Saturday, September 14
Lewisburg, Pa.
6 p.m.
Bucknell University
0-3
10
vs
45
#23/22 Villanova (Hero Appreciation Night)
3-0
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
F
Villanova
14
14
14
3
45
Bucknell
0
0
3
7
10
Photo by: Marc Hagemeier
No. 23/22 Villanova Rolls Past Bucknell Football
9/14/2019 8:47:00 PM | Football
LEWISBURG, Pa. – No. 23/22 Villanova rolled past the Bucknell football team, 45-10, on Saturday night at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium.
The Wildcats (3-0) used a fast start and strong defensive effort to spoil the Bison's (0-3) first home game of the Dave Cecchini era. Villanova's scoring drives were quick and efficient, with all but two taking less than two minutes off the clock. Daniel Smith threw touchdown passes to three different receivers and also ran for a score while Justin Covington totaled 119 yards on seven carries.
At halftime, the Wildcats held a 28-0 lead, scoring two touchdowns in each of the first two quarters. They opened the scoring in the first 22 seconds when Jaquan Amos picked off Bucknell's third pass of the game and returned it 34 yards for a touchdown.
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The Bison made two trips to the red zone during the first quarter but couldn't put points on the board. Their first trip happened after Rick Mottram picked off his first career pass; Brandon Benson deflected the pass, which Mottram dove to catch at Villanova's 21-yard line. The Wildcat defense ultimately held fast, forcing Bucknell to attempt a 23-yard field goal; that bid sailed wide left at the first quarter's 7:39 mark.
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Later on, John Chiarolanzio found a wide-open Blais Herman for a 59-yard gain to the Wildcat 19. Three short gains later, the Bison found themselves facing 4th and 2 at the Villanova 10; linebackers Forrest Rhyne and Amin Black stuffed Chad Freshnock a yard shy of a first down, giving their team the ball back at their 10.
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And, one play later, the Wildcats were deep in Bucknell territory. Covington, who is among the FCS's top rushing threats, rattled off a 64-yard run to the Bison 26; that play set up a 23-yard touchdown pass from Smith to Todd Summers at the first quarter's 1:38 mark.
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During the second frame, Villanova tacked on touchdowns at the 13:19 and 5:50 marks. The Wildcats' first touchdown, a three-yard quarterback keeper by Smith, came after they took over deep in the Bucknell end following a failed fake punt. The second, a six-yard pass from Smith to Changa Hodge, was set up by a Drew Wiley interception in Bison territory.
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Bucknell had a chance to chip away at Villanova's lead in the final three minutes of the second quarter. The Wildcats were forced to punt from their own end zone after Simeon Page sacked Smith for a loss of nine yards at their one. The Bison ultimately took over at Villanova's 46-yard line following an eight-yard return by Brandon Sanders.
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Bucknell advanced to the Villanova 21, but two incomplete passes and a fumble that the Bison recovered brought up 3rd and 14 at the Wildcat 25. A 42-yard field goal attempt ultimately sailed wide right, keeping Bucknell off the board.
In the second half, the Bison got on the board with a 37-yard Ethan Torres field goal at the third quarter's 3:49 mark. They added a four-yard Logan Bitikofer rushing touchdown at the fourth quarter's 7:36 mark; Bitikofer's second career rushing touchdown came after Benson recovered a fumble following a bad snap, setting up Bucknell at the Villanova 16.
Villanova added two touchdowns in the third quarter and a field goal in the fourth quarter to bring the final score to 45-10.
"I believe we have a long ways to go until we're playing our best football," Cecchini said. "The biggest factor is going to be injuries. We're really, really banged up. A ton of guys went down again today. Hopefully, all of them can get back for Princeton. The bye week has come at the right time. If we can get healthy and have guys continue to plug away, this football team has some bright days ahead."
The Bison held advantages in first downs (16) and passing yards (225-124) while the Wildcats led in rushing yards (262-46), total offense (386-271) and time of possession (30:19-29:41).
For Bucknell, Chiarolanzio finished with 134 yards on 11-for-32 passing while Bitikofer posted 91 yards on 12-for-22 passing. Herman (72) and John McGuire (46) led the Bison in receiving yards, each setting a new career high. Freshman Alex Barnard entered the game at running back in the second half and paced Bucknell with 25 yards on four carries.
Defensively, Mottram led the Bison with six tackles (four solo). The Bison totaled seven tackles for a loss of 21 yards.
For Villanova, Smith finished with 109 yards on 12-for-23 passing. DeeWil Barlee added 85 yards and one touchdown on the ground. Elijah Trent paced the defense with nine tackles (six solo).
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.
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NOTES
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Bucknell is now 97-35-1 all-time in its first home game of the season.
All-American punter Alex Pechin had another strong game, averaging 51.0 yards on six punts. He landed five of his six punts inside of the 20, with four sailing for at least 50 yards. It was the third time in his career he averaged at least 51.0 per punt in a game; he also did so at Temple (51.6) in the 2019 opener and at then No. 14/15 Villanova (51.0) on Sept. 22, 2018.
Page made the 100th tackle of his collegiate career during the game; he now has 102.
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Page's sack was Bucknell's first of the season. The junior now has 14.5 sacks in his career; he needs just two to crack Bucknell's top 10.
With his four solo tackles, Conner Romango now has 25 total tackles on the season; he eclipsed his 2018 total of 22 in just three games.
Bucknell's home opener doubled as its First Responder and Hero Appreciation Night. The Bison recognized local military veterans, active duty servicemen and women, Gold Star Families and first responders during the game. In addition, they wore special baseball hats and helmet decals to honor fallen soldiers and Gold Star Families.
The Wildcats now lead the all-time series with the Bison, 14-11-2. They extended their series-best winning streak to eight games.
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Villanova was 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).
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Bucknell was the Wildcats' third-straight Patriot League opponent. They previously dispatched then No. 13 Colgate, the defending Patriot League champion, 34-14, on Aug. 24 and Lehigh, 38-10, on Sept. 7.
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Entering the game, Villanova was 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, Covington was in the FCS's top five in rushing yards (3rd, 243) and rushing yards per carry (t-3rd, 9.0) while Smith was tied for fourth in passing touchdowns (6).
The Wildcats (3-0) used a fast start and strong defensive effort to spoil the Bison's (0-3) first home game of the Dave Cecchini era. Villanova's scoring drives were quick and efficient, with all but two taking less than two minutes off the clock. Daniel Smith threw touchdown passes to three different receivers and also ran for a score while Justin Covington totaled 119 yards on seven carries.
At halftime, the Wildcats held a 28-0 lead, scoring two touchdowns in each of the first two quarters. They opened the scoring in the first 22 seconds when Jaquan Amos picked off Bucknell's third pass of the game and returned it 34 yards for a touchdown.
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The Bison made two trips to the red zone during the first quarter but couldn't put points on the board. Their first trip happened after Rick Mottram picked off his first career pass; Brandon Benson deflected the pass, which Mottram dove to catch at Villanova's 21-yard line. The Wildcat defense ultimately held fast, forcing Bucknell to attempt a 23-yard field goal; that bid sailed wide left at the first quarter's 7:39 mark.
Â
Later on, John Chiarolanzio found a wide-open Blais Herman for a 59-yard gain to the Wildcat 19. Three short gains later, the Bison found themselves facing 4th and 2 at the Villanova 10; linebackers Forrest Rhyne and Amin Black stuffed Chad Freshnock a yard shy of a first down, giving their team the ball back at their 10.
Â
And, one play later, the Wildcats were deep in Bucknell territory. Covington, who is among the FCS's top rushing threats, rattled off a 64-yard run to the Bison 26; that play set up a 23-yard touchdown pass from Smith to Todd Summers at the first quarter's 1:38 mark.
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During the second frame, Villanova tacked on touchdowns at the 13:19 and 5:50 marks. The Wildcats' first touchdown, a three-yard quarterback keeper by Smith, came after they took over deep in the Bucknell end following a failed fake punt. The second, a six-yard pass from Smith to Changa Hodge, was set up by a Drew Wiley interception in Bison territory.
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Bucknell had a chance to chip away at Villanova's lead in the final three minutes of the second quarter. The Wildcats were forced to punt from their own end zone after Simeon Page sacked Smith for a loss of nine yards at their one. The Bison ultimately took over at Villanova's 46-yard line following an eight-yard return by Brandon Sanders.
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Bucknell advanced to the Villanova 21, but two incomplete passes and a fumble that the Bison recovered brought up 3rd and 14 at the Wildcat 25. A 42-yard field goal attempt ultimately sailed wide right, keeping Bucknell off the board.
In the second half, the Bison got on the board with a 37-yard Ethan Torres field goal at the third quarter's 3:49 mark. They added a four-yard Logan Bitikofer rushing touchdown at the fourth quarter's 7:36 mark; Bitikofer's second career rushing touchdown came after Benson recovered a fumble following a bad snap, setting up Bucknell at the Villanova 16.
Villanova added two touchdowns in the third quarter and a field goal in the fourth quarter to bring the final score to 45-10.
"I believe we have a long ways to go until we're playing our best football," Cecchini said. "The biggest factor is going to be injuries. We're really, really banged up. A ton of guys went down again today. Hopefully, all of them can get back for Princeton. The bye week has come at the right time. If we can get healthy and have guys continue to plug away, this football team has some bright days ahead."
The Bison held advantages in first downs (16) and passing yards (225-124) while the Wildcats led in rushing yards (262-46), total offense (386-271) and time of possession (30:19-29:41).
For Bucknell, Chiarolanzio finished with 134 yards on 11-for-32 passing while Bitikofer posted 91 yards on 12-for-22 passing. Herman (72) and John McGuire (46) led the Bison in receiving yards, each setting a new career high. Freshman Alex Barnard entered the game at running back in the second half and paced Bucknell with 25 yards on four carries.
Defensively, Mottram led the Bison with six tackles (four solo). The Bison totaled seven tackles for a loss of 21 yards.
For Villanova, Smith finished with 109 yards on 12-for-23 passing. DeeWil Barlee added 85 yards and one touchdown on the ground. Elijah Trent paced the defense with nine tackles (six solo).
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.
Â
NOTES
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Bucknell is now 97-35-1 all-time in its first home game of the season.
All-American punter Alex Pechin had another strong game, averaging 51.0 yards on six punts. He landed five of his six punts inside of the 20, with four sailing for at least 50 yards. It was the third time in his career he averaged at least 51.0 per punt in a game; he also did so at Temple (51.6) in the 2019 opener and at then No. 14/15 Villanova (51.0) on Sept. 22, 2018.
Page made the 100th tackle of his collegiate career during the game; he now has 102.
Â
Page's sack was Bucknell's first of the season. The junior now has 14.5 sacks in his career; he needs just two to crack Bucknell's top 10.
With his four solo tackles, Conner Romango now has 25 total tackles on the season; he eclipsed his 2018 total of 22 in just three games.
Bucknell's home opener doubled as its First Responder and Hero Appreciation Night. The Bison recognized local military veterans, active duty servicemen and women, Gold Star Families and first responders during the game. In addition, they wore special baseball hats and helmet decals to honor fallen soldiers and Gold Star Families.
The Wildcats now lead the all-time series with the Bison, 14-11-2. They extended their series-best winning streak to eight games.
Â
Villanova was 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).
Â
Bucknell was the Wildcats' third-straight Patriot League opponent. They previously dispatched then No. 13 Colgate, the defending Patriot League champion, 34-14, on Aug. 24 and Lehigh, 38-10, on Sept. 7.
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Entering the game, Villanova was 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, Covington was in the FCS's top five in rushing yards (3rd, 243) and rushing yards per carry (t-3rd, 9.0) while Smith was tied for fourth in passing touchdowns (6).
Team Stats
VU
BUCKNELL
Total Yards
386
271
Pass Yards
124
225
Rushing Yards
262
46
Penalty Yards
65
74
1st Downs
15
16
3rd Downs
7
6
4th Downs
0
0
TOP
30:19
29:41
1st Quarter
VU 7, BUCKNELL 0
VU - Amos, J. 34 yd interception (Kresge, D. kick)
VU 14, BUCKNELL 0
VU - Summers, T. 23 yd pass from Smith, Daniel (Kresge, D. kick) 3 plays, 90 yards, TOP 1:17
2nd Quarter
VU 21, BUCKNELL 0
VU - Smith, Daniel 3 yd run (Kresge, D. kick), 5 plays, 27 yards, TOP 1:26
VU 28, BUCKNELL 0
VU - Hodge, C. 6 yd pass from Smith, Daniel (Kresge, D. kick) 6 plays, 35 yards, TOP 1:47
3rd Quarter
VU 35, BUCKNELL 0
VU - Boykin, D. 13 yd pass from Smith, Daniel (Kresge, D. kick) 8 plays, 77 yards, TOP 3:50
VU 35, BUCKNELL 3
BUCKNELL - Torres, Ethan 37 yd field goal 9 plays, 22 yards, TOP 3:03
VU 42, BUCKNELL 3
VU - Barlee, D. 78 yd run (Kresge, D. kick), 1 plays, 78 yards, TOP 0:14
4th Quarter
VU 42, BUCKNELL 10
BUCKNELL - Bitikofer, L. 4 yd run (Torres, Ethan kick), 3 plays, 16 yards, TOP 0:57
VU 45, BUCKNELL 10
VU - Kresge, D. 31 yd field goal 10 plays, 35 yards, TOP 5:48
Game Leaders
Passing Leaders
Players Mentioned
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RB
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WR
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WR/LS
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LB
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LB
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S
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WR
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P/K
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