Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Football Begins Spring Practice on Sunday
3/24/2006 7:00:00 AM | Football
March 24, 2006
LEWISBURG, Pa. -- The Bucknell football team is still about five months away from its 2006 season opener against Duquesne, but a crucial development period begins Sunday afternoon with the start of spring practice. The opening session begins with a 3 p.m. meeting at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium, with practice to follow at approximately 4 p.m.
Sunday's workout will be the first of 15 spring sessions, with the last being the annual Orange vs. Blue Game, which is slated for Saturday, Apr. 22 at 7 p.m.
Coach Tim Landis' Bison squad is looking to bounce back from a difficult 1-10 campaign that was derailed by a number of key injuries. Despite the rare sub-.500 record - it was only the program's second losing season since 1995 - Bucknell does return a number of key players in 2006.
On defense the Bison will return seven starters, including the team's top three tacklers last season in LB Ryan Slater (84), LB Dorian Petersen (78) and DB Stephen Collage (69). Both starting cornerbacks return in David Frisbey and Devon Lutz, while Ryan Walsh will be the lone returning starter on the defensive line.
Offensively, Bucknell will have a new starting quarterback in 2006, and Landis will use the spring camp to evaluate three potential starters. Junior-to-be Terrance Wilson was the opening-day starter last season, but a broken jaw suffered in that season opener against Georgetown ended his season after just one game. Underclassmen Ryan Ahern also started games last season but was hampered by injuries as well. Another prospect is sophomore-to-be Andrew Lair, who is new to the program after transferring from Navy. Lair is enrolled at Bucknell and will be participating in spring practice.
Other offensive players to watch are young receivers Daniel Zavara and Zach Allen, backs Josh DeStefano, Peter Kaufman and Kadero Watson, and returning starting linemen Stefan Niemczyk, Chad Glasser and Jonathan Grainger.
In addition to the spring game, another key date this month is the annual Bucknell Football Family Funfest, which is scheduled for Apr. 9 at 2 p.m. at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium.
