Bucknell University Athletics
Photo by: John Rooney
Bucknell's Searcy Captures Weekly Honors
10/4/2021 12:30:00 PM | Football
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Bucknell's Jonathan Searcy was voted as the Patriot League Football GEICO Defensive Player of the Week, the league office announced Monday afternoon.
In addition, the junior safety was recognized as the Bison Athlete of the Week and collected Honorable Mention National Freshman Player of the Week laurels from STATS for his role in the football team's 21-10 win over Cornell. These were the first weekly awards of his collegiate career.
Searcy was instrumental in Bucknell's Homecoming victory, generating two turnovers in the red zone at crucial junctures in the game. First, with the teams tied at 7-7 in the first half's final seconds, he intercepted a pass four yards outside of the end zone; that play not only preserved the tie but gave the Bison the momentum entering the break.
In the fourth quarter with Bucknell defending a 21-10 advantage, the Big Red proceeded to advance to its one-yard line. After a pass interference penalty gave Cornell a fresh set of downs on 3rd and goal, Richie Kenney faked the handoff and went for the quarterback keeper score. Searcy leveled him inches before the goal line, knocking the ball free; junior linebacker Ben Allen ultimately came up with it in the end zone.
Searcy, who is in his first season as a starter, also set a new career-high total with eight tackles (four solo). His interception, which he returned for 11 yards, and forced fumble were each the first of his career.
Searcy is the first Bison to be tabbed as the Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week since 2019, when linebackers Simeon Page (Oct. 14), Rick Mottram (Oct. 28) and Gerrit Van Itallie (Nov. 18) all captured this award. He is the second Bison to garner Patriot League Weekly laurels this season, joining freshman defensive lineman Justin Fisher; on Sept. 6, Fisher was voted as the Rookie of the Week for making nine tackles during Bucknell's season-opening game at Sacred Heart.
The last Bison defensive back to receive a Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week nod was Colin Jonov; on Oct. 23, 2017, Jonov was recognized for returning an interception a school-record 95 yards for a touchdown to lift Bucknell to a 13-7 overtime victory at Lafayette.
Searcy is the first football player to earn Bison Athlete of the Week accolades this school year. In the spring of 2021, wide receiver Brandon Sanders was honored for recording 179 yards and two touchdowns in Bucknell's season-opening victory over Lafayette. During the 2019-20 school year, Sanders (Oct. 7), Page (Oct. 14) and Van Itallie (Nov. 18) were all recognized as Bison Athletes of the Week.
Searcy and the Bison return to action on Saturday, Oct. 9 with a 12:30 p.m. game at Lafayette. It is Bucknell's 2021 Patriot League opener.
In addition, the junior safety was recognized as the Bison Athlete of the Week and collected Honorable Mention National Freshman Player of the Week laurels from STATS for his role in the football team's 21-10 win over Cornell. These were the first weekly awards of his collegiate career.
Searcy was instrumental in Bucknell's Homecoming victory, generating two turnovers in the red zone at crucial junctures in the game. First, with the teams tied at 7-7 in the first half's final seconds, he intercepted a pass four yards outside of the end zone; that play not only preserved the tie but gave the Bison the momentum entering the break.
In the fourth quarter with Bucknell defending a 21-10 advantage, the Big Red proceeded to advance to its one-yard line. After a pass interference penalty gave Cornell a fresh set of downs on 3rd and goal, Richie Kenney faked the handoff and went for the quarterback keeper score. Searcy leveled him inches before the goal line, knocking the ball free; junior linebacker Ben Allen ultimately came up with it in the end zone.
Searcy, who is in his first season as a starter, also set a new career-high total with eight tackles (four solo). His interception, which he returned for 11 yards, and forced fumble were each the first of his career.
Searcy is the first Bison to be tabbed as the Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week since 2019, when linebackers Simeon Page (Oct. 14), Rick Mottram (Oct. 28) and Gerrit Van Itallie (Nov. 18) all captured this award. He is the second Bison to garner Patriot League Weekly laurels this season, joining freshman defensive lineman Justin Fisher; on Sept. 6, Fisher was voted as the Rookie of the Week for making nine tackles during Bucknell's season-opening game at Sacred Heart.
The last Bison defensive back to receive a Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week nod was Colin Jonov; on Oct. 23, 2017, Jonov was recognized for returning an interception a school-record 95 yards for a touchdown to lift Bucknell to a 13-7 overtime victory at Lafayette.
Searcy is the first football player to earn Bison Athlete of the Week accolades this school year. In the spring of 2021, wide receiver Brandon Sanders was honored for recording 179 yards and two touchdowns in Bucknell's season-opening victory over Lafayette. During the 2019-20 school year, Sanders (Oct. 7), Page (Oct. 14) and Van Itallie (Nov. 18) were all recognized as Bison Athletes of the Week.
Searcy and the Bison return to action on Saturday, Oct. 9 with a 12:30 p.m. game at Lafayette. It is Bucknell's 2021 Patriot League opener.
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