Bucknell University Athletics
Photo by: Jon Lambert
Bucknell Football Places Five on Preseason All-Patriot League Team
3/3/2021 11:00:00 AM | Football
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Bucknell football team placed five on the Preseason All-Patriot League Team, the league office announced Wednesday morning.
All four of the Bison's returning 2019 All-Patriot League selections made the 2021 Spring Preseason All-League Team. Offensive lineman P.J. Barr, linebacker Simeon Page, cornerback Gavin Pringle and wide receiver Brandon Sanders were joined by defensive lineman Nnamdi Unachukwu on the listing of 32 preseason honorees.
A three-time All-Patriot League selection, Page enters his senior year with 142 tackles (91 solo), 34.5 tackles for a loss and 22.5 sacks in 27 career games. One of five Bison to eclipse 20 career sacks, he owns the program's rookie record in single-season sacks (7) and stands tied for third in career sacks. The team captain has a chance to become the fourth Bison to earn four All-Patriot League citations, joining running back Rich Lemon (1993-96), offensive lineman Julién Davenport (2013-16), defensive lineman Abdullah Anderson (2014-17) and punter Alex Pechin (2015-19).
In 2019, Sanders became the first Bucknell offensive player to make the All-Patriot League First Team since Davenport in 2016; he was the first offensive skill-position player to do so since wide receiver Will Carter in 2014. That season, he caught 58 passes for 530 yards and three touchdowns. His total of receptions slotted him seventh in the program annals and moved his career total to 102; he is only the sixth Bison to record at least 50 receptions in a single campaign and the 10th to reach the century mark in career receptions.
Barr, a 2019 All-Patriot League Second Team pick and team captain, is entering his fourth season as a starter on the offensive line. By starting all 11 of Bucknell's 2019 games, he ran his starting streak to 30. He is one of only two members of the class of 2021 who has appeared in all 33 of the Bison's games during their time in Lewisburg, joining defensive lineman Roger Mellado.
Pringle excelled as a freshman in 2019, pacing Bucknell with 11 pass breakups and two defensive touchdowns. In 11 games, the final seven of which were starts, he posted 57 tackles (41 solo), a total good for third among Bison defensive backs. For his efforts, he earned a spot on the 2019 All-Patriot League Second Team.
Unachukwu's nod to the 2021 Spring Preseason All-Patriot League Team is his first career individual laurel. A two-year starter on Bucknell's defensive line, he has posted 50 tackles (36 solo), 14 tackles for a loss and 6.5 sacks to date.
In addition, the Bison were picked to finish sixth in the Patriot League based on a vote by the league's head coaches and sports information directors. Defending champion Holy Cross, Colgate and Fordham were tabbed as the top-three teams.
Bucknell will begin its 2021 spring slate by hosting Fordham on Saturday, March 13 at 1 p.m. The complete schedule, which is subject to change, can be viewed here.
During the 2019 campaign, their first under head coach Dave Cecchini, the Bison tied for third in the Patriot League with a 3-3 record, their highest placement since they were the 2014 runners-up. Their Patriot League victories came over defending champion Colgate (32-14), rival Lehigh (20-10) and Georgetown (20-17); two of their three league losses came by a touchdown or less. Bucknell faced a grueling non-conference schedule, featuring FBS opponent Temple and three nationally ranked FCS teams; the Bison ultimately finished the season with a 3-8 overall record.
2021 Patriot League Spring Football Major Awards
Preseason Offensive Player of the Year: Tim DeMorat, Fordham, Jr., QB
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year: Malik Hamm, Lafayette, Jr., DL
2021 Patriot League Spring Football Preseason All-League Team
Offense
QB: Tim DeMorat, Fordham, Jr.
RB: Zach Davis, Fordham, Sr.
RB: Trey Sneed, Fordham, Sr.
RB: Selwyn Simpson, Lafayette, Sr.
WR: Brandon Sanders, Bucknell, Jr.
WR: Ayir Asante, Holy Cross, So.
WR: Jorge Portorreal, Lehigh, Sr.
TE: Alex Snyder, Lehigh, Jr.
H-BACK/FB: Zadok Scott, Lafayette, Jr.
OL: P.J. Barr, Bucknell, Sr.
OL: Jack Badovinac, Colgate, Sr.
OL: Phil Saleh, Fordham, Jr.
OL: Nick Zakelj, Fordham, Sr.
OL: Brian Foley, Holy Cross, Jr.
PK: Derek Ng, Holy Cross, Jr.
PK: Jeffrey Kordenbrock, Lafayette, Sr.
Return Specialist: Will Gruber, Colgate, Jr.
Defense
DL: Nnamdi Unachukwu, Bucknell, Sr.
DL: Coleman Coco, Colgate, Jr.
DL: John Coste, Fordham, Sr.
DL: Benton Whitley, Holy Cross, Sr.
DL: Malik Hamm, Lafayette, Jr.
LB: Simeon Page, Bucknell, Sr.
LB: Glenn Cunningham, Fordham, Sr.
LB: Ryan Greenhagen, Fordham, Jr.
LB: Jacob Dobbs, Holy Cross, So.,
DB: Gavin Pringle, Bucknell, So.
DB: Collin Heard, Colgate, Jr.
DB: Jesse Bramble, Fordham, Sr.
DB: Joe Lang, Holy Cross, Sr.
P: Jeffrey Kordenbrock, Lafayette, Sr.
Non-Special Special Teams Player: Billy Shaeffer, Lafayette, Jr.
Note: An additional running back, placekicker and defensive lineman selected due to ties in the voting.
2021 Patriot League Spring Football Preseason Poll
1. Holy Cross, 45 (5 first-place votes)
2. Colgate, 36 (2)
3. Fordham, 35 (4)
4. Lafayette, 28 (1)
5. Lehigh, 19
6. Bucknell, 16
All four of the Bison's returning 2019 All-Patriot League selections made the 2021 Spring Preseason All-League Team. Offensive lineman P.J. Barr, linebacker Simeon Page, cornerback Gavin Pringle and wide receiver Brandon Sanders were joined by defensive lineman Nnamdi Unachukwu on the listing of 32 preseason honorees.
A three-time All-Patriot League selection, Page enters his senior year with 142 tackles (91 solo), 34.5 tackles for a loss and 22.5 sacks in 27 career games. One of five Bison to eclipse 20 career sacks, he owns the program's rookie record in single-season sacks (7) and stands tied for third in career sacks. The team captain has a chance to become the fourth Bison to earn four All-Patriot League citations, joining running back Rich Lemon (1993-96), offensive lineman Julién Davenport (2013-16), defensive lineman Abdullah Anderson (2014-17) and punter Alex Pechin (2015-19).
In 2019, Sanders became the first Bucknell offensive player to make the All-Patriot League First Team since Davenport in 2016; he was the first offensive skill-position player to do so since wide receiver Will Carter in 2014. That season, he caught 58 passes for 530 yards and three touchdowns. His total of receptions slotted him seventh in the program annals and moved his career total to 102; he is only the sixth Bison to record at least 50 receptions in a single campaign and the 10th to reach the century mark in career receptions.
Barr, a 2019 All-Patriot League Second Team pick and team captain, is entering his fourth season as a starter on the offensive line. By starting all 11 of Bucknell's 2019 games, he ran his starting streak to 30. He is one of only two members of the class of 2021 who has appeared in all 33 of the Bison's games during their time in Lewisburg, joining defensive lineman Roger Mellado.
Pringle excelled as a freshman in 2019, pacing Bucknell with 11 pass breakups and two defensive touchdowns. In 11 games, the final seven of which were starts, he posted 57 tackles (41 solo), a total good for third among Bison defensive backs. For his efforts, he earned a spot on the 2019 All-Patriot League Second Team.
Unachukwu's nod to the 2021 Spring Preseason All-Patriot League Team is his first career individual laurel. A two-year starter on Bucknell's defensive line, he has posted 50 tackles (36 solo), 14 tackles for a loss and 6.5 sacks to date.
In addition, the Bison were picked to finish sixth in the Patriot League based on a vote by the league's head coaches and sports information directors. Defending champion Holy Cross, Colgate and Fordham were tabbed as the top-three teams.
Bucknell will begin its 2021 spring slate by hosting Fordham on Saturday, March 13 at 1 p.m. The complete schedule, which is subject to change, can be viewed here.
During the 2019 campaign, their first under head coach Dave Cecchini, the Bison tied for third in the Patriot League with a 3-3 record, their highest placement since they were the 2014 runners-up. Their Patriot League victories came over defending champion Colgate (32-14), rival Lehigh (20-10) and Georgetown (20-17); two of their three league losses came by a touchdown or less. Bucknell faced a grueling non-conference schedule, featuring FBS opponent Temple and three nationally ranked FCS teams; the Bison ultimately finished the season with a 3-8 overall record.
2021 Patriot League Spring Football Major Awards
Preseason Offensive Player of the Year: Tim DeMorat, Fordham, Jr., QB
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year: Malik Hamm, Lafayette, Jr., DL
2021 Patriot League Spring Football Preseason All-League Team
Offense
QB: Tim DeMorat, Fordham, Jr.
RB: Zach Davis, Fordham, Sr.
RB: Trey Sneed, Fordham, Sr.
RB: Selwyn Simpson, Lafayette, Sr.
WR: Brandon Sanders, Bucknell, Jr.
WR: Ayir Asante, Holy Cross, So.
WR: Jorge Portorreal, Lehigh, Sr.
TE: Alex Snyder, Lehigh, Jr.
H-BACK/FB: Zadok Scott, Lafayette, Jr.
OL: P.J. Barr, Bucknell, Sr.
OL: Jack Badovinac, Colgate, Sr.
OL: Phil Saleh, Fordham, Jr.
OL: Nick Zakelj, Fordham, Sr.
OL: Brian Foley, Holy Cross, Jr.
PK: Derek Ng, Holy Cross, Jr.
PK: Jeffrey Kordenbrock, Lafayette, Sr.
Return Specialist: Will Gruber, Colgate, Jr.
Defense
DL: Nnamdi Unachukwu, Bucknell, Sr.
DL: Coleman Coco, Colgate, Jr.
DL: John Coste, Fordham, Sr.
DL: Benton Whitley, Holy Cross, Sr.
DL: Malik Hamm, Lafayette, Jr.
LB: Simeon Page, Bucknell, Sr.
LB: Glenn Cunningham, Fordham, Sr.
LB: Ryan Greenhagen, Fordham, Jr.
LB: Jacob Dobbs, Holy Cross, So.,
DB: Gavin Pringle, Bucknell, So.
DB: Collin Heard, Colgate, Jr.
DB: Jesse Bramble, Fordham, Sr.
DB: Joe Lang, Holy Cross, Sr.
P: Jeffrey Kordenbrock, Lafayette, Sr.
Non-Special Special Teams Player: Billy Shaeffer, Lafayette, Jr.
Note: An additional running back, placekicker and defensive lineman selected due to ties in the voting.
2021 Patriot League Spring Football Preseason Poll
1. Holy Cross, 45 (5 first-place votes)
2. Colgate, 36 (2)
3. Fordham, 35 (4)
4. Lafayette, 28 (1)
5. Lehigh, 19
6. Bucknell, 16
Players Mentioned
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