Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Spring Football Game Set for Saturday; Bison Incoming Recruits to be Introduced
4/28/2005 8:00:00 AM | Football
April 28, 2005
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Intermingled with a bevy of presidential inauguration activities on Saturday will be the annual Orange vs. Blue spring football game at Bucknell's Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium. For the second straight year the game will pit the Bison offense against the defense with a special scoring system in place. The scrimmage begins at 3:10 p.m. following a series of warm-ups and special teams drills. Admission is free.
Prior to the game, at 2:30 p.m., just outside the stadium there will be a ceremony featuring the planting of a tree in memory of Mark Oppong, the freshman defensive lineman who tragically passed away earlier this month.
At halftime, approximately 20 of the team's 32 incoming recruits will be introduced to the fans.
In the spring game, the Bison offense will be able to score points in the traditional way - six for a touchdown, three for a field goal and either one or two for a conversion. Meanwhile, the defense can accrue a single point for stopping a drive with no points given up, two points for a three-and-out series, three points for a turnover and six for a defensive score.
Many eyes will be focused on Bucknell's two young quarterbacks, rising sophomores Terrance Wilson and Ryan Ahern. Both are enjoying terrific spring practices, according to head coach Tim Landis, and one of them will likely be the heir apparent to First Team All-Patriot Leaguer Daris Wilson this fall.
In addition to the quarterbacks, Landis also singled out fullback Josh DeStefano and wide receiver Richard Simpson as offensive players that have stood out this fall. DeStefano will likely see the bulk of the action at fullback, with starter Blamah Sarnor coming off a knee injury that cost him the last eight games of the 2004 season, in addition to a slight hamstring pull suffered in spring practice. Rising juniors Kenny Davis and Peter Kaufman will start at the slotback positions.
At wide receiver, Landis feels that Simpson, a soon-to-be junior, is one of the most improved performers in all of spring camp and is ready to replace graduating Nisan Trotter as the Bison's feature wideout. Rising sophomore Andrew Guadagno will also see action at the position.
With two returning starters injured this spring - guard Stefan Niemczyk and center Joel Hoffer - Landis has been very pleased to see some intense competition for spots on the depth chart along the offensive line this spring. Most notable has been the improvement of rising sophomore Greg Conti, who has taken most of the reps at center and significantly upgraded his status for the fall. A spirited battle is being waged at left tackle between senior-to-be Craig Swanson and second-year man Chad Glasser. Converted defensive tackle Michael Anthony has enjoyed a fine spring at left guard, as has rising junior Michael Boccella at right guard. Veteran Stephen Watts, a two-year starter, solidifies the right tackle spot.
Defensively, Bucknell appears strongest up front, at least heading into preseason camp. Reigning All-American and Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year Sean Conover should once again be one of the top defensive ends in Division I-AA as a senior this fall. Classmates Andrew Decker, who will miss the spring game with an injury, Brandon Bailey and Jacob Burney, along with rising junior Michael Hardman and much-improved sophomore-to-be Ryan Walsh make the defensive line one of the team's deepest positions.
At inside linebacker, a mid-spring injury to returning starter Dorian Petersen has opened the door for rookie Peter Salvatore to step into a lead role, and he has been one of the defense's most pleasant surprises this spring according to Landis. Another first-year player, Ryan Slater from nearby Southern Columbia High School, will start Saturday's spring game alongside Salvatore.
One of the team's biggest unknowns going into next year is at the "knocker," or outside linebacker, position. Rising senior James Lachman is battling junior-to-be Stephen Matzura (Mount Carmel High School) at the "whip" position, while rapidly improving upcoming junior Matt Palermo is the preseason favorite at the "mike" position.
One of Bucknell's most talented all-around players is rising senior Dante Ross, who will be an All-Patriot League candidate at cornerback this fall. Ross, who had three interceptions in last year's season-ending win at Duquesne, was also named the Patriot League Special Teams Player of the Year in 2004 for his game-breaking punt and kickoff return ability. Soon-to-be junior David Frisbey is a likely starter at corner as well, although a host of highly touted incoming freshman will provide a challenge come preseason camp.
At free safety, sophomore-to-be Stephen Collage has been a real standout this spring, while classmate John Thomson also figures to be a major contributor on both defense and special teams next season.
Ryan Korn has been the starting placekicker in each of his two seasons at Bucknell and enters 2005 as the favorite again. The punting job is wide open following the graduation of two-year starter Ryan Berry. Former walk-on Peter Cotter will battle a trio of incoming freshman for the starting job this fall.
Bucknell is coming off an outstanding 7-4 campaign in 2004, including a four-game winning streak that will carry over into next season. The Bison won 4 of 6 Patriot League contests, headlined by a 42-7 victory over defending champion and NCAA finalist Colgate.
Bucknell returns five starters on both sides of the ball this fall. The 2005 season begins on Saturday, Sept. 3 against Georgetown at 6 p.m. It will be the first time since 1987 that the Bison will open the season with a Patriot League contest.
