Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Richmond
Bucknell Drops Season Opener To Richmond
9/29/2000 8:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 2, 2000
RICHMOND, VA --- Richmond capitalized on a Bucknell mistake in the fourth quarter to earn a hard fought 10-7 victory in front of 14,100 fans at UR Stadium Saturday evening. With the game tied 7-7 midway through the final period, Richmond LB Mark Thompson jarred the ball loose from Bison TB Jabu Powell (Orlando, FL/Dr. Phillips) deep in Bucknell territory. Senior CB Harold Hill recovered the ball for the Spiders at the 27-yard line, and four plays later PK Doug Kirchner connected on a 36-yard field goal for what proved to be the game-winning points.
After Richmond missed a 23-yard field goal in the first quarter, the Bison created a scoring chance when senior LB Vince Ficca (Princeton Junction, NJ/Lawrenceville School) blocked a Spider punt late the period. However, Chris Lundberg's (Phoenix, AZ/Thunderbird) 39-yard field goal was wide after a poor snap.
The second quarter began and the Bison found themselves with another golden opportunity when sophomore LB Joe Massey (Brooklyn, NY/Canarsie) sacked Richmond's quarterback and caused a fumble at the Spider 14-yard line. D?j? vu crept in when Lundberg's 21-yard field goal attempt missed after a second poor snap.
Bucknell's special teams created yet a third opportunity when Massey broke through the line to block another Richmond punt -- the 17th in the Tom Gadd era (56 games). Bobby Young (Bryn Mawr, PA/Radnor) scooped up the loose ball and returned it 13 yards to the Richmond 23-yard line. Two plays later senior FB Jason Marrow (Baltimore, MD/Calvert Hall) rambled in from the nine, shedding tacklers along the way. With the touchdown, Marrow moved into fifth place in the school's all-time scoring list with 174 career points. Lundberg's point-after gave the Bison a 7-0 lead with 1:34 left in the half.
Richmond forged a tie late in the third quarter when QB Sean Gustus raced 58-yards to paydirt on an option play. From that point on the Bucknell offense could not put together a sustained drive, advancing over midfield just once on its last five possessions.
Bucknell played both Todd Wenrich (Herndon, PA/Line Mountain) and Lucas Phillips (Glen Burnie, MD/Mt. St. Joseph's) at quarterback. Under a heavy rush all night, neither was able to put up very good numbers -- Wenrich was 6-of-18 for 58 yards and Phillips 7-of-17 for 38 yards. TE Greg Readinger (Williamstown, PA/Williams Valley) led all receivers with four receptions for 38 yards. LaMario Bradwell (Titusville, FL/Tutusville) had 25 yards on four carries to head a ground game that never really got on track (33 yds on 22 att.) against a solid Spider defense.
Ficca paced the defensive attack with a game-high 12 tackles (6 solo) to go along with his blocked punt, while FS Kevin Eiben (Delta, British Columbia/Vancouver College) recorded 10 tackles (5 solo). LB Chad Marsilio (Beaver Falls, PA/Blackhawk) had nine tackles (six solo), including two for a loss of yardage. Massey turned in five tackles, a sack, forced a fumble and blocked a punt.
It was the first season-opening loss for the Bison in six years.
