Saturday, September 28
Lewisburg, Pa.
3:30 p.m.
Bucknell University
vs
#23/RV Princeton (Family Weekend)
Photo by: Joel Turrell
Bucknell Football Hosts Defending Ivy League Champ Princeton
9/24/2019 9:39:00 AM | Football
LEWISBURG, Pa. – The Bucknell football team is set to square off against defending Ivy League champion Princeton on Saturday, Sept. 28 at 3:30 p.m. as part of Family Weekend.
The Bison and No. 23/RV Tigers are facing off for the first time since 2011. It will be Bucknell's second-straight home game against a ranked opponent.
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, September 28 – 3:30 p.m.
Where: Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium – Lewisburg, Pa.
Television: Stadium's Family of Networks
Internet Video: Stadium
Radio: Eagle 107 (107.3 WEGH)
Internet Radio: BucknellBison.com
Live Stats: BucknellBison.com
Follow on Twitter: @Bucknell_FB
Media Notes: BucknellBison.com
With a victory the Bison would...
• knock off a ranked team for the first time since 2013
• help first-year head coach Dave Cecchini win his first game on the Bison sideline
• snap a nine-game losing slide that dates back to 2018
Bucknell at a Glance
• The Bison are 0-3 (0-0 PL) following their 45-10 loss to No. 23/22 Villanova on Sept. 14 in their home opener.
• 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.
• Pechin is serving as team captain in 2019. He is the 11th Bison to serve as team captain more than once and the seventh to do so since 1950.
Inside the Villanova Box Score
• No. 23/22 Villanova rolled past Bucknell, 45-10. The Wildcats used a fast start and strong defensive effort to spoil the Bison's 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. QB Daniel Smith threw touchdown passes to three different receivers and also ran for a score while RB 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 DB Jaquan Amos picked off Bucknell's third pass of the game and returned it 34 yards for a touchdown.
• The Bison held edges in first downs (16) and passing yards (225-124) while the Wildcats led in rushing yards (262-46) and total offense (386-271).
• WRs Blais Herman (72) and John McGuire (46) led Bucknell in receiving yards, each setting a new career high. QBs John Chiarolanzio (134 yards, 11-for-32 passing) and Logan Bitikofer (91 yards, 12-for-22 passing) both saw action.
• LB Rick Mottram not only intercepted his first career pass; he also led the Bison defense with six tackles (four solo). S Brandon Benson, who deflected the pass to Mottram, recovered a fumble that led to Bucknell's lone touchdown.
• LB Simeon Page made the 100th tackle of his collegiate career; his career total stood at 102 following the game.
• On the strength of his four solo tackles, S Conner Romango eclipsed his 2018 total of 22 tackles in just three games; he finished the night with 25 tackles (21 solo).
• P 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.
• Bucknell's home opener doubled as its First Responder and Hero Appreciation Night. The Bison wore special baseball hats and helmet decals to honor fallen soldiers and Gold Star Families.
Princeton at a Glance
• Princeton was ranked No. 23 in this week's AFCA FCS Coaches Poll. The Tigers received votes in the STATS FCS Poll; with 269 points, they were the first team out of the Top 25. Â
• Princeton is 1-0 (0-0 Ivy League) after routing Butler, 49-7, on Sept. 21 in its season opener. The victory, powered by QB Kevin Davidson's 341 passing yards and two touchdown throws to WR Andrei Iosivas, stretched the Tigers' winning streak to 11 games, their longest since they won 17 in a row between 1964 and 1965.
• Collegiate football is celebrating its 150th anniversary this season, and the Tigers were involved in its first ever game. On Nov. 6, 1869, Princeton traveled to Rutgers for a match, which was won by the host school, 6-4.
• In 2018, the Tigers went an undefeated 10-0 (7-0 Ivy League) en route to their fourth outright Ivy League title in program history and first since 1995. Because Princeton played only nine games for much of the 20th century, the 2018 squad was the first to complete an unbeaten, untied season with double-digit victories since 1903.
• The Tigers were slotted ninth in the final AFCA and STATS polls of the 2018 campaign. It was the highest final ranking for an Ivy League team since 1986, when Penn finished seventh.
• A year ago, Princeton set an Ivy League record in scoring offense (47.0 points/game) and was ranked in the top 10 nationally in scoring offense (2nd), total offense (3rd), turnover margin (4th), rushing offense (6th) and rushing defense (7th). The Tigers scored at least 50 points in five games and held eight opponents to 14 or fewer points.
• Princeton graduated many top contributors on both sides of the ball following last year's campaign, most notably losing two-time Bushnell Cup winning QB John Lovett and record-breaking WRs Jesper Horsted and Stephen Carlson; all three are now in the National Football League.
The Bucknell/Princeton Series
• Princeton leads the all-time series with Bucknell, 13-3.
• The teams faced off four times in the 1900s, three times in the 1910s, three times in the 1980s, five times in the 1990s and once in the 2010s.
• The Bison won the two most recent meetings in 2011 (34-9) and 1996 (10-6).
• The Tigers took the first 10 games of the series. Bucknell topped Princeton for the first time in 1990 (14-9) at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium.
The Last Meeting with the Tigers Â
Bucknell 34 – Princeton 9 (Sept. 24, 2011 – Princeton, N.J.)
• Bucknell dispatched Princeton, 34-9, on Sept. 24, 2011 at Princeton Stadium.
• The Bison defense put together one of its most dominating efforts of the 2011 campaign, limiting the Tigers to three points in the first 50 minutes; they also allowed just 248 yards of total offense and caused six turnovers, four of which led directly to points.
• DE Josh Eden filled the stat sheet with a safety, a fumble recovery and an interception return for a touchdown. DB Bryce Robertson intercepted two passes in the end zone over the course of the game.
• Bucknell posted seven tackles for a loss and two sacks en route to its largest margin of victory since defeating Marist, 38-7, in 2007. The Bison's nine points allowed were their fewest since Georgetown scored only six points during their 2009 contest.
• QB Brandon Wesley rushed for 76 yards and three touchdowns; he became the first Bison to rush for three scores since that 2007 victory over Marist. Wesley also completed 16 of 23 passes for 138 yards.
• With the win, Bucknell improved to 3-1 on the year, marking its best start since 2008.
• The Bison, who won at Princeton for the first time in 13 tries, snapped a nine-game losing streak to Ivy League foes.
Bucknell vs. Ranked Opponents
• Princeton is Bucknell's second ranked opponent of the 2019 campaign; in their most recent game, the Bison fell to then No. 23/22 Villanova, 45-10, on Sept. 14.
• A year ago, Bucknell faced two ranked teams: then No. 14/15 Villanova (L, 7-49) and then No. 20/21 Colgate (L, 3-27).
• The Bison 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.
• Bucknell is 1-9 in its 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 Ivy League
• Bucknell is 41-104-3 all-time against Ivy League programs.
• The Bison have played at least one Ivy League team every year since 1978, a streak that reached 41-consecutive seasons with 2018's 34-17 loss at Penn.
• Bucknell has faced Cornell (57) more than any other Ivy League team. Penn (35) and Princeton (16), this Saturday's opponent, round out the top three.
Inside the Bucknell Depth Chart
• Excluding the quarterback position, Bucknell's 10 projected starters on offense have made a combined 74 starts, with OL P.J. Barr (22) and TE Alex Twiford (19) accounting for nearly 56 percent of them. Â
• At quarterback, junior Logan Bitikofer, senior John Chiarolanzio and sophomore Tarrin Earle are considered even on the depth chart; to date, all three have seen action in every 2019 game. Bucknell's three quarterbacks have made a combined 22 starts.
• Bucknell's 11 projected starters on defense have made a combined 104 starts; the group remains unchanged from week one.
• On offense, excluding the quarterback position, two seniors, four juniors, three 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.
• Twelve Bison have at least 10 career starts: Barr (22), DL Roger Mellado (20), Twiford (19), WR Justin Bethea (17), LB Sam Chitty (15), LB Simeon Page (15), S Brandon Benson (14), QB John Chiarolanzio (12), OL Justis Peppers (11), OL Erik Lukner (10), OL Chuck Sanders (10) and DL Nnamdi Unachukwu (10). Of that group, seven are juniors and five are seniors. Â
• Sanders and Unachukwu reached the double digits in career starts during Bucknell's most recent game against then No. 23/22 Villanova on Sept. 14.
• DE Grayson Cherubino, who has started all three of Bucknell's 2019 games, will become the first member of the class of 2022 to reach the double digits in career starts with a start against Princeton. RB Jared Cooper, who has not started in 2019 to date, could do the same.
• Barr (22), Mellado (20), Chitty (14) and Twiford (13) boast starting streaks in the double digits.
• 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 38 games under his belt.
• Two juniors, Barr and Mellado, have appeared in all 25 of the Bison's games since they arrived in Lewisburg.
• The following eight players have made their first career start this year: OL Alex Bolinger, CB Eric Butler, CB Micah Dennis, DL John Hunt, WR Dominic Lyles, OL Noah Sansalone, OL Zack Tarburton and WR Steven Walier.
Bison in the NCAA FCS Top 10
• P Alex Pechin: 1st in punting average (50.3), 1st in career punting average (44.3)
• CB Gavin Pringle: t-3rd in interception return touchdowns (1)
• S Conner Romango: t-5th in solo tackles per game (7.0)
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 (44.3), Season Punting Average (45.1, 2017)
Milestones Met Against Villanova
• LB Simeon Page: Made his 100th career tackle; now has 102
• P Alex Pechin: Punted for the 250th time in his career; now has 253 punts
• S Conner Romango: Exceeded his 2018 total of 22 tackles in first three games; now has 25
Milestone Watch
• S Brandon Benson: Needs 17 tackles to reach 150 in his career
• S Brandon Benson: Needs 29 solo tackles to reach 100 in his career
• LB Sam Chitty: Needs 11 tackles to reach 100 in his career
• LB Simeon Page: Needs two sacks to crack Bucknell's career top 10 with 16.5
• P Alex Pechin: Needs three punts inside the 20 to reach 100 in his career
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
• The Bison open Patriot League play by hosting Holy Cross for its Homecoming game on Saturday, Oct. 5 at 2 p.m.
The Bison and No. 23/RV Tigers are facing off for the first time since 2011. It will be Bucknell's second-straight home game against a ranked opponent.
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, September 28 – 3:30 p.m.
Where: Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium – Lewisburg, Pa.
Television: Stadium's Family of Networks
Internet Video: Stadium
Radio: Eagle 107 (107.3 WEGH)
Internet Radio: BucknellBison.com
Live Stats: BucknellBison.com
Follow on Twitter: @Bucknell_FB
Media Notes: BucknellBison.com
With a victory the Bison would...
• knock off a ranked team for the first time since 2013
• help first-year head coach Dave Cecchini win his first game on the Bison sideline
• snap a nine-game losing slide that dates back to 2018
Bucknell at a Glance
• The Bison are 0-3 (0-0 PL) following their 45-10 loss to No. 23/22 Villanova on Sept. 14 in their home opener.
• 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.
• Pechin is serving as team captain in 2019. He is the 11th Bison to serve as team captain more than once and the seventh to do so since 1950.
Inside the Villanova Box Score
• No. 23/22 Villanova rolled past Bucknell, 45-10. The Wildcats used a fast start and strong defensive effort to spoil the Bison's 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. QB Daniel Smith threw touchdown passes to three different receivers and also ran for a score while RB 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 DB Jaquan Amos picked off Bucknell's third pass of the game and returned it 34 yards for a touchdown.
• The Bison held edges in first downs (16) and passing yards (225-124) while the Wildcats led in rushing yards (262-46) and total offense (386-271).
• WRs Blais Herman (72) and John McGuire (46) led Bucknell in receiving yards, each setting a new career high. QBs John Chiarolanzio (134 yards, 11-for-32 passing) and Logan Bitikofer (91 yards, 12-for-22 passing) both saw action.
• LB Rick Mottram not only intercepted his first career pass; he also led the Bison defense with six tackles (four solo). S Brandon Benson, who deflected the pass to Mottram, recovered a fumble that led to Bucknell's lone touchdown.
• LB Simeon Page made the 100th tackle of his collegiate career; his career total stood at 102 following the game.
• On the strength of his four solo tackles, S Conner Romango eclipsed his 2018 total of 22 tackles in just three games; he finished the night with 25 tackles (21 solo).
• P 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.
• Bucknell's home opener doubled as its First Responder and Hero Appreciation Night. The Bison wore special baseball hats and helmet decals to honor fallen soldiers and Gold Star Families.
Princeton at a Glance
• Princeton was ranked No. 23 in this week's AFCA FCS Coaches Poll. The Tigers received votes in the STATS FCS Poll; with 269 points, they were the first team out of the Top 25. Â
• Princeton is 1-0 (0-0 Ivy League) after routing Butler, 49-7, on Sept. 21 in its season opener. The victory, powered by QB Kevin Davidson's 341 passing yards and two touchdown throws to WR Andrei Iosivas, stretched the Tigers' winning streak to 11 games, their longest since they won 17 in a row between 1964 and 1965.
• Collegiate football is celebrating its 150th anniversary this season, and the Tigers were involved in its first ever game. On Nov. 6, 1869, Princeton traveled to Rutgers for a match, which was won by the host school, 6-4.
• In 2018, the Tigers went an undefeated 10-0 (7-0 Ivy League) en route to their fourth outright Ivy League title in program history and first since 1995. Because Princeton played only nine games for much of the 20th century, the 2018 squad was the first to complete an unbeaten, untied season with double-digit victories since 1903.
• The Tigers were slotted ninth in the final AFCA and STATS polls of the 2018 campaign. It was the highest final ranking for an Ivy League team since 1986, when Penn finished seventh.
• A year ago, Princeton set an Ivy League record in scoring offense (47.0 points/game) and was ranked in the top 10 nationally in scoring offense (2nd), total offense (3rd), turnover margin (4th), rushing offense (6th) and rushing defense (7th). The Tigers scored at least 50 points in five games and held eight opponents to 14 or fewer points.
• Princeton graduated many top contributors on both sides of the ball following last year's campaign, most notably losing two-time Bushnell Cup winning QB John Lovett and record-breaking WRs Jesper Horsted and Stephen Carlson; all three are now in the National Football League.
The Bucknell/Princeton Series
• Princeton leads the all-time series with Bucknell, 13-3.
• The teams faced off four times in the 1900s, three times in the 1910s, three times in the 1980s, five times in the 1990s and once in the 2010s.
• The Bison won the two most recent meetings in 2011 (34-9) and 1996 (10-6).
• The Tigers took the first 10 games of the series. Bucknell topped Princeton for the first time in 1990 (14-9) at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium.
The Last Meeting with the Tigers Â
Bucknell 34 – Princeton 9 (Sept. 24, 2011 – Princeton, N.J.)
• Bucknell dispatched Princeton, 34-9, on Sept. 24, 2011 at Princeton Stadium.
• The Bison defense put together one of its most dominating efforts of the 2011 campaign, limiting the Tigers to three points in the first 50 minutes; they also allowed just 248 yards of total offense and caused six turnovers, four of which led directly to points.
• DE Josh Eden filled the stat sheet with a safety, a fumble recovery and an interception return for a touchdown. DB Bryce Robertson intercepted two passes in the end zone over the course of the game.
• Bucknell posted seven tackles for a loss and two sacks en route to its largest margin of victory since defeating Marist, 38-7, in 2007. The Bison's nine points allowed were their fewest since Georgetown scored only six points during their 2009 contest.
• QB Brandon Wesley rushed for 76 yards and three touchdowns; he became the first Bison to rush for three scores since that 2007 victory over Marist. Wesley also completed 16 of 23 passes for 138 yards.
• With the win, Bucknell improved to 3-1 on the year, marking its best start since 2008.
• The Bison, who won at Princeton for the first time in 13 tries, snapped a nine-game losing streak to Ivy League foes.
Bucknell vs. Ranked Opponents
• Princeton is Bucknell's second ranked opponent of the 2019 campaign; in their most recent game, the Bison fell to then No. 23/22 Villanova, 45-10, on Sept. 14.
• A year ago, Bucknell faced two ranked teams: then No. 14/15 Villanova (L, 7-49) and then No. 20/21 Colgate (L, 3-27).
• The Bison 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.
• Bucknell is 1-9 in its 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 Ivy League
• Bucknell is 41-104-3 all-time against Ivy League programs.
• The Bison have played at least one Ivy League team every year since 1978, a streak that reached 41-consecutive seasons with 2018's 34-17 loss at Penn.
• Bucknell has faced Cornell (57) more than any other Ivy League team. Penn (35) and Princeton (16), this Saturday's opponent, round out the top three.
Inside the Bucknell Depth Chart
• Excluding the quarterback position, Bucknell's 10 projected starters on offense have made a combined 74 starts, with OL P.J. Barr (22) and TE Alex Twiford (19) accounting for nearly 56 percent of them. Â
• At quarterback, junior Logan Bitikofer, senior John Chiarolanzio and sophomore Tarrin Earle are considered even on the depth chart; to date, all three have seen action in every 2019 game. Bucknell's three quarterbacks have made a combined 22 starts.
• Bucknell's 11 projected starters on defense have made a combined 104 starts; the group remains unchanged from week one.
• On offense, excluding the quarterback position, two seniors, four juniors, three 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.
• Twelve Bison have at least 10 career starts: Barr (22), DL Roger Mellado (20), Twiford (19), WR Justin Bethea (17), LB Sam Chitty (15), LB Simeon Page (15), S Brandon Benson (14), QB John Chiarolanzio (12), OL Justis Peppers (11), OL Erik Lukner (10), OL Chuck Sanders (10) and DL Nnamdi Unachukwu (10). Of that group, seven are juniors and five are seniors. Â
• Sanders and Unachukwu reached the double digits in career starts during Bucknell's most recent game against then No. 23/22 Villanova on Sept. 14.
• DE Grayson Cherubino, who has started all three of Bucknell's 2019 games, will become the first member of the class of 2022 to reach the double digits in career starts with a start against Princeton. RB Jared Cooper, who has not started in 2019 to date, could do the same.
• Barr (22), Mellado (20), Chitty (14) and Twiford (13) boast starting streaks in the double digits.
• 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 38 games under his belt.
• Two juniors, Barr and Mellado, have appeared in all 25 of the Bison's games since they arrived in Lewisburg.
• The following eight players have made their first career start this year: OL Alex Bolinger, CB Eric Butler, CB Micah Dennis, DL John Hunt, WR Dominic Lyles, OL Noah Sansalone, OL Zack Tarburton and WR Steven Walier.
Bison in the NCAA FCS Top 10
• P Alex Pechin: 1st in punting average (50.3), 1st in career punting average (44.3)
• CB Gavin Pringle: t-3rd in interception return touchdowns (1)
• S Conner Romango: t-5th in solo tackles per game (7.0)
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 (44.3), Season Punting Average (45.1, 2017)
Milestones Met Against Villanova
• LB Simeon Page: Made his 100th career tackle; now has 102
• P Alex Pechin: Punted for the 250th time in his career; now has 253 punts
• S Conner Romango: Exceeded his 2018 total of 22 tackles in first three games; now has 25
Milestone Watch
• S Brandon Benson: Needs 17 tackles to reach 150 in his career
• S Brandon Benson: Needs 29 solo tackles to reach 100 in his career
• LB Sam Chitty: Needs 11 tackles to reach 100 in his career
• LB Simeon Page: Needs two sacks to crack Bucknell's career top 10 with 16.5
• P Alex Pechin: Needs three punts inside the 20 to reach 100 in his career
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
• The Bison open Patriot League play by hosting Holy Cross for its Homecoming game on Saturday, Oct. 5 at 2 p.m.
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Post Game Interview vs. SFU
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