Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Holy Cross
Bucknell Football Season Comes to an End with 34-9 Loss at Holy Cross
11/20/2010 7:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 20, 2010
WORCESTER, Mass. - Holy Cross' Ryan Taggart completed 13 of 27 passes for 154 yards and rushed for two touchdowns and the Crusaders scored 34 unanswered points in a span of 29 minutes as the Bucknell football team lost its season finale to Holy Cross, 34-9, Saturday afternoon at blustery Fitton Field. Brandon Wesley completed 18 of 30 passes for 115 yards and one touchdown to lead the Bison offense.
The gusting wind was a factor in the contest as all 43 points were scored on drives that started with the wind at the back of the offense.
Bucknell (1-10, 1-4 PL) had the early momentum as it forced Holy Cross (6-5, 3-2 PL) to punt on its first possession after four plays. The Bison responded with a 16-play, 53-yard drive that spanned 8:27. However, Mude Ohimor sacked Wesley and forced a fumble, halting the drive without any points.
Bucknell's defense came up big on the Crusaders' second drive as Holy Cross went three-and-out. Taggart was 0-for-3 on the first two offensive series.
The Bison, who had the 20-plus miles per hour wind at their back in the first and fourth quarters, moved the ball with ease on their second possession as well as they covered 46 yards on 11 plays and ended with a 19-yard field goal by Alex Eckard. Bucknell marched to the nine-yard line by the final horn in the first quarter, but could only advance to the two-yard line on three plays in the second quarter.
Bucknell held quite a statistical advantage at that point, outgaining Holy Cross 97-15 and dominating the time of possession, 12:47-2:13. Wesley had completed 11 of 13 passes for 80 yards.
Holy Cross snatched the momentum right away as Mike Fess returned a Drew Orth kickoff 75 yards for a touchdown, giving the Crusaders a 7-3 advantage.
After a fumble on its next possession after moving the ball 36 yards on six plays behind 4-of-4 passing from backup quarterback Mark Tolzien, Holy Cross scored on six straight possessions.
Following Eckard's second-quarter field goal Holy Cross outgained the Bison 339-151.
Bucknell ended the Holy Cross scoring streak when Welsey found Gabe Skwara for an eight-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter. It was the first career touchdown reception for Skwara and it was set up by a 47-yard completion from Ryan Gutowski to Sean Rafferty on a fake punt. The ensuing extra point attempt was blocked, keeping the score at 34-9.
Travis Nissley, one of 15 seniors who were playing their final game as Bison, led the defense with 10 tackles, including two stops for loss. Donald Quarles added a career-high seven stops.
Bucknell finished the game with a large time of possession advantage (36:40-23:20).
The Bison finished the game 4-for-5 on fourth downs, and 4-for-18 on third downs. Holy Cross finished 7 of 13 on third downs and converted seven of their first 11.
Freddie Santana, who had a 43-yard touchdown grab from Bill Edger in the third quarter that put Holy Cross up 27-3, had a strong all-around game with 170 all-purpose yards. He rushed twice for 39 yards, caught six passes for 118 yards and returned one punt for 13 yards.
With his performance on Saturday, Wesley finished the season 171-for-296 for 1,699 yards. He now ranks seventh on the single-season pass completions list, eighth in single-season pass attempts and fell just 84 yards shy of 10th place in passing yards.
