Bucknell University Athletics
Photo by: Jon Lambert
Bucknell Football Position Preview: Running Back
8/5/2019 8:00:00 AM | Football
The injury bug bit Bucknell's running backs a year ago, limiting the group's effectiveness. Entering the 2018 campaign, the Bison were expected to have a potent one-two punch in Chad Freshnock and Marquis Carter, both big, powerful runners who were also effective receivers and blockers. But Freshnock suffered a season-ending injury right before preseason camp began, and Carter went down for good in the fourth quarter of Bucknell's season opener.
Just like that, the Bison found themselves down to three running backs, two of whom converted from other positions during preseason camp. Jared Cooper, who was originally expected to be a role player as a freshman, stepped up. He led Bucknell with 525 yards and two touchdowns on the ground and also finished third on the team in receiving yards (287) and touchdown catches (2). His signature performance came at Monmouth, where he posted a season-high 171 all-purpose yards on 87 rushing yards and 84 receiving yards; after taking a slant pass from now junior Logan Bitikofer, he found a seam and outraced the Hawk defense to score a season-long 74-yard touchdown.
The injury bug ultimately bit Cooper as well, causing him to miss the season finale and part of the spring. Entering preseason camp, however, he, Carter and Freshnock are healthy. And head coach Dave Cecchini couldn't be more excited about what each brings to his offense.
"We have a wealth of talent coming back with Freshnock, Carter and Cooper," Cecchini said. "They all have game experience, and they all showed in the spring that they can be very effective in our system. The jury is still out on who will start. We're very happy with all three of them."
Added Freshnock: "You really want depth at the running back position. You always want a fresh guy in there. We have power backs, speed backs, and being able to rotate will not only keep us healthy, it will also keep opposing defenses on their toes."
Freshnock, a senior, was an impact player in 2017. The team leader with 525 yards on the ground, he showed flashes of greatness in the Bison's Homecoming game against rival Lehigh. He shredded the Mountain Hawk defense, rushing for 174 yards on 16 carries. He also became the first Bison since 2014 to score three rushing touchdowns in a single contest, one of which was an 85-yard scamper good for fifth in Bucknell's history. Â
"Spring ball was the big jump for me," Freshnock said. "Not being able to get in the weight room to lift took a toll on my strength and stamina. But getting back on the field with my teammates was awesome, and it really motivated me to put in the work I need to. During the spring, I tried to work back to where I was at, and I think I'm there now. I'm definitely ready to go."
Carter, who made the most of his limited action in 2017, appeared poised to have a breakout sophomore campaign. Against William & Mary, he ran for 81 yards and a touchdown before going down with injury. His 81 yards was 31 more than he registered as a freshman.
"They all bring a different skill set to the table," Cecchini said. "Freshnock is the most physical runner. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Cooper is a jitterbug type who has great acceleration and can make guys miss. Carter is a blend of both. He has size and a slashing running style. They're all multi-talented. They can catch the football, run routes and help out on special teams. We're very pleased. It's one of our deepest positions on offense."
Beyond the Big Three, Cecchini foresees junior Joe Fex being an important role player. Fex, a former safety, started the 2018 finale in Cooper's place; he ran for 56 of his 77 yards on the season and also scored his first touchdown.
NOTES: The Bison have five running backs on their roster: one senior, two juniors, one sophomore and one freshman ... The running backs are coached by Blake Treadwell, a former standout offensive lineman at Michigan State who was a member of two Big Ten championship teams ... Jared Cooper (9) and Chad Freshnock (5) each has multiple starts under his belt ... Through the first practices, Marquis Carter has looked as explosive as ever ... While Cooper, at 5-foot-7, is the shortest player on the roster, his speed and agility has made him difficult to tackle ... Entering the preseason, Freshnock, Carter and Cooper are considered even on the depth chart ... Joe Fex, who has displayed high football IQ, could also be utilized as a wide receiver over the course of the season ... Fex's father, Steven, is a high school football coach who played football at Oregon, Western Oregon and with the Edmonton Eskimos in the Canadian Football League ... Fex changed numbers ahead of the 2019 campaign, shifting to No. 26 from No. 31 ... Freshman Alex Barnard, who helped Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy qualify for four-straight Ohio state playoffs while in high school, will provide talented depth at running back ... Freshnock noted that he's excited about Bucknell's depth at running back, saying "Last season, because of injury, we were down to two running backs. Having five guys all in the mix is going to be great for us this year."
Past Preview Stories
Aug. 2 - Seven Bison to Watch
Just like that, the Bison found themselves down to three running backs, two of whom converted from other positions during preseason camp. Jared Cooper, who was originally expected to be a role player as a freshman, stepped up. He led Bucknell with 525 yards and two touchdowns on the ground and also finished third on the team in receiving yards (287) and touchdown catches (2). His signature performance came at Monmouth, where he posted a season-high 171 all-purpose yards on 87 rushing yards and 84 receiving yards; after taking a slant pass from now junior Logan Bitikofer, he found a seam and outraced the Hawk defense to score a season-long 74-yard touchdown.
The injury bug ultimately bit Cooper as well, causing him to miss the season finale and part of the spring. Entering preseason camp, however, he, Carter and Freshnock are healthy. And head coach Dave Cecchini couldn't be more excited about what each brings to his offense.
"We have a wealth of talent coming back with Freshnock, Carter and Cooper," Cecchini said. "They all have game experience, and they all showed in the spring that they can be very effective in our system. The jury is still out on who will start. We're very happy with all three of them."
Added Freshnock: "You really want depth at the running back position. You always want a fresh guy in there. We have power backs, speed backs, and being able to rotate will not only keep us healthy, it will also keep opposing defenses on their toes."
Freshnock, a senior, was an impact player in 2017. The team leader with 525 yards on the ground, he showed flashes of greatness in the Bison's Homecoming game against rival Lehigh. He shredded the Mountain Hawk defense, rushing for 174 yards on 16 carries. He also became the first Bison since 2014 to score three rushing touchdowns in a single contest, one of which was an 85-yard scamper good for fifth in Bucknell's history. Â
Freshnock returned in time for spring ball, allowing him to learn Cecchini's new-look offense. He said that it was hard at first because his injury kept him out of the weight room for a significant stretch of time. But, after spending the summer building back his strength and speed, Freshnock is confident he'll be able to make as big of an impact in 2019 as he did in 2017.Â"I'm back now so it's good."
— Bucknell Football (@Bucknell_FB) August 5, 2019
Senior Chad Freshnock is raring to go. #ACT | #rayBucknell pic.twitter.com/eQaEtTmqu5
"Spring ball was the big jump for me," Freshnock said. "Not being able to get in the weight room to lift took a toll on my strength and stamina. But getting back on the field with my teammates was awesome, and it really motivated me to put in the work I need to. During the spring, I tried to work back to where I was at, and I think I'm there now. I'm definitely ready to go."
Carter, who made the most of his limited action in 2017, appeared poised to have a breakout sophomore campaign. Against William & Mary, he ran for 81 yards and a touchdown before going down with injury. His 81 yards was 31 more than he registered as a freshman.
"They all bring a different skill set to the table," Cecchini said. "Freshnock is the most physical runner. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Cooper is a jitterbug type who has great acceleration and can make guys miss. Carter is a blend of both. He has size and a slashing running style. They're all multi-talented. They can catch the football, run routes and help out on special teams. We're very pleased. It's one of our deepest positions on offense."
Beyond the Big Three, Cecchini foresees junior Joe Fex being an important role player. Fex, a former safety, started the 2018 finale in Cooper's place; he ran for 56 of his 77 yards on the season and also scored his first touchdown.
NOTES: The Bison have five running backs on their roster: one senior, two juniors, one sophomore and one freshman ... The running backs are coached by Blake Treadwell, a former standout offensive lineman at Michigan State who was a member of two Big Ten championship teams ... Jared Cooper (9) and Chad Freshnock (5) each has multiple starts under his belt ... Through the first practices, Marquis Carter has looked as explosive as ever ... While Cooper, at 5-foot-7, is the shortest player on the roster, his speed and agility has made him difficult to tackle ... Entering the preseason, Freshnock, Carter and Cooper are considered even on the depth chart ... Joe Fex, who has displayed high football IQ, could also be utilized as a wide receiver over the course of the season ... Fex's father, Steven, is a high school football coach who played football at Oregon, Western Oregon and with the Edmonton Eskimos in the Canadian Football League ... Fex changed numbers ahead of the 2019 campaign, shifting to No. 26 from No. 31 ... Freshman Alex Barnard, who helped Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy qualify for four-straight Ohio state playoffs while in high school, will provide talented depth at running back ... Freshnock noted that he's excited about Bucknell's depth at running back, saying "Last season, because of injury, we were down to two running backs. Having five guys all in the mix is going to be great for us this year."
Past Preview Stories
Aug. 2 - Seven Bison to Watch
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