Saturday, September 14
Lewisburg, Pa.
6 p.m.
Bucknell University
vs
#23/22 Villanova (Hero Appreciation Night)
Photo by: Marc Hagemeier
Bucknell Football Hosts No. 23/22 Villanova for 2019 Home Opener
9/10/2019 9:34:00 AM | Football
LEWISBURG, Pa. – The Bucknell football team welcomes No. 23/22 Villanova to Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium for its first home game under head coach Dave Cecchini on Saturday, Sept. 14.
The Bison's home opener, which doubles as their First Responder and Hero Appreciation Night and Youth Sports Night, is set to begin at 6 p.m. There are many exciting promotions surrounding the game; for more information, 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.
• move to 98-34-1 in home openers
• knock off a ranked team for the first time since 2013
• top the Wildcats for the first time since 1944, snapping a seven-game losing streak
• defeat a current Colonial Athletic Association member for the first time since 2003
• help first-year head coach Dave Cecchini win his first game on the Bison sideline
• snap an eight-game losing slide that dates back to 2018
Bucknell at a Glance
• The Bison are 0-2 (0-0 PL) following their 30-10 loss at Sacred Heart on Sept. 7.
• 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 six 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.
• Chitty and Pechin are serving as team captains in 2019.
Inside the Sacred Heart Box Score
• Sacred Heart used an explosive second quarter to power past Bucknell, 30-10, on Sept. 7 at Campus Field. The Pioneers scored three unanswered touchdowns in the final seven minutes of that frame to flip a 3-3 tie into a 23-3 advantage.
• RB Julius Chestnut was a standout performer for Sacred Heart, factoring into three touchdowns. The sophomore ran for 162 yards and one touchdown and also caught two of QB Logan Marchi's three touchdown throws. Marchi, a former Temple player, finished the game with 316 yards on 21-for-37 passing.
• For the Bison, WR Dominic Lyles was a breakout performer, catching five passes for 98 yards and a 50-yard touchdown. Lyles's touchdown was the first of his collegiate career and came directly following a dynamic 18-yard punt return by fellow sophomore WR Brandon Sanders.
• QB Logan Bitikofer's touchdown pass to Lyles was Bucknell's first passing play of at least 50 yards since Bitikofer found RB Jared Cooper for a 74-yard touchdown against Monmouth on Oct. 13, 2018.
• While the Bison again utilized three quarterbacks, John Chiarolanzio proved the most productive, throwing for 141 yards on 14-for-29 passing.
• Defensively, S Conner Romango led Bucknell in tackles for the second-straight game, finishing with nine (eight solo). S Brandon Benson also had a strong game, totaling seven tackles (five solo) and a career-best three pass breakups.
• For Sacred Heart, WRs Naseim Brantley (96) and Tyrese Chambers (94) came close to reaching 100 receiving yards. The Pioneers held a 507-311 edge in total offense.
Villanova at a Glance
• Villanova was ranked No. 23 the AFCA FCS Coaches Poll and No. 22 in the STATS FCS Top 25 this week.
• The Wildcats are 2-0 (0-0 CAA) following their 38-10 victory over Lehigh on Sept. 7. They previously dispatched then No. 13 Colgate, the defending Patriot League champion, 34-14, on Aug. 24.
• A year ago, Villanova went 5-6 (2-6 CAA). The Wildcats, who finished tied for 10th in the Colonial Athletic Association a year ago, were picked to place ninth in the 2019 preseason poll.
• Villanova returned 2018 CAA Defensive Rookie Christian Benford, also an All-CAA Third Team selection as a freshman cornerback. Playing in just nine games, he paced his team with five interceptions and also registered 49 tackles (38 solo). Â
• Through the 2019 campaign's first two weeks, Villanova is in the FCS's top 10 in red zone offense (t-1st, 1.000), scoring defense (t-4th, 12.0) and red zone defense (t-9th, .600). In addition, RB Justin Covington is in the FCS's top five in rushing yards (3rd, 243) and rushing yards per carry (t-3rd, 9.0) while QB Daniel Smith is tied for fourth in passing touchdowns (6).
The Bucknell/Villanova Series
• While the Wildcats hold a slim 13-11-2 lead over the Bison in the all-time series, they are currently riding a series-best seven-game winning streak.
• Villanova and Bucknell met for the first time since 2005 a year ago at Villanova Stadium. The 2005 contest, a 38-10 Wildcat victory, took place at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium.
• The Bison and Wildcats first squared off in 1900. All but six of their contests occurred before 1946. Â
• Bucknell last topped Villanova in 1944, scoring a 27-6 victory in Villanova, Pa.
• The Bison hold a 6-4 lead over the Wildcats at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium. All of Bucknell's home victories occurred between 1902 and 1936. Â
The Last Meeting with the Wildcats Â
Bucknell 7 – No. 14/15 Villanova 49 (Sept. 22, 2018 – Villanova, Pa.)
• No. 14/15 Villanova downed Bucknell, 49-7. During the first quarter, the high-powered Wildcats stormed out to a 28-0 lead. They needed just 12 offensive plays to score their four touchdowns, three of which came on the ground and one of which was a school-record 90-yard bomb by QB Zach Bednarczyk to WR Josh McGrigg.
• The Bison got on the board at the 7:56 mark of the second quarter, capitalizing on a fumble during a punt return. LB Ryan Brida forced the fumble, and LS Mike Colantuono came up with the ball at the Wildcat 12. Three plays later, QB Logan Bitikofer scored his first career rushing touchdown on a one-yard quarterback keeper.
• The Bison forced four turnovers, three of which came in the second quarter. In addition to Colantuono's fumble recovery, S Brice Sydnor picked off a pass and LBs Simeon Page and Matt Robinson forced fumbles that were recovered by CB Bryan Marine.
• S Conner Romango made a career-high 12 tackles in his first career start. He entered the game with two career tackles, both of which came against Sacred Heart on Sept. 8, 2018.
• P Alex Pechin's then career-high 51.0 punting average was one yard shy of Bucknell's school record, which was set in 1962. Of his nine punts, four landed inside the 20 and five sailed for at least 50 yards.
• Pechin's 71-yard bomb that pinned the Wildcats at their two-yard line during the fourth quarter is tied for the third-longest punt in school history.
• Villanova held advantages in total offense (609-128), first downs (28-8) and time of possession (37:10-22:50). At the half, the Wildcats were up, 434-61, in total offense.
Bison in First Home Games Â
• Bucknell is 97-34-1 (.739) all-time in its first home game of the season.
• The Bison are 6-4 in their past 10 home openers. Over that span, they have faced Marist (three times), Cornell, Dartmouth, Duquesne, Lafayette, Robert Morris, VMI and William & Mary.
Bucknell vs. Ranked Opponents
• Villanova is Bucknell's first ranked opponent of the 2019 campaign.
• A year ago, the Bison faced two ranked teams: then No. 14/15 Villanova (L, 7-49) and then No. 20/21 Colgate (L, 3-27).
• Bucknell most recently upset a ranked foe on Oct. 26, 2013. In that game, a 48-10 victory over No. 15 Lehigh at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium, RB C.J. Williams rushed for 154 yards and three touchdowns, WR Will Carter caught six passes for 130 yards and QB Brandon Wesley completed 16-for-21 passes for 213 yards.
• The Bison are 1-9 in their last 10 games against ranked opponents.
Bucknell's Wins Over Ranked Teams (since 2000)
Bucknell 31, No. 14 Fordham 10 (Oct. 4, 2003)
Bucknell 42, No. 22 Colgate 7 (Nov. 13, 2004)
Bucknell 38, No. 18 Fordham 24 (Nov. 17, 2007)
Bucknell 23, No. 13 Holy Cross 17 (Nov. 21, 2009)
Bucknell 48, No. 15 Lehigh 10 (Oct. 26, 2013)
Bison vs. the Colonial Athletic Association
• Bucknell is 34-63-2 (.354) all-time against current Colonial Athletic Association teams.
• The Bison have faced Delaware (11-23), Maine (3-3), New Hampshire (0-4), Rhode Island (1-1), Richmond (0-3), Stony Brook (0-2), Towson (8-8), Villanova (11-13-2) and William & Mary (0-6).
• Towson and Villanova are on Bucknell's 2019 schedule.
• The Bison last defeated a current CAA member in 2003, a 14-10 victory over Towson on Homecoming weekend. They have lost 10-straight games to current CAA members.
Inside the Bucknell Depth Chart
• Excluding the quarterback position, Bucknell's 10 projected starters on offense have made a combined 67 starts, with OL P.J. Barr (21) and TE Alex Twiford (18) accounting for nearly 69 percent of them. Â
• At quarterback, junior Logan Bitikofer, senior John Chiarolanzio and sophomore Tarrin Earle are considered even on the depth chart; all three saw action in both 2019 games. Bucknell's three quarterbacks have made a combined 21 starts.
• Bucknell's 11 projected starters on defense have made a combined 94 starts; the group is unchanged from week one.
• On offense, excluding the quarterback position, two seniors, three juniors, four sophomores and one freshman are expected to start. On defense, two seniors, seven juniors and two sophomores are projected to start.
• Two fifth years, nine seniors, 20 juniors, 10 sophomores and eight freshmen appear on this week's two deep.
• Ten Bison have at least 10 career starts: Barr (21), DL Roger Mellado (19), Twiford (18), WR Justin Bethea (17), LB Sam Chitty (14), LB Simeon Page (14), S Brandon Benson (13), QB John Chiarolanzio (11), OL Justis Peppers (11) and OL Erik Lukner (10). Of that group, six are juniors and four are seniors. Â
• DL Nnamdi Unachukwu, who has started Bucknell's past three games dating back to 2018, is one start away from reaching the double digits in his career. OL Chuck Sanders and RB Jared Cooper, who have yet to start in 2019, have also started nine career games.
• Barr (21), Mellado (19), Chitty (13) and Twiford (12) boast starting streaks in the double digits. Of that group, three are juniors and one (Chitty) is a senior.
• 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 37 games under his belt.
• Two juniors, Barr and Mellado, have appeared in all 24 of the Bison's games since they arrived in Lewisburg.
• The following players made their first career start at Sacred Heart: CB Micah Dennis, OL Noah Sansalone and WR Steven Walier. To date, eight Bison have made their first career start in 2019.
Bison in the NCAA FCS Top 10
• P Alex Pechin: 1st in punting average (50.1), 1st in career punting average (44.1)
• CB Gavin Pringle: t-1st in interception return touchdowns (1)
• S Conner Romango: t-3rd in solo tackles (17), t-6th in solo tackles per game (8.5)
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 (44.1), Season Punting Average (45.1, 2017)
Milestone Watch
• S Brandon Benson: Needs 20 tackles to reach 150 in his career
• LB Sam Chitty: Needs 11 tackles to reach 100 in his career
• LB Simeon Page: Needs two tackles to reach 100 in his career
• LB Simeon Page: Needs three sacks to crack Bucknell's career top 10 with 16.5
• P Alex Pechin: Needs three punts to reach 250 in his career
• S Conner Romango: Needs one tackle to match his 2018 total of 22 in just three games
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.
• Eight of the Bison's 11 opponents from 2018 remained on their 2019 schedule, with Princeton, Temple and Towson taking the place of Monmouth, Penn and William & Mary.
• 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.
• Bucknell's game against Temple will be carried on ESPN3. The Bison's contests at Sacred Heart (NEC Front Row) and Towson (FloSports) will also be streamed live.
• The Bison are active on Twitter (@Bucknell_FB) and Instagram (Bucknell_FB). Interact with the team using the hashtags #ACT and #rayBucknell.
Up Next
• After enjoying their first of two bye weeks, the Bison return to action by hosting Princeton on Saturday, Sept. 28 at 3:30 p.m. as part of Bucknell's Family Weekend festivities.
The Bison's home opener, which doubles as their First Responder and Hero Appreciation Night and Youth Sports Night, is set to begin at 6 p.m. There are many exciting promotions surrounding the game; for more information, 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, Sept. 14 – 6 p.m.
Where: Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium – Lewisburg, Pa.
Tickets: Bucknell.edu/BoxOffice
Internet Video: Patriot League Network
Radio: Eagle 107 (107.3 WEGH)
Internet Radio: BucknellBison.com
Live Stats: BucknellBison.com
Follow on Twitter: @Bucknell_FB
Media Notes: BucknellBison.com
• move to 98-34-1 in home openers
• knock off a ranked team for the first time since 2013
• top the Wildcats for the first time since 1944, snapping a seven-game losing streak
• defeat a current Colonial Athletic Association member for the first time since 2003
• help first-year head coach Dave Cecchini win his first game on the Bison sideline
• snap an eight-game losing slide that dates back to 2018
Bucknell at a Glance
• The Bison are 0-2 (0-0 PL) following their 30-10 loss at Sacred Heart on Sept. 7.
• 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 six 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.
• Chitty and Pechin are serving as team captains in 2019.
Inside the Sacred Heart Box Score
• Sacred Heart used an explosive second quarter to power past Bucknell, 30-10, on Sept. 7 at Campus Field. The Pioneers scored three unanswered touchdowns in the final seven minutes of that frame to flip a 3-3 tie into a 23-3 advantage.
• RB Julius Chestnut was a standout performer for Sacred Heart, factoring into three touchdowns. The sophomore ran for 162 yards and one touchdown and also caught two of QB Logan Marchi's three touchdown throws. Marchi, a former Temple player, finished the game with 316 yards on 21-for-37 passing.
• For the Bison, WR Dominic Lyles was a breakout performer, catching five passes for 98 yards and a 50-yard touchdown. Lyles's touchdown was the first of his collegiate career and came directly following a dynamic 18-yard punt return by fellow sophomore WR Brandon Sanders.
• QB Logan Bitikofer's touchdown pass to Lyles was Bucknell's first passing play of at least 50 yards since Bitikofer found RB Jared Cooper for a 74-yard touchdown against Monmouth on Oct. 13, 2018.
• While the Bison again utilized three quarterbacks, John Chiarolanzio proved the most productive, throwing for 141 yards on 14-for-29 passing.
• Defensively, S Conner Romango led Bucknell in tackles for the second-straight game, finishing with nine (eight solo). S Brandon Benson also had a strong game, totaling seven tackles (five solo) and a career-best three pass breakups.
• For Sacred Heart, WRs Naseim Brantley (96) and Tyrese Chambers (94) came close to reaching 100 receiving yards. The Pioneers held a 507-311 edge in total offense.
Villanova at a Glance
• Villanova was ranked No. 23 the AFCA FCS Coaches Poll and No. 22 in the STATS FCS Top 25 this week.
• The Wildcats are 2-0 (0-0 CAA) following their 38-10 victory over Lehigh on Sept. 7. They previously dispatched then No. 13 Colgate, the defending Patriot League champion, 34-14, on Aug. 24.
• A year ago, Villanova went 5-6 (2-6 CAA). The Wildcats, who finished tied for 10th in the Colonial Athletic Association a year ago, were picked to place ninth in the 2019 preseason poll.
• Villanova returned 2018 CAA Defensive Rookie Christian Benford, also an All-CAA Third Team selection as a freshman cornerback. Playing in just nine games, he paced his team with five interceptions and also registered 49 tackles (38 solo). Â
• Through the 2019 campaign's first two weeks, Villanova is in the FCS's top 10 in red zone offense (t-1st, 1.000), scoring defense (t-4th, 12.0) and red zone defense (t-9th, .600). In addition, RB Justin Covington is in the FCS's top five in rushing yards (3rd, 243) and rushing yards per carry (t-3rd, 9.0) while QB Daniel Smith is tied for fourth in passing touchdowns (6).
The Bucknell/Villanova Series
• While the Wildcats hold a slim 13-11-2 lead over the Bison in the all-time series, they are currently riding a series-best seven-game winning streak.
• Villanova and Bucknell met for the first time since 2005 a year ago at Villanova Stadium. The 2005 contest, a 38-10 Wildcat victory, took place at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium.
• The Bison and Wildcats first squared off in 1900. All but six of their contests occurred before 1946. Â
• Bucknell last topped Villanova in 1944, scoring a 27-6 victory in Villanova, Pa.
• The Bison hold a 6-4 lead over the Wildcats at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium. All of Bucknell's home victories occurred between 1902 and 1936. Â
The Last Meeting with the Wildcats Â
Bucknell 7 – No. 14/15 Villanova 49 (Sept. 22, 2018 – Villanova, Pa.)
• No. 14/15 Villanova downed Bucknell, 49-7. During the first quarter, the high-powered Wildcats stormed out to a 28-0 lead. They needed just 12 offensive plays to score their four touchdowns, three of which came on the ground and one of which was a school-record 90-yard bomb by QB Zach Bednarczyk to WR Josh McGrigg.
• The Bison got on the board at the 7:56 mark of the second quarter, capitalizing on a fumble during a punt return. LB Ryan Brida forced the fumble, and LS Mike Colantuono came up with the ball at the Wildcat 12. Three plays later, QB Logan Bitikofer scored his first career rushing touchdown on a one-yard quarterback keeper.
• The Bison forced four turnovers, three of which came in the second quarter. In addition to Colantuono's fumble recovery, S Brice Sydnor picked off a pass and LBs Simeon Page and Matt Robinson forced fumbles that were recovered by CB Bryan Marine.
• S Conner Romango made a career-high 12 tackles in his first career start. He entered the game with two career tackles, both of which came against Sacred Heart on Sept. 8, 2018.
• P Alex Pechin's then career-high 51.0 punting average was one yard shy of Bucknell's school record, which was set in 1962. Of his nine punts, four landed inside the 20 and five sailed for at least 50 yards.
• Pechin's 71-yard bomb that pinned the Wildcats at their two-yard line during the fourth quarter is tied for the third-longest punt in school history.
• Villanova held advantages in total offense (609-128), first downs (28-8) and time of possession (37:10-22:50). At the half, the Wildcats were up, 434-61, in total offense.
Bison in First Home Games Â
• Bucknell is 97-34-1 (.739) all-time in its first home game of the season.
• The Bison are 6-4 in their past 10 home openers. Over that span, they have faced Marist (three times), Cornell, Dartmouth, Duquesne, Lafayette, Robert Morris, VMI and William & Mary.
Bucknell vs. Ranked Opponents
• Villanova is Bucknell's first ranked opponent of the 2019 campaign.
• A year ago, the Bison faced two ranked teams: then No. 14/15 Villanova (L, 7-49) and then No. 20/21 Colgate (L, 3-27).
• Bucknell most recently upset a ranked foe on Oct. 26, 2013. In that game, a 48-10 victory over No. 15 Lehigh at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium, RB C.J. Williams rushed for 154 yards and three touchdowns, WR Will Carter caught six passes for 130 yards and QB Brandon Wesley completed 16-for-21 passes for 213 yards.
• The Bison are 1-9 in their last 10 games against ranked opponents.
Bucknell's Wins Over Ranked Teams (since 2000)
Bucknell 31, No. 14 Fordham 10 (Oct. 4, 2003)
Bucknell 42, No. 22 Colgate 7 (Nov. 13, 2004)
Bucknell 38, No. 18 Fordham 24 (Nov. 17, 2007)
Bucknell 23, No. 13 Holy Cross 17 (Nov. 21, 2009)
Bucknell 48, No. 15 Lehigh 10 (Oct. 26, 2013)
Bison vs. the Colonial Athletic Association
• Bucknell is 34-63-2 (.354) all-time against current Colonial Athletic Association teams.
• The Bison have faced Delaware (11-23), Maine (3-3), New Hampshire (0-4), Rhode Island (1-1), Richmond (0-3), Stony Brook (0-2), Towson (8-8), Villanova (11-13-2) and William & Mary (0-6).
• Towson and Villanova are on Bucknell's 2019 schedule.
• The Bison last defeated a current CAA member in 2003, a 14-10 victory over Towson on Homecoming weekend. They have lost 10-straight games to current CAA members.
Inside the Bucknell Depth Chart
• Excluding the quarterback position, Bucknell's 10 projected starters on offense have made a combined 67 starts, with OL P.J. Barr (21) and TE Alex Twiford (18) accounting for nearly 69 percent of them. Â
• At quarterback, junior Logan Bitikofer, senior John Chiarolanzio and sophomore Tarrin Earle are considered even on the depth chart; all three saw action in both 2019 games. Bucknell's three quarterbacks have made a combined 21 starts.
• Bucknell's 11 projected starters on defense have made a combined 94 starts; the group is unchanged from week one.
• On offense, excluding the quarterback position, two seniors, three juniors, four sophomores and one freshman are expected to start. On defense, two seniors, seven juniors and two sophomores are projected to start.
• Two fifth years, nine seniors, 20 juniors, 10 sophomores and eight freshmen appear on this week's two deep.
• Ten Bison have at least 10 career starts: Barr (21), DL Roger Mellado (19), Twiford (18), WR Justin Bethea (17), LB Sam Chitty (14), LB Simeon Page (14), S Brandon Benson (13), QB John Chiarolanzio (11), OL Justis Peppers (11) and OL Erik Lukner (10). Of that group, six are juniors and four are seniors. Â
• DL Nnamdi Unachukwu, who has started Bucknell's past three games dating back to 2018, is one start away from reaching the double digits in his career. OL Chuck Sanders and RB Jared Cooper, who have yet to start in 2019, have also started nine career games.
• Barr (21), Mellado (19), Chitty (13) and Twiford (12) boast starting streaks in the double digits. Of that group, three are juniors and one (Chitty) is a senior.
• 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 37 games under his belt.
• Two juniors, Barr and Mellado, have appeared in all 24 of the Bison's games since they arrived in Lewisburg.
• The following players made their first career start at Sacred Heart: CB Micah Dennis, OL Noah Sansalone and WR Steven Walier. To date, eight Bison have made their first career start in 2019.
Bison in the NCAA FCS Top 10
• P Alex Pechin: 1st in punting average (50.1), 1st in career punting average (44.1)
• CB Gavin Pringle: t-1st in interception return touchdowns (1)
• S Conner Romango: t-3rd in solo tackles (17), t-6th in solo tackles per game (8.5)
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 (44.1), Season Punting Average (45.1, 2017)
Milestone Watch
• S Brandon Benson: Needs 20 tackles to reach 150 in his career
• LB Sam Chitty: Needs 11 tackles to reach 100 in his career
• LB Simeon Page: Needs two tackles to reach 100 in his career
• LB Simeon Page: Needs three sacks to crack Bucknell's career top 10 with 16.5
• P Alex Pechin: Needs three punts to reach 250 in his career
• S Conner Romango: Needs one tackle to match his 2018 total of 22 in just three games
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.
• Eight of the Bison's 11 opponents from 2018 remained on their 2019 schedule, with Princeton, Temple and Towson taking the place of Monmouth, Penn and William & Mary.
• 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.
• Bucknell's game against Temple will be carried on ESPN3. The Bison's contests at Sacred Heart (NEC Front Row) and Towson (FloSports) will also be streamed live.
• The Bison are active on Twitter (@Bucknell_FB) and Instagram (Bucknell_FB). Interact with the team using the hashtags #ACT and #rayBucknell.
Up Next
• After enjoying their first of two bye weeks, the Bison return to action by hosting Princeton on Saturday, Sept. 28 at 3:30 p.m. as part of Bucknell's Family Weekend festivities.
Players Mentioned
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Post Game Interview vs. SFU
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Saint Francis at Bucknell Football Highlights 9-27-2025
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