Bucknell’s final drive, Grady connected with Derrick Anderson Jr. for 23 yards, Christian Tait for 12 yards, and Josh Gary for 14 yards down to the Lafayette 13. Bennett ran it in from there for his first score of the season. He also caught the two-point conversion and ran it in, making it 24-14 with 2:16 to go. The Bison were unable to get the ball back the rest of the way.

Ben Allen led Bucknell in tackles with 10, including one for a loss. Tyler Alston, who finished with nine tackles, posted 1.5 sacks. Patrick Quinlivan had a sack for 12 yards as well.

SCORING SUMMARY

TEAM LEADERS

BUCKNELL

LAFAYETTE

Rushing

Football Falls to No. 9/10 Holy Cross on the Road at EBW Classic

The Bucknell football team took on three-time defending Patriot League Champion Holy Cross in the second-ever EBW Classic, which was hosted at the home of the Worcester Red Sox, Polar Park. No. 9/10 Holy Cross won 57-0 to remain undefeated on the season at 6-0 (2-0 PL).

The Crusaders opened up a 21-point lead in the first quarter and added 16 more by halftime to carry a 37-0 lead into the locker rooms. Holy Cross would tack on 20 more in the second half. Holy Cross piled up 511 total yards of offense, including 314 yards rushing. Quarterback Matthew Sluka tossed three touchdowns and ran for one more. He also led the Crusaders on the ground with 72 yards.

Bucknell fumbled twice and threw one interception while also turning it over twice on downs. The Bison had one takeaway themselves as Chris Sims picked off Holy Cross quarterback Joe Pesansky in the fourth quarter and returned it 17 yards. It was the first interception of Sims’ career. Senior Brent Jackson posted a game-high nine tackles, and Gavin Pringle supplied a pair of pass breakups.

Bison quarterback Nick Semptimphelter was 7 of 15 passing for 60 yards.

Danny Meuser had one of the better days for the Bison, rushing for a season-high 73 yards on 14 carries for an average of 5.2. Freshman quarterback Alex Brown ran twice for 19 yards.

Sluka opened the scoring on Holy Cross’ first possession, plunging into the end zone from one yard out following a six-play, 56-yard drive. The Crusaders added a special teams touchdown minutes later after blocking a Bison punt and returning it eight yards.

Holy Cross made it 21-0 with under two minutes remaining in the opening quarter as Sluka led the team on another six-play drive that concluded with a 14-yard touchdown pass to Dominik Thomas.

The Crusaders opened the second quarter with another touchdown pass, this one of 32 yards, to Jalen Coker. Coker led all players with five catches for 88 yards in the game. Holy Cross added anoth er one-yard touchdown run in the second as well as a 19-yard field goal by Derek Ng as time expired.

Holy Cross drove 75 yards on eight plays on its opening drive of the second half and punched one in from a yard out to go up by 44.

TEAM STATISTICS

BUCKNELL HOLY CROSS

FIRST DOWNS 10 31

Rushing 7 16 Passing 3 8 Penalty 0 7

NET YARDS RUSHING 109 314 Rushing Attempts 33 50 Average Per Rush 3.3 6.3 Rushing Touchdowns 0 4 Yards Gained Rushing 150 316 Yards Lost Rushing 41 2

NET YARDS PASSING 60 197

Completions-Attempts-Int 7-15-1 11-21-1 Average Per Attempt 4.0 9.4 Average Per Completion 8.6 17.9 Passing Touchdowns 0 3

TOTAL OFFENSE YARDS 169 511 Total offense plays 48 71

Average Gain Per Play 3.5 7.2

Fumbles: Number-Lost 2-2 0-0

Penalties: Number-Yards 9-91 8-65

PUNTS-YARDS 5-150 0-0

Average Yards Per Punt 30.0 0.0 Net Yards Per Punt 29.6 0

Inside 20 0 0

50+ Yards 0 0 Touchbacks 0 0 Fair catch 0 0

KICKOFF-YARDS 1-52 9-550

Average Yards Per Kickoff 52.0 61.1

Net Yards Per Kickoff 40 45 Touchbacks 0 3 Fair Catch Yards 0 16

Punt returns: Number-Yards-TD 0-0-0 3-32-1

Average Per Return 0.0 10.7

Kickoff returns: Number-Yds-TD 5-54-0 1-12-0

Average Per Return 10.8 12.0

Interceptions: Number-Yds-TD 1-17-0 1-0-0

Fumble Returns: Number-Yds-TD 0-0-0 1-0-0

Miscellaneous Yards 0 0

Possession Time 25:38 34:22

1st Quarter 08:03 06:57

2nd Quarter 04:46 10:14

3rd Quarter 06:07 08:53

4th Quarter 06:42 08:18

Third-Down Conversions 3-11 9-11

Fourth-Down Conversions 1-3 1-1

Red-Zone Scores-Chances 0-1 6-6

Touchdowns

5-6

Field goals 0-1 1-6

Sacks By: Number-Yards 0-0 4-35

PAT Kicks 0-0 6-8

2Pts Conversions 0-0 0-0

Field Goals 0-0 1-1

Points

GAME NOTES

• Bucknell was held off the scoreboard, gaining 169 yards of total offense. The Bison rushed for 109 and passed for 60.

• RB Danny Meuser rushed for 73 yards on 14 carries, averaging 5.2.

• QB Nick Semptimphelter completed seven of 15 attempts with one intercep tion. Hi longest pass of the day was a 27-yard comple tion to Damian Harris.

• S Brent Jackson led all Bison with nine tackles. CB Chris Sims grabbed his first career interception and returned it 17 yards.

• Holy Cross QB Matthew Sluka completed 10 passes on 17 attempts for 183 yards and threw two TDs. He also ran for another TD, racking up 72 yards on 11 rushing attempts.

• Crusaders RB Jordan Fuller scored two TDs on the ground, and RB Jordan Forrest ran for another.

• Three different Crusaders hauled in receiving TDs.

WR Spencer Gilliam had the longest, hauling in a 40-yard TD reception.

• Devin Haskins blocked a Bucknell punt and returned it eight yards for a score.

The Bison were moving the ball on their first possession of the third and picked up a pair of first downs thanks to an eight-yard pass to Christian Spugnardi, a seven-yard pass to Adam Barakat, and 23 yards on five consecutive runs. The Bison were stopped trying to convert on 4th-and-1 at the Holy Cross 36, however, and handed the ball back to the Crusaders. Holy Cross threw for a 40-yard touchdown on the following drive.

The Crusaders added one last touchdown on a three-yard rush up the middle with under a minute gone in the fourth quarter. The Bison moved to 0-5 on the season and 0-2 in Patriot League play with the loss.

SCORING SUMMARY

Team QT Time Scoring Play Conversion Plays-Yds TOP Score

HC 1st 10:51 Sluka 1 yd rush Ng kick 6-56 2:18 0-7

HC 1st 07:23 Haskins 8 yd punt block return Ng kick 0-14

HC 1st 01:29 Thomas 14 yd pass from Sluka Ng kick 6-70 3:36 0-21

HC 2nd 13:26 Coker 32 yd pass from Sluka Ng kick 7-74 2:37 0-28

HC 2nd 05:46 Fuller 1 yd rush Ng kick missed 9-27 5:30 0-34

HC 2nd 00:00 NG 19 yd field goal 14-93 3:10 0-37

HC 3rd 09:52 Fuller 1 yd rush Ng k 8-75 5:04 0-44

HC 3rd 03:08 Gilliam 40 yd pass Ng kick missed 3-64 1:42 0-50

HC 4th 14:14 Forrest 3 yd rush Norris kick 8-40 2:49 0-57

TEAM LEADERS

BUCKNELL

HOLY CROSS

Rushing

Sluka

Passing C-A-I

Receiving

Avg

Tackles

Tackles

Sack

2022-23 Bucknell Football

Overall Team Statistics

All games

Team Statistics

of Oct 12, 2022

BUCK OPP

Scoring 41 160

Points per game 8.2 32.0

Points Off Turnovers 14 17

First Downs 64 120

Rushing 24 60

Passing 35 49

Penalty 5 11

Rushing Yardage 419 1075

Yards gained rushing 582 1174

Yards lost rushing 163 99

Rushing attempts 150 231

Average per rush 2.8 4.7

Average per game 83.8 215.0

TDs Rushing 2 14

Passing Yardage 719 943

Comp-Att-Int 75-160-7 84-147-4

Average per pass 4.5 6.4

Average per catch 9.6 11.2

Average per game 143.8 188.6

TDs Passing 4 6

Total offense 1138 2018

Total plays 310 378 Average per play 3.7 5.3

Average per game 227.6 403.6

Kick returns: #-Yards 17-278 8-205

Punt returns: #-Yards 8-34 11-66 Int returns: #-Yards 4-31 7-110

Kick return average 16.4 25.6

Punt return average 4.3 6.0

Int return average 7.8 15.7

Fumbles-Lost 8-3 7-4

Penalties-Yards 23-209 29-255

Average per game 41.8 51.0

Punts-Yards 31-1213 18-688

Average per punt 39.1 38.2

Net punt average 36.7 34.1

Kickoffs-Yards 9-524 28-1645

Average per kick 58.2 58.8

Net kick average 32.4 40.7

Time of possession / game 27:26 32:34

3rd-down conversion 18/72 39/77

3rd-down pct 25% 51%

4rd-down conversion 2/13 6/10

BUCK

(17-21)

(15-21)

(19-22)

(0-0)

Score by Periods

Rushing

Player gp att gain loss net avg td lg avg/g

Rushawn Baker 5 52 253 21 232 4.5 1 69 46.4

Coleman Bennett 5 49 170 21 149 3.0 1 18 29.8

Danny Meuser 4 18 84 7 77 4.3 0 29 19.3

Nick Semptimphelter 2 13 24 42 -18 -1.4 0 10 -9.0

Tyler Beverett 1 6 14 25 -11 -1.8 0 14 -11.0

Ethan Grady 4 6 0 38 -38 -6.3 0 0 -9.5

Mikey Neal 4 3 18 0 18 6.0 0 11 4.5

Alex Brown 1 2 19 0 19 9.5 0 14 19.0

Ruben Anderson 5 1 0 9 -9 -9.0 0 0 -1.8

Total 5 150 582 163 419 2.8 2 69 83.8

Opponents 5 231 1174 99 1075 4.7 14 42 215.0

Passing

Player gp effic comp-att-int pct yds td lg avg/g

Ethan Grady 4 80.2 53-115-5 46.1 507 2 43 126.8

Nick Semptimphelter 2 95.8 16-33-2 48.5 155 2 34 77.5

Tyler Beverett 1 89.9 6-12-0 50.0 57 0 18 57.0

Total 5 84.1 75-160-7 46.9 719 4 43 143.8

Opponents 5 119.1 84-147-4 57.1 943 6 55 188.6

Receiving

Player gp no. yds avg td lg avg/g

Coleman Bennett 5 11 93 8.5 0 38 18.6

Damian Harris 5 10 129 12.9 0 43 25.8

Okeyo Ayungo 4 9 95 10.6 0 34 23.8

Josh Gary 5 9 106 11.8 0 22 21.2

Christian Tait 5 6 56 9.3 0 13 11.2

Rushawn Baker 5 6 37 6.2 1 13 7.4

Marques Owens 5 5 51 10.2 0 20 10.2

Adam Barakat 4 4 39 9.8 0 13 9.8

Kyle Fontes 4 4 20 5.0 1 7 5.0

Christian Spugnardi 5 3 13 4.3 2 8 2.6

Derrick Anderson Jr. 2 3 32 10.7 0 14 16.0

Charlie Kreinbucher 3 3 34 11.3 0 19 11.3

Danny Meuser 4 1 5 5.0 0 5 1.3

Mason Muir 1 1 9 9.0 0 9 9.0

Total 5 75 719 9.6 4 43 143.8

Opponents

84 943 11.2 6 55 188.6

Punt Returns

Player no. yds avg td lg

Gavin Pringle 7 28 4.0 0 16

Damian Harris 1 6 6.0 0 6

Total 8 34 4.3 0 16

Opponents 11 66 6.0 1 26

Interceptions

Player no. yds avg td lg

Gavin Pringle 1 17 17.0 0 17

Ethan Robinson 1 0 0.0 0 0

Chris Sims 1 14 14.0 0 14

Alex Smith Jr. 1 0 0.0 0 0

Total 4 31 7.8 0 17

Opponents 7 110 15.7 1 80

Kick Returns

Player no. yds avg td lg

Coleman Bennett 10 181 18.1 0 39

Damian Harris 5 66 13.2 0 22

Gavin Pringle 2 31 15.5 0 13

Total 17 278 16.4 0 39 Opponents 8 205 25.6 0 50

Fumble Returns

Player no. yds avg td lg

Caleb Gillen 1 0 0.0 0 0

Jack Barnes 1 0 0.0 0 0

Patrick Quinlivan 1 0 0.0 0 0

Okeyo Ayungo 1 0 0.0 0 0

Total 4 0 0.0 0 0 Opponents 3 0 0.0 0 0

Scoring PAT

Rushawn

Bennett

Fontes

Gary

Field Goals

Player

Ryan Schatzel

Matt Schearer

FG Sequence

Team Name Bucknell Opponents

Towson 41,45 39,37

Central Mich. 44 48,50,44

Lafayette 40 (24),21

VMI (39)

Holy Cross (19)

Numbers in (parentheses)

Total Offense

Player g plays rush pass total avg/g

Ethan Grady 4 121 -38 507 469 117.3

Rushawn Baker 5 52 232 0 232 46.4

Coleman Bennett 5 49 149 0 149 29.8

Nick Semptimphelter 2 46 -18 155 137 68.5

Danny Meuser 4 18 77 0 77 19.3

Tyler Beverett 1 18 -11 57 46 46.0

Alex Brown 1 2 19 0 19 19.0

Mikey Neal 4 3 18 0 18 4.5

Ruben Anderson 5 1 -9 0 -9 -1.8

Total 5 310 419 719 1138 227.6

Opponents 5 378 1075 943 2018 403.6

Punting

Player no. yds avg lg tb fc i20 50+ blk

Ruben Anderson 29 1202 41.4 58 1 8 9 6 0

Team 2 11 5.5 0 0 0 0 0 2

Total 31 1213 39.1 58 1 8 9 6 2

Opponents 18 688 38.2 52 2 2 4 2 0

Kickoffs

Player no. yds avg tb ob retn net ydln

Ryan Schatzel 9 524 58.2 0 1

Total 9 524 58.2 0 1 8 32.4 32

Opponents 28 1645 58.8 8 1 17 40.7 24

Bucknell

Statistics

All games

All Purpose

Player g rush rcv pr kr ir total avg/g

Coleman Bennett 5 149 93 0 181 0 423 84.6

Rushawn Baker 5 232 37 0 0 0 269 53.8

Damian Harris 5 0 129 6 66 0 201 40.2

Josh Gary 5 0 106 0 0 0 106 21.2

Okeyo Ayungo 4 0 95 0 0 0 95 23.8

Danny Meuser 4 77 5 0 0 0 82 20.5

Gavin Pringle 5 0 0 28 31 17 76 15.2

Christian Tait 5 0 56 0 0 0 56 11.2

Marques Owens 5 0 51 0 0 0 51 10.2

Adam Barakat 4 0 39 0 0 0 39 9.8

Charlie Kreinbucher 3 0 34 0 0 0 34 11.3

Derrick Anderson Jr. 2 0 32 0 0 0 32 16.0

Kyle Fontes 4 0 20 0 0 0 20 5.0

Alex Brown 1 19 0 0 0 0 19 19.0

Mikey Neal 4 18 0 0 0 0 18 4.5

Chris Sims 5 0 0 0 0 14 14 2.8

Christian Spugnardi 5 0 13 0 0 0 13 2.6

Mason Muir 1 0 9 0 0 0 9 9.0

Ruben Anderson 5 -9 0 0 0 0 -9 -1.8

Tyler Beverett 1 -11 0 0 0 0 -11 -11.0

Nick Semptimphelter 2 -18 0 0 0 0 -18 -9.0

Ethan Grady 4 -38 0 0 0 0 -38 -9.5

Total 5 419 719 34 278 31 1481 296.2

Opponents 5 1075 943 66 205 110 2399 479.8

Team Defense

Tackles

Bucknell

Defense Statistics

games

Pass defense Fumbles blkd

## Player gp ua a tot tfl/yds no-yds int-yds brup qbh fr-yds

31 Brent Jackson 5 36 14 50 2-3

kick saf

. 4 . . . . .

34 Blake Leake 5 19 18 37 2.5-6 0.5-4 . 2 1 . . . .

Ben Allen 5 17 19 36 2.5-6

2 Tyler Alston 5 12 15 27 4-26 3-23

John Schlendorf 5 14 10 24 2-8 1-7 4

Gavin Pringle 5 16 4 20 1.5-3 1-17 9

Ethan Robinson 5 14 4 18 0.5-2 1-0 3

Jonathan Searcy 5 12 6 18 1-3

Aneesh Vyas 5 2 11 13 1-2 0.5-2 . . . . . 1 .

33 Brad Jamison 5 7 5 12 . . . . . . . . .

Will Ohler 4 9 3 12 1-15 . . . . . 1 . .

Jack Barnes 4 6 5 11 . . . . 1 1-0 1 . .

Mike Bright Jr. 4 7 4 11

. . . 1 . . . .

Chris Sims 5 9 1 10 . . 1-14 2 . . . . .

Connor Carretta 5 4 6 10 0.5-1 2

Justin Fisher 5 7 2 9

Alex Smith Jr. 5 5 4 9 1-0 2

Cade Rooney 3 4 4 8

Cooper Kim 5 5 1 6 1-4

Luke Freeman 3 2 3 5

. . . . . . . .

Patrick Quinlivan 4 4 . 4 3-25 3-25 . . . 1-0 1 . .

Quentin Lemon 5 2

Ray Russell 2

Damian Harris 5

Connor Holmes 2

Roman Pearson 2

Matt McCreight

Nathaniel Carson

Justin Murray

Daniel Sierk

Caleb Gillen

Rushawn Baker

Grant Laws

Sam DeLuca

Aidan Davenport

Okeyo Ayungo

2022-23 Bucknell Football Team Game Highs

All games

Bucknell - Game Highs

RUSHES 33 at Holy Cross (10/08/2022)

YARDS RUSHING 149 Towson (09/03/2022)

YARDS PER RUSH 5.0 Towson (09/03/2022)

TD RUSHES 2 Lafayette (10/01/2022)

PASS ATTEMPTS 40 Lafayette (10/01/2022)

PASS COMPLETIONS 20 Lafayette (10/01/2022)

YARDS PASSING 199 Lafayette (10/01/2022)

YARDS PER PASS 5.1 Towson (09/03/2022)

TD PASSES 2 at VMI (09/10/2022) 2 Towson (09/03/2022)

TOTAL PLAYS 68 at VMI (09/10/2022)

TOTAL OFFENSE 307 Lafayette (10/01/2022) 307 Towson (09/03/2022)

YARDS PER PLAY 5.0 Towson (09/03/2022)

POINTS 14 Lafayette (10/01/2022) 14 at VMI (09/10/2022)

SACKS BY 3 Lafayette (10/01/2022) 3 Towson (09/03/2022)

FIRST DOWNS 18 Lafayette (10/01/2022)

PENALTIES 9 at Holy Cross (10/08/2022)

PENALTY YARDS 91 at Holy Cross (10/08/2022)

TURNOVERS 3 at Holy Cross (10/08/2022) 3 Lafayette (10/01/2022)

PUNTS 9 at Central Mich. (09/17/2022)

PUNTING AVG 43.7 Towson (09/03/2022)

LONG PUNT 58 Towson (09/03/2022)

PUNTS INSIDE 20 3 at VMI (09/10/2022) 3 Towson (09/03/2022)

LONG PUNT RETURN 16 Lafayette (10/01/2022)

2022-23 Bucknell Football Opponent Match Highs

All games

Opponent - Game Highs

RUSHES 51 Towson (09/03/2022)

YARDS RUSHING 315 at Holy Cross (10/08/2022)

YARDS PER RUSH 6.4 at Central Mich. (09/17/2022)

TD RUSHES 4 at Holy Cross (10/08/2022) 4 at Central Mich. (09/17/2022)

PASS ATTEMPTS 43 Towson (09/03/2022)

PASS COMPLETIONS 25 Towson (09/03/2022)

YARDS PASSING 242 at Central Mich. (09/17/2022)

YARDS PER PASS 9.4 at Holy Cross (10/08/2022)

TD PASSES 3 at Holy Cross (10/08/2022)

TOTAL PLAYS 94 Towson (09/03/2022)

TOTAL OFFENSE 529 at Central Mich. (09/17/2022)

YARDS PER PLAY 7.2 at Holy Cross (10/08/2022)

POINTS 57 at Holy Cross (10/08/2022)

SACKS BY 4 at Holy Cross (10/08/2022)

FIRST DOWNS 32 at Holy Cross (10/08/2022)

PENALTIES 8 at Holy Cross (10/08/2022) 8 at VMI (09/10/2022)

PENALTY YARDS 65 at Holy Cross (10/08/2022) 65 at VMI (09/10/2022)

TURNOVERS 3 at VMI (09/10/2022)

PUNTS 6 at VMI (09/10/2022)

PUNTING AVG 46.0 at Central Mich. (09/17/2022)

LONG PUNT 52 at Central Mich. (09/17/2022)

PUNTS INSIDE 20 3 Towson (09/03/2022)

LONG PUNT RETURN 26 Lafayette (10/01/2022)

Bucknell - Individual Game Highs

RUSHES

YARDS RUSHING

TD RUSHES

LONG RUSH

PASS ATTEMPTS

PASS COMPLETIONS

YARDS PASSING

TD PASSES

LONG PASS

RECEPTIONS

YARDS RECEIVING

TD RECEPTIONS

LONG RECEPTION

PUNTS

PUNTING AVG

Bucknell Football Individual Game Highs

games

Rushawn Baker vs Lafayette (10/01/2022)

Rushawn Baker vs Towson (09/03/2022)

Rushawn Baker vs Towson (09/03/2022)

Rushawn Baker vs Lafayette (10/01/2022)

Coleman Bennett vs Lafayette (10/01/2022)

Rushawn Baker vs Towson (09/03/2022)

Ethan Grady vs Lafayette (10/01/2022)

Ethan Grady vs Lafayette (10/01/2022)

Ethan Grady vs Lafayette (10/01/2022)

Nick Semptimphelter at VMI (09/10/2022)

Ethan Grady vs Towson (09/03/2022)

Ethan Grady vs Towson (09/03/2022)

Coleman Bennett vs Lafayette (10/01/2022)

Christian Tait at Central Mich. (09/17/2022)

Rushawn Baker at VMI (09/10/2022)

Coleman Bennett vs Towson (09/03/2022)

Christian Spugnardi vs Towson (09/03/2022)

Damian Harris vs Towson (09/03/2022)

Ruben Anderson at Central Mich. (09/17/2022)

Ruben Anderson vs Towson (09/03/2022)

LONG PUNT 58 Ruben Anderson vs Towson (09/03/2022)

PUNTS INSIDE 20

LONG PUNT RETURN

LONG KICKOFF RETURN

TACKLES

SACKS

TACKLES FOR LOSS

Ruben Anderson at VMI (09/10/2022)

3 Ruben Anderson vs Towson (09/03/2022)

Gavin Pringle vs Lafayette (10/01/2022)

Coleman Bennett vs Towson (09/03/2022)

Brent Jackson at Central Mich. (09/17/2022)

Brent Jackson vs Towson (09/03/2022)

12 Blake Leake vs Towson (09/03/2022)

Patrick Quinlivan at VMI (09/10/2022)

Patrick Quinlivan at VMI (09/10/2022)

2 Tyler Alston vs Towson (09/03/2022)

Individual Match Highs

Opponent - Individual Game Highs

RUSHES

YARDS RUSHING

TD RUSHES

LONG RUSH

PASS ATTEMPTS

PASS COMPLETIONS

YARDS PASSING

TD PASSES

LONG PASS

RECEPTIONS

YARDS RECEIVING

TD RECEPTIONS

LONG RECEPTION

FIELD GOALS

Lew Nichols at Central Mich. (09/17/2022)

Lew Nichols at Central Mich. (09/17/2022)

Jordan Fuller at Holy Cross (10/08/2022)

2 Rent Montie vs Lafayette (10/01/2022)

Jase Bauer at Central Mich. (09/17/2022)

Lew Nichols at Central Mich. (09/17/2022)

Devin Matthews vs Towson (09/03/2022)

Rent Montie vs Lafayette (10/01/2022)

Tyrrell Pigrome vs Towson (09/03/2022)

Tyrrell Pigrome vs Towson (09/03/2022)

Daniel Richardson at Central Mich. (09/17/2022)

Matthew Sluka at Holy Cross (10/08/2022)

Seth Morgan at VMI (09/10/2022)

Chance Knox at VMI (09/10/2022)

Jalen Coker at Holy Cross (10/08/2022)

Spencer Gilliam at Holy Cross (10/08/2022)

1 Jalen Coker at Holy Cross (10/08/2022)

1 Dominik Thomas at Holy Cross (10/08/2022)

1 Langston Lewis at Central Mich. (09/17/2022)

1 Joel Wilson at Central Mich. (09/17/2022)

1 Max Brimigion at VMI (09/10/2022)

Max Brimigion at VMI (09/10/2022)

1 Derek Ng at Holy Cross (10/08/2022)

1 Jakob Trestik vs Lafayette (10/01/2022)

1 Jerry Rice at VMI (09/10/2022)

LONG FIELD GOALS 39 Jerry Rice at VMI (09/10/2022)

PUNTS 6 Jack Culbreath at VMI (09/10/2022)

PUNTING AVG 46.0 Luke Elzinga at Central Mich. (09/17/2022)

LONG PUNT 52 Luke Elzinga at Central Mich. (09/17/2022)

PUNTS INSIDE 20 3 Riley Williams vs Towson (09/03/2022)

LONG PUNT RETURN 26 Jamar Curtis vs Lafayette (10/01/2022)

LONG KICKOFF RETURN 50 Neriyan Brown vs Lafayette (10/01/2022)

TACKLES 11 Stone Snyder at VMI (09/10/2022)

SACKS

TACKLES FOR LOSS

INTERCEPTIONS

Michael Heldman at Central Mich. (09/17/2022)

Michael Heldman at Central Mich. (09/17/2022)

2 A.T. Ntantang vs Lafayette (10/01/2022)

2 Josh Knapp at VMI (09/10/2022)

Games Played

games

## Player GP-GS Towson VMI CMU Laf HolyCr

Connor Carretta 5/5 START START START START START

Marques Owens 5/4 START START START XXX START

Tyler Alston 5/4 XXX START START START START

Coleman Bennett 5/4 START START START XXX START

Danny Meuser 4/0 XXX XXX XXX XXX

Christian Tait 5/0 XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX

Alex Smith Jr. 5/0 XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX

Quentin Lemon 5/0 XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX

Alex Brown 1/0 XXX

Jeff Odongo 0/0 ... ... ... ... ...

Connor Holmes 2/0 XXX XXX

Ryan Schatzel 5/0 XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX

Damian Harris 5/5 START START START START START

Luke Freeman 3/0 XXX XXX XXX

Ethan Grady 4/4 START START START START

Matt McCreight 4/0 XXX XXX XXX XXX

Nick Semptimphelter 2/1 ... XXX ... ... START

Roman Pearson 2/0 XXX XXX

Cade Rooney 3/0 XXX XXX XXX

Caleb Gillen 4/0 XXX XXX XXX XXX

Gavin Pringle 5/5 START START START START START

Tyler Beverett 1/0 XXX

Bradley Pao 0/0

Michael Hardyway 0/0 ... ...

Mason Taylor 0/0

Jonathan Searcy 5/5

START START START START

Mikey Neal 4/0 XXX XXX XXX XXX

Rushawn Baker 5/1 XXX XXX XXX START XXX

Josh Gary 5/2 XXX START XXX START XXX

Derrick Anderson Jr. 2/0 XXX XXX

Ethan Robinson 5/5 START START START START START

Ray Russell 2/0 XXX XXX

Chris Sims 5/0 XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX

Okeyo Ayungo 4/2 XXX XXX START START

Ben Allen 5/5 START START START START START

Brent Jackson 5/5 START START START START START

Duncan Cloniger 0/0

Brad Jamison 5/0 XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX

Blake Leake 5/5 START START START START START

Paul Neel 0/0

Justin Murray 1/0 XXX

Ethan Dominick 0/0

Kyle Dowgin 1/0 XXX

Finn Sposato 0/0

Sam DeLuca 4/0 XXX XXX XXX XXX

Donquarius Parker 0/0

Mike Bright Jr. 4/3 START XXX START START

John Schlendorf 5/5 START START START START START

Aidan Mack 0/0

Tyler Bower 0/0

Jack Goheen 2/0 XXX XXX

Will Ohler 4/3 START START START XXX

Jack Barnes 4/0 XXX XXX XXX XXX

Cooper Kim 5/0 XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX

Harrison Shepherd 4/3 START START XXX START

Mark Dunckle 0/0

Benji Smith 0/0

Kenneth Scott 0/0

Aidan Catania 0/0

Sean Quarterman 3/2 START START XXX

Player

Kieran Coscia 0/0

Ryan Jedicka 0/0

Matt Schearer 1/0

Games Played

Towson VMI CMU Laf HolyCr

Zack Tarburton 3/2 XXX START START

Nathan Natoli 0/0

D.K. Kim 0/0

James Poulos 0/0

R.J. Mehan 5/4 START START START START XXX

Fredrick Sturgis 5/5 START START START START START

Gavin Kennedy 1/0 XXX

Mason Jones 0/0

Casey Stephenson 3/1 XXX XXX START

Jake Guy 3/3 START START START

Ashton Sempervive 0/0

Ethan Pitzel 5/5 START START START START START

John Ohnegian 0/0

Clay Morris 0/0

Christian Spugnardi 5/0 XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX

Charlie Kreinbucher 3/1 XXX XXX START

Mason Muir 1/1 START

Adam Barakat 4/1 XXX XXX XXX START

Charlie Shadek 2/0 XXX XXX

Kyle Fontes 4/2 XXX XXX START START

Colby Grames 5/2 START START XXX XXX XXX

Reed Signer 0/0

Aneesh Vyas 5/5 START START START START START

Matt Karic 0/0

Daniel Sierk 4/0 XXX XXX XXX XXX

Aidan Davenport 5/0 XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX

Nick Niemynski 0/0

Grant Laws 3/0 XXX XXX XXX

Patrick Quinlivan 4/0 XXX XXX XXX XXX

Nathaniel Carson 3/0 XXX XXX XXX

Ruben Anderson 5/0 XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX

Justin Fisher 5/0 XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX