Football Concludes Successful 2014 Season with 21-6 Loss to Colgate

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LEWISBURG, Pa. – The best season of Bucknell football in nearly two decades came to a close Saturday afternoon with a disappointing 21-6 loss to Colgate at a chilly Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium. The Bison were held to a season-low 254 yards and managed just two field goals as they finished the campaign 8-3 overall and 4-2 in Patriot League play.

Bucknell had already clinched a second-place finish in the Patriot League standings and was trying to become just the third squad in program history to reach nine victories in a season. However, the Bison could never get going on offense as they punted seven times and had four turnovers (3 INTS, 1 fumble).

Bucknell's defense did hold Colgate (5-7, 3-3 PL) in check as the Raiders scored all 21 of their points in the third quarter and totaled just 245 yards while punting eight times. Evan Byers led the way for the Bison with a team-high 13 tackles. He finished his career with 382 tackles, a new Bucknell record.

The Colgate defense posted six sacks, including three by Pat Afriyie as Bison quarterback Trey Lauletta completed 18 of 35 passes for 229 yards. He did go over 1,000 yards (1,002) on the season, giving Bucknell two 1,000-yard passers in the same year for the first time in program history.

All six of the Bison's points came in the second quarter on field goals by Derek Maurer. The first came with 11:45 remaining in the period after an eight-play, 46-yard drive. A 22-yard pass from Lauletta to Josh Brake and a 17-yard completion to Josh Lebo moved Bucknell down to the 12-yard line, but three straight rushes by Matt DelMauro did not result in a first down and Maurer connected on his 21-yard attempt.

The final two minutes of the first half had four possession changes with an interception, two punts and a fumble. The end result was a 44-yard field goal by Maurer as time expired in the half. It was the second-longest field goal of his career and his 11th overall this season, tying him for sixth on the program's single-season list. An unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on the second-to-last play of the first half put Maurer within field goal range.

The momentum swung to Colgate early in the second half as quarterback Jake Melville, who was seeing his first game action since mid-October, completed a 64-yard pass to John Maddaluna to the one-yard line. Two plays later John Wilkins powered in a touchdown to give the Raiders the lead.

Colgate extended its advantage to 14-6 late in the third quarter when Melville completed a 10-play, 53-yard drive with a four-yard touchdown pass to Ed Pavalko.

The ensuing kickoff was fumbled by Brian Regan and the Raiders took possession at the Bucknell 22-yard line. A sack of Melville by Doug Whitlock made it third-and-28 from the 31-yard line, but Melville found Alex Greenawalt down the right sideline right at the first down marker. Wilkins then scored his second touchdown of the quarter.

Bucknell still had a chance in the fourth quarter, but the Bison failed to convert on fourth down on their first drive of the period and then threw two interceptions while trying to play catch-up.

Melville finished 9-for-21 for 140 yards and a touchdown for Colgate, while Wilkins led the squad with 51 rushing yards.

One week after receiving 30 carries, DelMauro ran 22 times for 54 yards and had three receptions for 49 yards. Will Carter led the team with eight catches for 81 yards and finished the season with 53 grabs for 959 yards. That yardage figure ranks third on the program's single-season ledger.

“The biggest thing I am impressed with is how guys on this team stepped up all year long,” commented Bison fifth-year head coach Joe Susan. Look at the guys not in uniform today. It is a tribute to guys like Trey Lauletta and Matt DelMauro.

“While we would like to be 9-2, we are 8-3. In time the hurt will go away and the guys will be able to look back and see some of the special things this team accomplished.”

Prior to the game, Bucknell's 23-member senior class was honored during Senior Day ceremonies.