Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell-Duquesne Postgame Notes
9/7/2002 8:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 7, 2002
Bucknell Postgame Notes Sept. 7, 2002 vs. Duquesne
Bucknell dropped its season opener at Duquesne, 35-14 at Rooney Athletic Field ... the Bison lost on opening day for the third straight season ... turnovers on each of its last five possessions doomed Bucknell ... with the game tied at 14 midway through the fourth quarter, Joe Pavlick returned an interception to the Bucknell 11-yard line, setting up the go-ahead touchdown for the Dukes ... just over one minute later Armar Watson sealed it with a 46-yard interception return for a touchdown ... junior RB Jess Brinson had a big day for the Bison, carrying 28 times for 120 yards and a touchdown ... it was Brinson's second career 100-yard rushing game ... his 4-yard TD run early in the fourth quarter tied the game at 7-7 ... Bucknell's first touchdown came with 9:00 left in the second quarter, a 16-yard pass from senior QB Todd Wenrich to sophomore WR Nisan Trotter ... it was Trotter's first career TD ... Wenrich struggled in the passing department, completing 10 of 24 tosses for 106 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions ... sophomore QB Kyle Fields made his varsity debut late in the game and completed 3 of 5 passes for 18 yards, but turned it over twice on a fumble and an interception ... the following Bison made their first career starts: junior OT Rashad Stallworth, sophomore OG Aaron DeGrafenreidt, junior C Andrew Cinamella, sophomore OT Justin Gibson, junior TE Dave Gibson, sophomore ILB David Ulmer, sophomore ILB Kevin Ransome, junior SS Will Smith, junior FS Mike Leatherman and junior CB Anthony Lewis ... the game marked the debut of acting head coach Dave Kotulski, who leads the team this season while Tom Gadd fights an illness ... Bucknell now has a 4-3 lead in the all-time series with Duquesne ... Saturday's win was the Dukes first over the Bison since 1934 ... senior WR Jim Horan was held to only one reception, but it was good enough to move into a tie for fourth with Dan Scocca (1987-90) on Bucknell's career list with 128 ... Bucknell's defense limited the Dukes to eight first downs, 56 rushing yards and 249 total yards ... the Bison have a short week to regroup, with a Thursday cross-country trip to St. Mary's for a Sept. 14 game in Moraga, Calif.
