Saturday, November 9
Lewisburg, Pa.
1 p.m.
Bucknell University
vs
Lehigh
Photo by: Jon Lambert
Bucknell Football Returns Home for Rivalry Game Against Lehigh
11/5/2019 8:00:00 AM | Football
LEWISBURG, Pa. – The Bucknell football team returns to Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium to host rival Lehigh on Saturday, Nov. 9 at 1 p.m.
Saturday's game doubles as Canines at Christy, presented by Weis Markets. Fans are welcome to bring their dogs to the game for a special price of $5, with all funds raised from dog admissions benefiting local animal shelters.
There will be dog friendly activities and special dog concession areas. The general public will also have the chance to adopt dogs after the game. Dogs must be up to date on all shots, and owners are asked to fill out this waiver before bringing their dogs into the stadium. For more information, and to decide if your dog is right for this event, visit this link.
Tickets are available at the Campus Box Office and cost $10 for adults, $5 for children (18 and under) and $5 for seniors (62+). To purchase tickets, visit Bucknell.edu/BoxOffice or call 570-577-1000. All single-game tickets are for general admission to Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium.
The complete media notes can be viewed here.
When: Saturday, November 9 – 1 p.m.
Where: Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium – Lewisburg, Pa.
Television: Stadium's Family of Networks
Internet Video: Stadium
Radio: Eagle 107 (107.3 WEGH)
Internet Radio: BucknellBison.com
Live Stats: BucknellBison.com
Follow on Twitter: @Bucknell_FB
Media Notes: BucknellBison.com
With a victory the Bison would...
• even their Patriot League record at 2-2
• snap a four-game losing streak to the Mountain Hawks
• snap a two-game home losing slide to Lehigh
• help Dave Cecchini win his first Bucknell home game against his alma mater
Bucknell at a Glance
• The Bison are 1-7 (1-2 PL) following their heartbreaking 21-17 loss at Lafayette on Oct. 26. They are coming off their second bye week of the season.
• Bucknell wrapped up the 2018 campaign with a 1-10 (1-5 PL) record. The Bison, who took seventh in the Patriot League a year ago, were chosen to finish in the same spot in the 2019 preseason poll.
• Bucknell is in its first campaign under head coach Dave Cecchini, who spent the previous five seasons at Valparaiso.
• The Bison returned a total of 52 letterwinners in 2019, a group that includes two fifth years, 19 seniors, 21 juniors and 10 sophomores. Fifth-year P Alex Pechin is a four-time letterwinner while six seniors—TE Marcus Ademilola, WR Justin Bethea, QB John Chiarolanzio, LB Sam Chitty, LB Jon Fox and DL John Hunt—are three-time letterwinners.
• Pechin is serving as team captain in 2019. He is the 11th Bison to serve as team captain more than once and the seventh to do so since 1950.
Inside the Lafayette Box Score
• Lafayette scored two unanswered touchdowns in the fourth quarter to down Bucknell, 21-17, on Oct. 26 at Fisher Stadium.
• After QB Keegan Shoemaker found WR Nick Pearson for a 43-yard touchdown, the Leopards forced a turnover on the Bison's very next drive. Four plays later, RB Selwyn Simpson rushed for what proved to be the game-winning touchdown.
• For the Bison, QB Logan Bitikofer completed two touchdown throws to WR Brandon Sanders while RB Jared Cooper rushed for a career-high 103 yards on 15 carries.
• Birthday boy Rick Mottram paced a strong defensive effort, making a career-best 16 tackles (12 solo), posting two sacks and picking off his second career pass. For his efforts, he captured his first Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week nod and was tabbed by STATS as an Honorable Mention FCS Defensive Player of the Week.
• During the first half, Bucknell missed two field goals; the Bison also failed to take advantage of Mottram's 11-yard interception return, which gave them the ball in Lafayette territory early in the fourth quarter.
• The Leopards finished with advantages in total offense (369-287), first downs (20-18) and time of possession (33:48-26:12).
• Sanders became the sixth Bison to catch at least 50 passes in a single season, joining WRs Will Carter (2x), Dave Kucera (2x), Tom Mitchell (2x), Jim Horan and Shaun Pasternak. With 52 on the year, Sanders currently stands eighth in school history.
• Mottram and LB Gerrit Van Itallie each made the 100th tackle of his career; Van Itallie also became the third Bison to reach the 50-tackle plateau in 2019, joining Mottram and S Conner Romango.
Lehigh at a Glance
• The Mountain Hawks are 4-4 (3-1 PL) following their tight 24-17 loss to Holy Cross on Nov. 2. In their three league wins, their average margin of victory was 4.3 points.
• Lehigh is currently in the FCS's top 30 in red-zone defense (t-9th, .679), team sacks (t-21st, 2.75) and scoring defense (26th, 23.1).
• A year ago, Lehigh went 3-8 (2-4 PL). The Mountain Hawks, who finished tied for fourth in the Patriot League a year ago, were selected to place fifth in the 2019 preseason poll.
• Lehigh returns two 2018 All-Patriot League honorees in WR Jorge Portorreal and DB Sam McCloskey. Portorreal was also recognized on the 2019 Preseason All-Patriot League Team.
• The Mountain Hawks lost RB Dominick Bragalone to graduation; Bragalone, a 2017 consensus All-American, was only the third football player to earn All-Patriot League First Team accolades all four years.
• Lehigh won back-to-back Patriot League titles in 2017 and 2016. The Mountain Hawks shared their 2017 crown with Colgate. Â
• Like Bucknell, Lehigh has a first-year head coach. Tom Gilmore, who was Holy Cross's head coach from 2004 to 2017, is the 29th head coach in its history.
• Gilmore replaced Andy Coen, who led the Mountain Hawks to five Patriot League championships in his 13 seasons at the helm of the program. Coen stepped down to spend more time with his family and address a health issue.
• Bucknell head coach Dave Cecchini was an All-American wide receiver at Lehigh during his playing days in the early 1990s. He spent 13 of his previous 24 seasons as a coach at his alma mater. Most recently, he served as the Mountain Hawks' offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach from 2010 to 2013.
The Bucknell/Lehigh Series
• The Mountain Hawks lead the all-time series, 48-31-3, and have won eight of the past 10 meetings.
• From 1998 to 2012, Lehigh ran together a 15-game winning streak over Bucknell, the longest by either team in the all-time series. The Bison ended that streak with an emphatic 48-10 victory over the then No. 15 Mountain Hawks during their 2013 Homecoming game.
• Bucknell then won the 2014 contest, 45-24, before dropping the 2015 (10-21), 2016 (13-20), 2017 (21-42) and 2018 (17-45) meetings. Â
• In Bucknell's last victory, on Oct. 11, 2014 in Bethlehem, QB Trey Lauletta became the first Bison in 20 years to throw for at least 300 yards, completing 15 of 20 passes for 313 yards and four touchdowns.
• WR Will Carter became only the fourth Bison to catch three touchdown passes in a single game while also accumulating 246 receiving yards, which ranks second in school history. His touchdown receptions were 69, 78 and 77 yards long.
• The Bison scored 31 unanswered points in a span of less than 20 minutes from late in the first quarter to early in the third frame, turning a 7-0 deficit into a 31-7 advantage. After Lehigh closed the gap to 31-24 with 6:46 left to play, Bucknell scored the game's final two touchdowns. Â
The Last Meeting with the Mountain Hawks Â
Bucknell 17 – Lehigh 45 (Nov. 3, 2018 – Bethlehem, Pa.)
• The Mountain Hawks raced past the Bison, 45-17, behind multiple lengthy scoring plays, including two touchdown throws by QB Brad Mayes to WR Jorge Portorreal that covered at least 55 yards. Mayes finished the game with 335 yards, connecting with Portorreal nine times for 216 of them. Â
• Lehigh, which led by a touchdown at halftime, broke open the game in the second half. After the teams traded field goals, the Mountain Hawks scored three unanswered touchdowns, beginning with a 72-yard bomb by Mayes to Portorreal at the third quarter's 4:07 mark.
• QB Tarrin Earle looked strong in his first career start at quarterback, completing 17 of 40 passes for 174 yards and two touchdowns. Earle, who became the 40th different Bucknell player to earn a start in 2018, also ran for 35 yards on the ground.
• WR Brandon Sanders was Earle's favorite target, amassing 80 yards on six catches. RB Jared Cooper ran for a team-best 44 yards and added 21 receiving yards.
• S Joe Lauro led all players with 11 tackles (nine solo) while S Gerrit Van Itallie was second among Bison, matching his career high with eight (seven solo).
• CB Sterling Deary picked off his second career pass while LB Sam Chitty recovered a fumble forced by CB Bryan Marine.
• Lehigh's defense was impressive in the second half, limiting the Bison to 68 yards, five first downs and a single field goal. Overall, the Mountain Hawks held advantages in first downs (20-15) and total offense (550-255).
Inside the Bucknell Depth Chart
• Bucknell's 11 projected starters on offense have made a combined 126 starts, with OL P.J. Barr (27) and TE Alex Twiford (24) accounting for over 40 percent of them. Â
• Bucknell's 11 projected starters on defense have made a combined 138 starts.
• On offense, five juniors, five sophomores and one freshman are expected to start. On defense, one senior, eight juniors and two sophomores are projected to start.
• Two fifth years, eight seniors, 19 juniors, 10 sophomores and eight freshmen appear on this week's two deep.
• On offense, three Bison have started every 2019 game: Barr, WR John McGuire and Twiford. On defense, seven Bison have done the same: DL Grayson Cherubino, DL John Hunt, DL Roger Mellado, LB Rick Mottram, LB Simeon Page, S Conner Romango and DL Nnamdi Unachukwu.
• Four Bison have at least 20 career starts: Barr (27), Mellado (25), Twiford (24) and Page (20). Page joined the group with his start at Lafayette.
• Eighteen Bison—10 juniors, five seniors and three sophomores—have at least 10 career starts. With his start at Lafayette, Romango joined the group; McGuire and LB Gerrit Van Itallie will become its latest additions with a start against Lehigh.
• Cherubino became the first member of the class of 2022 to reach the double digits in career starts with his start against Princeton. RB Jared Cooper and WR Brandon Sanders joined him with their starts at Colgate.
• Barr (27), Mellado (25), Twiford (18) and Mottram (10) boast starting streaks in the double digits. Unachukwu will run his starting streak into the double digits with a start against Lehigh.
• P Alex Pechin, who was granted a fifth year of eligibility due to a season-ending injury suffered as a sophomore, has a team-best 43 games under his belt. He made his 40th career appearance against Holy Cross on Oct. 5, 2019.
• Two juniors, Barr and Mellado, have appeared in all 30 of the Bison's games since they arrived in Lewisburg.
• Twelve Bison have made their first career start in 2019, including four freshmen: WR Connor Holmes, S Brent Jackson, CB Gavin Pringle and OL Zack Tarburton.
Bison in the NCAA FCS Top 10
• P Alex Pechin: 1st in punting average (49.0) - also tied for 1st in all four NCAA divisions, 1st in career punting average (44.6)
• CB Gavin Pringle: t-1st among freshmen in passes defended per game (1.3)
• LB Simeon Page: 3rd in career sacks per game (0.81), 5th in career tackles for a loss per game (1.27)
• WR Brandon Sanders: 6th in receptions per game (7.4)
• CB Gavin Pringle and S Gerrit Van Itallie: t-6th in interception return touchdowns (1)
Patriot League Leaders
• P Alex Pechin: Punting average (49.0)
• CB Gavin Pringle: Passes defended per game (1.3)
• WR Brandon Sanders: Receptions per game (7.4)
School Record Holders on the 2019 Roster
• LB Simeon Page: Single Game Sacks (4.0, 11/18/17), Rookie Season Sacks (9.0, 2017)
• P Alex Pechin: Career Punting Average (44.6), Season Punting Average (45.1, 2017)
• WR Brandon Sanders: Single Game Receptions (14, 10/5/19)
Milestones Met at Lafayette
• LB Rick Mottram: Made the 100th tackle of his career; now has 114
• LB Simeon Page: Moved to fifth in Bucknell history in sacks; now has 19.5
• WR Brandon Sanders: Became the sixth Bison to make at least 50 receptions in a single season; currently stands eighth in Bucknell history with 52
• LB Gerrit Van Itallie: Made the 100th tackle of his career; now has 101
• LB Gerrit Van Itallie: Reached 50 tackles on the season; now has 50
Milestone Watch
• S Brandon Benson: Needs 17 solo tackles to reach 100 in his career
• LB Sam Chitty: Needs eight tackles to reach 100 in his career
• WR Dominic Lyles: Needs 41 receiving yards to reach 500 on the season
• DL Roger Mellado: Needs 25 tackles to reach 100 in his career Â
• LB Simeon Page: Needs 0.5 sacks to become the fifth Bison with at least 20 in his career; needs 2.5 to vault to fourth with 22
• P Alex Pechin: Needs eight punts of at least 50 yards to reach 100 in his career
• S Conner Romango: Needs 23 tackles to reach 100 in his career Â
• WR Brandon Sanders: Needs one reception to move to seventh in Bucknell single-season history with 53; needs seven to vault to fifth with 59; needs eight to jump to fourth with 60
• WR Brandon Sanders: Needs five receiving yards to reach 500 on the season
• WR Brandon Sanders: Needs four receptions to reach 100 in his career Â
Bison Award Winners
• The Bison returned an All-American in P Alex Pechin. In 2018, Pechin captured six All-America awards, most notably becoming the first Bison specialist to make an AFCA or AP squad. In 2017, he was honored on the STATS Third Team.
• Pechin was one of seven punters to make the initial watch list for the 2020 Reese's Senior Bowl; of that group, he was the only one from the FCS ranks.
• In addition, Pechin was named to the watch list for the FCS Punter of the Year Award and was tabbed as a 2019 Preseason First Team All-American by STATS and Phil Steele.
• Bucknell returned two All-Patriot League players in Pechin (1st in '18, '17 & '15) and LB Simeon Page (1st in '18, 2nd in '17). Both were voted to the 2019 Preseason All-Patriot League Team.
• The Bison graduated All-Patriot League honorees WR Alan Butler (2nd in '18), OL Pat Finn (2nd in '18) and CB Bryan Marine (1st in '16, 2nd in '18) following the 2018 season.
• At the conclusion of the 2018-19 school year, Pechin became the third football player to be recognized as the Patriot League Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Earlier that year, he became the Patriot League's fifth repeat Football Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
• LB Rick Mottram captured CoSIDA Academic All-District II honors in 2018. At least one Bison has received this distinction 16 of the 19 seasons since 2000.
Head Coach Dave Cecchini Â
• Dave Cecchini, the 27th head coach in program history, is in his first season at the helm. He was announced as Bucknell's head coach on Feb. 6, 2019.
• Most recently the head coach at Valparaiso, Cecchini has a long track record of building explosive offenses at elite academic institutions. Previously the offensive coordinator at Lehigh, The Citadel and Harvard, his offenses have shattered school records at his every stop, propelling his teams to a combined seven conference championships.
• An All-American wide receiver at Lehigh during his playing days in the early 1990s, Cecchini spent 13 of his previous 24 seasons as a coach at his alma mater.
Inside the 2019 Schedule
• This is the 134th season of football at Bucknell. The Bison played their first game in 1883 and have played continuously since 1887.
• Bucknell's 2019 opponents went a combined 65-59 (.524) a year ago, with its five non-conference foes going an impressive 37-20 (.650). Colgate (10-2) and Princeton (10-0) reached the 10-win threshold, each winning a league title. In addition, three other teams posted a winning record while three finished a single game below .500.
• Temple took part in the Walk-On's Independence Bowl while Colgate and Towson made the NCAA Division I Football Championship. At various points in the 2018 campaign, Colgate, Princeton, Towson and Villanova appeared in the FCS's top 10.
• Temple was Bucknell's first FBS foe since 2015, when the Bison put up a strong fight in a 21-14 loss at Army West Point.
• The Bison entered the season with a 178-253-120 (.417) record against their 2019 opponents, including winning marks against Fordham (18-16), Georgetown (18-12-1) and Temple (20-16-8). They are also .500 against Sacred Heart (2-2) and Towson (8-8).
How to Follow the Bison
• Every game will be broadcast on Eagle 107 (WEGH 107.3) and BucknellBison.com.
• All five of Bucknell's home games and its road contests at Colgate, Lafayette and Fordham will air on the Patriot League Network (PatriotLeague.tv).
• Bucknell's home contests against Princeton and Lehigh are among nine Patriot League tilts that will be carried on Stadium's family of over-the-air channels and streaming services.
• The Bison are active on Twitter (@Bucknell_FB) and Instagram (Bucknell_FB). Interact with the team using the hashtags #ACT and #rayBucknell.
Up Next
• The Bison host Georgetown on Saturday, Nov. 16 at 1 p.m. for their final home game of the 2019 campaign. Before that contest, they will honor their two fifth years and 20 seniors.
Saturday's game doubles as Canines at Christy, presented by Weis Markets. Fans are welcome to bring their dogs to the game for a special price of $5, with all funds raised from dog admissions benefiting local animal shelters.
There will be dog friendly activities and special dog concession areas. The general public will also have the chance to adopt dogs after the game. Dogs must be up to date on all shots, and owners are asked to fill out this waiver before bringing their dogs into the stadium. For more information, and to decide if your dog is right for this event, visit this link.
Tickets are available at the Campus Box Office and cost $10 for adults, $5 for children (18 and under) and $5 for seniors (62+). To purchase tickets, visit Bucknell.edu/BoxOffice or call 570-577-1000. All single-game tickets are for general admission to Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium.
The complete media notes can be viewed here.
When: Saturday, November 9 – 1 p.m.
Where: Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium – Lewisburg, Pa.
Television: Stadium's Family of Networks
Internet Video: Stadium
Radio: Eagle 107 (107.3 WEGH)
Internet Radio: BucknellBison.com
Live Stats: BucknellBison.com
Follow on Twitter: @Bucknell_FB
Media Notes: BucknellBison.com
With a victory the Bison would...
• even their Patriot League record at 2-2
• snap a four-game losing streak to the Mountain Hawks
• snap a two-game home losing slide to Lehigh
• help Dave Cecchini win his first Bucknell home game against his alma mater
Bucknell at a Glance
• The Bison are 1-7 (1-2 PL) following their heartbreaking 21-17 loss at Lafayette on Oct. 26. They are coming off their second bye week of the season.
• Bucknell wrapped up the 2018 campaign with a 1-10 (1-5 PL) record. The Bison, who took seventh in the Patriot League a year ago, were chosen to finish in the same spot in the 2019 preseason poll.
• Bucknell is in its first campaign under head coach Dave Cecchini, who spent the previous five seasons at Valparaiso.
• The Bison returned a total of 52 letterwinners in 2019, a group that includes two fifth years, 19 seniors, 21 juniors and 10 sophomores. Fifth-year P Alex Pechin is a four-time letterwinner while six seniors—TE Marcus Ademilola, WR Justin Bethea, QB John Chiarolanzio, LB Sam Chitty, LB Jon Fox and DL John Hunt—are three-time letterwinners.
• Pechin is serving as team captain in 2019. He is the 11th Bison to serve as team captain more than once and the seventh to do so since 1950.
Inside the Lafayette Box Score
• Lafayette scored two unanswered touchdowns in the fourth quarter to down Bucknell, 21-17, on Oct. 26 at Fisher Stadium.
• After QB Keegan Shoemaker found WR Nick Pearson for a 43-yard touchdown, the Leopards forced a turnover on the Bison's very next drive. Four plays later, RB Selwyn Simpson rushed for what proved to be the game-winning touchdown.
• For the Bison, QB Logan Bitikofer completed two touchdown throws to WR Brandon Sanders while RB Jared Cooper rushed for a career-high 103 yards on 15 carries.
• Birthday boy Rick Mottram paced a strong defensive effort, making a career-best 16 tackles (12 solo), posting two sacks and picking off his second career pass. For his efforts, he captured his first Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week nod and was tabbed by STATS as an Honorable Mention FCS Defensive Player of the Week.
• During the first half, Bucknell missed two field goals; the Bison also failed to take advantage of Mottram's 11-yard interception return, which gave them the ball in Lafayette territory early in the fourth quarter.
• The Leopards finished with advantages in total offense (369-287), first downs (20-18) and time of possession (33:48-26:12).
• Sanders became the sixth Bison to catch at least 50 passes in a single season, joining WRs Will Carter (2x), Dave Kucera (2x), Tom Mitchell (2x), Jim Horan and Shaun Pasternak. With 52 on the year, Sanders currently stands eighth in school history.
• Mottram and LB Gerrit Van Itallie each made the 100th tackle of his career; Van Itallie also became the third Bison to reach the 50-tackle plateau in 2019, joining Mottram and S Conner Romango.
Lehigh at a Glance
• The Mountain Hawks are 4-4 (3-1 PL) following their tight 24-17 loss to Holy Cross on Nov. 2. In their three league wins, their average margin of victory was 4.3 points.
• Lehigh is currently in the FCS's top 30 in red-zone defense (t-9th, .679), team sacks (t-21st, 2.75) and scoring defense (26th, 23.1).
• A year ago, Lehigh went 3-8 (2-4 PL). The Mountain Hawks, who finished tied for fourth in the Patriot League a year ago, were selected to place fifth in the 2019 preseason poll.
• Lehigh returns two 2018 All-Patriot League honorees in WR Jorge Portorreal and DB Sam McCloskey. Portorreal was also recognized on the 2019 Preseason All-Patriot League Team.
• The Mountain Hawks lost RB Dominick Bragalone to graduation; Bragalone, a 2017 consensus All-American, was only the third football player to earn All-Patriot League First Team accolades all four years.
• Lehigh won back-to-back Patriot League titles in 2017 and 2016. The Mountain Hawks shared their 2017 crown with Colgate. Â
• Like Bucknell, Lehigh has a first-year head coach. Tom Gilmore, who was Holy Cross's head coach from 2004 to 2017, is the 29th head coach in its history.
• Gilmore replaced Andy Coen, who led the Mountain Hawks to five Patriot League championships in his 13 seasons at the helm of the program. Coen stepped down to spend more time with his family and address a health issue.
• Bucknell head coach Dave Cecchini was an All-American wide receiver at Lehigh during his playing days in the early 1990s. He spent 13 of his previous 24 seasons as a coach at his alma mater. Most recently, he served as the Mountain Hawks' offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach from 2010 to 2013.
The Bucknell/Lehigh Series
• The Mountain Hawks lead the all-time series, 48-31-3, and have won eight of the past 10 meetings.
• From 1998 to 2012, Lehigh ran together a 15-game winning streak over Bucknell, the longest by either team in the all-time series. The Bison ended that streak with an emphatic 48-10 victory over the then No. 15 Mountain Hawks during their 2013 Homecoming game.
• Bucknell then won the 2014 contest, 45-24, before dropping the 2015 (10-21), 2016 (13-20), 2017 (21-42) and 2018 (17-45) meetings. Â
• In Bucknell's last victory, on Oct. 11, 2014 in Bethlehem, QB Trey Lauletta became the first Bison in 20 years to throw for at least 300 yards, completing 15 of 20 passes for 313 yards and four touchdowns.
• WR Will Carter became only the fourth Bison to catch three touchdown passes in a single game while also accumulating 246 receiving yards, which ranks second in school history. His touchdown receptions were 69, 78 and 77 yards long.
• The Bison scored 31 unanswered points in a span of less than 20 minutes from late in the first quarter to early in the third frame, turning a 7-0 deficit into a 31-7 advantage. After Lehigh closed the gap to 31-24 with 6:46 left to play, Bucknell scored the game's final two touchdowns. Â
The Last Meeting with the Mountain Hawks Â
Bucknell 17 – Lehigh 45 (Nov. 3, 2018 – Bethlehem, Pa.)
• The Mountain Hawks raced past the Bison, 45-17, behind multiple lengthy scoring plays, including two touchdown throws by QB Brad Mayes to WR Jorge Portorreal that covered at least 55 yards. Mayes finished the game with 335 yards, connecting with Portorreal nine times for 216 of them. Â
• Lehigh, which led by a touchdown at halftime, broke open the game in the second half. After the teams traded field goals, the Mountain Hawks scored three unanswered touchdowns, beginning with a 72-yard bomb by Mayes to Portorreal at the third quarter's 4:07 mark.
• QB Tarrin Earle looked strong in his first career start at quarterback, completing 17 of 40 passes for 174 yards and two touchdowns. Earle, who became the 40th different Bucknell player to earn a start in 2018, also ran for 35 yards on the ground.
• WR Brandon Sanders was Earle's favorite target, amassing 80 yards on six catches. RB Jared Cooper ran for a team-best 44 yards and added 21 receiving yards.
• S Joe Lauro led all players with 11 tackles (nine solo) while S Gerrit Van Itallie was second among Bison, matching his career high with eight (seven solo).
• CB Sterling Deary picked off his second career pass while LB Sam Chitty recovered a fumble forced by CB Bryan Marine.
• Lehigh's defense was impressive in the second half, limiting the Bison to 68 yards, five first downs and a single field goal. Overall, the Mountain Hawks held advantages in first downs (20-15) and total offense (550-255).
Inside the Bucknell Depth Chart
• Bucknell's 11 projected starters on offense have made a combined 126 starts, with OL P.J. Barr (27) and TE Alex Twiford (24) accounting for over 40 percent of them. Â
• Bucknell's 11 projected starters on defense have made a combined 138 starts.
• On offense, five juniors, five sophomores and one freshman are expected to start. On defense, one senior, eight juniors and two sophomores are projected to start.
• Two fifth years, eight seniors, 19 juniors, 10 sophomores and eight freshmen appear on this week's two deep.
• On offense, three Bison have started every 2019 game: Barr, WR John McGuire and Twiford. On defense, seven Bison have done the same: DL Grayson Cherubino, DL John Hunt, DL Roger Mellado, LB Rick Mottram, LB Simeon Page, S Conner Romango and DL Nnamdi Unachukwu.
• Four Bison have at least 20 career starts: Barr (27), Mellado (25), Twiford (24) and Page (20). Page joined the group with his start at Lafayette.
• Eighteen Bison—10 juniors, five seniors and three sophomores—have at least 10 career starts. With his start at Lafayette, Romango joined the group; McGuire and LB Gerrit Van Itallie will become its latest additions with a start against Lehigh.
• Cherubino became the first member of the class of 2022 to reach the double digits in career starts with his start against Princeton. RB Jared Cooper and WR Brandon Sanders joined him with their starts at Colgate.
• Barr (27), Mellado (25), Twiford (18) and Mottram (10) boast starting streaks in the double digits. Unachukwu will run his starting streak into the double digits with a start against Lehigh.
• P Alex Pechin, who was granted a fifth year of eligibility due to a season-ending injury suffered as a sophomore, has a team-best 43 games under his belt. He made his 40th career appearance against Holy Cross on Oct. 5, 2019.
• Two juniors, Barr and Mellado, have appeared in all 30 of the Bison's games since they arrived in Lewisburg.
• Twelve Bison have made their first career start in 2019, including four freshmen: WR Connor Holmes, S Brent Jackson, CB Gavin Pringle and OL Zack Tarburton.
Bison in the NCAA FCS Top 10
• P Alex Pechin: 1st in punting average (49.0) - also tied for 1st in all four NCAA divisions, 1st in career punting average (44.6)
• CB Gavin Pringle: t-1st among freshmen in passes defended per game (1.3)
• LB Simeon Page: 3rd in career sacks per game (0.81), 5th in career tackles for a loss per game (1.27)
• WR Brandon Sanders: 6th in receptions per game (7.4)
• CB Gavin Pringle and S Gerrit Van Itallie: t-6th in interception return touchdowns (1)
Patriot League Leaders
• P Alex Pechin: Punting average (49.0)
• CB Gavin Pringle: Passes defended per game (1.3)
• WR Brandon Sanders: Receptions per game (7.4)
School Record Holders on the 2019 Roster
• LB Simeon Page: Single Game Sacks (4.0, 11/18/17), Rookie Season Sacks (9.0, 2017)
• P Alex Pechin: Career Punting Average (44.6), Season Punting Average (45.1, 2017)
• WR Brandon Sanders: Single Game Receptions (14, 10/5/19)
Milestones Met at Lafayette
• LB Rick Mottram: Made the 100th tackle of his career; now has 114
• LB Simeon Page: Moved to fifth in Bucknell history in sacks; now has 19.5
• WR Brandon Sanders: Became the sixth Bison to make at least 50 receptions in a single season; currently stands eighth in Bucknell history with 52
• LB Gerrit Van Itallie: Made the 100th tackle of his career; now has 101
• LB Gerrit Van Itallie: Reached 50 tackles on the season; now has 50
Milestone Watch
• S Brandon Benson: Needs 17 solo tackles to reach 100 in his career
• LB Sam Chitty: Needs eight tackles to reach 100 in his career
• WR Dominic Lyles: Needs 41 receiving yards to reach 500 on the season
• DL Roger Mellado: Needs 25 tackles to reach 100 in his career Â
• LB Simeon Page: Needs 0.5 sacks to become the fifth Bison with at least 20 in his career; needs 2.5 to vault to fourth with 22
• P Alex Pechin: Needs eight punts of at least 50 yards to reach 100 in his career
• S Conner Romango: Needs 23 tackles to reach 100 in his career Â
• WR Brandon Sanders: Needs one reception to move to seventh in Bucknell single-season history with 53; needs seven to vault to fifth with 59; needs eight to jump to fourth with 60
• WR Brandon Sanders: Needs five receiving yards to reach 500 on the season
• WR Brandon Sanders: Needs four receptions to reach 100 in his career Â
Bison Award Winners
• The Bison returned an All-American in P Alex Pechin. In 2018, Pechin captured six All-America awards, most notably becoming the first Bison specialist to make an AFCA or AP squad. In 2017, he was honored on the STATS Third Team.
• Pechin was one of seven punters to make the initial watch list for the 2020 Reese's Senior Bowl; of that group, he was the only one from the FCS ranks.
• In addition, Pechin was named to the watch list for the FCS Punter of the Year Award and was tabbed as a 2019 Preseason First Team All-American by STATS and Phil Steele.
• Bucknell returned two All-Patriot League players in Pechin (1st in '18, '17 & '15) and LB Simeon Page (1st in '18, 2nd in '17). Both were voted to the 2019 Preseason All-Patriot League Team.
• The Bison graduated All-Patriot League honorees WR Alan Butler (2nd in '18), OL Pat Finn (2nd in '18) and CB Bryan Marine (1st in '16, 2nd in '18) following the 2018 season.
• At the conclusion of the 2018-19 school year, Pechin became the third football player to be recognized as the Patriot League Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Earlier that year, he became the Patriot League's fifth repeat Football Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
• LB Rick Mottram captured CoSIDA Academic All-District II honors in 2018. At least one Bison has received this distinction 16 of the 19 seasons since 2000.
Head Coach Dave Cecchini Â
• Dave Cecchini, the 27th head coach in program history, is in his first season at the helm. He was announced as Bucknell's head coach on Feb. 6, 2019.
• Most recently the head coach at Valparaiso, Cecchini has a long track record of building explosive offenses at elite academic institutions. Previously the offensive coordinator at Lehigh, The Citadel and Harvard, his offenses have shattered school records at his every stop, propelling his teams to a combined seven conference championships.
• An All-American wide receiver at Lehigh during his playing days in the early 1990s, Cecchini spent 13 of his previous 24 seasons as a coach at his alma mater.
Inside the 2019 Schedule
• This is the 134th season of football at Bucknell. The Bison played their first game in 1883 and have played continuously since 1887.
• Bucknell's 2019 opponents went a combined 65-59 (.524) a year ago, with its five non-conference foes going an impressive 37-20 (.650). Colgate (10-2) and Princeton (10-0) reached the 10-win threshold, each winning a league title. In addition, three other teams posted a winning record while three finished a single game below .500.
• Temple took part in the Walk-On's Independence Bowl while Colgate and Towson made the NCAA Division I Football Championship. At various points in the 2018 campaign, Colgate, Princeton, Towson and Villanova appeared in the FCS's top 10.
• Temple was Bucknell's first FBS foe since 2015, when the Bison put up a strong fight in a 21-14 loss at Army West Point.
• The Bison entered the season with a 178-253-120 (.417) record against their 2019 opponents, including winning marks against Fordham (18-16), Georgetown (18-12-1) and Temple (20-16-8). They are also .500 against Sacred Heart (2-2) and Towson (8-8).
How to Follow the Bison
• Every game will be broadcast on Eagle 107 (WEGH 107.3) and BucknellBison.com.
• All five of Bucknell's home games and its road contests at Colgate, Lafayette and Fordham will air on the Patriot League Network (PatriotLeague.tv).
• Bucknell's home contests against Princeton and Lehigh are among nine Patriot League tilts that will be carried on Stadium's family of over-the-air channels and streaming services.
• The Bison are active on Twitter (@Bucknell_FB) and Instagram (Bucknell_FB). Interact with the team using the hashtags #ACT and #rayBucknell.
Up Next
• The Bison host Georgetown on Saturday, Nov. 16 at 1 p.m. for their final home game of the 2019 campaign. Before that contest, they will honor their two fifth years and 20 seniors.
Players Mentioned
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