Bucknell University
VMI
Bucknell-VMI Goes to Three Overtimes, Keydets Prevail 23-17
9/24/2016 8:03:00 PM | Football
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Freshman Daz Palmer's 12-yard touchdown run lifted VMI to a 23-17 triple overtime victory over Bucknell Saturday afternoon at during a Family Weekend game Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium. The touchdown run concluded the first three-overtime contest in Bison history one year after Bucknell upended the Keydets by a touchdown in overtime at Foster Stadium.
It marked the fifth time Bucknell (1-3) has gone to overtime in its last 19 outings as the Bison fell to 8-7 all-time in overtime.
VMI (2-1) won its second straight road contest by a total of 10 points. The Keydets sent the game to overtime when Reed King connected on a 25-yard field goal with 59 seconds to play in regulation, tying the score at 17-all.
There were a total of three missed field goals (22 yards, 38 yards, 42 yards), one turnover on downs and one interception during overtime before Palmer concluded the game with his second touchdown run of the day.
Bucknell had the first possession in overtime and turned the ball over on downs. Four straight runs by Chad Freshnock – who totaled a career-high 161 rushing yards – got the Bison down to the VMI six-yard line. He was given the ball on a 4th-and-2 and came up short.
VMI advanced the ball to the five-yard line on its first overtime possession, setting up a 22-yard field goal attempt by King, who entered the game 2-for-3 on the year. His potential game-winning kick was blocked by Bucknell offensive lineman Julie'n Davenport, who was stationed behind the line of scrimmage due to his 6'7" height.
The Keydets had the next possession and gained a total of four yards on three pass plays, setting up a potential go-ahead field goal for King. The 38-yarder was wide left, meaning the Bison just needed to score on their ensuing possession.
Bucknell ran three plays and was unable to gain any yards and turned to Jack Chambers for a 42-yard field goal attempt. If he connected, it would have been a career-long mark for the sophomore who made his collegiate debut last week vs. Cornell. The kick sailed wide of the uprights, sending the game to a third overtime.
The Bison had the first possession in the third overtime and on the very first play Riuq Trotman picked off a Matt Muh pass on the right sideline.
VMI gave the ball to Alex Keys four times on its final possession before handing the ball to Palmer on a 3rd-and-8 from the 12-yard line. Palmer ran through the defense and into the end zone to wrap up the game. Palmer finished with 17 carries for 80 yards and also had one reception for four yards.
The final score was the first lead for VMI since it went up 6-0 on its first drive of the game.
The Keydets marched down the field on their opening drive, covering 88 yards efficiently in eight plays. They were unable to convert their two-point conversion attempt.
Bucknell took the lead in the second quarter when Muh found Will Carter for a two-yard touchdown pass. A career-long 41-yard completion from Muh to Carter set up the touchdown.
The Bison extended their lead to a game-high 14-6 margin in the third quarter when Muh connected with Carter on a 13-yard touchdown. It was the 18th receiving touchdown of Carter's career, tying the program record shared by Tom Mitchell and Lester Erb. Carter finished the game with eight receptions for 107 yards and two touchdowns. It was the seventh 100-yard game of his career and the second in as many weeks. Carter now has 2,322 yards in his career, just 36 shy of Mitchell's 50-year-old program record.
VMI wasted little time in tying the score on its next drive. Quarterback Al Cobb completed an eight-play, 64-yard drive with an eight-yard touchdown scamper. After a defensive holding call on the two-point attempt, Cobb completed a pass to Ryan Swingle to even the score at 14-14.
The Bison had a chance to go back on top near the end of the third quarter as they drove to within the VMI 10-yard line. However, a leap by Freshnock came up short on a fourth-down play from the seven-yard line. Freshnock had carried the drive, rushing nine times for 50 yards during the drive that ate nearly five minutes off the clock.
After forcing a punt, Bucknell was able to go back on top on its first drive in the fourth quarter when Chambers made a 22-yard field goal with 8:37 to play.
Brice Sydnor then recorded his first career interception for the Bison on the next drive, giving Bucknell the ball at its own 35 with 7:17 to play. However, the Bison went three-and-out and were forced to punt.
VMI took possession with 5:44 left and marched down the field, ending with King's game-tying field goal with 59 seconds to play. The Keydets converted two third-and-longs on the drive. VMI was 10-for-20 on third downs in the game, while Bucknell was 6-for-17.
Bucknell had one more possession in regulation and moved the ball inside VMI territory, but a couple of sacks and an intentional grounding flag ran out the clock.
Both teams posted a number of long scoring drives in the contest as Bucknell's three scoring drives in regulation averaged nine plays, 65 yards and 4:33. VMI's regulation scoring drives averaged 10 plays, 70 yards and 3:03.
There were a total of five turnovers in the game. Bryan Marine and Fisayo Oluleye, who was making his first career start at cornerback, joined Sydnor with interceptions for the Bison. Greg Sanders and Trotman had picks for VMI. Neither team scored points directly off the turnovers.
VMI held a 443-403 edge in yards. It marked a season-high total yards mark for the Bison.
Muh finished 20-for-30 for 226 yards and two touchdowns in his second career start. Joey DeFloria added 39 yards on the ground for the Bison.
Cobb was 34-for-52 for 285 yards. His favorite target was Dane Forlines, who had 12 receptions for 157 yards. Cobb set school records for career passing yards and for career completions.
On defense, Bucknell had three players reach double figures in tackles with Joe Lauro leading the way with a career-high 14 stops. Sydnor (11) and Mark Pyles (10) also had at least 10.
Allan Crastenberg led the Keydets with 18 tackles, while Ryan Francis had 16 stops, four tackles for loss and two sacks.
Bucknell, which had a nearly nine-minute advantage in time of possession, will be idle next week. It will open Patriot League play Oct. 8 at Holy Cross. It will be a 1 p.m. kickoff in Worcester.
