Saturday, October 9
Easton, Pa.
12:30 p.m.
Bucknell University
1-4 , 0-1
0
at
27
Lafayette
2-4 , 1-1
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
F
Bucknell
0
0
0
0
0
Lafayette
7
14
3
3
27
Photo by: John Rooney
Bucknell Football Dropped by Lafayette
10/9/2021 3:33:00 PM | Football
EASTON, Pa. – The Bucknell football team was blanked by Lafayette, 27-0, in its Patriot League opener on Saturday at Fisher Stadium.
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The Leopards (2-4, 1-1 PL) scored a rushing touchdown on each of their first three drives of the game, and limited the Bison (1-4, 0-1 PL) to just 169 yards of total offense, en route to a victory in the 99th meeting between the historic Pennsylvania programs.
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Lafayette's touchdowns were scored by three different players. In the second half, Micah Pettit added to his team's advantage by connecting on field goals from 45 and 49 yards out.
"Give Lafayette credit, they controlled the line of scrimmage, didn't turn the ball over and kept us off balance offensively," said head coach Dave Cecchini. "We never were able to get any big yardage plays on offense, and, with our youth, we're not built to move the ball as productively without those types of plays. Moving forward, we have to take a long, hard look at ourselves and ask, 'Where do we need to improve to get better as individuals and as a team?' This is very important if we want to go into the Bronx and compete with a very good Fordham team next week."
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The Leopards jumped out to a 7-0 lead on their first drive of the game, which covered 72 yards in 12 plays and drained 7:30 off of the game clock. Notably, they converted on 4th and 1s at their own 37-yard line and at Bucknell's 11-yard line during that drive, which was completed by a seven-yard Joe Gillette touchdown run.
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The Bison responded with a lengthy march of their own, which extended into the second quarter and took 8:26 off of the game clock. They advanced all the way to Lafayette's 27-yard line, with Nick Semptimphelter completing two passes for 19 yards and Coleman Bennett running for 18 yards on seven carries. Ultimately, Damon Washington came up with a sack on a 4th and 6 to stall that promising drive short of the end zone.
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The Leopards then found the end zone again. The highlight of that quick scoring drive, which was capped by a seven-yard Selwyn Simpson touchdown run, was a diving 45-yard catch by Gillette that advanced Lafayette to Bucknell's 22-yard line.
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After forcing the Bison to go three and out on their next drive, the Leopards put together an eight-play, 68-yard scoring march. During that drive, Michael Hayes ran for 26 yards on four carries, including a five-yard touchdown run, and caught one pass for 11 yards.
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At halftime, Lafayette held advantages in total offense (236-79), first downs (11-6) and time of possession (15:21-14:39). The Leopards went 3-for-3 on their trips to the red zone, preventing Bucknell from even taking one.
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Pettit's first field goal came at the third quarter's 6:02 mark, finishing off a six-play, 32-yard drive highlighted by a 34-yard Gillette run. His second came with 3:51 remaining in regulation, completing an 11-play, 36-yard drive that began after Lafayette stopped Bucknell short of a first down on 4th and 2 at its own 32-yard line.
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For Bucknell, Semptimphelter completed 14 passes for 80 yards. Dominic Lyles caught five passes for 31 yards while Bennett ran for 40 yards on 15 carries, never once losing a yard. Bennett also returned two kickoffs for 21 yards; Marques Owens returned the other two for 35 yards.
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Defensively, Brent Jackson and Sterling Deary tied for the team high with seven tackles. Jonathan Searcy and Luke Hamper each recorded his first career sack.
Freshman Will Ohler filled the stat sheet with a career-high six tackles, a pass breakup and two quarterback hurries; Connor Carretta also registered a career-best six tackles.
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For the Leopards, Ah-Shaun Davis completed 11 passes for 122 yards. In addition to scoring a touchdown, Simpson (74), Hayes (74) and Gillette (50) all ran for at least 50 yards. Gillette added 72 yards on three receptions.
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Marco Olivas paced all players with 16 tackles, adding one of Lafayette's four sacks. Washington, who came up with the critical sack that halted the Bison's first drive, added seven tackles.
Overall, the Leopards led in total offense (316-169), first downs (16-12) and time of possession (30:30-29:30). They held Bucknell out of the red zone for the entirety of the contest. Neither team turned over the ball.Â
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The Bison continue their Patriot League road swing with a 1 p.m. game at Fordham on Saturday, Oct. 16.
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The Leopards (2-4, 1-1 PL) scored a rushing touchdown on each of their first three drives of the game, and limited the Bison (1-4, 0-1 PL) to just 169 yards of total offense, en route to a victory in the 99th meeting between the historic Pennsylvania programs.
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Lafayette's touchdowns were scored by three different players. In the second half, Micah Pettit added to his team's advantage by connecting on field goals from 45 and 49 yards out.
"Give Lafayette credit, they controlled the line of scrimmage, didn't turn the ball over and kept us off balance offensively," said head coach Dave Cecchini. "We never were able to get any big yardage plays on offense, and, with our youth, we're not built to move the ball as productively without those types of plays. Moving forward, we have to take a long, hard look at ourselves and ask, 'Where do we need to improve to get better as individuals and as a team?' This is very important if we want to go into the Bronx and compete with a very good Fordham team next week."
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The Leopards jumped out to a 7-0 lead on their first drive of the game, which covered 72 yards in 12 plays and drained 7:30 off of the game clock. Notably, they converted on 4th and 1s at their own 37-yard line and at Bucknell's 11-yard line during that drive, which was completed by a seven-yard Joe Gillette touchdown run.
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The Bison responded with a lengthy march of their own, which extended into the second quarter and took 8:26 off of the game clock. They advanced all the way to Lafayette's 27-yard line, with Nick Semptimphelter completing two passes for 19 yards and Coleman Bennett running for 18 yards on seven carries. Ultimately, Damon Washington came up with a sack on a 4th and 6 to stall that promising drive short of the end zone.
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The Leopards then found the end zone again. The highlight of that quick scoring drive, which was capped by a seven-yard Selwyn Simpson touchdown run, was a diving 45-yard catch by Gillette that advanced Lafayette to Bucknell's 22-yard line.
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After forcing the Bison to go three and out on their next drive, the Leopards put together an eight-play, 68-yard scoring march. During that drive, Michael Hayes ran for 26 yards on four carries, including a five-yard touchdown run, and caught one pass for 11 yards.
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At halftime, Lafayette held advantages in total offense (236-79), first downs (11-6) and time of possession (15:21-14:39). The Leopards went 3-for-3 on their trips to the red zone, preventing Bucknell from even taking one.
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Pettit's first field goal came at the third quarter's 6:02 mark, finishing off a six-play, 32-yard drive highlighted by a 34-yard Gillette run. His second came with 3:51 remaining in regulation, completing an 11-play, 36-yard drive that began after Lafayette stopped Bucknell short of a first down on 4th and 2 at its own 32-yard line.
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For Bucknell, Semptimphelter completed 14 passes for 80 yards. Dominic Lyles caught five passes for 31 yards while Bennett ran for 40 yards on 15 carries, never once losing a yard. Bennett also returned two kickoffs for 21 yards; Marques Owens returned the other two for 35 yards.
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Defensively, Brent Jackson and Sterling Deary tied for the team high with seven tackles. Jonathan Searcy and Luke Hamper each recorded his first career sack.
Freshman Will Ohler filled the stat sheet with a career-high six tackles, a pass breakup and two quarterback hurries; Connor Carretta also registered a career-best six tackles.
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For the Leopards, Ah-Shaun Davis completed 11 passes for 122 yards. In addition to scoring a touchdown, Simpson (74), Hayes (74) and Gillette (50) all ran for at least 50 yards. Gillette added 72 yards on three receptions.
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Marco Olivas paced all players with 16 tackles, adding one of Lafayette's four sacks. Washington, who came up with the critical sack that halted the Bison's first drive, added seven tackles.
Overall, the Leopards led in total offense (316-169), first downs (16-12) and time of possession (30:30-29:30). They held Bucknell out of the red zone for the entirety of the contest. Neither team turned over the ball.Â
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The Bison continue their Patriot League road swing with a 1 p.m. game at Fordham on Saturday, Oct. 16.
Team Stats
BUCKNELL
LAFAYETT
Total Yards
169
316
Pass Yards
80
122
Rushing Yards
89
194
Penalty Yards
25
45
1st Downs
12
16
3rd Downs
4
4
4th Downs
3
2
TOP
29:30
30:30
1st Quarter
BUCKNELL 0, LAFAYETT 7
LAFAYETT - Gillette, Joe 7 yd run (Pettit, Micah kick), 12 plays, 72 yards, TOP 7:30
2nd Quarter
BUCKNELL 0, LAFAYETT 14
LAFAYETT - Simpson, Selwyn 7 yd run (Pettit, Micah kick), 5 plays, 69 yards, TOP 2:26
BUCKNELL 0, LAFAYETT 21
LAFAYETT - Hayes, Michael 5 yd run (Pettit, Micah kick), 8 plays, 68 yards, TOP 4:42
3rd Quarter
BUCKNELL 0, LAFAYETT 24
LAFAYETT - Pettit, Micah 45 yd field goal 6 plays, 32 yards, TOP 3:04
4th Quarter
BUCKNELL 0, LAFAYETT 27
LAFAYETT - Pettit, Micah 49 yd field goal 11 plays, 36 yards, TOP 6:17
Game Leaders
CMP
14
TD
0
YDS
80
INT
0
Players Mentioned
RB
/ Football
DL
/ Football
CB
/ Football
DL
/ Football
S
/ Football
WR
/ Football
DL
/ Football
WR
/ Football
S
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