Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Football Spring Game Halted Due to Lightning with Orange Leading 7-0
4/16/2011 8:00:00 AM | Football
April 16, 2011
LEWISBURG, Pa. - An incessant heavy rain that caused a truncated on-field warmup session did not stop the Bucknell football spring game from happening, but a mid-game lightning strike caused the contest to be called off early with the Orange squad leading the Blue squad 7-0 Saturday evening at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium.
Steady rain fell during the entire game and a lightning strike forced the officials to stop play with approximately 13 minutes remaining in the third quarter, which began immediately after the conclusion of the second quarter with no halftime intermission.
The lone score of the game came at the conclusion of the first quarter when Brandon Wesley found Victor Walker on a fade route for a 20-yard touchdown strike. Drew Orth then converted the extra point with water splashing into the air when his foot connected with the ball.
The defenses were strong throughout the approximately 40-minute (of real time) session as eight of the nine drives ended in punts. Robert De La Rosa posted 2.5 sacks and four tackles for the Blue team, while fellow defensive lineman Josh Eden also recorded four tackles for Blue. Beau Traber and Derrick Palmer had three tackles apiece for Blue.
Sean Sellers and Jeff Goyette led Orange with two tackles apiece, while Devin Gordon-Hamm posted a tackle for loss.
Tyler Smith ran well for Orange, rushing six times for 28 yards, including a long of 12. The Orange team finished with 63 yards of total offense.
The game was played with a few modified rules:
• 15-minute running-clock quarters
• No kickoffs
• Opposing team takes possession after a score at its own 30-yard line
• All punts are fair catches
• Quick whistle on quarterbacks
• Quarterbacks (Brandon Wesley, Burke Batten) switched teams midway through the game
Wesley was 3-for-4 for 30 yards when a member of the Orange team.
Bucknell will open its 2011 season Sept. 3 at home against Duquesne. Kickoff for the game is at 6 p.m. at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium.
