Saturday, September 11
Villanova, Pa.
6 p.m.
Bucknell University
at
#11/12 Villanova
Photo by: Marc Hagemeier
Bucknell Football Travels to No. 11/12 Villanova
9/7/2021 3:35:00 PM | Football
LEWISBURG, Pa. – The Bucknell football team travels to No. 11/12 Villanova for a 6 p.m. game on Saturday, Sept. 11.
The Wildcats will be the Bison's first ranked opponent since the 2019 campaign, when they took on three such foes during non-conference action.
The complete media notes can be viewed here. The game program can be viewed here.
• knock off a ranked team for the first time since 2013
• top the Wildcats for the first time since 1944, snapping an eight-game losing streak
• defeat a current Colonial Athletic Association member for the first time since 2003
• snap an 11-game losing streak to non-conference foes that dates back to 2018
Bucknell at a Glance
• Bucknell is 0-1 (0-0 PL) in 2021 following its 21-0 loss at Sacred Heart on Sept. 4.
• 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 Cooper (Offense) and Dennis (Defense).
Inside the Sacred Heart Box Score
• Sacred Heart blanked Bucknell, 21-0, in the season opener for both teams on Sept. 4 at Campus Field.
• The Pioneers pulled away from the Bison during the second half, scoring two of their three touchdowns. Consensus All-American RB Julius Chestnut led the way, running for 170 yards and one touchdown on 26 carries.
• Sacred Heart finished with advantages in total offense (455-143) and first downs (24-11), notably preventing Bucknell from reaching the red zone.
• The Pioneers became the first team to blank the Bison since Sept. 9, 2017, a 20-0 whitewashing by Holy Cross.
• This marked the first time since 1958 that Bucknell was shut out to start a campaign. That season, the Bison's first under legendary head coach Bob Odell, they were blanked by Gettysburg, 6-0, in their opener.
• QB Tarrin Earle totaled 39 yards on 6-for-14 passing, adding 29 yards on five carries. QB Nick Semptimphelter completed 2-of-8 passes for 26 yards in relief.
• RB Coleman Bennett paced the Bison with 33 rushing yards; he also recorded 44 yards on two kickoff returns. WRs Connor Holmes and Damian Harris tied for the team high in receiving yards (23).
• Defensively, eight Bison made at least five tackles, with LB Blake Leake (9), DL Justin Fisher (9), LB Ben Allen (7) and LB Tyler Alston (7) leading the way.
• On the strength of his performance, Fisher was named the Patriot League Rookie of the Week; he was also recognized as an Honorable Mention National Freshman Player of the Week by STATS.
• The Bison had 10 players make their first career start, including six on the defensive side of the ball. Only five of the 22 Bison who started the 2021 opener had at least five career starts under their belt entering the game.
Villanova at a Glance
• The Wildcats are ranked No. 11 the AFCA FCS Coaches Poll and No. 12 in the STATS FCS Top 25 this week.
• Villanova is 1-0 (0-0 CAA) in 2021 following its 47-3 rout of Lehigh on Sept. 4.
• The Wildcats were selected to finish third in the CAA based on a vote by the league's head coaches and sports information directors ahead of the 2021 season.
• Villanova posted a 2-2 (2-2 CAA) record during the 2021 spring campaign. The Wildcats went 9-4 (5-3 CAA) in 2019, advancing to the NCAA Division I Football Championship; there, they were edged, 45-44, at Southeastern Louisiana in the first round.
• Villanova features Walter Payton Preseason Watch List member Dan Smith, a QB, and Buck Buchanan Preseason Watch List member Forrest Rhyne, a LB. Rhyne and DL Malik Fisher also garnered Preseason All-America accolades.
The Bucknell/Villanova Series
• While the Wildcats hold a slim 14-11-2 lead over the Bison in the all-time series, they are currently riding a series-best eight-game winning streak.
• Bucknell and Villanova first squared off in 1900. All but seven of their contests occurred before 1946. Â
• The Bison last topped the Wildcats in 1944, scoring a 27-6 victory in Villanova, Pa.
• Villanova holds a 2-7-2 over Bucknell on its home turf.
The Last Meeting with the Wildcats Â
Bucknell 10 – #23/22 Villanova 45 (Sept. 14, 2019 – Lewisburg, Pa.)
•.No. 23/22 Villanova rolled past Bucknell, 45-10. The Wildcats used a fast start and strong defensive effort to spoil the Bison's first home game of the Dave Cecchini era.
• Villanova's scoring drives were quick and efficient, with all but two taking less than two minutes off the clock. QB Daniel Smith threw touchdown passes to three different receivers and also ran for a score while RB Justin Covington totaled 119 yards on seven carries.
• At halftime, the Wildcats held a 28-0 lead, scoring two touchdowns in each of the first two quarters. They opened the scoring in the first 22 seconds when DB Jaquan Amos picked off Bucknell's third pass of the game and returned it 34 yards for a touchdown.
• The Bison held edges in first downs (16) and passing yards (225-124) while the Wildcats led in rushing yards (262-46) and total offense (386-271).
• WRs Blais Herman (72) and John McGuire (46) led Bucknell in receiving yards, each setting a new career high. QBs John Chiarolanzio (134 yards, 11-for-32 passing) and Logan Bitikofer (91 yards, 12-for-22 passing) both saw action.
• LB Rick Mottram not only intercepted his first career pass; he also led the Bison defense with six tackles (four solo). S Brandon Benson, who deflected the pass to Mottram, recovered a fumble that led to Bucknell's lone touchdown.
Bucknell vs. Ranked Opponents
• Villanova is Bucknell's first ranked foe of 2021. The Wildcats are the Bison's highest ranked opponent since 2016, when they faced then No. 9 Charleston Southern (28-49).
• In 2019, Bucknell took on three ranked foes: No. 23/22 Villanova (10-45), No. 23/RV Princeton (23-56) and No. 20/18 Towson (7-56).
• The Bison most recently upset a ranked opponent on Oct. 26, 2013. In that game, a 48-10 victory over then No. 15 Lehigh at home, RB C.J. Williams rushed for 154 yards and three touchdowns, WR Will Carter caught six passes for 130 yards and QB Brandon Wesley completed 16-for-21 passes for 213 yards.
• Bucknell has lost its past 10 games against ranked opponents.
Bucknell's Wins Over Ranked Teams (since 2000)
Bucknell 31, No. 14 Fordham 10 (Oct. 4, 2003)
Bucknell 42, No. 22 Colgate 7 (Nov. 13, 2004)
Bucknell 38, No. 18 Fordham 24 (Nov. 17, 2007)
Bucknell 23, No. 13 Holy Cross 17 (Nov. 21, 2009)
Bucknell 48, No. 15 Lehigh 10 (Oct. 26, 2013)
Bison vs. the Colonial Athletic Association
• Bucknell is 34-65-2 (.347) all-time against current CAA teams.
• The Bison have faced Delaware (11-23), Maine (3-3), New Hampshire (0-4), Rhode Island (1-1), Richmond (0-3), Stony Brook (0-2), Towson (8-9), Villanova (11-14-2) and William & Mary (0-6).
• Bucknell last defeated a current CAA member in 2003, a 14-10 victory over Towson on Homecoming. The Bison have lost 12-straight games to current CAA members.
Inside the Bucknell Depth Chart
• Bucknell's projected starters on offense have made a combined 29 starts.
• Bucknell's projected starters on defense have made a combined 46 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 18 career starts.
• On defense, three seniors, four juniors, three sophomores and one freshman (DL Will Ohler) are projected to start.
• The following players are expected to make their first career starts at Villanova: QB Nick Semptimphelter and OL Jack Wall. Both are members of the sophomore class and are taking the place of injured senior captains.
• Senior DL Ryan Betz made his first career start at Sacred Heart.
• Four juniors made their first career starts at Sacred Heart: LB Ben Allen, WR Matt McCreight, S Jonathan Searcy and TE Charlie Shadek.
• Four sophomores made their first career starts at Sacred Heart: DL Connor Carretta, WR Damian Harris, LB Blake Leake and OL Sean Quarterman.
• Ohler, the lone freshman who started at Sacred Heart, is one of 11 newcomers on Bucknell's depth chart this week.
• Six Bison currently have at least 10 career starts: DL Grayson Cherubino (19), CB Micah Dennis (15), Cooper (14), Lyles (12), CB/S Gavin Pringle (12) and OL Michael Killiri (11). Of that group, five are seniors and one (Pringle) is a junior.
• Dennis (15) and Pringle (12) boast starting streaks of at least 10 games.
• No senior has played in all 26 of Bucknell's games during his time in Lewisburg to date. Cherubino (24), Cooper (24), Dennis (24) and Lyles (23) are the class leaders in career appearances. Â
• Juniors Allen, Pringle, Searcy, CB Eric Holsinger and LB Cooper Kim have played in all 16 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.
• 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 17 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
• The Bison next welcome Penn to Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium at the Pascucci Family Athletics Complex on Saturday, Sept. 18 for a 6 p.m. game.
• Multiple promotions are scheduled for Bucknell's home opener, including post-game fireworks. The Bison will also hold their First Responder & Hero Appreciation Night and their Vs. Cancer Game.
The Wildcats will be the Bison's first ranked opponent since the 2019 campaign, when they took on three such foes during non-conference action.
The complete media notes can be viewed here. The game program can be viewed here.
When: Saturday, Sept. 11 – 6 p.m.
Where: Villanova, Pa. – Villanova Stadium
Internet Video: FloSports
Radio: 100.9 The Valley (WVLY)
Internet Radio: WVLY.com/The__Valley
Live Stats: Villanova.com
Follow on Twitter: @Bucknell_FB
• knock off a ranked team for the first time since 2013
• top the Wildcats for the first time since 1944, snapping an eight-game losing streak
• defeat a current Colonial Athletic Association member for the first time since 2003
• snap an 11-game losing streak to non-conference foes that dates back to 2018
Bucknell at a Glance
• Bucknell is 0-1 (0-0 PL) in 2021 following its 21-0 loss at Sacred Heart on Sept. 4.
• 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 Cooper (Offense) and Dennis (Defense).
Inside the Sacred Heart Box Score
• Sacred Heart blanked Bucknell, 21-0, in the season opener for both teams on Sept. 4 at Campus Field.
• The Pioneers pulled away from the Bison during the second half, scoring two of their three touchdowns. Consensus All-American RB Julius Chestnut led the way, running for 170 yards and one touchdown on 26 carries.
• Sacred Heart finished with advantages in total offense (455-143) and first downs (24-11), notably preventing Bucknell from reaching the red zone.
• The Pioneers became the first team to blank the Bison since Sept. 9, 2017, a 20-0 whitewashing by Holy Cross.
• This marked the first time since 1958 that Bucknell was shut out to start a campaign. That season, the Bison's first under legendary head coach Bob Odell, they were blanked by Gettysburg, 6-0, in their opener.
• QB Tarrin Earle totaled 39 yards on 6-for-14 passing, adding 29 yards on five carries. QB Nick Semptimphelter completed 2-of-8 passes for 26 yards in relief.
• RB Coleman Bennett paced the Bison with 33 rushing yards; he also recorded 44 yards on two kickoff returns. WRs Connor Holmes and Damian Harris tied for the team high in receiving yards (23).
• Defensively, eight Bison made at least five tackles, with LB Blake Leake (9), DL Justin Fisher (9), LB Ben Allen (7) and LB Tyler Alston (7) leading the way.
• On the strength of his performance, Fisher was named the Patriot League Rookie of the Week; he was also recognized as an Honorable Mention National Freshman Player of the Week by STATS.
• The Bison had 10 players make their first career start, including six on the defensive side of the ball. Only five of the 22 Bison who started the 2021 opener had at least five career starts under their belt entering the game.
Villanova at a Glance
• The Wildcats are ranked No. 11 the AFCA FCS Coaches Poll and No. 12 in the STATS FCS Top 25 this week.
• Villanova is 1-0 (0-0 CAA) in 2021 following its 47-3 rout of Lehigh on Sept. 4.
• The Wildcats were selected to finish third in the CAA based on a vote by the league's head coaches and sports information directors ahead of the 2021 season.
• Villanova posted a 2-2 (2-2 CAA) record during the 2021 spring campaign. The Wildcats went 9-4 (5-3 CAA) in 2019, advancing to the NCAA Division I Football Championship; there, they were edged, 45-44, at Southeastern Louisiana in the first round.
• Villanova features Walter Payton Preseason Watch List member Dan Smith, a QB, and Buck Buchanan Preseason Watch List member Forrest Rhyne, a LB. Rhyne and DL Malik Fisher also garnered Preseason All-America accolades.
The Bucknell/Villanova Series
• While the Wildcats hold a slim 14-11-2 lead over the Bison in the all-time series, they are currently riding a series-best eight-game winning streak.
• Bucknell and Villanova first squared off in 1900. All but seven of their contests occurred before 1946. Â
• The Bison last topped the Wildcats in 1944, scoring a 27-6 victory in Villanova, Pa.
• Villanova holds a 2-7-2 over Bucknell on its home turf.
The Last Meeting with the Wildcats Â
Bucknell 10 – #23/22 Villanova 45 (Sept. 14, 2019 – Lewisburg, Pa.)
•.No. 23/22 Villanova rolled past Bucknell, 45-10. The Wildcats used a fast start and strong defensive effort to spoil the Bison's first home game of the Dave Cecchini era.
• Villanova's scoring drives were quick and efficient, with all but two taking less than two minutes off the clock. QB Daniel Smith threw touchdown passes to three different receivers and also ran for a score while RB Justin Covington totaled 119 yards on seven carries.
• At halftime, the Wildcats held a 28-0 lead, scoring two touchdowns in each of the first two quarters. They opened the scoring in the first 22 seconds when DB Jaquan Amos picked off Bucknell's third pass of the game and returned it 34 yards for a touchdown.
• The Bison held edges in first downs (16) and passing yards (225-124) while the Wildcats led in rushing yards (262-46) and total offense (386-271).
• WRs Blais Herman (72) and John McGuire (46) led Bucknell in receiving yards, each setting a new career high. QBs John Chiarolanzio (134 yards, 11-for-32 passing) and Logan Bitikofer (91 yards, 12-for-22 passing) both saw action.
• LB Rick Mottram not only intercepted his first career pass; he also led the Bison defense with six tackles (four solo). S Brandon Benson, who deflected the pass to Mottram, recovered a fumble that led to Bucknell's lone touchdown.
Bucknell vs. Ranked Opponents
• Villanova is Bucknell's first ranked foe of 2021. The Wildcats are the Bison's highest ranked opponent since 2016, when they faced then No. 9 Charleston Southern (28-49).
• In 2019, Bucknell took on three ranked foes: No. 23/22 Villanova (10-45), No. 23/RV Princeton (23-56) and No. 20/18 Towson (7-56).
• The Bison most recently upset a ranked opponent on Oct. 26, 2013. In that game, a 48-10 victory over then No. 15 Lehigh at home, RB C.J. Williams rushed for 154 yards and three touchdowns, WR Will Carter caught six passes for 130 yards and QB Brandon Wesley completed 16-for-21 passes for 213 yards.
• Bucknell has lost its past 10 games against ranked opponents.
Bucknell's Wins Over Ranked Teams (since 2000)
Bucknell 31, No. 14 Fordham 10 (Oct. 4, 2003)
Bucknell 42, No. 22 Colgate 7 (Nov. 13, 2004)
Bucknell 38, No. 18 Fordham 24 (Nov. 17, 2007)
Bucknell 23, No. 13 Holy Cross 17 (Nov. 21, 2009)
Bucknell 48, No. 15 Lehigh 10 (Oct. 26, 2013)
Bison vs. the Colonial Athletic Association
• Bucknell is 34-65-2 (.347) all-time against current CAA teams.
• The Bison have faced Delaware (11-23), Maine (3-3), New Hampshire (0-4), Rhode Island (1-1), Richmond (0-3), Stony Brook (0-2), Towson (8-9), Villanova (11-14-2) and William & Mary (0-6).
• Bucknell last defeated a current CAA member in 2003, a 14-10 victory over Towson on Homecoming. The Bison have lost 12-straight games to current CAA members.
Inside the Bucknell Depth Chart
• Bucknell's projected starters on offense have made a combined 29 starts.
• Bucknell's projected starters on defense have made a combined 46 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 18 career starts.
• On defense, three seniors, four juniors, three sophomores and one freshman (DL Will Ohler) are projected to start.
• The following players are expected to make their first career starts at Villanova: QB Nick Semptimphelter and OL Jack Wall. Both are members of the sophomore class and are taking the place of injured senior captains.
• Senior DL Ryan Betz made his first career start at Sacred Heart.
• Four juniors made their first career starts at Sacred Heart: LB Ben Allen, WR Matt McCreight, S Jonathan Searcy and TE Charlie Shadek.
• Four sophomores made their first career starts at Sacred Heart: DL Connor Carretta, WR Damian Harris, LB Blake Leake and OL Sean Quarterman.
• Ohler, the lone freshman who started at Sacred Heart, is one of 11 newcomers on Bucknell's depth chart this week.
• Six Bison currently have at least 10 career starts: DL Grayson Cherubino (19), CB Micah Dennis (15), Cooper (14), Lyles (12), CB/S Gavin Pringle (12) and OL Michael Killiri (11). Of that group, five are seniors and one (Pringle) is a junior.
• Dennis (15) and Pringle (12) boast starting streaks of at least 10 games.
• No senior has played in all 26 of Bucknell's games during his time in Lewisburg to date. Cherubino (24), Cooper (24), Dennis (24) and Lyles (23) are the class leaders in career appearances. Â
• Juniors Allen, Pringle, Searcy, CB Eric Holsinger and LB Cooper Kim have played in all 16 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.
• 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 17 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
• The Bison next welcome Penn to Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium at the Pascucci Family Athletics Complex on Saturday, Sept. 18 for a 6 p.m. game.
• Multiple promotions are scheduled for Bucknell's home opener, including post-game fireworks. The Bison will also hold their First Responder & Hero Appreciation Night and their Vs. Cancer Game.
Players Mentioned
LB
/ Football
RB
/ Football
S
/ Football
QB
/ Football
DL
/ Football
DL
/ Football
DL
/ Football
RB
/ Football
CB
/ Football
QB
/ Football
DL
/ Football
WR
/ Football
WR
/ Football
WR
/ Football
CB
/ Football
OL
/ Football
LB
/ Football
LB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
WR
/ Football
WR
/ Football
LB
/ Football
DL
/ Football
LB
/ Football
OL
/ Football
CB/S
/ Football
OL
/ Football
S
/ Football
OL
/ Football
S
/ Football
QB
/ Football
TE
/ Football
OL
/ Football
Evelyn Bliss World's Send Off
Thursday, September 11
In The Herd: Georgetown Game Preview And Katie Connell Feature
Thursday, September 11
In The Herd: VMI Game Preview And Terian Williams II Feature
Tuesday, September 09
Bucknell at Marist Football Game Highlights 9-6-2025
Tuesday, September 09