Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Football Preseason Camp Report #3
8/18/2005 8:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 18, 2005
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LEWISBURG, Pa. -- Big plays from both the offense and defense overshadowed a handful of turnovers in Bucknell's first intrasquad scrimmage of the preseason. After a series of individual and situational drills the team scrimmaged for a little over an hour. Officials from the Atlantic 10 worked the game, and as might be expected for an early-season scrimmage, were busy sorting out penalties early on. The workout began and ended with the first-team offense and defense clashing head to head, and every healthy player saw action in the game.
"We needed to get everyone on film so we can go back and evaluate every position," said Landis after the scrimmage. "There were guys bouncing around out there with a lot of energy, which was nice to see, and we were able to script a lot of special teams situations as well."
Sophomore QB Terrance Wilson opened the contest with a shout, streaking 75 yards for a touchdown on the very first play. The defense settled down from there, holding the offense without a first down on the next three series. They also forced several fumbles, one of which was returned 21 yards for a touchdown by junior LB Dorian Petersen. On a red zone offense drill late in the scrimmage, Wilson slashed his way to a 17-yard touchdown.
"I was disappointed in the way we took care of the football," said Landis, "but we have a little over two weeks left to take care of those things."
The scrimmage ended with a simulated overtime period, with the offense taking possession at its opponent's 25-yard line. Wilson ran for seven yards on first down, but the defense stiffened, and after a holding penalty blocked K Ryan Korn's 43-yard field goal.
"The offense and defense both made plays, and we'll be able to evaluate it better after we have a chance to look at the film," Landis said. "On first look it seemed like the defense got good pressure. Terrance Wilson was impressive on the two touchdowns. The second one on fourth down was a real nifty run."
MORE SCRIMMAGE HIGHLIGHTS
DB Dante Ross and WR Richard Simpson both had long returns against scout team coverage ... Ross returned a kickoff 75 yards, while Simpson scored a touchdown on a 74-yard punt return ... against the first-team offense sophomore DB Stephen Collage made nice open field tackles on successive plays to halt a drive ... freshman QB Ben Bouffard was the second quarterback to take the field and had two long first-down rushes, including a 25-yarder ... sophomore LB Ryan Slater played well with the first-team defense and also blocked a punt ... junior LB Dorian Petersen recorded a sack on third down, then recovered fumbles on successive plays, the last of which went for the TD ... freshman DB Nolan Applegate stripped the ballcarrier on the TD play ... freshman WR Daniel Zvara had an 8-yard catch from Wilson, while Simpson had a 12-yard first-down reception nullified by a holding penalty ... senior DL Brandon Bailey recovered a fumble on his own 17-yard line ... sophomore FB Josh DeStefano went up the middle for a 19-yard run ... excitable freshman LB Kevin Mullen had a sack for a 13-yard loss and a tackle in the backfield for a 2-yard loss ... senior LB James Lachman also had a sack ... sophomore RB Cameron O'Reilly scored from 4 yards out in a goalline offense drill ... freshman Phil Azarik had a number of nice punts, including a towering 40-yarder from his own end zone.
BUCKNELL FOOTBALL MEDIA DAY
On Wednesday morning the Bison posed for individual photographs as well as team and position group shots, and later in the day a large group of players met with members of the local media inside the Langone Athletics & Recreation Center. Drawing the most media interest were Bucknell's large contingent of local players, including senior DL Andrew Decker, junior LB Stephen Matzura, sophomore LB Ryan Slater, freshman LB Trey Savitski and freshman WR Zach Allen.
BISON BRIEFS
Two Bison made position switches this week, one of which may be permanent ... sophomore Greg Sutton moved from slotback to cornerback to provide the team with a bit more depth at that position ... senior Brandon Bailey, a mainstay at defensive end, also played some at tight end during the scrimmage, but Landis indicated that Bailey is first and foremost a defensive lineman ... Friday marks the start of freshman orientation, with a host of activities planned surrounding the team's afternoon practice ... I-AA.org magazine picked Bucknell to finish third in the Patriot League ... the publication also picked OL Stephen Watts, DL Sean Conover and DB Dante Ross to its Preseason All-Patriot League First Team, and RB Blamah Sarnor and LB Dorian Petersen to its All-PL Second Team ... Conover was listed as the Defensive Player of the Year, with Lehigh QB Mark Borda as the Offensive Player of the Year ... following Thursday's scrimmage, 16 days remained until the season opener vs. Georgetown.
