Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Cornell
Football Extends Winning Streak, Defeats Cornell 20-7
9/27/2014 10:08:00 PM | Football
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LEWISBURG, Pa. – R.J. Nitti completed 11 of 23 passes for 189 yards and two touchdowns and C.J. Williams recorded his seventh career 100-yard rushing performance as the Bucknell football team posted a 20-7 victory over Cornell on Saturday evening at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium. It was the sixth consecutive win for the Bison, who improved to 4-0 and halted a seven-game losing streak to the Big Red.
Bucknell has now won nine of its last 10 games and is 4-0 for the first time since 1997 when it started 10-0.
Williams, who rushed for a career-high 188 yards, put Bucknell on the board on its very first drive as his 28-yard touchdown run capped a five-play, 78-yard drive that featured the sophomore rushing four times for 54 yards. It was his fifth touchdown this season and the 16th of his two-year career.
Cornell (0-2) evened the score later in the first quarter, scoring on its first drive as well. The Big Red put together a 12-play, 78-yard drive that ended with a 19-yard touchdown pass from Jake Jatis to Marshall Deutz. That was the only score of the game for Cornell, which totaled 233 yards of total offense, including just 65 in the second half.
Bucknell registered over 400 yards (420) for the third time in four games and it averaged 7.6 yards per play, compared to 3.4 for the Big Red.
The Bison took the lead for the good towards the end of the first half on a 20-yard touchdown pass lofted from Nitti to a wide open Patrick Kelly on the opposite side of the field. It was the first career touchdown for Kelly.
Midway through the third quarter it appeared as though Bucknell had tacked on another touchdown on a 71-yard pass to Will Carter, but one of seven penalties called against the Bison was flagged and it was called back. The Bison were forced to punt on that possession and the ensuing one and took the 14-7 lead to the fourth quarter.
Williams again spearheaded a Bucknell scoring drive in the fourth quarter when he had five straight rushes for 42 yards to move the Bison to near midfield. A 15-yard pass to Bobby Kaslander where he made an acrobatic catch and finally a 33-yard touchdown pass to Carter completed the scoring drive and made the score 20-7 as the extra point was wide. Carter's catch was not immediately signaled as a touchdown, but it was eventually ruled that he got to the pylon.
Cornell took possession with just under seven minutes to play following the touchdown. The Big Red had trouble advancing the ball as they ran nine plays, but moved forward just 20 yards before Louis Taglianetti intercepted a Jatis pass at the five-yard line.
A career-long 58-yard rush by Williams on the very next play flipped the field position and essentially clinched the game for the Bison.
Carter led Bucknell with four receptions for 87 yards, while Jake Hartman had two catches for 48 yards.
The Bison defense was strong throughout the contest and once again Evan Byers led the way. The senior linebacker recorded a game-high 14 tackles, posted one of the team's four sacks and recovered a fumble. Bucknell forced a season-high three turnovers as Clayton Ewell also had an interception in the final minute of play, his third in the last two weeks.
Jatis completed 11 of 23 passes with Collin Shaw (4 rec., 34 yds.) his top target. Luke Hagy led the team with 59 rushing yards on 15 carries. The Big Red totaled 105 yards on the ground.
Bucknell will begin a three-game road trip next Saturday, Oct. 4, at Bryant. It will be the final non-league contest for the Bison.
