Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Lehigh
Bison Blanked By Lehigh, 24-0
11/16/2002 7:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 16, 2002
Final Stats?|? Notes
BETHLEHEM, Pa. (AP) - Jermaine Pugh ran for 134 yards and a touchdown to lead 23rd-ranked Lehigh to a 24-0 victory over visiting Bucknell Saturday at wet, muddy Goodman Stadium.
The Bison (2-8, 0-6) suffered their sixth straight loss and eighth straight Patriot League setback dating back to last season. Lehigh improved to 8-3, 4-2.
Bucknell sophomore Daris Wilson, normally a wide receiver, started and played most of the game at quarterback. He rushed for 36 of Bucknell's 90 yards, but the Bison offense was never able to get untracked on the sloppy surface.
Lehigh totaled 159 yards on the ground and Chad Schwenk threw for a modest 98 yards, but the most impressive statistic for Lehigh was zero turnovers in the unfavorable conditions.
After Bucknell failed on a fake punt attempt at its own 38-yard line, Lehigh cracked the scoreboard first when Pugh scooted across the goal line from 18 yards out on the first play of the second quarter. Matt Douglas kicked a 28-yard field goal later in the period and Lehigh led 10-0 at halftime.
The Bison had a golden opportunity to cut into the lead early in the third quarter after blocking a punt and recovering at the Lehigh 18. But Bucknell lost two yards in three plays, and Chris Lundberg's 37-yard field goal hit the crossbar and fell short.
The Mountain Hawks delivered the knockout blow on their next possession, with Pugh's 47-yard gallop setting up a 5-yard TD pass from Schwenk to Mike Kelleher.
A bad punt snap gave Bucknell another chance in Lehigh territory in the fourth quarter, but again the Bison moved backward and had to punt. Bucknell gained negative yards on 4 of 7 second-half possessions.
Wilson attempted 14 passes and completed seven for 44 yards while being picked off once. Jim Horan caught two passes and is now eight shy of the Bucknell all-time record with one game remaining in his career.
The Bison wrap up their 2002 campaign next Saturday at home against Fordham. Kickoff is 1 p.m.
