Bucknell University Athletics
Football Holds First Scrimmage of Preseason
8/16/2015 8:45:00 PM | Football
LEWISBURG, Pa. – On what was one of the hottest days of the preseason, the Bucknell football team took to the Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium turf Sunday afternoon for its 11th practice of camp. More than 100 spectators that included mostly friends and family of team members watched sixth-year head coach Joe Susan lead the squad through a spirited scrimmage that included referees.
“We didn't make it as game-like as we will in our second scrimmage,” said Susan on the sun-splashed field following the two-hour session. “We have really limited the amount of physical play and tackling so far, and it was good to see them tackle today. With our numbers as they are, we have to be smart about how physical we are. It is a fine line. We have to encourage physical play, but we also need guys to line up for that first game.”
Susan commented that the offense and defense are fairly even at this point in camp and that Sunday's scrimmage saw the two sides go back-and-forth.
“We saw some good things today,” said Susan. “We wanted to establish the running game and see the running backs work. We have a number of quality running backs, including C.J. Williams, Matt DelMauro and Joey DeFloria. It was nice to see freshman Omar Garcia get his chance and he had a real nice scrimmage.
“R.J. Nitti has established himself as the starter at quarterback, but Matt Muh has really made strides.”
Among the players to score touchdowns during the scrimmage were TE Brian Duncan, WR Alan Butler, WR Will Carter and DeFloria.
“The defense has done a good job all preseason,” commented Susan. “They were ready to play with some contact allowed. The reps we got for Joe Lauro and Troy Glenn were priceless. Reps for guys in the second level are important.”
Highlights from the defense included interceptions by CB Fisayo Oluleye, DE Doug Whitlock and S Bryan Marine.
“We preach creating turnovers to our defense,” said Susan. “We tell them to 'catch the ones they throw you' and I think they have done a very good job with that. They understand the importance of that turnover margin being on our side.”
Toward the end of the scrimmage, Susan gave the team late-game situations to work on that included both the offense and defense needing to preserve leads as the clock wound down with varying numbers of timeouts for each side.
The fans in attendance gave the team a round of applause as they left the field following the practice session.
Susan noted the entire team will be completely focused on football the next two days, but the freshmen then begin Bucknell's Freshman Orientation on Wednesday. The Bison football players go through the entire orientation process with other members of the student body.
Bucknell is scheduled to practice Monday and Tuesday at 3:45 p.m. at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium. Wednesday's practice session is slated for 10:15 a.m. The team's next scrimmage is scheduled for Friday afternoon, but Susan indicated that could change.
Bucknell Football Preseason Practice Schedule (schedule subject to change)Aug. 6: 4 p.m.Aug. 7: 3:45 p.m.Aug. 8: 3:45 p.m.Aug. 9: 3:45 p.m.Aug. 10: 3:45 p.m.Aug. 11: 3:45 p.m.Aug. 12: 3:45 p.m.Aug. 13: 3:45 p.m.Aug. 14: 3:45 p.m.Aug. 15: 3:45 p.m.Aug. 16: 3:45 p.m. (scrimmage)Aug. 17: 3:45 p.m.
Aug. 18: 3:45 p.m.
Aug. 19: 10:15 a.m.
Aug. 20: 3:45 p.m.
Aug. 21: 1:15 p.m. (scrimmage)
Aug. 22: 1:30 p.m.
Aug. 23: 9 a.m.
Aug. 24: First Day of Classes – no practice
All Practices at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium
