Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Football Looks to Even Record Saturday at Marist
9/7/2010 8:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 7, 2010
What: Bucknell Bison (0-1) at Marist Red Foxes (0-1)
Where: Tenney Stadium at Leonidoff Field, Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
When: Saturday, Sept. 11, 2010, 6 p.m.
Radio: Eagle 107 (107.3 WEGH)
Internet Video: Bison Vision
Internet Radio: SportsJuice.com
Live Statistics: GameTracker
Game Notes
Other Links:
Offense - Probable Starters
QB 14 Brandon Wesley (Fr. 6-2 178) - First Bison freshman QB to play in season opener
RB 32 Tyler Smith (So. 5-9 185) - PL Special Teams Player of the Week (89-yd. KOR vs. Duquesne)
FB 33 Travis Friend (Fr. 6-2 230) - One of two freshmen listed first on depth chart (Wesley is other)
WR 85 Gabe Skwara (Jr. 6-2 180) - One of seven Bison offensive players to make first start vs. Duq
WR 2 Marlon Woods (Sr. 5-8 166) - 21 catches, 221 yards in career is most among Bison receivers
LT 62 Carson Rohrbaugh (Jr. 6-3 270) - Made first career start vs. Duquesne after playing on ST last 2 yrs
LG 61 Ian Dal Bello (Jr. 6-1 280) - 23 consecutive starts
C 75 Jason Vollmar (Sr. 5-11 265) - Made first start at center vs. Duquesne after playing RT in 2009
RG 59 Anthony Carter (Jr. 6-0 280) - 23 consecutive starts
RT 76 Josh Phillip (Jr. 6-4 259) - One of two new starters on OL (Rohrbaugh)
TE 42 Nick Gatto (So. 6-2 225) - 1 catch, 4 yards vs. Duquesne in first career game action
Defense - Probable Starters
DE 48 Tyler Anderson (Sr. 6-1 221) - 12 consecutive starts
DT 24 Robert De La Rosa (Jr. 6-2 275) - Second Team All-Patriot League (2009)
NG 91 Kyle Boline (Sr. 6-2 260) - Made first start since 2008 in season opener
DE 92 Josh Eden (Jr. 6-4 265) - Missed last 2 years while on a Mission; 5 tackles, 2 TFL in return
Sam LB 43 Sean Rafferty (Jr. 6-0 200) - Made second career start in opener; both starts vs. Duquesne
Mike LB 51 Tim Bolte (Jr. 6-1 230) - Only defensive player to make 1st career start last week
Will LB 57 Travis Nissley (Sr. 5-11 214) - 2009 Patriot League Football Scholar-Athlete of the Year
CB 27 Jamal Briggs (Sr. 6-2 195) - 10th on team with 34 tackles in 2009
FS 26 Ahkiel White (Sr. 6-2 205) - Second Team All-Patriot League (2009)
SS 35 Rob Gerlach (Sr. 5-11 200) - Among Patriot League leaders with 3 interceptions in 2009
CB 5 Bryce Robertson (Jr. 5-9 178) - 81 tackles, 3 forced fumbles, 1 INT in career
Special Teams - Probable Starters
PK 1 Drew Orth (Jr. 6-0 190) - Career: 8-9FG; 32-35XP
P 13 Ryan Gutowski (So. 5-9 190) - 7 punts, 28.1 avg. vs. Duquesne
PR 5 Bryce Robertson (Jr. 5-9 178) - 1 return for 5 yards vs. Duquesne
KR 32 Tyler Smith (So. 5-9 185) - 89-yard kickoff return for TD vs. Duquesne
KR 2 Marlon Woods (Sr. 5-8 166) - Did not return a kick vs. Duquesne
KR 5 Bryce Robertson (Jr. 5-9 178) - Did not return a kick vs. Duquesne
LS 34 Jeff Goyette (Fr. 5-11 205) - In first year as a long snapper
H 41 Frank DeNick (Jr. 6-2 190) - In first year as holder
With a Victory over Marist, Bucknell Would ...
... keep its record perfect vs. the Red Foxes (improve to 6-0).
... defeat the Red Foxes for a sixth consecutive season.
... avoid its first 0-2 start to a season since 2005.
... snap a four-game non-league road losing streak (last win: 2008 at Marist)
... snap a nine-game road losing streak.
About the Game
Bucknell and Marist both enter Saturday's contest looking for their first victory of the young 2010 campaign. The Bison lost a tight 17-13 game at Duquesne on Saturday, while the Red Foxes opened the season last Friday at home against Sacred Heart and lost by a 28-25 margin. Bucknell's offense struggled to put points on the board at Duquesne, managing just 178 yards and two field goals on the day. However, the defense was strong. After yielding an easy Dukes touchdown on the first series, the defense gave up just 10 points over the final 56 minutes of play. The Bison will be charged with stopping a Marist offense that passed for 263 yards and rushed for just over 20 against the Pioneers. The Red Foxes scored the final 18 points against Sacred Heart, but failed to recover a late onside kick.
Bucknell vs. Marist Series Notes
- Bucknell leads 5-0.
- Bucknell leads in Poughkeepsie 2-0.
- Bucknell won the first three meetings by an average score of 38-11. The last two games have been decided by a total of five points.
- Marist has never scored 20 points vs. Bucknell. Last Time vs. Marist
Bucknell 17, Marist 16 (Sept. 26, 2009 - Lewisburg, Pa.)
- Marist dominated the time of possession battle, 41:24-18:36.
- Marist missed three kicks (two field goals, one extra point).
- Marist recovered an onside kick with 47 seconds remaining and moved to within field goal range, but Jason Myers missed a 28-yard field goal as time expired.
- The score was tied at 7-7 for more than 30 minutes before 19 points were scored in the final quarter.
- Travis Nissley (12) and Greg Jones (11) each reached double figures in tackles for the Bison.
Inside the Duquesne Box Score
- Freshman QB Brandon Wesley came off the bench in his first career game and rushed for a team-high 48 yards and passed for 81.
- Tyler Smith returned a kickoff 89 yards for a touchdown, the first Bison to do that since A.J. Kizekai in 2008.
- Drew Orth connected on two field goals in a game for the first time in his career.
- Josh Eden made his first appearance in the Bison lineup since 2007 and posted five tackles, including two tackles for loss.
- Defensive players Kyle Boline, Robert De La Rosa and Josh Eden lined up on offense in a first-half goal line situation.
- Bucknell lost its season opener at Duquesne for the second consecutive year.
- Bucknell and Duquesne combined to convert on just 8 of 27 third downs. The two teams punted a combined 14 times.
- Bucknell was flagged eight times for 64 yards. The last time the Bison committed more miscues was in 2008 vs. Robert Morris.
- John von Paris recorded his first career interception.
- Duquesne started a drive in Bucknell territory twice and scored on both possessions.
Wesley is the First
Brandon Wesley became the first Bucknell freshman quarterback to appear in a season opener since freshmen became eligible in the early 1970s. Wesley, who entered the game in a reserve role, had a solid debut with 19 rushes for 48 yards. He also completed 12 of 21 passes for 81 yards. He did not throw an interception despite heavy pressure from the Dukes defense.
Freshmen Quarterbacks
QB Brandon Wesley is not just the first freshman to appear at quarterback in a season opener, he is just the fourth Bison rookie to play quarterback at any point during his freshman campaign in the last decade, following Mahdi Woodard (2005), Marcello Trigg (2006) and C.J. Hopson (2008).
Debuts by Recent Notable Bucknell Freshman Quarterbacks
C.J. Hopson (2008 vs. Lafayette) - 3-5 for 10 yards, 2 rush for 14 yards
Marcello Trigg (2006 vs. Marist) - 5 rush for 32 yards, 1 TD
Mahdi Woodard (2005 vs. Stony Brook) - 2-7 for 37 yards, 14 rush for 34 yards, 1 TD
Terrance Wilson (2004 - DNP as a freshman)
Daris Wilson (2001 - DNP as a freshman)
Todd Wenrich (1999 - DNP as a freshman)
Not Missing A.J.
Bucknell figured to take a step back in the kickoff return department this year with the graduation of A.J. Kizekai, the school record-holder for nearly every kickoff return mark. However, sophomore RB Tyler Smith did his best impersonation of Kizekai, returning a kickoff 89 yards for a touchdown early in the third quarter of Saturday's contest at Duquesne. Smith's touchdown is tied for the 17th-longest in program history, while his 166 return yards placed him eighth on Bucknell's single-game ledger.
Kickoff Return Yards (game)
1. A.J. Kizekai - 210 (vs. Lafayette, 11/8/08)
2. Dante Ross - 198 (vs. Georgetown, 10/2/04)
3. A.J. Kizekai - 178 (vs. Colgate, 10/25/08)
4. A.J. Kizekai - 175 (vs. Hofstra, 10/11/08)
5. Earl Beecham - 172 (vs. New Hampshire, 10/12/85)
6. Dan Scocca - 171 (vs. Princeton, 10/15/88)
7. A.J. Kizekai - 167 (vs. Stony Brook, 9/8/07)
8. Tyler Smith - 166 (vs. Duquesne, 9/4/10)
Weekly Honors
Despite the loss in week one, Bucknell players took home plenty of individual accolades this week. RB Tyler Smith was named the Patriot League Special Teams Player of the Week and was cited as a National Performer of the Week by College Football Performance Awards. Additonally, freshman QB Brandon Wesley was named the Patriot League Rookie of the Week, giving the Bison that award in two consecutive ballots as Smith captured it the final week of the 2009 campaign.
Smith Piling Up Touchdowns
Sophomore RB Tyler Smith returned a third-quarter kickoff 89 yards for Bucknell's only touchdown against Duquesne. He has now scored three of the Bison's last four touchdowns, dating back to last year's season finale victory over Holy Cross. His three career touchdowns are second among current Bison.
Career Touchdowns (current Bison)
1. Ryan Smith - 4
2. Tyler Smith - 3
3. Marlon Woods - 1
Orth Perfect in Opener
Junior K Drew Orth was a perfect 3-for-3 on kicks (2-2 FG, 1-1 PAT) vs. Duquesne. He has now converted 17 of his last 18 extra points and five straight field goals. His seven points against the Dukes equaled his career high (seven vs. Hofstra in 2008).
First-Time Starters
Eight of Bucknell's 22 starters vs. Duquesne were making their first appearance in the starting lineup. Seven of the starting lineup rookies (QB Burke Batten, FB Travis Friend, TE Nick Gatto, RB Robert Owoyele, RT Josh Phillip, LT Carson Rohrbaugh, WR Gabe Skwara) were on the offensive side of the ball, while LB Tim Bolte was the only first-time starter on defense. Overall, Bucknell's game one offensive starters had a combined 64 starts entering Saturday's contest, while the defensive starters had 135.
Rare Loss
Bucknell held Duquesne under 20 points on Saturday, a feat that has usually equaled success for the Bison in recent years. In fact, it was the first time Bucknell has lost a game when the opponent fails to reach 20 points since 2005 vs. Colgate (L, 16-10). The Bison had held opponents under 20 points 11 times since that 2005 Colgate contest and won each time.
Susan's Unbeaten Streak Ends
After a decade of being perfect, first-year Bucknell head coach Joe Susan finally has a blemish on his record. Susan's only other head coaching experience came in 2000 when he led Davidson to a 10-0 record.
Odds Stacked Against Bison
While Bucknell had the ball in Duquesne territory late in the fourth quarter with a chance to win the game this past Saturday, the odds were stacked against the Bison. Bucknell is just 2-31 in its last 33 games dating back to 2005 when it trails after three quarters, and the Bison were behind 17-10 following three quarters against the Dukes.
First-Game Victories
Joe Susan was unable to continue the success that recent Bison coaches have had in their first games as head coach at Bucknell. He is the first Bison mentor to lose his first game on the sidelines since Bob Curtis in 1975. Curtis, however, is tied for first on the program's career wins list with 48.
Season Openers
With its loss at Duquesne on Saturday, Bucknell fell to 85-39-1 (.684) in season openers. The Bison are now 4-4 in their last eight openers. Bucknell has faced Duquesne in five consecutive openers and nine of the last 14.
Two Straight Road Games
Bucknell is playing its first two games on the road for the first time since 2002. This is the 11th time since 1900 the Bison have had two consecutive road contests to open the season. On only five of those occasions has Bucknell been swept in the two games.
Years Bucknell has Opened with Two Straight Road Games (since 1900)
1921, 1939, 1943, 1946, 1963, 1969, 1975, 1987, 2001, 2002, 2010
Road Losing Streak
Bucknell will be looking to snap a nine-game road losing streak this Saturday at Marist. The Bison last won on the road Oct. 18, 2008 at Georgetown. Bucknell halted a seven-game road losing streak at Marist in 2006.
Yellow Flags
Bucknell was the least-penalized team in the nation in 2007 and 2008 and finished second last year. However, this past Saturday against Duquesne the Bison were flagged eight times for 64 yards, their highest total since accumulating nine penalties for 92 yards opposite Robert Morris in 2008. Despite the higher-than-average penalties in the opener, Bucknell still has quite an advantage in the penalty department. Over the last 17 games, the Bison have been penalized 58 times for 534 yards, while their opponents have piled up 942 penalty yards on 103 penalties.
First JV Game
Bucknell will have two JV games this year, both against Lycoming. The first will take place this Sunday, Sept. 12, at 6 p.m. at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium. The Bison will then take the trip north on Route 15 to play the Warriors on Sunday, Oct. 10, at 1 p.m.
125th Season
Bucknell is celebrating its 125th season of football in 2010. Only Princeton (141), Yale (138), Harvard (136), Penn (134), Dartmouth (129), Lafayette (129), Massachusetts (128), Lehigh (127) and Richmond (127) have played longer among FCS teams. Bucknell ranks 18th among all FCS programs with 564 all-time victories. To commemorate the occasion, the first 600 fans at next Saturday's home opener vs. Dartmouth will receive a free poster.
2010 Promotional Schedule at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium
Sept. 18 - vs. Dartmouth, 1 p.m.
- Honoring of Winter/Spring Championship Teams, 125th Season Poster Giveaway, Domino's Pizza Crazy Fan Giveaway, Bison Land Inflatables sponsored by West Branch Rent-All, Plan for Prominence Game
Oct. 2 - vs. Cornell, 3:30 p.m. (TV: CBS College Sports)
- Bucknell University Family Weekend, Junior Bison Club Lunch Box Giveaway (14 & under), Lewisburg Youth Football Halftime Game, Domino's Pizza Crazy Fan Giveaway, Bison Land Inflatables sponsored by West Branch Rent-All
Oct. 9 - vs. Penn, 1 p.m.
- Junior Bison Club Party Day, Take-A-Kid to the Game Day, Domino's Pizza Crazy Fan Giveaway, Bison Land Inflatables sponsored by West Branch Rent-All
Oct. 30 - vs. Lafayette, 1 p.m. (TV: Lafayette Sports Network/WQMY)
- Bucknell University Homecoming, Bucknell Athletics Hall of Fame Induction, 50-year Anniversary Celebration of 1960 Lambert Cup Team, Domino's Pizza Crazy Fan Giveaway, Bison Land Inflatables sponsored by West Branch Rent-All
Nov. 6 - vs. Fordham, 1 p.m.
- Community Recognition, Domino's Pizza Crazy Fan Giveaway, Bison Land Inflatables sponsored by West Branch Rent-All
Nov. 13 - vs. Colgate, 1 p.m.
- Senior Day, POWERade Day (free POWERade giveaway), Domino's Pizza Crazy Fan Giveaway
Up Next
Bucknell will open up its home campaign next Saturday, Sept. 18, against Dartmouth. Kickoff is at 1 p.m. at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium. It will be the first meeting between the Bison and the Big Green since 1993. Dartmouth leads the all-time series 4-1. Also, Bucknell head coach Joe Susan will be celebrating his 55th birthday.
