Saturday, November 9
Lewisburg, Pa.
1 p.m.
Bucknell University
2-7 , 2-2
20
vs
10
Lehigh
4-5 , 3-2
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
F
Lehigh
0
3
0
7
10
Bucknell
0
10
7
3
20
Photo by: Marc Hagemeier
Suffocating Defensive Play Powers Bucknell Football Past Lehigh, 20-10
11/9/2019 4:26:00 PM | Football
LEWISBURG, Pa. – A suffocating defensive performance propelled the Bucknell football team to a 20-10 victory over rival Lehigh on a frigid Saturday at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium.
Bolstered by seven sacks for a loss of 52 yards, the Bison held the Mountain Hawks to -6 rushing yards in a full 60 minutes of action. Six different Bison posted a sack, with Simeon Page registering two for a loss of 14 yards to go along with his six solo tackles and three quarterback hurries.
Bucknell's linebackers paved the way defensively throughout the game. Beyond Page, Rick Mottram reached the double digits in tackles for the second-straight game, logging a team-best 10, while Gerrit Van Itallie filled the stat sheet with six tackles, 2.5 of which went for a loss, and a fumble recovery that halted Lehigh's final drive of the game.
Offensively, Logan Bitikofer threw touchdown passes to Stefone Moore-Green and John McGuire to help head coach Dave Cecchini earn his first home win over his alma mater. In addition, Tyler Keiser, a senior walk-on who graduated from nearby Southern Columbia High School, booted the first two field goals of his collegiate career.
"The bottom line is, when our guys needed to make a play, they made the play time and time again," Cecchini said. "That made the difference. Hopefully, this win will help us gain a little bit of confidence so we can be able to make plays over the last two weeks of the season."
Bucknell extended its advantage to 10-0 with 4:23 on the clock in the second frame. Moore-Green's first career touchdown, a 24-yard grab down the visiting sideline, put an exclamation mark an explosive six-play, 73-yard drive. During that drive, Bitikofer completed three passes of at least 10 yards and ran for a 10-yard gain the play before his touchdown throw to Moore-Green.
During the first half, Bucknell limited the Mountain Hawks to just 66 yards of total offense, all of which came through the air. The Bison's suffocating defense was led by Mottram, who totaled six tackles, and Page, who posted five tackles and a sack. Van Itallie also had a sack that forced a Lehigh punt in that frame.
After forcing Bucknell to go three and out on its first drive of the second half, the Mountain Hawks began to march down the field. Starting at their 30-yard line, they advanced as far as the Bison three-yard line. Bucknell came up with a critical goal-line stand, with Van Itallie and Grayson Cherubino teaming for a sack on 1st and goal and Brent Jackson coming up with a sack for a loss of nine yards on 3rd and goal. Lehigh ultimately had a 31-yard field goal bid go wide left, keeping the Bison's lead at 10-3.
The Bison forced Lehigh to go three and out on its next possession. The Mountain Hawks got the ball back for one last drive with 1:44 remaining in regulation. While Beesmer led Lehigh from its 12 to Bucknell's 43, Joe Schiano came up with a strip sack; Van Itallie pounced on the ball to seal the victory.
Brandon Benson intercepted a pass while Gavin Pringle broke up two. Pringle and Cherubino finished behind Bucknell's standout linebackers with five tackles apiece.
For Lehigh, Pete Haffner had a strong game defensively, logging 16 tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble. Keith Woetzel also reached the double digits in tackles, making 11.
Three different Mountain Hawks saw action at quarterback, combining for 215 yards on 26 of 42 passing. Bibbens was Lehigh's offensive spark, making 11 catches for 92 yards. Jorge Portorreal logged 87 all-purpose yards, with 37 coming on receptions and 46 coming on kickoff returns.
Overall, Bucknell held advantages in total offense (305-209), first downs (19-15) and time of possession (32:02-27:58).
The Bison next 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.
Bucknell's linebacker trio of Mottram, Page and Van Itallie combined for 22 tackles, six tackles for a loss and four sacks.
Page became the fifth Bison to post at least 20 career sacks, joining Dave Hibbard (25.5, 1978-80), Ed Burman (25.5, 1993-95), Joe Massey (22.5, 1999-2002) and Pete Mauritz (22, 1978-80). He finished the game with 21.5.
Brandon Sanders's three catches brought his season total to 55, good for seventh in school history. He also surpassed 500 receiving yards on the season; he wrapped up the game with 512.
Sanders will enter Bucknell's next game needing just one catch to reach 100 in his career. The sophomore will become just the 10th Bison to reach the century mark in career receptions.
Mottram reached the double digits in tackles for the fourth time this season; he also did so at Temple (10), against then No. 23/RV Princeton (11) and at Lafayette (16). He now leads the Bison with 79 tackles, 22 more than his closest teammate.
Jackson's critical 3rd and goal sack was the first of his career; it was also the freshman safety's first career tackle for a loss.
Van Itallie's fumble recovery was the first of his career.
McGuire and Moore-Green's touchdown catches were also career-long receptions.
Bitikofer threw two touchdown passes for the second-straight game and for the fourth time this season.
With its victory, Bucknell snapped a four-game losing streak to Lehigh. Entering the game, the Mountain Hawks had won eight of their past 10 meetings with the Bison; during that stretch, Bucknell's victories came back-to-back in 2013 (48-10) and 2014 (45-24).
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 Bison snapped an eight-game home losing slide. Their last victory at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium was on Nov. 11, 2017, a 12-0 Senior Day shutout of Georgetown.
Bolstered by seven sacks for a loss of 52 yards, the Bison held the Mountain Hawks to -6 rushing yards in a full 60 minutes of action. Six different Bison posted a sack, with Simeon Page registering two for a loss of 14 yards to go along with his six solo tackles and three quarterback hurries.
Bucknell's linebackers paved the way defensively throughout the game. Beyond Page, Rick Mottram reached the double digits in tackles for the second-straight game, logging a team-best 10, while Gerrit Van Itallie filled the stat sheet with six tackles, 2.5 of which went for a loss, and a fumble recovery that halted Lehigh's final drive of the game.
Offensively, Logan Bitikofer threw touchdown passes to Stefone Moore-Green and John McGuire to help head coach Dave Cecchini earn his first home win over his alma mater. In addition, Tyler Keiser, a senior walk-on who graduated from nearby Southern Columbia High School, booted the first two field goals of his collegiate career.
"The bottom line is, when our guys needed to make a play, they made the play time and time again," Cecchini said. "That made the difference. Hopefully, this win will help us gain a little bit of confidence so we can be able to make plays over the last two weeks of the season."
At halftime, the Bison (2-7, 2-2 PL) held a 10-3 lead over the Mountain Hawks (4-5, 3-2 PL), who entered the game second in the Patriot League standings. They opened the scoring at the second quarter's 11:45 mark on a 20-yard Keiser field goal; Keiser's first career field goal capped a 13-play, 50-yard drive that saw Jared Cooper run for 31 yards on four carries. On a 3rd and 6 at the Lehigh 26, Bitikofer kept the drive alive by scrambling for an eight-yard gain.One we'll remember for a long, long time. #ACT | #rayBucknell pic.twitter.com/n8umwCNiTZ
— Bucknell Football (@Bucknell_FB) November 9, 2019
Bucknell extended its advantage to 10-0 with 4:23 on the clock in the second frame. Moore-Green's first career touchdown, a 24-yard grab down the visiting sideline, put an exclamation mark an explosive six-play, 73-yard drive. During that drive, Bitikofer completed three passes of at least 10 yards and ran for a 10-yard gain the play before his touchdown throw to Moore-Green.
The Mountain Hawks advanced into Bison territory just once in the first half. They came away with a 33-yard field goal, which trimmed Bucknell's lead to 10-3 with 47 seconds left. Lehigh started that drive at the Bison 20 following a 26-yard Riley O'Neil interception return and a Bucknell penalty; the Bison defense ultimately held fast, forcing Lehigh to settle for a field goal.STEFONE MOORE-GREEN ‼️
— Bucknell Football (@Bucknell_FB) November 9, 2019
That 24-yard touchdown is the first of his career!#ACT | #rayBucknell pic.twitter.com/KzAJluWBr1
During the first half, Bucknell limited the Mountain Hawks to just 66 yards of total offense, all of which came through the air. The Bison's suffocating defense was led by Mottram, who totaled six tackles, and Page, who posted five tackles and a sack. Van Itallie also had a sack that forced a Lehigh punt in that frame.
After forcing Bucknell to go three and out on its first drive of the second half, the Mountain Hawks began to march down the field. Starting at their 30-yard line, they advanced as far as the Bison three-yard line. Bucknell came up with a critical goal-line stand, with Van Itallie and Grayson Cherubino teaming for a sack on 1st and goal and Brent Jackson coming up with a sack for a loss of nine yards on 3rd and goal. Lehigh ultimately had a 31-yard field goal bid go wide left, keeping the Bison's lead at 10-3.
A shanked punt gave Bucknell the ball at the Mountain Hawk 30 with 4:07 on the clock in the third quarter. Four plays later, the Bison were in the end zone; McGuire made a one-handed grab to come up with a 19-yard Bitikofer touchdown catch.WHAT A PLAY BY THE FRESHMAN! 💪
— Bucknell Football (@Bucknell_FB) November 9, 2019
On 3rd and goal, Brent Jackson comes up with a HUGE sack.
Lehigh goes on to miss a 31-yard field goal. #ACT | #rayBucknell pic.twitter.com/MpZkTxtAbW
The Bison made it a three-score game with 9:23 left to play in regulation on a 21-yard Keiser field goal. The Mountain Hawks scored their only touchdown of the game less than three minutes later, with Alec Beesmer's two-yard touchdown throw to Devon Bibbens capping a nine-play, 76-yard scoring drive aided by four Bucknell penalties.WHAT. A. PLAY. 😱
— Bucknell Football (@Bucknell_FB) November 9, 2019
John McGuire with a one-handed grab for a BISON TOUCHDOWN!#ACT | #rayBucknell pic.twitter.com/nLKHTdEl7V
The Bison forced Lehigh to go three and out on its next possession. The Mountain Hawks got the ball back for one last drive with 1:44 remaining in regulation. While Beesmer led Lehigh from its 12 to Bucknell's 43, Joe Schiano came up with a strip sack; Van Itallie pounced on the ball to seal the victory.
Bitikofer completed 23 of 39 passes for 190 yards and two touchdowns. McGuire set a new career high with 73 receiving yards while Chad Freshnock (64) and Cooper (44) each surpassed 40 yards on the ground. With two field goals and two extra points, Keiser posted eight points in his collegiate debut.THAT. WILL. DO. IT.
— Bucknell Football (@Bucknell_FB) November 9, 2019
Joe Schiano forces a fumble, and Gerrit Van Itallie recovers it. #ACT | #rayBucknell pic.twitter.com/xESjSmmQj7
Brandon Benson intercepted a pass while Gavin Pringle broke up two. Pringle and Cherubino finished behind Bucknell's standout linebackers with five tackles apiece.
For Lehigh, Pete Haffner had a strong game defensively, logging 16 tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble. Keith Woetzel also reached the double digits in tackles, making 11.
Three different Mountain Hawks saw action at quarterback, combining for 215 yards on 26 of 42 passing. Bibbens was Lehigh's offensive spark, making 11 catches for 92 yards. Jorge Portorreal logged 87 all-purpose yards, with 37 coming on receptions and 46 coming on kickoff returns.
Overall, Bucknell held advantages in total offense (305-209), first downs (19-15) and time of possession (32:02-27:58).
The Bison next 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.
NOTES"We knew it would take 60 minutes. You guys played your tails off." - @DaveCecchini #ACT | #rayBucknell pic.twitter.com/LpjOMwRyxQ
— Bucknell Football (@Bucknell_FB) November 9, 2019
Bucknell's linebacker trio of Mottram, Page and Van Itallie combined for 22 tackles, six tackles for a loss and four sacks.
Page became the fifth Bison to post at least 20 career sacks, joining Dave Hibbard (25.5, 1978-80), Ed Burman (25.5, 1993-95), Joe Massey (22.5, 1999-2002) and Pete Mauritz (22, 1978-80). He finished the game with 21.5.
Brandon Sanders's three catches brought his season total to 55, good for seventh in school history. He also surpassed 500 receiving yards on the season; he wrapped up the game with 512.
Sanders will enter Bucknell's next game needing just one catch to reach 100 in his career. The sophomore will become just the 10th Bison to reach the century mark in career receptions.
Mottram reached the double digits in tackles for the fourth time this season; he also did so at Temple (10), against then No. 23/RV Princeton (11) and at Lafayette (16). He now leads the Bison with 79 tackles, 22 more than his closest teammate.
Jackson's critical 3rd and goal sack was the first of his career; it was also the freshman safety's first career tackle for a loss.
Van Itallie's fumble recovery was the first of his career.
McGuire and Moore-Green's touchdown catches were also career-long receptions.
Bitikofer threw two touchdown passes for the second-straight game and for the fourth time this season.
With its victory, Bucknell snapped a four-game losing streak to Lehigh. Entering the game, the Mountain Hawks had won eight of their past 10 meetings with the Bison; during that stretch, Bucknell's victories came back-to-back in 2013 (48-10) and 2014 (45-24).
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 Bison snapped an eight-game home losing slide. Their last victory at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium was on Nov. 11, 2017, a 12-0 Senior Day shutout of Georgetown.
Team Stats
LEHIGH
BUCKNELL
Total Yards
209
305
Pass Yards
215
190
Rushing Yards
-6
115
Penalty Yards
62
97
1st Downs
15
19
3rd Downs
2
5
4th Downs
0
0
TOP
27:58
32:02
2nd Quarter
LEHIGH 0, BUCKNELL 3
BUCKNELL - Keiser, Tyler 20 yd field goal 13 plays, 50 yards, TOP 4:59
LEHIGH 0, BUCKNELL 10
BUCKNELL - Moore-Green, S. 24 yd pass from Bitikofer, L. (Keiser, Tyler kick) 6 plays, 73 yards, TOP 2:12
LEHIGH 3, BUCKNELL 10
LEHIGH - Henning, Austin 33 yd field goal 4 plays, 4 yards, TOP 0:36
3rd Quarter
LEHIGH 3, BUCKNELL 17
BUCKNELL - McGuire, John 19 yd pass from Bitikofer, L. (Keiser, Tyler kick) 4 plays, 30 yards, TOP 1:35
4th Quarter
LEHIGH 3, BUCKNELL 20
BUCKNELL - Keiser, Tyler 21 yd field goal 11 plays, 47 yards, TOP 5:59
LEHIGH 10, BUCKNELL 20
LEHIGH - Bibbens, Devon 2 yd pass from Beesmer, Alec (Henning, Austin kick) 9 plays, 76 yards, TOP 2:12
Game Leaders
Passing Leaders
CMP
23
TD
2
YDS
190
INT
2
Players Mentioned
S
/ FootballQB
/ Football
DL
/ Football
RB
/ Football
RB
/ Football
S
/ Football
P/K
/ Football
WR/LS
/ Football
WR
/ Football
LB
/ Football
LB
/ Football
CB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
DL
/ Football
LB
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