Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Football Smothers Cornell in Home Opener, 14-3
9/21/2002 8:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 21, 2002
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Freshman running back Blamah Sarnor rushed for 100 yards and a touchdown in his starting debut to lead Bucknell to a 14-3 victory over Cornell before 6,922 fans at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium on Saturday night.
In the first night game in Lewisburg since 1986, Bucknell notched its first victory of the season after losses to Duquesne and St. Mary's (Calif.). The Bison snapped a four-game losing streak dating back to last season. Cornell was playing its season opener.
Bucknell quarterback Todd Wenrich completed 15 of 21 passes for 208 yards, no interceptions and one touchdown. His favorite target was Albert Marquardt, who caught six passes for a career-high 135 yards, including a 70-yard touchdown reception that gave the Bison a 14-0 lead with 4:04 remaining in the second quarter. The play was the longest pass of Wenrich's career and the longest reception for Marquardt.
Sarnor's 21-yard scoring run on Bucknell's second possession of the game made it 7-0.
Cornell's only points came on a 35-yard field goal by Trevor MacMeekin with 10:59 left in the third quarter. The Big Red held the ball for 32 minutes but scored only once on five trips inside the Bucknell 30-yard line. Anthony Lewis blocked a 25-yard field goal attempt and the Bucknell defense held on fourth down three times, including once after Cornell recovered a fumble at the Bucknell 6.
Marcus Blanks, making his first career start for Cornell, rushed 19 times for 98 yards. Bucknell has now gone 13 straight games without allowing a 100-yard rusher.
Quarterback Mick Razzano completed 10 of 27 passes for 125 yards and was picked off once. He was just 2-for-12 in the second half.
Bucknell outgained Cornell 324-254. The Bison entered the game ranked 10th in Division I-AA in total defense at 234.0 yards per game.
The Bison have now won three of their last four against Cornell but trail the all-time series 33-9. Last year's scheduled game was canceled in the wake of the September 11 attacks.
The win was Bucknell's first under acting head coach Dave Kotulski, who is filling in for Tom Gadd, who has taken leave from coaching this season while fighting cancer. Gadd, who equaled the Bucknell record for coaching wins last season, was honored at halftime.
Bucknell returns to action next Saturday for a 1 p.m. kickoff against Delaware State at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium.
