Bucknell University
Colgate
Football Falls to Colgate, 27-7
10/15/2016 5:47:00 PM | Football
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Jake Melville ran for two touchdowns and threw for one more to lead the Colgate football team to a 27-7 victory over Bucknell Saturday afternoon at sunny Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium. Keyon Washington ran for 158 yards on 25 carries for the Raiders, who improved to 2-4 overall and 1-1 in the Patriot League. The Bison fell to 2-4, 1-1 PL.
Bucknell, which was looking to win for a second consecutive week, had the ball in the fourth quarter down by just a six-point margin at 13-7. However, the preseason favorite in the Patriot League Raiders posted back-to-back touchdown drives in the final period sandwiched around a turnover on downs by the Bison.
Freshman John Chiarolanzio made his debut at quarterback for Bucknell in the second half and finished 11-for-19 for 139 yards and one touchdown after entering for starter Matt Muh. Chiarolanzio was 6-for-8 for 101 yards at one point.
After being outgained 198-79 in the first half, Bucknell marched down the field on its first drive in the second half. Chiarolanzio completed a 24-yard pass to Justin Bethea on his second career snap and he later completed a game-best 42-yard pass to Will Carter. The drive concluded with Jack Chambers hitting the left upright on a 30-yard field goal attempt.
After forcing a Colgate punt, the Bison again put together a strong offensive possession, covering 71 yards on 10 plays in 5:50, concluding with a touchdown that turned the 13-0 halftime deficit into just a six-point spread with 1:55 remaining in the third quarter. The highlight of the drive was a 33-yard completion by quarterback-turned-receiver Jack Horan to Will Carter that moved Bucknell inside the 5-yard line. The pass came on a reverse that deceived the defense and left Horan plenty of time to find an open Carter down the right sideline.
Three plays later Chiarolanzio lofted a pass to a wide open Andrew Owers for Bucknell's only points of the game. It was Owers' fourth career touchdown reception, and his first in 2016.
Playing from behind, Bucknell managed just 33 yards of total offense on three drives in the fourth quarter. The Bison did take possession with 12:21 remaining and trailing by just one score. Bucknell recorded one first down on the drive, but was forced to punt.
Colgate finished with a 379-249 edge in total offense, although Bucknell totaled 170 yards after halftime. Chiarolanzio (139), Muh (50) and Horan (33) combined to throw for 222 yards.
Melville was 17-for-28 for 149 yards and one touchdown. He also ran 10 times for 36 yards and the two touchdowns.
Brice Sydnor led Bucknell on the defensive side of the ball with a career-high 12 tackles and one interception. Bret Berg, who was called on to punt twice in the absence of Muh, registered eight tackles, a team-high two tackles for loss, one forced fumble and one pass breakup. He averaged 40.5 yards on his two punts.
Bucknell's defense held Colgate below its season scoring average of 32.4 points per game, marking the sixth consecutive opponent this year that the Bison have held below its scoring average.
Kyle Diener led the Raider defense with seven tackles, two tackles for loss and one sack. Tyler Castillo posted an interception, while Nick Wheeler had a pair of tackles for loss.
Colgate, which was flagged eight times for 60 yards in the game, including six times for 50 yards in the first half, held a slim 6-0 lead late in the first half. The Raiders scored on a 16-yard touchdown pass from Melville to Owen Rockett just 1:27 before halftime. Colgate had gained possession on Castillo's interception near midfield on a fourth-down play by the Bison. Castillo's return went for 31 yards and set up the touchdown.
Will Carter led Bucknell's receivers with 89 yards on three catches. Already the school record holder in receptions and receiving yards, he now has 178 catches for 2,480 yards in his career.
Bucknell will wrap up its two-game homestand next Saturday, Oct. 22, when it hosts Lafayette at 1 p.m. at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium. It will be Homecoming on the Bucknell campus.
