Bucknell University
Towson
Bucknell Routs Towson 51-10 for Third Straight Win
10/6/2001 8:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 6, 2001
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Jabu Powell rushed for 114 yards and two scores while moving into second place on Bucknell's all-time rushing list, leading the Bison to a 51-10 rout of Towson in a Patriot League football game Saturday at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium.
The Bison (3-1, 1-0) won their third straight and avenged two straight last-second losses to Towson. The Tigers fell to 2-3, 1-2.
Powell entered the game needing 113 yards to surpass Brian Henesey for second place on Bucknell's career rushing chart, and the senior tailback did so with one yard to spare. He now has 2,650 career ground yards, trailing only Rich Lemon's school-record 4,742.
Powell's two touchdowns came during Bucknell's 30-point first-half onslaught. With a stiff breeze at his back, quarterback Todd Wenrich completed his first seven passes, leading the Bison to touchdowns on their first two drives of the game. Less than five minutes into the contest he connected with wide receiver Albert Marquardt on a 37-yard scoring strike, and Powell's 7-yard touchdown run capped the ensuing drive.
Tom Kuhn's fumble recovery after an Adam Lord sack at the Towson 25 set up a 24-yard Chris Lundberg field goal to make it 17-0 with 1:36 left in the opening quarter.
Bucknell made it a rout in the second quarter, when Powell scored on an 11-yard run and cornerback Reed Tunison returned an interception 37 yards for a touchdown. The pick came just two plays after Bison running back Jess Brinson fumbled into the Towson end zone trying to stretch for the pylon, resulting in a touchback. A celebration penalty following the Tunison score resulted in a long extra-point try into the wind, which Lundberg left short and left for a 30-0 lead.
Wideout Tim Johnson streaked 62 yards on a middle screen for a 37-0 lead midway through the third period, and when Towson's Ed Kulic kicked a 26-yard field goal on the following possession, it snapped Bucknell's streak of 75 straight points dating back to the second quarter of last week's 38-6 win over St. Mary's (Calif.).
Fullback Jason Marrow, playing for the first time in more than a year due to a string of injuries, scored on a 3-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter for a 44-3 lead. Towson backup quarterback Jay Amer led the Tigers' only touchdown drive, completing a 4-yard TD pass to Jon Grubb with 7:51 remaining.
One play after George Cowan's blocked punt gave them a first down at the Towson 2-yard line, the Bison capped the scoring on freshman Raphael Darrington's first collegiate carry.
The 51-point explosion was Bucknell's largest since a 51-17 win over Fordham in 1996, and it overshadowed another terrific performance from the Bison defense. Bucknell held Towson to a mere 12 yards rushing, including only 24 from star tailback Noah Read, who entered the game ranked 15th nationally with an average of 122.3 yards per game. Towson had minus-4 rushing yards in the second half.
Wenrich finished 19 of 33 for 280 yards and two touchdowns, while Towson starter Val Troiani was 17 of 37 for 194 yards and two interceptions. Amer was strong in relief, completing 9 of 17 attempts for 99 yards. Jason Galloway caught nine passes for 137 yards to lead all receivers.
The Bison racked up 507 total yards and 27 first downs, while forcing five turnovers for the second straight week.
Bucknell improved to 6-1 in Patriot League openers under head coach Tom Gadd and face another league foe next week when it travels to Lafayette. Towson visits Lehigh next Saturday.
