Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Penn
Bucknell Football Toppled by Penn, 34-24
10/7/2006 8:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 7, 2006
- Final Stats
- Bucknell vs. Penn Photo Gallery
- 2006 Bucknell Athletics Hall of Fame Ceremony Photo Gallery
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Robert Irvin completed 23 of 33 passes for 304 yards and three touchdowns to lead Penn past Bucknell 34-24 on Homecoming Day at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium. The Bison received a valiant effort from freshman quarterback Marcello Trigg, who was thrust into the starting lineup due to injuries to the top two signal callers, but fell to 3-3 on the season.
In his second collegiate appearance and first start, Trigg completed 10 of 19 passes for 125 yards and a touchdown. He led the Bison on a go-ahead touchdown drive in the first quarter, then after Penn sprinted to a 31-10 lead, Trigg operated two more short scoring drives to pull Bucknell within 10 in the fourth quarter.
Joe Sandberg rushed for 112 yards and touchdown and Braden Lepisto caught seven passes for 140 yards and a key 72-yard touchdown reception for Penn (3-1) in the first quarter.
The Bison scored first, marching 53 yards in eight plays, with Trigg moving them into the red zone with passes to Alex Odenbach and Daniel Zvara. Freshman A.J. Kizekai finished it off with a 5-yard option run, his fourth touchdown in of the season in only a little over two full games played.
Bucknell's lead was short-lived, however, as Irvin play-action faked on Penn's very next play from scrimmage and connected with Lepisto in stride for a 72-yard touchdown, tying the score at 7-all. After a punt, Irvin hit Matt Carre on a 28-yard strike in the final minute of the first quarter to make it 14-7.
Penn's big-play offense struck again with 6:38 left in the half, when Sandberg broke through the line and made a late cut back on the way to a 41-yard touchdown. Despite allowing 311 total yards, the Bison were still in striking distance at the half at 21-7 thanks in part to two interceptions from safety Stephen Collage.
Will Carney's 34-yard field goal brought Bucknell within 21-10 midway through the third quarter, but Penn tok advantage of Bucknell's lone miscue of the day and tacked on two field goals in a span of just 1:55. Derek Zoch kicked a 36-yard field goal with 4:02 left in the third quarter, and after Bucknell freshman Jason Davis fumbled on the ensuing kickoff return, Zoch hit a 24-yard boot to make it 27-10.
Irvin's third touchdown pass of the day, an 11-yarder to tight end Josh Koontz, made it 34-10 with 12:11 to play.
Bucknell's defense set up the final two scores of the day. Defensive end Todd Rinaldo scooped up a Sam Shepherd fumble at the Penn 12-yard line and returned it to the 4. One play later fullback Kevin Mullen dove across the goal line.
The Bison then forced a three-and-out, and Penn punter Anthony Melillo dropped the snap and was tackled at his own 14. On third-and-7, Trigg found Peter Kaufman open in the flat, and Kaufman walked in untouched to complete Bucknell's first touchdown pass of the season.
That brought the Bison within 34-24 with 2:42 to play. The Bison appeared to recover an onside kick, but the officials ruled that a Bucknell player touched the ball before it traveled 10 yards and awarded possession to the Quakers, who were able to run out the clock.
Penn outgained Bucknell 445-217, holding the nation's No. 2 rushing offense, averaging 267.8 yards per game coming in, to 92 net yards. Four quarterback sacks totaling 25 lost yards contributed to that season-low total. Kizekai led the Bison with 39 rushing yards on nine carries, while Kaufman had 38 on nine attempts.
Freshman wide receiver Cale Cadman caught a career-high four passes for 58 yards.
Bucknell plays nothing but Patriot League competition the rest of the way, beginning next Saturday with a 1 p.m. game at Georgetown.
