Bucknell University Athletics
Football Spring Practice Update
4/3/2015 4:51:00 PM | Football
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Last fall was the Bucknell football team's most successful season in nearly two decades as the Bison posted an 8-3 record and finished in sole possession of second place in the Patriot League standings. Bucknell is currently in the midst of spring practice as it looks ahead to an even better 2015 campaign.
The Bison have 15 players who started at least four games a year ago on their spring roster as they aim for their first stretch of three consecutive above-.500 seasons since posting seven in a row from 1995 to 2001.
“We always emphasize that this team is its own team,” commented Susan. “When you start resting on laurels from a previous season, you have a tendency to become complacent. I try to eradicate that. They have to create their own personality. It will be a different team. I am interested to see who raises their level since we are only one-third of the way through the spring.”
Spring practice began Sunday, March 22, and Friday night's practice (7-9 p.m.) will mark the sixth of 14 sessions leading up to the spring game on April 24.
“The initial couple of practices were really good,” commented Bison head coach Joe Susan, who will be in his sixth year on the Bucknell sideline in 2015. “Because of our squad size and some of the young men that are recovering from surgeries, we have to be smart about how much contact we have. The players are chomping at the bit to hit one another, but we have to be intelligent about controlling that. The effort has been good. The preparation has been good.”
A few players are being held out of spring practice due to injuries, but the positive is some additional guys are getting extra reps.
“Guys are getting reps they probably would not have gotten this spring due to the injuries,” noted Susan, the 2014 Patriot League Coach of the Year. “Those players are making an impact and that will carry over to the fall and add to our depth. For example, our two newest fullbacks, Luke Liprando and Jake Lawton, have gotten more reps in the first five practices than they would have at linebacker through the entire spring.”
The linebacker position is one that has some question marks on it for the Bison following Evan Byers and Lee Marvel using up their eligibility. Second-year players Ben Richard and Mark Pyles have gotten plenty of work at linebacker, as has Thomas Bodolus, who is making the transition from safety.
“Our linebackers are experiencing some things for the first time,” said Susan. “I have told them to make the mistakes now. We will win the spring game either way. If they hold back now and don't do something they will never know if they can do it. Confidence has a lot to do with it. Preparation leads to confidence. They are still learning what it takes to play college football.”
Susan also praised Connor Golden's work at free safety along with Second Team All-Patriot League selection Clayton Ewell and fellow two-year starter Louis Taglianetti. He noted Colin Jonov and Trey Johnson are getting the majority of the reps at cornerback with Brian Regan having some of his time taken by his involvement with the Bucknell track and field team.
On offense, Susan has been happy with the progress of R.J. Nitti at quarterback. The junior-to-be completed 105 of 195 passes for 1,553 yards last year and is expected to be the starter once again. This spring Nitti is working on getting his timing down with a number of new tight ends and receivers.
“R.J. is a lot more confident in controlling the offense,” mentioned Susan. “He and Will Carter have a good rapport in terms of routes. With Bobby Kaslander currently out and a number of new tight ends, R.J. needs to find who he is comfortable working with when Will is double-teamed. It's been a good experience for him in terms of timing and route depth.”
Susan also singled out running back Joey DeFloria, wide receiver Brandon Farrell, defensive lineman Abdullah Anderson and offensive lineman Julie'n Davenport for their performances so far this spring. He also praised Ramy Kased, Taglianetti, Nitti and Davenport for stepping up their leadership abilities.
“I have always told our team they don't need to be a senior to be a leader and I hope they listen to that,” said Susan.
Bucknell will practice twice this weekend (Friday 7-9 p.m. and Saturday 4-6 p.m.). The Bison will then be off until Tuesday, April 7.
Bucknell Football Spring Practice Schedule (schedule subject to change)Sunday, March 22: 3-5 p.m.
Tuesday, March 24: 7-9 p.m.
Friday, March 27: 7-9 p.m.
Sunday, March 29: 3-5:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 2: 7-9 p.m.
Friday, April 3: 7-9 p.m.
Saturday, April 4: 4-6 p.m.
Tuesday, April 7: 7-9 p.m.
Thursday, April 9: 7-9 p.m.
Friday, April 10: 7-9 p.m.
Tuesday, April 14: 7-9 p.m.
Thursday, April 16: 7-9 p.m.
Sunday, April 19: 3-5:30 p.m.
Tuesday, April 21: 7-9 p.m.
Friday, April 24: 6 p.m. (spring game)
All Practices at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium
