Bucknell University Athletics
Football Opens Season Saturday at Home vs. Marist
9/4/2013 2:29:00 PM | Football
What: Marist Red Foxes (0-1, 0-0 PFL) at Bucknell Bison (0-0, 0-0 PL)
Where: Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium, Lewisburg, Pa.
When: Saturday, Sept. 7, 2013, 6 p.m.
Tickets: 570-577-1000 or www.bucknell.edu/boxoffice
Internet Video: Bison Vision on Patriot League Network (FREE!) 
Radio: Eagle 107 (107.3 WEGH)
Internet Radio: Eagle107.com
Live Statistics: GameTracker 
Probable Starters - Offense
QB 14 Brandon Wesley (Sr., 6-2, 195) - Holds Bucknell record for career completions (461) & att. (806)
RB 31 Matt DelMauro (So., 5-7, 185) - Expected to make first career start at RB
FB 33 Travis Friend (Sr., 6-2, 242) - 3-time All-Patriot League selection
WR 80 Josh Brake (Jr., 6-3, 205) - 2nd on team w/career-high 395 rec. yards in 2012
WR 81 Vinnie Pini (Jr., 5-9, 170) - 9 career games played
LT 70 Julie'n Davenport (Fr., 6-7, 305) - Only freshman expected to start vs. Marist
LG 72 Lonnie Rawles (Jr., 6-4, 285) - Moving to LG from LT this year, 18 career starts
C 77 Brandon Noblett (Jr., 6-2, 285) - Started all 11 games at C in 2012
RG 79 Nevin Hagman (Jr., 6-3, 285) - Moving to RG from LT this year, 9 career starts
RT 71 Ramy Kased (So., 6-6, 325) - Played in 9 games in 2012, starting vs. Georgetown
TE 88 Patrick Kelly (Jr., 6-3, 230) - 22 GP, 5 receptions in career
Probable Starters - Defense
DE 52 Dylan McDonnell (Jr., 6-1, 245) - 13th on team w/27 tackles in 2012
DT 51 Brent Forbes (Sr., 6-2, 285) - 20 GP last two years, 17 career tackles
NG 90 Tracey Smith (Sr., 6-1, 265) - Second Team All-PL in 2012, Preseason All-PL in 2013
DE 99 Connor Hayes (Jr., 6-1, 235) - Played mostly on special teams in 2012
Mike LB 27 Evan Byers (Jr., 6-0, 225) - Second Team All-PL in 2012, Preseason All-PL in 2013
Sam LB 37 Lee Marvel (Jr., 6-0, 205) - Moving to LB after totaling 58 tackles at S in 2012
SS 25 Clayton Ewell (So., 6-1, 195) - Predominantly a special teams player in 2012
FS 43 Louis Taglianetti (So., 5-11, 200) - Predominantly a special teams player in 2012
Whip DB 26 Matthew Steinbeck (Jr., 6-0, 210) - First Team All-PL in 2012, Preseason All-PL in 2013
CB 2 Derrick Palmer (Sr., 5-10, 175) - Team captain along with Friend, Goyette
CB 23 Tajh Turner (Sr., 5-9, 170) - Expected to make first career start
With a Victory over Marist, Bucknell Would ...
• ... win its season opener for the sixth time in the last eight years.
• ... improve to 88-39-1 all-time in season openers.
• ... win three consecutive season openers for the first time since 2006-2008.
• ... improve to 94-32-1 all-time in home openers.
• ... win its home opener for the first time since 2011.
• ... win a fourth consecutive home season opener (2006, 2008, 2011).
• ... defeat the Red Foxes for the eighth time in nine all-time meetings.
• ... remain unbeaten at home against the Red Foxes.
• ... post back-to-back victories for the first time since 2011.
• ... improve to 3-1 in its last four games.
• ... win a third consecutive home game.
About the Game
For the second consecutive year Bucknell will be opening its season against a Marist squad that already has a game under its belt. The Red Foxes suffered a 37-21 loss to future Bison opponent Sacred Heart last Saturday evening. Bucknell, which is beginning its 128th season, has had tremendous success in season openers as it owns an 87-39-1 all-time mark in the first game of the year. The Bison are a strong 5-2 in openers since 2006, facing only two opponents (Duquesne, Marist) over that span. Marist will be looking to avoid its first 0-2 start to a campaign since 2008.
Bucknell vs. Marist Series Notes
• Bucknell leads 7-1.
• Bucknell owns a 4-0 advantage in Lewisburg.
• Bucknell won the first three meetings by an average score of 38-11. The last five matchups have been decided by a total of 32 points.
• Marist has never scored 20 points vs. Bucknell.
• Along with Cornell, Marist is one of two non-league teams that have been on Bucknell's schedule every year since 2005.
Last Time vs. Marist
Bucknell 19, Marist 17 (Sept. 8, 2012 - Poughkeepsie, N.Y.)
• A 36-yard field goal by Sean Cobelli with 4:50 to play proved to be the winning points for Bucknell. The field goal capped a 14-play, 65-yard drive that took 7:29 off the clock.
• Bucknell had to recover an onside kick in the final minute to seal the victory. Victor Walker landed on the kick.
• Bucknell's offensive line consisted of four first-time starters who had never before been on the field during a regulation game. The line yielded just one sack and helped the Bison register 332 yards of total offense.
• Bison QB Brandon Wesley was 20-for-27 passing for 190 yards. It was his fourth career game with at least 20 completions.
Season Openers
Bucknell is 87-39-1 in season-opening contests. The Bison are 5-2 in their last seven season openers.
Team Captains
Seniors Travis Friend, Jeff Goyette and Derrick Palmer were elected team captains last spring. A fullback, Friend is a three-time All-Patriot League selection who was a Preseason Third Team All-America selection by The Sports Network. Entering his fourth year as the team's long snapper, Jeff Goyette has played in all 33 games over the last three years. He is also a backup linebacker who is a two-time Patriot League Academic Honor Roll selection. Palmer, a cornerback, is a veteran of 30 games and has piled up 112 tackles to rank third among current Bison entering the season.
128th Season
Bucknell opens its 128th season of football Saturday against Marist. Only Princeton (144), Yale (141), Harvard (139), Penn (137), Dartmouth (132), Lafayette (132), Lehigh (130) and Richmond (130) have played longer among current FCS teams. Bucknell ranks 19th among all FCS programs with 574 all-time victories.
All-Patriot League
• Bucknell had seven players named All-Patriot League last fall and five of them return in 2013.
• First-team selections FB Travis Friend and S Matthew Steinbeck return, as do second-team picks LB Evan Byers, DE Sean Sellers and DL Tracey Smith.
• Byers, Friend, Sellers, Smith and Steinbeck were all named to the Preseason All-Patriot League Team.
• The only All-Patriot League players to graduate were DE Samuel Oyekoya and LB Beau Traber.
Rushing Defense
Bucknell has been one of the best teams in the nation against the run the last two years. The Bison are one of just four teams to rank in the top 10 nationally against the run in both 2011 and 2012, joining Sam Houston State, Harvard and North Carolina A&T.
Depth Chart Analysis
• Bucknell has one freshman (OL Julie'n Davenport) expected to start vs. Marist.
• Four sophomores, 11 juniors and six seniors are expeted to start.
• A total of seven freshmen, 10 sophomores, 17 juniors and 12 seniors show up on the depth chart.
• No seniors are listed on the two-deep at offensive line.
Big Offensive Line
Bucknell's projected opening day offensive line will be the largest by both height and weight in the last decade. Additionally, Ramy Kased (325 pounds) will be the heaviest game one starter since 332-pound Aaron DeGraffenreidt in 2004.
Average Game One Offensive Line Heights/Weights (since 2004)
2004: 6'2”, 282
2005: 6'2”, 257
2006: 6'2”, 265
2007: 6'2”, 268
2008: 6'1”, 263
2009: 6'0”, 269
2010: 6'1”, 271
2011: 6'2”, 278
2012: 6'3”, 289
2013: 6'4”, 297
Bucknell vs. Pioneer Football League
Bucknell is 24-5 all-time against teams that are current members of the Pioneer Football League:
• 15-3 vs. Davidson
• 2-1 vs. Dayton
• 7-1 vs. Marist
Quick Hitters
• Bucknell's defense has at least one interception in eight straight games and 20 of 22 over the last two years.
• The Bison have forced 55 turnovers over the last two years (2.5 per game), including 39 in 2011 to rank second nationally.
• Bison seniors Travis Friend, Jeff Goyette and Brandon Wesley have played in all 33 games over the last three years.
• Matthew Steinbeck finished the 2012 season tied for second nationally in interceptions (6).
• Brandon Wesley is the third player in Bucknell history to record three straight 1,000-yard passing seasons.
• Bucknell's 33 sacks in 2012 were its most since posting 33 in 2000.
• Bucknell faced three nationally ranked opponents in 2012 (No. 13 Delaware, No. 21 Harvard, No. 7 Lehigh).
• Bucknell returns nine offensive starters and seven defensive starters in 2013.
Consecutive Games Scoring
Bucknell broke the program record for consecutive games scoring last season. The Bison have scored points in 75 straight games (old record: 72 games from 1996 to 2002). The streak remains alive entering the 2013 campaign.
Night Games
Bucknell is 16-15 in night games (6 p.m. or later starts) since 2000. The Bison and Red Foxes have met four times at night in the series history with Bucknell owning a 3-1 advantage in those contests. Bucknell was 1-1 at night last year and is scheduled for two night games this year (vs. Marist, vs. Sacred Heart).
Recent Night Game Results (16-15)
Sept. 2, 2000: L, Richmond 10, Bucknell 7
Sept. 8, 2001: L, Kent State 38, Bucknell 17
Sept. 22, 2001: W, Bucknell 23, Columbia, 21 (OT)
Sept. 21, 2002: W, Bucknell 14, Cornell 3
Aug. 30, 2003: W, Bucknell 28, Duquesne 21
Sept. 27, 2003: L, Columbia 19, Bucknell 16
Sept. 2, 2004: L, Villanova 20, Bucknell 14
Sept. 18, 2004: W, Bucknell 15, Cornell 9
Sept. 25, 2004: W, Bucknell 42, Columbia 13
Sept. 3, 2005: L, Georgetown 19, Bucknell 16 (OT)
Sept. 10, 2005: L, Stony Brook 21, Bucknell 18
Sept. 2, 2006: W, Bucknell 31, Duquesne 28
Sept. 9, 2006: L, Lafayette 31, Bucknell 0
Sept. 16, 2006: W, Bucknell 20, Cornell 5
Sept. 1, 2007: W, Bucknell 28, Duquesne 19
Sept. 8, 2007: L, Stony Brook 48, Bucknell 20
Sept. 15, 2007: L, Cornell 38, Bucknell 14
Sept. 29, 2007: W, Bucknell 38, Marist 7
Sept. 6, 2008: W, Bucknell 48, Duquesne 42
Sept. 20, 2008: L, Cornell 38, Bucknell 14
Sept. 5, 2009: L, Duquesne 24, Bucknell 19
Sept. 12, 2009: W, Robert Morris 26, Bucknell 23
Sept. 4, 2010: L, Duquesne 17, Bucknell 13
Sept. 11, 2010: L, Marist 14, Bucknell 3
Sept. 3, 2011: W, Bucknell 27, Duquesne 26
Sept. 10, 2011: W, Bucknell 28, Marist 14
Sept. 17, 2011: L, Cornell 24, Bucknell 13
Sept. 24, 2011: W, Bucknell 34, Princeton 9
Oct. 29, 2011: W, Bucknell 39, Lafayette 13
Sept. 8, 2012: W, Bucknell 19, Marist 17
Sept. 29, 2012: L, Cornell 15, Bucknell 10
Patriot League Preseason Poll
1. Colgate - 58 (8 first-place votes)
2. Lehigh - 56 (6)
3. Holy Cross - 35
4. Lafayette - 32
5. Georgetown - 26
6. Bucknell - 15
Milestone Watch
• Brandon Wesley is 330 passing yards shy of tying Scott Auchenbach for first place on Bucknell's career list.
• Brandon Wesley is three yards of total offense shy of tying Scott Auchenbach for first place on Bucknell's career list.
• Brandon Wesley is 74 yards shy of passing for 5,000 in his career.
• Josh Brake is 42 receiving yards shy of 500 for his career.
2013 Opponents
• Bucknell's 11 2013 opponents posted a combined 54-66 (.450) record in 2012.
• Bucknell's 90 meetings with Lafayette make it the most-played rivalry in program history. Lehigh (75 games) is No. 2 on that list.
• Bucknell will be playing its first-ever game against Sacred Heart and its second all-time contest against VMI in 2013.
• Bucknell will conclude the season at VMI, marking the first time in the Patriot League era the Bison will close back-to-back seasons against non-conference opponents (Bryant in 2012).
Close Games
• Bucknell has had success in close games in recent years. In fact, the Bison have posted a 15-10 record in games decided by seven points or less since 2006.
• Seven of Bucknell's 11 games in 2012 were decided by seven points or less.
Radio Coverage
Once again, Bucknell football games can be heard locally on Eagle 107 (WEGH 107.3 FM). Doug Birdsong will handle the play-by-play duties, while Kevin Herr, an employee of Sunbury Broadcasting, will serve as color analyst for a sixth consecutive year. The radio broadcasts are also available free of charge via www.Eagle107.com.
Bison Vision on Patriot League Network
Bison fans in 2013 can watch high-quality live video broadcasts of a number of Bucknell football games on Bison Vision on the Patriot League Network. All broadcasts are free of charge. All five home games, as well as road contests at Colgate and Fordham will be available on Bison Vision on the Patriot League Network. The direct website link is: https://new.livestream.com/PatriotLeagueNetwork/bucknell. Links to all broadcasts will be prominently displayed on BucknellBison.com.
Merit Aid a Reality for Patriot League
The Patriot League announced in February 2012 that its Council of Presidents endorsed a policy that would allow athletic merit aid for the sport of football, beginning with the class entering in the fall of 2013 (this year's freshman class). Bucknell and the other six football-playing members of the Patriot League are permitted to award up to the equivalent of 15 athletic financial aid awards each year. The total amount of all countable financial aid awarded to football student-athletes may not exceed 60 equivalencies in any given year. The NCAA FCS limit is 63.
Up Next
Bucknell will have a bye week next Saturday before resuming its schedule Sept. 21 at Cornell. It will mark the 12th consecutive year the two teams will play. The Big Red holds a 41-11 all-time lead in the series that began in 1888. Cornell won last year's game at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium by a 15-10 margin.
