Bucknell University Athletics
Joe Susan, Bison Recognize 17 Seniors
11/13/2018 11:30:00 AM | Football
LEWISBURG, Pa. – In advance of Saturday's Senior Day for the Bucknell football team, head coach Joe Susan shared his thoughts on the class of 2019.
Entering their final game at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium, the seniors have combined to play in 403 games, with 181 starts. They have also succeeded in the classroom, combining for a 3.07 grade point average.
The class of 2019's number includes a 2018 William V. Campbell Trophy® semifinalist (Bryan Marine), a 2017 STATS All-American (Alex Pechin) and two players who have earned a spot on the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll each of the past three seasons (Pechin and Alex Jordan). Two seniors hail from Bucknell families: Jack Chambers, a fifth-generation Bucknellian, and Lewisburg native Drew Newcomb, a third-generation Bucknellian.Â
"On behalf of our coaching staff and from my heart, I thank this group of men for their effort and dedication to Bucknell University and our football program," Susan said. "They have been through a great deal of adversity and have learned how to handle what life puts in front of them. They are excellent leaders and role models for the younger members of our team. They will be successful because of their work ethic and will always be members of our team."
Derek Bastinck
OL // Wayne, N.J. // Wayne Hills
"Derek has been impacted by injury throughout his career. Through the adversity he has faced, he has been consistent in doing everything we have asked of him. He has helped to coach and teach the younger players on our team in how to do things both on and off the field."
Alan Butler
WR // Erial, N.J. // Timber Creek Regional
"Alan has been a consistent performer since his first year in our program. He is a reliable receiver and has played a number of different positions in our receiving corps. He contributed to our special teams as a punt returner and kickoff returner as well. He is an important role model for the younger players at the receiver position."
Jack Chambers
K // Wellsboro, Pa. // Wellsboro Area
"Jack has played a number of roles for us as a place kicker and kickoff specialist. He has worked hard to improve in both areas. He was our primary kicker during his sophomore year and has handled extra points, field goals and kickoffs during his senior year. He has developed the specific skills necessary to do what we ask of him on special teams."
Cinjun Erskine
Student AC // Barnegat, N.J. // Barnegat
"Cinjun has played many different roles for us in his career. He came to Bucknell as a quarterback, moved to running back and then played briefly as a fullback. His career was shortened by injury, and he transitioned to being a student assistant coach for us. He has been selfless in his dedication to this new role."
Pat Finn
OL // Pottstown, Pa. // Pottsgrove
"Pat is one of our captains. He is a two-year starter for us and has developed into one of the better centers in our league. He is the quarterback of our offensive line and makes critical identification calls specific to our opponents' defenses. He is a leader by example because of his work ethic both on and off the field."
Alex Jordan
DL // Furlong, Pa. // Central Bucks East
"Alex was a very good player for us as a defensive lineman during his freshman and sophomore years. While dealing with an injury that has impacted his ability to play, he has continued to be a leader for us both on and off the field. He is involved with student government on our campus and is an intern in our athletic department. His leadership ability has not been diminished by his injury."
Joe Lauro
S // Bradenton, Fla. // Manatee
"Joe has been one of the more consistent players for us in his four years in our program. He is one of the better safeties we have had and one of the better players in our league. He is a ballistic player as a defensive back and is the quarterback of our defense. As one of our captains, he is a leader for us and a mentor to our younger players."
Bryan Marine
CB // Baltimore, Md. // Calvert Hall
"Bryan is one of our captains and has been an outstanding player for us since he arrived at Bucknell. He has done a great job in his leadership role and has developed into being one of the best cornerbacks in our league. This year, he has also become one of the better punt and kickoff returners in the league. He is an excellent student and a leader by example."
Drew Newcomb
S // Lewisburg, Pa. // Lewisburg Area
"Drew is one of the hardest workers in our program, and this has led to his development as a football player and his excellence in the classroom. His work ethic is exemplary, and he is a leader for the younger players on our team. He has taken a leadership role off the field and has embraced this in a selfless manner. He was hampered by an injury in our first game but has worked hard through his rehab. He is a great example of the impact of a superior work ethic."
Fisayo Oluleye
CB // Lititz, Pa. // Manheim Township
"Fisayo has played an important role for us both on special teams and as a cornerback in our secondary. He is a very good athlete with excellent speed. He has the ability to play both our field and boundary corner positions. He had an interception for a touchdown in our Sacred Heart game."
Andrew Owers
TE/FB // Jupiter, Fla. // Cardinal Newman
"Andrew has been a consistent performer since his first year in our program. He has helped us as a line of scrimmage tight end as well as a detached and off the ball receiver. He is a very good athlete in space and has excellent hands. He is someone who uses his size as an advantage in many coverage situations."
Alex Pechin
P // Kennett Square, Pa. // Unionville
"Alex is one of the better athletes on our team. He has won numerous awards as a student and as a specialist for his excellence on the field and in the classroom. He has outstanding natural talent. His work ethic to improve his craft has made him the best punter in our league. He is smart about placing the ball and can adapt in any situation. He has been a weapon for us and has consistently flipped the field in our favor."
Chanse Riley
S // Montclair, N.J. // Montclair
"Chanse is a young man who has worked through the adversity of injury during his career with us. He was a contributor early in his career on our special teams. As a junior, he became a starter at the safety position before he suffered a season-ending injury. He started this season as our starter and has dealt with a number of injuries. He is someone who, regardless of the adversity he has faced, has always been consistent in his work ethic both on and off the field."
Matt Robinson
LB // Oakton, Va. // Flint Hill
"Matt has worked hard to be a good player for us. Early in his career, he made his mark as an important player on our special teams. He is a student of the game and one of the hardest workers on our team. He has developed into a starter for us and is our signal caller for our front and the linebacker level."
Joe Schiano
DE // Tampa, Fla. // Berkeley Prep
"Joe overcame some significant injuries so he could become an important member of our defensive line rotation as a senior. He has worked hard to become a fundamentally strong defensive end. He is a hard worker and is disciplined in his approach to learning the skills necessary to be an effective defensive end."
Brice Sydnor
S // Rosemont, Pa. // Radnor/Mercersburg Academy
"Brice has played a significant role for us both in our secondary and as an important member of our special teams. He has the flexibility to play the three safety positions we use. As a starter during his sophomore year, he had two interceptions. While he has since dealt with a number of injuries that have impacted his playing time, he has never wavered in his commitment to our program and his teammates."
Nick Zarkoski
DL // Spring City, Pa. // Malvern Prep
"Nick is a very athletic defensive lineman whose career was shortened by injury. He worked his way into a starting position as a junior and was very effective as an inside player. He has taken on a different role as a senior and has been an important leader and teacher for the younger members of our defensive line."
