Photo by: Lianne Garrahan
Brent Jackson Named MVP, 20 Honored with Bucknell Football Team Awards
12/5/2021 8:10:00 PM | Football, Bison Club
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Brent Jackson earned the Bison Gridiron Club Award as Team MVP, and 19 of his teammates were recognized with Bucknell football post-season awards, at the 59th annual Bison Gridiron Club Awards Banquet on Sunday evening in the Larison Hall.
Jackson, who also captured the Clarke Hinkle Award as the outstanding defensive back or linebacker, became the first non-senior to be tabbed as the Bison's MVP since Evan Byers received his first of two consecutive Bison Gridiron Club Awards as a junior in 2012. In addition, Jackson was one of three Bison to take home multiple awards in 2021, joining Tarrin Earle and Dominic Lyles.
Jackson was one of two Bison to start all 11 2021 games. A junior safety, he led Bucknell in tackles (77) and also registered 1.5 tackles for a loss, 0.5 sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. During the 2021 finale against Patriot League champion Holy Cross, he made his 100th career tackle; he will enter his senior campaign with 103.
Earle and Lyles shared the Captains Award with Grayson Cherubino and Jacob Russ. In addition, Earle was presented the C. Dale Wolfe Recognition Award as the most inspirational player while Lyles was one of three Tom Gadd's Coaches' Award recipients, joining Sterling Deary and Micah Dennis.Â
Ben Allen was recognized as the inaugural Bub Morgan Award recipient. This award, which will be presented annually for tenacity, honors Edward "Bub" Morgan '66, who passed away in April 2021 following a four-year battle with pancreatic cancer. Morgan, who played both football and lacrosse at Bucknell, was known for his courage in the face of any challenge.Â
Coleman Bennett received the Theodore S. Ratkus Football Leadership Award while Jonathan Searcy was honored as the Bobby Pangburn Memorial Award recipient. Aneesh Vyas captured the Stuart M. Smith Memorial Award as Bucknell's outstanding newcomer.
Ethan Pitzel was presented the John Campana Award as Bucknell's outstanding offensive lineman while Mike Bright Jr. earned the George Rieu Award as Bucknell's outstanding defensive lineman. Jared Cooper captured the Big Blue Award as Bucknell's outstanding back or wide receiver while Ryan Schatzel was tabbed as the Special Teams Award winner.
Nick Semptimphelter (Offense), Chris Sims (Defense) and Mikey Neal (Special Teams) were recognized as the Scout Team Players of the Year. Will Ohler and Blake Leake were recognized for their performances against Lafayette and Colgate respectively.
In total, 65 Bison were awarded letters following the 2021 campaign, including 34 first timers. Six seniors—Cherubino, Cooper, Dennis, Earle, Lyles and Michael Killiri—became four-time letterwinners while the same number of juniors—Allen, Jackson, Searcy, CB Eric Holsinger, LB Cooper Kim and CB/S Gavin Pringle—will enter the 2022 season with the chance to become the same.
Bucknell also recognized Jackson and Lyles for being voted to the 2021 Academic All-Patriot League Team.
Bison Gridiron Club Award (Team MVP): Brent Jackson
Tom Gadd Coaches' Award (Offense): Dominic Lyles
Tom Gadd Coaches' Award (Defense): Sterling Deary and Micah Dennis
Captains Award: Grayson Cherubino, Tarrin Earle, Dominic Lyles and Jacob Russ
Theodore S. Ratkus Football Leadership Award: Coleman Bennett
    - For character, courage and commitment to team play
C. Dale Wolfe Recognition Award: Tarrin Earle
    - Most inspirational player
Bobby Pangburn Memorial Award: Jonathan Searcy
     - For commitment, dedication and unqualified friendship
Bub Morgan Award for Tenacity: Ben Allen
Stuart M. Smith Memorial Award: Aneesh Vyas
    - Outstanding newcomer
John Campana Award: Ethan Pitzel
    - Outstanding offensive lineman
Big Blue Award: Jared Cooper
    - Outstanding back or receiver
George Rieu Award: Mike Bright Jr.
    - Outstanding defensive lineman
Clarke Hinkle Award: Brent Jackson
     - Outstanding defensive back or linebacker
Special Teams Award: Ryan Schatzel
George L. McGaughey Memorial Award: Will Ohler
    - Outstanding player in the Lafayette game
Keating-Rieu Memorial Award: Blake Leake
    - Outstanding player in the Colgate game
Scout Team Player of the Year (Offense): Nick Semptimphelter
Scout Team Player of the Year (Defense): Chris Sims
Scout Team Player of the Year (Special Teams): Mikey Neal
2021 Bucknell Football Letterwinners
Junior LB Ben Allen (3)
Sophomore DL/LB Tyler Alston (2)
Sophomore P Ruben Anderson (2)
Freshman RB Rushawn Baker (1)
Sophomore TE Adam Barakat (1)
Sophomore DL Jack Barnes (1)
Sophomore RB/WR Coleman Bennett (2)
Senior DL Ryan Betz (1)
Sophomore QB Tyler Beverett (1)
Sophomore DL Mike Bright Jr. (2)
Sophomore DL Connor Carretta (2)
Sophomore DL Nathaniel Carson (1)
Senior DL Grayson Cherubino (4)
Senior RB Jared Cooper (4)
Sophomore LS Aidan Davenport (1)
Senior CB Sterling Deary (3)
Senior CB Micah Dennis (4)
Senior QB Tarrin Earle (4)
Freshman DL Justin Fisher (1)
Sophomore WR Caleb Gillen (1)
Freshman QB Ethan Grady (1)
Freshman OL Jake Guy (1)
Senior DL Luke Hamper (2)
Sophomore WR Damian Harris (1)
Junior WR Connor Holmes (2)
Junior CB Eric Holsinger (3)
Junior S Brent Jackson (3)
Freshman LB Brad Jamison (1)
Freshman OL Mason Jones (1)
Senior OL Michael Killiri (4)
Junior LB Cooper Kim (3)
Sophomore LB Blake Leake (2)
Sophomore S Quentin Lemon (2)
Senior WR Renn Lints (1)
Senior WR Dominic Lyles (4)
Senior LB Cole McCabe (2)
Junior WR Matt McCreight (2)
Junior OL R.J. Mehan (1)
Sophomore RB Danny Meuser (2)
Freshman WR Mason Muir (1)
Junior RB Mikey Neal (2)
Sophomore S Jeff Odongo (1)
Freshman DL Will Ohler (1)
Freshman WR Marques Owens (1)
Sophomore OL Ethan Pitzel (2)
Junior CB/S Gavin Pringle (3)
Sophomore OL Sean Quarterman (1)
Freshman CB Ethan Robinson (1)
Freshman TE/DL Cade Rooney (1)
Senior OL Jacob Russ (3)
Sophomore K Ryan Schatzel (1)
Freshman S John Schlendorf (1)
Junior S Jonathan Searcy (3)
Sophomore QB Nick Semptimphelter (1)
Junior TE Charlie Shadek (2)
Sophomore OL Harrison Shepherd (1)
Freshman CB Chris Sims (1)
Freshman S Alex Smith Jr. (1)
Freshman TE Christian Spugnardi (1)
Freshman OL Fredrick Sturgis (1)
Sophomore WR Christian Tait (2)
Sophomore OL Zack Tarburton (2)
Freshman S Mason Taylor (1)
Freshman DL Aneesh Vyas (1)
Sophomore OL Jack Wall (1)Gallery: (12-5-2021) Football Awards Banquet
Â
Jackson, who also captured the Clarke Hinkle Award as the outstanding defensive back or linebacker, became the first non-senior to be tabbed as the Bison's MVP since Evan Byers received his first of two consecutive Bison Gridiron Club Awards as a junior in 2012. In addition, Jackson was one of three Bison to take home multiple awards in 2021, joining Tarrin Earle and Dominic Lyles.
Jackson was one of two Bison to start all 11 2021 games. A junior safety, he led Bucknell in tackles (77) and also registered 1.5 tackles for a loss, 0.5 sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. During the 2021 finale against Patriot League champion Holy Cross, he made his 100th career tackle; he will enter his senior campaign with 103.
Earle and Lyles shared the Captains Award with Grayson Cherubino and Jacob Russ. In addition, Earle was presented the C. Dale Wolfe Recognition Award as the most inspirational player while Lyles was one of three Tom Gadd's Coaches' Award recipients, joining Sterling Deary and Micah Dennis.Â
Ben Allen was recognized as the inaugural Bub Morgan Award recipient. This award, which will be presented annually for tenacity, honors Edward "Bub" Morgan '66, who passed away in April 2021 following a four-year battle with pancreatic cancer. Morgan, who played both football and lacrosse at Bucknell, was known for his courage in the face of any challenge.Â
Coleman Bennett received the Theodore S. Ratkus Football Leadership Award while Jonathan Searcy was honored as the Bobby Pangburn Memorial Award recipient. Aneesh Vyas captured the Stuart M. Smith Memorial Award as Bucknell's outstanding newcomer.
Ethan Pitzel was presented the John Campana Award as Bucknell's outstanding offensive lineman while Mike Bright Jr. earned the George Rieu Award as Bucknell's outstanding defensive lineman. Jared Cooper captured the Big Blue Award as Bucknell's outstanding back or wide receiver while Ryan Schatzel was tabbed as the Special Teams Award winner.
Nick Semptimphelter (Offense), Chris Sims (Defense) and Mikey Neal (Special Teams) were recognized as the Scout Team Players of the Year. Will Ohler and Blake Leake were recognized for their performances against Lafayette and Colgate respectively.
In total, 65 Bison were awarded letters following the 2021 campaign, including 34 first timers. Six seniors—Cherubino, Cooper, Dennis, Earle, Lyles and Michael Killiri—became four-time letterwinners while the same number of juniors—Allen, Jackson, Searcy, CB Eric Holsinger, LB Cooper Kim and CB/S Gavin Pringle—will enter the 2022 season with the chance to become the same.
Bucknell also recognized Jackson and Lyles for being voted to the 2021 Academic All-Patriot League Team.
Bison Gridiron Club Award (Team MVP): Brent Jackson
Tom Gadd Coaches' Award (Offense): Dominic Lyles
Tom Gadd Coaches' Award (Defense): Sterling Deary and Micah Dennis
Captains Award: Grayson Cherubino, Tarrin Earle, Dominic Lyles and Jacob Russ
Theodore S. Ratkus Football Leadership Award: Coleman Bennett
    - For character, courage and commitment to team play
C. Dale Wolfe Recognition Award: Tarrin Earle
    - Most inspirational player
Bobby Pangburn Memorial Award: Jonathan Searcy
     - For commitment, dedication and unqualified friendship
Bub Morgan Award for Tenacity: Ben Allen
Stuart M. Smith Memorial Award: Aneesh Vyas
    - Outstanding newcomer
John Campana Award: Ethan Pitzel
    - Outstanding offensive lineman
Big Blue Award: Jared Cooper
    - Outstanding back or receiver
George Rieu Award: Mike Bright Jr.
    - Outstanding defensive lineman
Clarke Hinkle Award: Brent Jackson
     - Outstanding defensive back or linebacker
Special Teams Award: Ryan Schatzel
George L. McGaughey Memorial Award: Will Ohler
    - Outstanding player in the Lafayette game
Keating-Rieu Memorial Award: Blake Leake
    - Outstanding player in the Colgate game
Scout Team Player of the Year (Offense): Nick Semptimphelter
Scout Team Player of the Year (Defense): Chris Sims
Scout Team Player of the Year (Special Teams): Mikey Neal
2021 Bucknell Football Letterwinners
Junior LB Ben Allen (3)
Sophomore DL/LB Tyler Alston (2)
Sophomore P Ruben Anderson (2)
Freshman RB Rushawn Baker (1)
Sophomore TE Adam Barakat (1)
Sophomore DL Jack Barnes (1)
Sophomore RB/WR Coleman Bennett (2)
Senior DL Ryan Betz (1)
Sophomore QB Tyler Beverett (1)
Sophomore DL Mike Bright Jr. (2)
Sophomore DL Connor Carretta (2)
Sophomore DL Nathaniel Carson (1)
Senior DL Grayson Cherubino (4)
Senior RB Jared Cooper (4)
Sophomore LS Aidan Davenport (1)
Senior CB Sterling Deary (3)
Senior CB Micah Dennis (4)
Senior QB Tarrin Earle (4)
Freshman DL Justin Fisher (1)
Sophomore WR Caleb Gillen (1)
Freshman QB Ethan Grady (1)
Freshman OL Jake Guy (1)
Senior DL Luke Hamper (2)
Sophomore WR Damian Harris (1)
Junior WR Connor Holmes (2)
Junior CB Eric Holsinger (3)
Junior S Brent Jackson (3)
Freshman LB Brad Jamison (1)
Freshman OL Mason Jones (1)
Senior OL Michael Killiri (4)
Junior LB Cooper Kim (3)
Sophomore LB Blake Leake (2)
Sophomore S Quentin Lemon (2)
Senior WR Renn Lints (1)
Senior WR Dominic Lyles (4)
Senior LB Cole McCabe (2)
Junior WR Matt McCreight (2)
Junior OL R.J. Mehan (1)
Sophomore RB Danny Meuser (2)
Freshman WR Mason Muir (1)
Junior RB Mikey Neal (2)
Sophomore S Jeff Odongo (1)
Freshman DL Will Ohler (1)
Freshman WR Marques Owens (1)
Sophomore OL Ethan Pitzel (2)
Junior CB/S Gavin Pringle (3)
Sophomore OL Sean Quarterman (1)
Freshman CB Ethan Robinson (1)
Freshman TE/DL Cade Rooney (1)
Senior OL Jacob Russ (3)
Sophomore K Ryan Schatzel (1)
Freshman S John Schlendorf (1)
Junior S Jonathan Searcy (3)
Sophomore QB Nick Semptimphelter (1)
Junior TE Charlie Shadek (2)
Sophomore OL Harrison Shepherd (1)
Freshman CB Chris Sims (1)
Freshman S Alex Smith Jr. (1)
Freshman TE Christian Spugnardi (1)
Freshman OL Fredrick Sturgis (1)
Sophomore WR Christian Tait (2)
Sophomore OL Zack Tarburton (2)
Freshman S Mason Taylor (1)
Freshman DL Aneesh Vyas (1)
Sophomore OL Jack Wall (1)
Players Mentioned
LB
/ Football
P/K
/ Football
RB
/ Football
TE
/ Football
DL
/ Football
RB
/ Football
QB
/ Football
DL
/ Football
DL
/ Football
DL
/ Football
DL
/ Football
RB
/ Football
LS
/ Football
CB
/ Football
CB
/ Football
QB
/ Football
DL
/ Football
WR
/ Football
QB
/ Football
DL
/ Football
WR
/ Football
WR
/ Football
CB
/ Football
S
/ Football
LB
/ Football
OL
/ Football
OL
/ Football
LB
/ Football
LB
/ Football
S
/ Football
WR
/ Football
WR
/ Football
LB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
OL
/ Football
RB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
RB
/ Football
CB
/ Football
DL
/ Football
WR
/ Football
OL
/ Football
CB
/ Football
OL
/ Football
CB
/ Football
TE/DL
/ Football
OL
/ Football
P/K
/ Football
S
/ Football
S
/ Football
QB
/ Football
TE
/ Football
OL
/ Football
CB
/ Football
S
/ Football
TE
/ Football
OL
/ Football
WR
/ Football
OL
/ Football
S
/ Football
DL
/ Football
Bucknell Men's Basketball Post-Game: January 10 vs. Loyola
Sunday, January 11
In The Herd: Cornell Dual Preview And Dylan Chappell Feature
Tuesday, January 06
Bucknell Men's Basketball Post Game: January 3rd vs. Lehigh
Sunday, January 04
Men's And Women's Basketball New Year's Resolutions
Friday, December 26