Saturday, September 18
Lewisburg, Pa.
6 p.m.
Bucknell University
vs
Penn (Family Weekend)
Photo by: Jon Lambert
Bucknell Football Hosts Penn for 2021 Home Opener
9/14/2021 12:50:00 PM | Football
LEWISBURG, Pa. – The Bucknell football team faces off against Penn for its home opener on Saturday, Sept. 18 at 6 p.m.
The Quakers, who are set to make their 2021 debut against the Bison, are visiting Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium at the Pascucci Family Athletics Complex for the first time since 2010.
The complete media notes can be viewed here. The game program can be viewed here.
Tickets are available at the Campus Box Office and cost $15 for adults, $10 for children (18 and under) and $10 for seniors (62+). To purchase tickets, visit Bucknell.edu/BoxOffice or call 570-577-1000. All single-game tickets are for general admission.
For the 2021-22 academic year, Bucknell will welcome fans back to its athletics venues. A full return to the football game day experience includes the Tailgate Village and the Geisinger Kids Zone in the south end zone. While on campus, fans must abide by all Bucknell University health and safety guidelines.
When: Saturday, Sept. 18 – 6 p.m.
Where: Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium – Lewisburg, Pa.
Internet Video: ESPN+
Radio: 100.9 The Valley (WVLY)
Internet Radio: WVLY.com/The__Valley
Live Stats: BucknellBison.com
Follow on Twitter: @Bucknell_FB
Bucknell Spectator Policy: BucknellBison.com
Game Promotions:
• Post-Game Fireworks
• T-Shirt Giveaway for Bucknell students, presented by Geisinger
• First Responder & Hero Appreciation Night
• Vs. Cancer Game
• Bucknell Family Weekend
With a victory the Bison would...
• improve to 99-35-1 in home openers
• top the Quakers for the first time since 1999, snapping a seven-game losing streak
• snap a 12-game losing streak to non-conference foes that dates back to 2018
Bucknell at a Glance
• Bucknell is 0-2 (0-0 PL) in 2021 following its 55-3 loss at No. 11/12 Villanova on Sept. 11.
• The Bison were selected to finish fifth in the Patriot League based on a vote by the league's head coaches and sports information directors ahead of the 2021 season.
• Bucknell went 2-2 (2-0 PL South) during the 2021 spring campaign. The Bison, who were picked to finish last in that season's Patriot League preseason poll, knocked off Lafayette (38-13) and Lehigh (6-0) to capture the South Division title and earn a spot in the first-ever Patriot League Championship Game.
• Bucknell posted a 3-8 (3-3 PL) record in 2019. The Bison tied for third in the Patriot League, their highest placement in a full season since they were the 2014 runners-up.
• Bucknell's 2019 Patriot League victories came over defending champion Colgate (32-14), Lehigh (20-10) and Georgetown (20-17); two of the Bison's three league losses came by a touchdown or less.
• Bucknell is in its third campaign under head coach Dave Cecchini, who spent the previous five seasons at Valparaiso. For leading the Bison to a spot in the Patriot League Championship Game during the 2021 spring season, he was voted as the Patriot League Dick Biddle Coach of the Year.
• Bucknell returned a total of 35 letterwinners in 2021, a group that includes 11 seniors, 11 juniors and 13 sophomores. Six seniors are three-time letterwinners: DL Grayson Cherubino, RB Jared Cooper, CB Micah Dennis, QB Tarrin Earle, OL Michael Killiri and WR Dominic Lyles.
• Cherubino, Earle, Lyles and OL Jacob Russ are serving as team captains this year.
• This week's game captains are WR Renn Lints (Offense) and LB Tyler Alston (Defense).
Inside the Villanova Box Score
• No. 11/12 Villanova downed Bucknell, 55-3, at Villanova Stadium.
• The Wildcats scored early and often en route to their ninth-straight victory over the Bison. Their high-powered offense logged 378 yards while their stingy defense only allowed 89 over the course of the contest.
• Bucknell got on the board with 12:17 remaining in regulation, snapping a scoreless streak of 107:43 to open its 2021 campaign. K Ryan Schatzel's 35-yard field goal, the first of his collegiate career, capped a 12-play, 58-yard scoring drive orchestrated by QB Tyler Beverett.
• Villanova's longest scoring drive of the first half took just 3:15 off of the clock. Four of the six were shorter than two minutes.
• In the second half, the Wildcats tacked on a five-yard touchdown rush that capped a 14-play, 78-yard march and a 26-yard field goal that completed an 11-play, 51-yard drive. Each took more than six minutes off of the clock, with the first draining 9:08.
• Beverett posted 36 yards through the air and 16 on the ground in relief of QB Nick Semptimphelter, who threw for 32 yards in his first collegiate start.
• WR Damian Harris posted a team-best 31 receiving yards while Beverett's 16 rushing yards paced the Bison.
• DL Jack Barnes (7), S John Schlendorf (6) and DL Mike Bright Jr. (5) finished 1-2-3 among all players in tackles.
• Villanova DB Christian Benford logged two interceptions, one of which he returned for a 19-yard touchdown.
• The Wildcats finished with advantages in total offense (378-89), first downs (21-11) and time of possession (30:53-29:07). They went 6-for-6 on their trips to the red zone compared to the Bucknell's 1-for-1.
• This was the Bison's 11th-straight loss to a nationally ranked opponent and 13th-straight downing by a current member of the CAA.
Penn at a Glance
• The Quakers are set to make their 2021 debut against the Bison.
• Penn, which did not play during the 2020-21 school year due to the COVID-19 public health threat, went 5-5 (3-4 Ivy) during the 2019 campaign.
• The Quakers were selected to finish fifth in the 2021 Ivy League preseason poll.
• Headlining Penn's 2021 roster are a pair of 2019 All-Ivy League selections: DL Prince Emili and LB Brian O'Neill. Both are now graduate students.
• Penn won back-to-back Ivy League championships in 2016 and 2015. Notably, Emili was a member of the 2016 title team. Â
The Bucknell/Penn Series
• Penn holds a 30-5 lead in the all-time series with Bucknell.
• This will be the Bison and Quakers' ninth meeting in Lewisburg, Pa. The teams last faced off at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium in 2010, a 31-10 Penn victory.
• The series dates back to 1895. Penn (144) and Bucknell (136) both rank in the top 10 among current NCAA FCS teams in seasons of competition.
• The Quakers have won their past seven meetings with the Bison. The teams last squared off in 2018, a 34-17 Penn win at Franklin Field.
• Bucknell last toppled the Quakers on Oct. 2, 1999. RB Jabu Powell rushed for 102 yards while QB Don McDowell threw for 106 yards and one touchdown and also ran for two touchdowns to help the Bison snap a seven-game losing streak at Franklin Field with their 23-16 victory.
The Last Meeting with the Quakers Â
Bucknell 17 – Penn 34 (Sept. 15, 2018 – Philadelphia, Pa.)
• Bucknell battled back from a 24-point deficit to draw as close as 10, but Penn held on for a 34-17 victory in its season opener.
• During the first five minutes of the game, the Quakers raced out to a 17-0 lead by taking advantage of two Bison turnovers and a blocked punt.
• Logan Bitikofer, who took over at quarterback halfway through the second frame, energized Bucknell, completing 19 of 35 passes for two touchdowns and 150 yards.
• Bitikofer found WR Alan Butler and TE/FB Andrew Owers for 11-yard touchdowns at the 3:37 mark of the second quarter and the 13:00 mark of the third quarter respectively. Those scores made it a 27-17 game, but Penn tacked on a touchdown early in the fourth quarter and held the Bison off the board the rest of the way.
• CB Bryan Marine picked off two passes, returning them a combined 34 yards. Also the primary kickoff and punt return man, he finished with a game- and career-high total of 156 all-purpose yards.
• Bucknell forced five turnovers for the first time since Sept. 3, 2016 at Marist. Beyond Marine's two interceptions, CB Sterling Deary, S Chanse Riley and S Brice Sydnor recovered fumbles. Deary also forced the fumble that was recovered by Riley.
• RB Jared Cooper finished with 109 all-purpose yards on team-best totals in rushing (58) and receiving (51) yards.
• S Joe Lauro and LB Simeon Page tied for the team lead with eight tackles apiece.
• Penn held a 10-0 advantage in sacks, which went for a significant loss of 60 yards.
• Bucknell held a slim lead in time of possession (30:22-29:38) but was outgained by a 274-189 margin.
Bison in First Home Games Â
• Bucknell is 98-35-1 (.735) all-time in its first home game of the season.
• The Bison are 6-4 in their past 10 home openers. Over that span, they have faced Marist (three times), Lafayette (two times), Cornell, Duquesne, Villanova, VMI and William & Mary.
Bison vs. the Ivy League
• Bucknell is 41-105-3 all-time against Ivy League programs.
• The Bison played at least one Ivy League team every year since 1978, a streak that reached 42-consecutive seasons with 2019's 56-23 loss to then No. 23/RV Princeton.
• That lengthy streak was snapped when Bucknell played only Patriot League opponents during the 2021 spring campaign, which was pushed back from 2020 and abbreviated to four games due to the COVID-19 health threat.
• The Bison have faced Cornell (57) more than any other Ivy League team. Penn (35), this Saturday's opponent, and Princeton (17) round out the top three.
Inside the Bucknell Depth Chart
• Bucknell's projected starters on offense have made a combined 36 starts.
• Bucknell's projected starters on defense have made a combined 57 starts.
• On offense, one senior (WR Dominic Lyles), three juniors and six sophomores are expected to start. At running back, senior Jared Cooper and sophomore Coleman Bennett are considered even on the depth chart; they have combined for 19 career starts.
• On defense, three seniors, four juniors, three sophomores and one freshman (DL Will Ohler) are projected to start.
• Six Bison currently have at least 10 career starts: DL Grayson Cherubino (19), CB Micah Dennis (16), Cooper (14), CB/S Gavin Pringle (13), Lyles (12) and OL Michael Killiri (12). Of that group, five are seniors and one (Pringle) is a junior.
• CB Sterling Deary is expected to make his 10th career start against Penn.
• Dennis (16) and Pringle (13) boast starting streaks of at least 10 games.
• The following 13 players each made his first career start this season: LB Ben Allen, RB Rushawn Baker, DL Ryan Betz, DL Connor Carretta, WR Damian Harris, LB Blake Leake, WR Matt McCreight, Ohler, OL Sean Quarterman, S Jonathan Searcy, QB Nick Semptimphelter, TE Charlie Shadek and OL Jack Wall. Of that group, one (Betz) is a senior, four are juniors, six are sophomores and two are freshmen.
• Baker, Semptimphelter and Wall made their first career starts at Villanova. Baker joined Ohler as the lone freshmen to start for the Bison so far this season.
• No senior has played in all 26 of Bucknell's games during his time in Lewisburg to date. Cooper (25), Dennis (25), Cherubino (24) and Lyles (23) are the class leaders in career appearances. Â
• Juniors Allen, Pringle, Searcy and CB Eric Holsinger have played in all 17 of Bucknell's games during their time in Lewisburg to date.
• Pringle is the only junior who entered this season with more than two career starts; though his first 11 starts came at cornerback, he started at safety against the Pioneers and Wildcats.
• Bennett, DL Mike Bright Jr., OL Ethan Pitzel and OL Casey Stephenson all started as freshmen during the 2021 spring campaign. Bennett, Bright Jr. and Pitzel all are listed on the Bison's depth chart this week. Â
Milestone Watch
• WR Dominic Lyles: Needs 26 receptions to reach 100 in his career Â
• WR Dominic Lyles: Needs 28 receptions to crack Bucknell's top 10 in career receptions with 102
• WR Dominic Lyles: Needs 68 receiving yards to reach 1,000 in his career Â
• CB/S Gavin Pringle: Needs 14 tackles to reach 100 in his career
School Record Holders on the 2021 Roster
• WR Dominic Lyles: Single Game Receptions (14, 4/3/21 at Lehigh)
Bison Award Winners
• The Bison returned four All-Patriot League players in RB Jared Cooper (1st in '21S as a RS), CB Eric Holsinger (2nd in '21S as a STNS), WR Dominic Lyles (2nd in '21S) and CB/S Gavin Pringle (1st in '21S, 2nd in '19).
• Pringle and RB Coleman Bennett were voted to the 2021 Preseason All-Patriot League Team, with Bennett representing Bucknell as a return specialist.
• The Bison graduated six All-Patriot League honorees following the 2021 spring season, including LB Simeon Page. Page was the fifth Bison to make four career All-Patriot League squads, joining RB Rich Lemon (1993-96), OL Julién Davenport (2013-16), DL Abdullah Anderson (2014-17) and P Alex Pechin (2015, 2017-19).
• At least one Bison has made the CoSIDA Academic All-District 2 Team in 18 of the 21 seasons since 2000, including the past seven in a row. Most recently, two-time CoSIDA Academic All-American LB Rick Mottram and fellow 2021 graduate S Conner Romango made the 2020-21 rendition.
• Only Bucknell and Dayton have had a William V. Campbell Trophy semifinalist each of the past 15 years. Nicknamed the "Academic Heisman," it is awarded to the college football player with the best combination of academics, community service and on-field performance. Most recently, Mottram represented the Bison as a Campbell Trophy semifinalist.
Head Coach Dave Cecchini
• Dave Cecchini, one of the all-time great wide receivers in Patriot League history who has since gone on to achieve tremendous success in the coaching ranks, was named the 27th Bob Odell Head Football Coach at Bucknell University on February 6, 2019.
• Cecchini was voted as the 2021 Spring Patriot League Dick Biddle Coach of the Year for guiding the team to a spot in the Patriot League Championship Game. In addition, he was selected as a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Award, presented by STATS to the FCS Coach of the Year, for the second time in his career.
• In his first season at the helm, Cecchini led the Bison to a third-place finish in the Patriot League, 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.
• In 2017 while at Valparaiso, Cecchini was a finalist for the American Football Coaches Association's FCS National Coach of the Year and the STATS FCS Coach of the Year awards; he was also voted as the Pioneer Football League Coach of the Year and the AFCA FCS Region 4 Coach of the Year.
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Inside the 2021 Schedule
• This is the 136th season of football at Bucknell. The Bison played their first game in 1883 and have played continuously since 1887.
• Bucknell's challenging 2021 schedule includes FBS program Army West Point, two Ivy League teams and defending NEC champion Sacred Heart.
• During the 2020-21 school year, Army West Point played in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl while Holy Cross and Sacred Heart made the NCAA Division I Football Championship.
• Army West Point will be the Bison's second FBS foe in three seasons, as they previously faced off against Temple in their 2019 opener. Bucknell is 0-8 against FBS schools since the FBS/FCS classification began in 1978.
• The Bison entered the season with a 171-302-12 (.365) record against their 2021 opponents, with only a winning mark against Georgetown (19-12-1). They are also .500 against Fordham (18-18).
How to Follow the Bison
• All of Bucknell's home games and its road contests at Lafayette, Fordham and Colgate will air on ESPN+, which became home of the Patriot League Network ahead of the 2020-21 school year.
• The Bison's game at FBS opponent Army West Point will be broadcast on the NBC Sports Network. Bucknell's contests at Sacred Heart (NEC Front Row) and Villanova (FloSports) will be streamed online.
• All of the Bison's games will be broadcast on 100.9 The Valley (WVLY). The broadcast will also be available on WVLY.com/The__Valley and BucknellBison.com.
• Bucknell is active on Twitter (@Bucknell_FB) and Instagram (Bucknell_FB). Interact with the team using the hashtags #ACT and #rayBucknell.
Up Next
• Following their bye week, the Bison will face off against Cornell for their Homecoming game on Saturday, Oct. 2 at 3:30 p.m.
• As part of the Homecoming festivities, Bucknell will host its Football Alumni Weekend and hold a celebration of the 25th Anniversary of the 1996 Patriot League Championship Team.
The Quakers, who are set to make their 2021 debut against the Bison, are visiting Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium at the Pascucci Family Athletics Complex for the first time since 2010.
The complete media notes can be viewed here. The game program can be viewed here.
Tickets are available at the Campus Box Office and cost $15 for adults, $10 for children (18 and under) and $10 for seniors (62+). To purchase tickets, visit Bucknell.edu/BoxOffice or call 570-577-1000. All single-game tickets are for general admission.
For the 2021-22 academic year, Bucknell will welcome fans back to its athletics venues. A full return to the football game day experience includes the Tailgate Village and the Geisinger Kids Zone in the south end zone. While on campus, fans must abide by all Bucknell University health and safety guidelines.
When: Saturday, Sept. 18 – 6 p.m.
Where: Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium – Lewisburg, Pa.
Internet Video: ESPN+
Radio: 100.9 The Valley (WVLY)
Internet Radio: WVLY.com/The__Valley
Live Stats: BucknellBison.com
Follow on Twitter: @Bucknell_FB
Bucknell Spectator Policy: BucknellBison.com
Game Promotions:
• Post-Game Fireworks
• T-Shirt Giveaway for Bucknell students, presented by Geisinger
• First Responder & Hero Appreciation Night
• Vs. Cancer Game
• Bucknell Family Weekend
With a victory the Bison would...
• improve to 99-35-1 in home openers
• top the Quakers for the first time since 1999, snapping a seven-game losing streak
• snap a 12-game losing streak to non-conference foes that dates back to 2018
Bucknell at a Glance
• Bucknell is 0-2 (0-0 PL) in 2021 following its 55-3 loss at No. 11/12 Villanova on Sept. 11.
• The Bison were selected to finish fifth in the Patriot League based on a vote by the league's head coaches and sports information directors ahead of the 2021 season.
• Bucknell went 2-2 (2-0 PL South) during the 2021 spring campaign. The Bison, who were picked to finish last in that season's Patriot League preseason poll, knocked off Lafayette (38-13) and Lehigh (6-0) to capture the South Division title and earn a spot in the first-ever Patriot League Championship Game.
• Bucknell posted a 3-8 (3-3 PL) record in 2019. The Bison tied for third in the Patriot League, their highest placement in a full season since they were the 2014 runners-up.
• Bucknell's 2019 Patriot League victories came over defending champion Colgate (32-14), Lehigh (20-10) and Georgetown (20-17); two of the Bison's three league losses came by a touchdown or less.
• Bucknell is in its third campaign under head coach Dave Cecchini, who spent the previous five seasons at Valparaiso. For leading the Bison to a spot in the Patriot League Championship Game during the 2021 spring season, he was voted as the Patriot League Dick Biddle Coach of the Year.
• Bucknell returned a total of 35 letterwinners in 2021, a group that includes 11 seniors, 11 juniors and 13 sophomores. Six seniors are three-time letterwinners: DL Grayson Cherubino, RB Jared Cooper, CB Micah Dennis, QB Tarrin Earle, OL Michael Killiri and WR Dominic Lyles.
• Cherubino, Earle, Lyles and OL Jacob Russ are serving as team captains this year.
• This week's game captains are WR Renn Lints (Offense) and LB Tyler Alston (Defense).
Inside the Villanova Box Score
• No. 11/12 Villanova downed Bucknell, 55-3, at Villanova Stadium.
• The Wildcats scored early and often en route to their ninth-straight victory over the Bison. Their high-powered offense logged 378 yards while their stingy defense only allowed 89 over the course of the contest.
• Bucknell got on the board with 12:17 remaining in regulation, snapping a scoreless streak of 107:43 to open its 2021 campaign. K Ryan Schatzel's 35-yard field goal, the first of his collegiate career, capped a 12-play, 58-yard scoring drive orchestrated by QB Tyler Beverett.
• Villanova's longest scoring drive of the first half took just 3:15 off of the clock. Four of the six were shorter than two minutes.
• In the second half, the Wildcats tacked on a five-yard touchdown rush that capped a 14-play, 78-yard march and a 26-yard field goal that completed an 11-play, 51-yard drive. Each took more than six minutes off of the clock, with the first draining 9:08.
• Beverett posted 36 yards through the air and 16 on the ground in relief of QB Nick Semptimphelter, who threw for 32 yards in his first collegiate start.
• WR Damian Harris posted a team-best 31 receiving yards while Beverett's 16 rushing yards paced the Bison.
• DL Jack Barnes (7), S John Schlendorf (6) and DL Mike Bright Jr. (5) finished 1-2-3 among all players in tackles.
• Villanova DB Christian Benford logged two interceptions, one of which he returned for a 19-yard touchdown.
• The Wildcats finished with advantages in total offense (378-89), first downs (21-11) and time of possession (30:53-29:07). They went 6-for-6 on their trips to the red zone compared to the Bucknell's 1-for-1.
• This was the Bison's 11th-straight loss to a nationally ranked opponent and 13th-straight downing by a current member of the CAA.
Penn at a Glance
• The Quakers are set to make their 2021 debut against the Bison.
• Penn, which did not play during the 2020-21 school year due to the COVID-19 public health threat, went 5-5 (3-4 Ivy) during the 2019 campaign.
• The Quakers were selected to finish fifth in the 2021 Ivy League preseason poll.
• Headlining Penn's 2021 roster are a pair of 2019 All-Ivy League selections: DL Prince Emili and LB Brian O'Neill. Both are now graduate students.
• Penn won back-to-back Ivy League championships in 2016 and 2015. Notably, Emili was a member of the 2016 title team. Â
The Bucknell/Penn Series
• Penn holds a 30-5 lead in the all-time series with Bucknell.
• This will be the Bison and Quakers' ninth meeting in Lewisburg, Pa. The teams last faced off at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium in 2010, a 31-10 Penn victory.
• The series dates back to 1895. Penn (144) and Bucknell (136) both rank in the top 10 among current NCAA FCS teams in seasons of competition.
• The Quakers have won their past seven meetings with the Bison. The teams last squared off in 2018, a 34-17 Penn win at Franklin Field.
• Bucknell last toppled the Quakers on Oct. 2, 1999. RB Jabu Powell rushed for 102 yards while QB Don McDowell threw for 106 yards and one touchdown and also ran for two touchdowns to help the Bison snap a seven-game losing streak at Franklin Field with their 23-16 victory.
The Last Meeting with the Quakers Â
Bucknell 17 – Penn 34 (Sept. 15, 2018 – Philadelphia, Pa.)
• Bucknell battled back from a 24-point deficit to draw as close as 10, but Penn held on for a 34-17 victory in its season opener.
• During the first five minutes of the game, the Quakers raced out to a 17-0 lead by taking advantage of two Bison turnovers and a blocked punt.
• Logan Bitikofer, who took over at quarterback halfway through the second frame, energized Bucknell, completing 19 of 35 passes for two touchdowns and 150 yards.
• Bitikofer found WR Alan Butler and TE/FB Andrew Owers for 11-yard touchdowns at the 3:37 mark of the second quarter and the 13:00 mark of the third quarter respectively. Those scores made it a 27-17 game, but Penn tacked on a touchdown early in the fourth quarter and held the Bison off the board the rest of the way.
• CB Bryan Marine picked off two passes, returning them a combined 34 yards. Also the primary kickoff and punt return man, he finished with a game- and career-high total of 156 all-purpose yards.
• Bucknell forced five turnovers for the first time since Sept. 3, 2016 at Marist. Beyond Marine's two interceptions, CB Sterling Deary, S Chanse Riley and S Brice Sydnor recovered fumbles. Deary also forced the fumble that was recovered by Riley.
• RB Jared Cooper finished with 109 all-purpose yards on team-best totals in rushing (58) and receiving (51) yards.
• S Joe Lauro and LB Simeon Page tied for the team lead with eight tackles apiece.
• Penn held a 10-0 advantage in sacks, which went for a significant loss of 60 yards.
• Bucknell held a slim lead in time of possession (30:22-29:38) but was outgained by a 274-189 margin.
Bison in First Home Games Â
• Bucknell is 98-35-1 (.735) all-time in its first home game of the season.
• The Bison are 6-4 in their past 10 home openers. Over that span, they have faced Marist (three times), Lafayette (two times), Cornell, Duquesne, Villanova, VMI and William & Mary.
Bison vs. the Ivy League
• Bucknell is 41-105-3 all-time against Ivy League programs.
• The Bison played at least one Ivy League team every year since 1978, a streak that reached 42-consecutive seasons with 2019's 56-23 loss to then No. 23/RV Princeton.
• That lengthy streak was snapped when Bucknell played only Patriot League opponents during the 2021 spring campaign, which was pushed back from 2020 and abbreviated to four games due to the COVID-19 health threat.
• The Bison have faced Cornell (57) more than any other Ivy League team. Penn (35), this Saturday's opponent, and Princeton (17) round out the top three.
Inside the Bucknell Depth Chart
• Bucknell's projected starters on offense have made a combined 36 starts.
• Bucknell's projected starters on defense have made a combined 57 starts.
• On offense, one senior (WR Dominic Lyles), three juniors and six sophomores are expected to start. At running back, senior Jared Cooper and sophomore Coleman Bennett are considered even on the depth chart; they have combined for 19 career starts.
• On defense, three seniors, four juniors, three sophomores and one freshman (DL Will Ohler) are projected to start.
• Six Bison currently have at least 10 career starts: DL Grayson Cherubino (19), CB Micah Dennis (16), Cooper (14), CB/S Gavin Pringle (13), Lyles (12) and OL Michael Killiri (12). Of that group, five are seniors and one (Pringle) is a junior.
• CB Sterling Deary is expected to make his 10th career start against Penn.
• Dennis (16) and Pringle (13) boast starting streaks of at least 10 games.
• The following 13 players each made his first career start this season: LB Ben Allen, RB Rushawn Baker, DL Ryan Betz, DL Connor Carretta, WR Damian Harris, LB Blake Leake, WR Matt McCreight, Ohler, OL Sean Quarterman, S Jonathan Searcy, QB Nick Semptimphelter, TE Charlie Shadek and OL Jack Wall. Of that group, one (Betz) is a senior, four are juniors, six are sophomores and two are freshmen.
• Baker, Semptimphelter and Wall made their first career starts at Villanova. Baker joined Ohler as the lone freshmen to start for the Bison so far this season.
• No senior has played in all 26 of Bucknell's games during his time in Lewisburg to date. Cooper (25), Dennis (25), Cherubino (24) and Lyles (23) are the class leaders in career appearances. Â
• Juniors Allen, Pringle, Searcy and CB Eric Holsinger have played in all 17 of Bucknell's games during their time in Lewisburg to date.
• Pringle is the only junior who entered this season with more than two career starts; though his first 11 starts came at cornerback, he started at safety against the Pioneers and Wildcats.
• Bennett, DL Mike Bright Jr., OL Ethan Pitzel and OL Casey Stephenson all started as freshmen during the 2021 spring campaign. Bennett, Bright Jr. and Pitzel all are listed on the Bison's depth chart this week. Â
Milestone Watch
• WR Dominic Lyles: Needs 26 receptions to reach 100 in his career Â
• WR Dominic Lyles: Needs 28 receptions to crack Bucknell's top 10 in career receptions with 102
• WR Dominic Lyles: Needs 68 receiving yards to reach 1,000 in his career Â
• CB/S Gavin Pringle: Needs 14 tackles to reach 100 in his career
School Record Holders on the 2021 Roster
• WR Dominic Lyles: Single Game Receptions (14, 4/3/21 at Lehigh)
Bison Award Winners
• The Bison returned four All-Patriot League players in RB Jared Cooper (1st in '21S as a RS), CB Eric Holsinger (2nd in '21S as a STNS), WR Dominic Lyles (2nd in '21S) and CB/S Gavin Pringle (1st in '21S, 2nd in '19).
• Pringle and RB Coleman Bennett were voted to the 2021 Preseason All-Patriot League Team, with Bennett representing Bucknell as a return specialist.
• The Bison graduated six All-Patriot League honorees following the 2021 spring season, including LB Simeon Page. Page was the fifth Bison to make four career All-Patriot League squads, joining RB Rich Lemon (1993-96), OL Julién Davenport (2013-16), DL Abdullah Anderson (2014-17) and P Alex Pechin (2015, 2017-19).
• At least one Bison has made the CoSIDA Academic All-District 2 Team in 18 of the 21 seasons since 2000, including the past seven in a row. Most recently, two-time CoSIDA Academic All-American LB Rick Mottram and fellow 2021 graduate S Conner Romango made the 2020-21 rendition.
• Only Bucknell and Dayton have had a William V. Campbell Trophy semifinalist each of the past 15 years. Nicknamed the "Academic Heisman," it is awarded to the college football player with the best combination of academics, community service and on-field performance. Most recently, Mottram represented the Bison as a Campbell Trophy semifinalist.
Head Coach Dave Cecchini
• Dave Cecchini, one of the all-time great wide receivers in Patriot League history who has since gone on to achieve tremendous success in the coaching ranks, was named the 27th Bob Odell Head Football Coach at Bucknell University on February 6, 2019.
• Cecchini was voted as the 2021 Spring Patriot League Dick Biddle Coach of the Year for guiding the team to a spot in the Patriot League Championship Game. In addition, he was selected as a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Award, presented by STATS to the FCS Coach of the Year, for the second time in his career.
• In his first season at the helm, Cecchini led the Bison to a third-place finish in the Patriot League, 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.
• In 2017 while at Valparaiso, Cecchini was a finalist for the American Football Coaches Association's FCS National Coach of the Year and the STATS FCS Coach of the Year awards; he was also voted as the Pioneer Football League Coach of the Year and the AFCA FCS Region 4 Coach of the Year.
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Inside the 2021 Schedule
• This is the 136th season of football at Bucknell. The Bison played their first game in 1883 and have played continuously since 1887.
• Bucknell's challenging 2021 schedule includes FBS program Army West Point, two Ivy League teams and defending NEC champion Sacred Heart.
• During the 2020-21 school year, Army West Point played in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl while Holy Cross and Sacred Heart made the NCAA Division I Football Championship.
• Army West Point will be the Bison's second FBS foe in three seasons, as they previously faced off against Temple in their 2019 opener. Bucknell is 0-8 against FBS schools since the FBS/FCS classification began in 1978.
• The Bison entered the season with a 171-302-12 (.365) record against their 2021 opponents, with only a winning mark against Georgetown (19-12-1). They are also .500 against Fordham (18-18).
How to Follow the Bison
• All of Bucknell's home games and its road contests at Lafayette, Fordham and Colgate will air on ESPN+, which became home of the Patriot League Network ahead of the 2020-21 school year.
• The Bison's game at FBS opponent Army West Point will be broadcast on the NBC Sports Network. Bucknell's contests at Sacred Heart (NEC Front Row) and Villanova (FloSports) will be streamed online.
• All of the Bison's games will be broadcast on 100.9 The Valley (WVLY). The broadcast will also be available on WVLY.com/The__Valley and BucknellBison.com.
• Bucknell is active on Twitter (@Bucknell_FB) and Instagram (Bucknell_FB). Interact with the team using the hashtags #ACT and #rayBucknell.
Up Next
• Following their bye week, the Bison will face off against Cornell for their Homecoming game on Saturday, Oct. 2 at 3:30 p.m.
• As part of the Homecoming festivities, Bucknell will host its Football Alumni Weekend and hold a celebration of the 25th Anniversary of the 1996 Patriot League Championship Team.
Players Mentioned
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