Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Football Preseason Camp Update
8/19/2012 8:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 19, 2012
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Three days and only two practices removed from its last scrimmage, the Bucknell football team hit the Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium turf Sunday evening for another scrimmage. Head coach Joe Susan was pleased with the performance of the team, but pointed out the defense is still ahead of the offense nearly two weeks into preseason camp.
"Our defense outplayed our offense," said Susan, who enters his third year on the Bison sideline. "Do I expect that? Yes, because of the difference in experience. On that first drive we shot ourselves in the foot a couple times with procedure penalties by the young offensive line. That was a 19-play drive. If you get a defense out there for 19 plays, you can tire them out, but we came away with nothing."
Sunday's scrimmage, which was moved up an hour from its originally scheduled 6 p.m. start time, easily had more than 100 people in attendance. Both the offense and defense occupied the same sideline and Susan put the team through as much of a normal pregame experience as possible with the season opener now less than three weeks away.
The majority of the scrimmage featured the offense taking control of the ball on its own end of the field and having to drive to score. Susan mixed up the matchups, pitting the first offense against both the first and second defense and allowing both defenses to face both the first- and second-team offenses. The offense was unable to put many sustained drives together, although a highlight was a nearly 70-yard touchdown by WR Victor Walker.
Junior Brandon Wesley and sophomore Trey Lauletta took the majority of snaps at quarterback.
The defense forced a number of turnovers during the scrimmage with the most notable one being a fumble by Charles Thompson that Samuel Oyekoya picked up near the 25-yard line and ran into the end zone for a touchdown.
"Sam did it exactly the way we teach to scoop and score," praised Susan. "You watch him and he slowed everything down and picked the ball up. Our defense will work hard at creating turnovers once again this season."
Jeff Goyette, Sean Sellers and Amir Afkhami all had tackles for loss or sacks for the defense during the first half of the scrimmage, while freshmen Jimmy King recovered a fumble and Daniel Gevirtz posted an interception when the third-string units were on the field.
The defense stayed strong throughout the two-hour session, stopping the first-team offense shy of a first down and recording a safety against the second team during a coming out scenario. Additionally, the defense forced two field goals on drives when the offense took possession at the 23-yard line.
"Playing against this defense helps us out," commented Susan. "The benefit of playing Bucknell offense vs. Bucknell defense helps both sides. It is so important to creating a mentality of toughness."
The kickers also got a chance to take the field during the scrimmage. Ryan Gutowski and Kyle Sullivan split punting duties, while Derek Maurer and Sean Cobelli shared placekicking opportunities.
With 13 practices complete this preseason, the Bison on the verge of their first day off. Classes at Bucknell start Wednesday and it is a scheduled day off.
"Classes really don't change things for us," said Susan. "What we have done, and we will do until the day they get rid of me, is give them the first day of classes off. That gets them a chance to get going. The biggest stress is from the freshmen. The upperclassmen have been there and know what to do. Freshman orientation did impact us a little bit by taking the freshmen away from us, but it hasn't been a big deal."
The Bison will practice at 3:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday before their idle day. Bucknell's season opener is slated for Sept. 8 at Marist. That contest will kick off at 6 p.m.
