Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell and Lehigh Renew Grid Rivalry Saturday
11/12/2002 7:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 12, 2002
Complete Bucknell Game Notes in PDF Format
The Storyline
Reduced to the role of spoiler amid a frustrating five-game losing streak, Bucknell looks to put an end to 18th-ranked Lehigh's fading title hopes, and at the same time snap a skid of four straight setbacks to the perennially powerful Mountain Hawks. The Bison have been staggered by key injuries on both sides of the ball and are looking to shed their longest losing skein since 1993. To do so they will have to knock off the defending Patriot League champions, who are sure to be fuming after seeing their 27-game home winning streak go up in smoke last week with a 28-14 loss to Colgate. Lehigh last week drew more than 15,000 fans to set a Goodman Stadium record, and another large crowd is expected this week with a bobblehead doll giveaway scheduled.
The Bucknell-Lehigh Series
This week's showdown is the 66th all-time between the Bison and Mountain Hawks. Bucknell has played Lehigh more times than any other opponent except Lafayette (80). Bucknell's 21-14 victory in Lewisburg in 1997 evened the all-time series at 29-29-3, but Lehigh has won the last four meetings to assume a 33-29-3 lead. The Mountain Hawks have captured the last two meetings by identical 21-14 scores. Bucknell and Lehigh met for the first time in 1888 (a 74-0 Lehigh win), and they have met annually since 1950.
The Last Bison-Mountain Hawks Clash
On Nov. 10, 2001 in Lewisburg, Brant Hall accounted for 197 yards of offense and two touchdowns to lead seventh-ranked and undefeated Lehigh to a narrow 21-14 win, ending Bucknell's Patriot League title hopes. The Mountain Hawks overcame five turnovers, but it was a Lehigh takeaway in the opening minutes of the second half that changed the game. With the contest knotted at 7-7, linebacker Thomas McGeoy picked off a QB Todd Wenrich pass and returned it 25 yards for the go-ahead score. After Bucknell failed to score despite a first-and-goal from the Lehigh 3, the visitors extended their lead to 21-7 on Hall's 56-yard strike to Mike Sutton with 6:16 to play. The Bison answered with a 39-yard scoring pass from Wenrich to WR Albert Marquardt. After forcing a Lehigh punt, Bucknell regained possession with 1:53 left, but Wenrich fumbled on his own 26 with 1:03 to play. FB Todd Warmington scored the game's first points on a 4-yard catch just five minutes into the contest.
More on the Mountain Hawks
After starting the season ranked in the top 5 in Division I-AA, Lehigh has slipped to 18th and is in serious danger of seeing its four-year stranglehold on the Patriot League come to an end. Lehigh is 3-2 following last week's 28-14 loss to Colgate. Earlier this season, Towson snapped the Mountain Hawks' 16-game conference winning streak. RB Jermaine Pugh ranks 14th nationally and fourth in the Patriot League averaging 107.8 rushing yards per game, despite being held to 28 yards on 16 carries last week. Last season, Bucknell limited Pugh to 28 yards on 13 totes. Newcomer Chad Schwenk, a Rutgers transfer, and Matt Shiels have shared time at quarterback this season. Schwenk has been the more effective passer, with 1,397 yards and 10 TDs (8 INTs) to his credit, but Shiels came off the bench to toss a pair of fourth-quarter TDs last week against Colgate. Lehigh could be without All-Patriot League DB Matt Salvaterra and leading receiver Michael Sutton, both of whom have knee ailments.
Tough Finish
An already difficult season ends with two of the Patriot League's best teams. Following this week's game at defending league champion Lehigh, the Bison finish up at home against much-improved Fordham, who enters this week's action tied with Colgate for first place atop the conference standings with a 4-1 record.
Horan Tops 2,000-yard Plateau
WR Jim Horan last week became only the second Bucknell player ever to top the 2,000-yard mark for career receiving yards. With two games remaining in his career, the senior needs 10 receptions and 347 yards to break Tom Mitchell's Bucknell career records in both categories. For the season, Horan owns a team-best 36 grabs for 457 yards (12.7 per catch) and four TDs. Horan, who hails from the same high school (Pittsburgh Central Catholic) as Dan Marino, caught 10 passes in last year's Lehigh game.
"Slash" Wilson
Pittsburgh Steelers QB Kordell Stewart earned the nickname "Slash" in the late-1990s for his ability to play several positions - i.e. QB/WR/KR. Bucknell's version of "Slash" is sophomore Daris Wilson, who has added option quarterback to his already vast arsenal of skills. Wilson lined up behind center on several occasions last week against Lafayette and finished as Bucknell's leading rusher with 49 yards on nine carries. Primarily a wide receiver and kick returner, Wilson ranks fourth on the Bison with 14 receptions this season. At Archbishop Rummel (La.) H.S., Wilson passed for 2,239 yards and rushed for 2,325 yards while scoring 47 TDs.
Kiddie Corps
One bright spot in an otherwise difficult year has been the play of a solid group of young running backs. Freshman Blamah Sarnor has started the last seven games and run for a team-best 468 yards and four touchdowns. After Sarnor aggrivated an injury in last week's game against Lehigh, fellow rookie Antwan Kennedy came on and ran for 42 yards on seven carries. Sophomore Raphael Darrington has also seen quality playing time of late, with rushing TDs in two of Bucknell's last three games.
Almost a Memorable Debut
Freshman WR Dante Ross debuted as a punt returner last week against Lafayette, and he nearly broke loose for a touchdown the very first time he touched the ball in a varsity game. Despite a shoestring tackle by a Leopards defender, Ross managed 23 yards on the return, the longest of the season for Bucknell. Ross did return a punt 62 yards for a TD against George Mason last month.
