Bucknell University Athletics
Photo by: Jon Lambert
Bucknell Football Position Preview: Quarterback
8/23/2019 12:00:00 PM | Football
New Bison head coach Dave Cecchini has mentored his fair share of quarterbacks to record-setting campaigns. Among his notable protégés are Ryan Fitzpatrick, who has played in nearly 150 NFL games following a standout career at Harvard during the mid-2000s, and Chris Lum, who was a runner-up for the 2011 Walter Payton Award after setting Patriot League single-season records in passing yards (4,378) and touchdown passes (32) at Lehigh.
At Bucknell, Cecchini has installed an up-tempo, no-huddle offense. His offenses are known for their complexity and their aggressiveness, particularly on fourth down. And everything starts at the quarterback position.   Â
"We [were] looking for an intelligent player who is calm under fire," Cecchini said. "We run a sophisticated offense so we need a quarterback who can make quick decisions and maintain his composure. Accuracy is important because we do a lot of shorter range throws. We're not afraid to chuck it deep so having arm strength is certainly a plus."
During preseason camp, senior John Chiarolanzio, junior Logan Bitikofer and sophomore Tarrin Earle all had the opportunity to prove they could lead Cecchini's new-look offense. In the end, Bitikofer earned the opportunity to start next Saturday against Temple at Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field.
"While all of our quarterbacks have stood out at times, our offense has been its most productive in both the spring and fall when Logan was our quarterback," Cecchini said.
Added offensive coordinator Jason Miran: "Logan showed the most energy and command of the offense. He also did the best job of taking that energy and instilling it in his teammates. Because of that, our offense was the most productive during our scrimmages and practices with Logan under center. Over the course of time, going back to our first spring practice, Logan has been the guy who has run our offense the most efficiently."
"Logan can throw the deep ball, and he's done so consistently," Miran said. "He has a really good relationship with guys like Sanders, Walier, Lyles and Moore-Green. They always seem to be on the same page, and that goes a long way too. You want quarterbacks and receivers who understand each other."
While Bitikofer will start against the Owls, Bison fans can also expect Chiarolanzio and Earle to see action. Of the returnees, Chiarolanzio boasts the most game experience. The lion's share of his 11 starts came in 2017, when he threw for a career-best 1,069 yards and five touchdowns. Like Bitikofer, Earle saw his first game action a year ago; after Bitikofer was felled by injury, Earle started the final three games and posted 386 yards and three touchdowns through the air.
"They've both done a really, really good job," Miran said. "John has a lot of game experience, and he's a really savvy quarterback. He has a lot of intangibles that you look for in a quarterback. He's been a leader through tough times, and he'll have a chance to earn playing time against Temple. Tarrin is a super studious guy, and he's starting to play faster and make more plays. He always knows exactly where everyone is supposed to be and what he's supposed to do, and that's a great quality to have in a quarterback."Â
Freshman Keyshawn Copeland will provide depth at quarterback. Because of the complexity of Bucknell's offense, he's not expected to see immediate playing time, but Cecchini has liked what he's seen from the newcomer, particularly because of his athleticism and ability to make plays with his feet and throw the ball on the run.
NOTES: The Bison have four quarterbacks on the roster, and each class is represented ... Offensive coordinator Jason Miran will mentor the quarterbacks ... John Chiarolanzio is one of six seniors who are three-time letterwinners ... With 11 career starts, Chiarolanzio is one of 10 Bison who enter 2019 in the double digits ... Miran said that Logan Bitikofer has been very consistent and has shown the ability to move the chains; Bitikofer has also impressed with his arm, most notably connecting with Brandon Sanders for multiple lengthy gains during both scrimmages ... Tarrin Earle is the nephew of Bucknell wrestling coach Dan Wirnsberger ... At the moment, Chiarolanzio and Earle are considered even on the depth chart ... As camp went on, Bitikofer began to take more reps with the first team, but Chiarolanzio and Earle have taken plenty as well ... Cecchini said that more than one quarterback will likely see the field at Temple ... Keyshawn Copeland shares a high school with junior safety Brandon Benson ... Miran said that Copeland has done a "great job of growing in the offense," noting that "as an 18-year-old freshman, he's not game ready yet, but he's done a remarkable job considering how complex our offense is" ... Copeland, who held a Power Five offer, threw for over 4,600 yards and 60 touchdowns during high school; he also made plays on the ground, once rushing for a 67-yard score ... Miran praised all four quarterbacks for being "great students in the classroom," explaining that "they're very studious and know that, to learn a new offense, you have to put in the mental work" ... During the spring, senior Jake Wilson and sophomore Renn Lints, both former quarterbacks, shifted to wide receiver.
At Bucknell, Cecchini has installed an up-tempo, no-huddle offense. His offenses are known for their complexity and their aggressiveness, particularly on fourth down. And everything starts at the quarterback position.   Â
"We [were] looking for an intelligent player who is calm under fire," Cecchini said. "We run a sophisticated offense so we need a quarterback who can make quick decisions and maintain his composure. Accuracy is important because we do a lot of shorter range throws. We're not afraid to chuck it deep so having arm strength is certainly a plus."
During preseason camp, senior John Chiarolanzio, junior Logan Bitikofer and sophomore Tarrin Earle all had the opportunity to prove they could lead Cecchini's new-look offense. In the end, Bitikofer earned the opportunity to start next Saturday against Temple at Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field.
"While all of our quarterbacks have stood out at times, our offense has been its most productive in both the spring and fall when Logan was our quarterback," Cecchini said.
Added offensive coordinator Jason Miran: "Logan showed the most energy and command of the offense. He also did the best job of taking that energy and instilling it in his teammates. Because of that, our offense was the most productive during our scrimmages and practices with Logan under center. Over the course of time, going back to our first spring practice, Logan has been the guy who has run our offense the most efficiently."
In 2018, Bitikofer led the Bison with 1,050 yards and seven touchdowns, most notably throwing for 267 yards and three touchdowns against Lafayette; he became the first Bucknell signal caller since 2015 to toss three touchdown passes in a single game. Bitikofer boasts a strong arm and has shown chemistry with the Bison's wide receivers, particularly seniors Steven Walier and Stefone Moore-Green and sophomores Brandon Sanders and Dominic Lyles."It's a very fast, up-tempo offense. So that's exciting for quarterbacks."
— Bucknell Football (@Bucknell_FB) August 23, 2019
Logan Bitikofer is ready to take the reins of Bucknell's new-look offense. #ACT | #rayBucknell pic.twitter.com/nApAPkXsuJ
"Logan can throw the deep ball, and he's done so consistently," Miran said. "He has a really good relationship with guys like Sanders, Walier, Lyles and Moore-Green. They always seem to be on the same page, and that goes a long way too. You want quarterbacks and receivers who understand each other."
While Bitikofer will start against the Owls, Bison fans can also expect Chiarolanzio and Earle to see action. Of the returnees, Chiarolanzio boasts the most game experience. The lion's share of his 11 starts came in 2017, when he threw for a career-best 1,069 yards and five touchdowns. Like Bitikofer, Earle saw his first game action a year ago; after Bitikofer was felled by injury, Earle started the final three games and posted 386 yards and three touchdowns through the air.
"They've both done a really, really good job," Miran said. "John has a lot of game experience, and he's a really savvy quarterback. He has a lot of intangibles that you look for in a quarterback. He's been a leader through tough times, and he'll have a chance to earn playing time against Temple. Tarrin is a super studious guy, and he's starting to play faster and make more plays. He always knows exactly where everyone is supposed to be and what he's supposed to do, and that's a great quality to have in a quarterback."Â
Freshman Keyshawn Copeland will provide depth at quarterback. Because of the complexity of Bucknell's offense, he's not expected to see immediate playing time, but Cecchini has liked what he's seen from the newcomer, particularly because of his athleticism and ability to make plays with his feet and throw the ball on the run.
NOTES: The Bison have four quarterbacks on the roster, and each class is represented ... Offensive coordinator Jason Miran will mentor the quarterbacks ... John Chiarolanzio is one of six seniors who are three-time letterwinners ... With 11 career starts, Chiarolanzio is one of 10 Bison who enter 2019 in the double digits ... Miran said that Logan Bitikofer has been very consistent and has shown the ability to move the chains; Bitikofer has also impressed with his arm, most notably connecting with Brandon Sanders for multiple lengthy gains during both scrimmages ... Tarrin Earle is the nephew of Bucknell wrestling coach Dan Wirnsberger ... At the moment, Chiarolanzio and Earle are considered even on the depth chart ... As camp went on, Bitikofer began to take more reps with the first team, but Chiarolanzio and Earle have taken plenty as well ... Cecchini said that more than one quarterback will likely see the field at Temple ... Keyshawn Copeland shares a high school with junior safety Brandon Benson ... Miran said that Copeland has done a "great job of growing in the offense," noting that "as an 18-year-old freshman, he's not game ready yet, but he's done a remarkable job considering how complex our offense is" ... Copeland, who held a Power Five offer, threw for over 4,600 yards and 60 touchdowns during high school; he also made plays on the ground, once rushing for a 67-yard score ... Miran praised all four quarterbacks for being "great students in the classroom," explaining that "they're very studious and know that, to learn a new offense, you have to put in the mental work" ... During the spring, senior Jake Wilson and sophomore Renn Lints, both former quarterbacks, shifted to wide receiver.
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