Bucknell University Athletics
Football Preseason Practice Update
8/21/2014 10:17:00 AM | Football
LEWISBURG, Pa. – The Bucknell football team is just over two weeks into preseason camp and is just 10 days away from its season opener. The Bison were scheduled to scrimmage during Wednesday's practice session, but fifth-year head coach Joe Susan earlier this week adjusted the plan and took the scrimmage off the calendar. Instead, Bucknell did not don pads and went through game situations without the opposing unit on the field.
“We drove them hard the last two weeks and have a couple minor injuries that could potentially put us in a position where we wouldn't have had enough depth to run a true scrimmage,” explained Susan about the adjustment in plans for Wednesday's practice. “The men who are injured basically have 48 hours away from the field. We will go hard tomorrow and a lot of them will be back.
“In the NFL, if you have injuries you go to the waiver wire. Here, we have to play with who we have. I am not concerned about winning a scrimmage. I have to get this team healthy and ready for the first game. If you look at the countdown clock in the locker room it is winding down.”
Wednesday's session featured Susan roaming the sideline yelling out situations and either the Bison offense or defense taking the field and running through the appropriate play. In addition to working on traditional plays and formations, Bucknell players practiced how to react to an injury on the field, how to act after scoring a touchdown and they also sang 'Ray Bucknell, a longstanding Bison tradition after a victory.
Susan has been pleased with the work of the Bison through camp.
“They have done everything we have asked,” noted Susan. “They came in in great shape and are now in great game shape and are starting to gel in terms of who is going to play.”
Susan cited freshmen Colin Jonov, Abdullah Anderson, Connor Golden and Ben Richard as some rookies that have earned themselves playing time. Additionally, he singled out sophomore Bret Berg and senior linebackers Evan Byers and Lee Marvel as others who have been impressive.
With preseason camp winding down, the Bison will begin to turn their attention to preparation for VMI on Aug. 30. Friday, Saturday and Sunday will mimic what Bucknell will typically do in practice on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday during the regular season. The Bison will then take Monday, Aug. 25, off before resuming preparation for their season opener on Tuesday.
The game vs. VMI will take place next Saturday at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium. Kickoff time is 6 p.m. Bucknell defeated the Keydets 35-23 in the 2013 season finale in Lexington, Virginia.
