Bucknell University
Lafayette
Carter, Freshnock Run for Two TDs Apiece as Bison Defeat Lafayette 42-17 in Homecoming Contest
10/22/2016 5:20:00 PM | Football
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Will Carter and Chad Freshnock ran for two touchdowns apiece, Joey DeFloria posted his fourth 100-yard rushing game of the season and Bucknell scored the game's final 21 points as the Bison football team posted a 42-17 Homecoming victory over Lafayette on Saturday afternoon at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium. It was the second win in three weeks for the Bison, who improved to 3-4 overall and 2-1 in Patriot League play. The Leopards fell to 1-7, 0-3 PL.
Bucknell has now defeated Lafayette three consecutive years for the first time since posting five straight wins in the series from 1968-72. The Bison also evened their all-time Homecoming record at 44-44-5.
Bucknell's offense was in high gear on Saturday as it recorded its most points since defeating Lehigh 45-24 in October 2014. The Bison ran for a season-high 259 yards, their most since posting 296 against Lehigh in 2013. DeFloria led the way on the ground with 130 yards on 27 carries, while Freshnock added 76 and Carter 27 on just two carries. Carter's two touchdowns were the first two rushing scores of his career and lifted his career touchdown total to 20.
Senior R.J. Nitti made a return to the Bison lineup after missing the last four games with an injury and was 8-for-18 for 90 yards and one touchdown to Andrew Podbielski.
Bucknell held a 14-3 halftime lead and extended it to 21-3 on its first drive of the second half. Carter completed the 9-play, 75-yard drive with a 10-yard run around the outside that was an exact replica of his 17-yard touchdown run in the first half. DeFloria did the bulk of the work on the drive, rushing eight times for 50 yards on the drive.
It appeared as though the Bison had the momentum as they looked to win for the third time in their last four October games, but Lafayette answered right back with back-to-back touchdowns. On the first play of the ensuing drive, Leopards quarterback Drew Reed connected with a wide open Joey Chenoweth for a 65-yard touchdown pass.
On the second play of Bucknell's next drive, a Nitti pass was intercepted by Eric Mitchell, giving Lafayette the ball at the Bison 19-yard line. Two plays later Mike Dunn ran in from 18 yards out to make the score 21-17. Lafayette had scored two touchdowns in a span of just over 90 seconds.
The defenses were strong the remainder of the third quarter as four consecutive possessions ended in punts. Bucknell controlled the fourth quarter, however. The Bison possessed the ball for more than 10 minutes in the final period and outscored Lafayette 21-0. Bucknell had 146 yards in the quarter, including 122 on the ground.
Freshnock scored both of his touchdowns in the fourth quarter on short runs, while DeFloria also scored on a four-yard touchdown plunge. It was his team-high seventh rushing touchdown of the season.
Overall, Bucknell outgained Lafayette 349-268, including 259-53 on the ground.
Bucknell's defense – led by 10 tackles from Ben Richard and nine more by fellow linebacker Mark Pyles – held Lafayette to 2-for-13 on third downs. The Bison also had four sacks, including two by Abdullah Anderson and one apiece by defensive ends R.J. Sheldon and Doug Whitlock.
Safety Bret Berg had a strong all-around day for Bucknell. He had three tackles, one interception and a pair of pass breakups. He also assumed the starting punter role for the first time and averaged nearly 37 yards on his seven punts. Berg also ran for nine yards on a fake punt in the fourth quarter, picking up the first down.
Reed finished 12-for-21 passing for 167 yards for Lafayette, which opened the scoring in the game on a 25-yard field goal by Jacob Bissell in the first quarter. Dunn led the Leopards on the ground with 58 yards on 10 carries.
Bucknell, which will play its next three games on the road, will travel to nationally ranked Charleston Southern next Saturday, Oct. 29, for its final non-league game of the season. Kickoff is slated for 11:45 a.m. Bucknell's next – and final – home game is Nov. 19 vs. Fordham.
