Bucknell University
3-5 , 1-3
Colgate
3-5 , 1-2
Bucknell's Offense Explodes in 49-34 Victory at Colgate
10/28/2023 4:23:00 PM | Football
HAMILTON, N.Y. – Bucknell's offense exploded to the tune of 593 total yards and seven touchdowns in a 49-34 win over Colgate on the road at Andy Kerr Stadium on Saturday. They were the most points the Bison have scored in a game since 2003, and the 593 yards are tied for second most in program history. It was Bucknell's first Patriot League win of the season and snapped a three-game win streak for the Raiders.
Leading the effort was quarterback Ralph Rucker, who posted an incredible stat line of 33 for 44 passing for 387 yards and four touchdowns. His passing yards broke the Bucknell single-game record last set in 1994. His 33 completions were the most by a Bison since 2001. Wide receivers Eric Weatherly and Josh Gary both eclipsed 100 receiving yards with 132 and 139, respectively. It was the first time since 2014 that two Bison recorded 100 yards receiving in the same game. Weatherly's 10 receptions were the most since 2021.
Bucknell's passing game wasn't the only thing working for the offense on Saturday. Running backs Coleman Bennett and Rushawn Baker combined for three touchdowns and both averaged over five yards per carry. Baker finished the game with 107 net yards on 18 carries and a touchdown, and Bennett registered 91 yards on 17 carries and two scores. Bennett racked up 233 all-purpose yards, adding 30 more on three receptions and 112 on four kick returns.
The Bison defense made plays throughout the game as well, coming up with three takeaways. Cade Rooney grabbed his second interception in three weeks after a Jack Goheen tipped pass, Ethan Robinson intercepted his third pass of the season in the fourth quarter, and John Schlendorf scooped up a Colgate fumble and returned it 25 yards after Justin Fisher rushed a Raiders offensive lineman into quarterback Michael Brescia in the second quarter. The defense also held Colgate scoreless in the second frame.
It was in the second quarter that Bucknell began to take over the game, as the Bison posted 258 yards and 27 points during those 15 minutes. Bucknell scored touchdowns on four consecutive drives in the quarter. Bucknell had over 400 yards of offense by halftime and a 34-13 lead.
Both offenses were awake early in the contest and scored on the first three drives of the game. Colgate went 75 yards on eight plays on its first drive, and the Bison went 70 yards on 10 plays on their first. Bucknell's first touchdown was a 20-yard completion to Charlie Kreinbucher. Colgate scored again on its second drive thanks to a 68-yard touchdown rush by running back Chris Gee, but it would be the last time the Raiders would score until the third quarter.
In the second quarter, Bucknell's defense limited the Raiders to 38 yards and one of five on third down attempts. The Bison, meanwhile, benefited from extremely efficient play by Rucker, Bennett and Baker. Rucker completed 14 of 16 passes for 162 yards. Bennett gained 61 yards on five carries and scored two touchdowns. His first was a 23-yarder that was set up by a 32-yard reception by Weatherly. Later in the quarter, Baker carried the ball five times for 35 yards and a four-yard touchdown run. After a 32-yard pass to Gary got the Bison into Raider territory on a later drive in the second quarter, Bennett scored again on a 31-yard carry.
The Bison put an exclamation point on the half with under a minute to play, as the Schlendorf recovered fumble led to a 13-yard touchdown from Rucker to Weatherly. Bennett then scored a two-point conversion to carry a 21-point lead into the locker rooms.
It's allll clicking for the Bison! That's 27 unanswered in the second quarter after the 2-point conversion. @PatriotLeagueTV@ESPN https://t.co/mn0maHSEdL pic.twitter.com/3QP19EFOKj
— Bucknell Football (@Bucknell_FB) October 28, 2023
The run game slowed down for Bucknell in the third quarter, but Rucker stayed hot. He connected on five of eight pass attempts for 85 more yards, including a short pass to Gary that he took 49 yards for a score. In the fourth quarter, Rucker threw a deep ball to Weatherly that went for 35 yards and another touchdown.
Rucker became the first Bison to throw four touchdowns in a game since R.J. Nitti in 2015. His 387 yards broke Rob Glus' record-383 set against Fordham in 1994. The last time Bucknell had 593 yards of offense was against Towson in 1998. The school record of 698 was set against Buffalo in 1951.
For Colgate, Brescia completed 21 of 35 pass attempts for 184 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. He also totaled 53 yards rushing and was sacked twice. Gee finished with 106 yards and a touchdown on eight carries.
Bucknell led in time of possession with 33:34 and was a perfect three for three on fourth down conversions. The Bison also converted on nine of 17 third down attempts.
Special teams were another big factor on Saturday, as Bucknell had one field goal and two extra points blocked. Bennett returned a kickoff 40 yards in the third quarter.
Looking forward, Bucknell heads to Fordham on Saturday, Oct. 4 for a 1 p.m. game.
Team Stats
BUC 0, COL 7
COL - Brescia,Michael 26 yd run (Jaworski,Jacob kick), 8 plays, 75 yards, TOP 03:32
BUC 7, COL 7
BUC - Kreinbucher,Charlie 20 yd pass from Rucker,Ralph (Schearer,Matt kick) 10 plays, 70 yards, TOP 04:01
BUC 7, COL 13
COL - Gee,Chris 68 yd run (), 2 plays, 75 yards, TOP 00:47
BUC 13, COL 13
BUC - Bennett,Coleman 23 yd run (), 3 plays, 57 yards, TOP 00:48
BUC 20, COL 13
BUC - Baker, Rushawn 4 yd run (Schearer,Matt kick), 13 plays, 84 yards, TOP 05:31
BUC 26, COL 13
BUC - Bennett,Coleman 31 yd run (), 4 plays, 67 yards, TOP 01:11
BUC 34, COL 13
BUC - Weatherly,Eric 13 yd pass from Rucker,Ralph (Bennett,Coleman pass) 6 plays, 45 yards, TOP 00:38
BUC 34, COL 20
COL - Hutchison,Brady 13 yd pass from Brescia,Michael (Jaworski,Jacob kick) 9 plays, 63 yards, TOP 03:30
BUC 37, COL 20
BUC - Schearer,Matt 27 yd field goal 12 plays, 34 yards, TOP 03:54
BUC 43, COL 20
BUC - Gary,Josh 49 yd pass from Rucker,Ralph () 1 plays, 49 yards, TOP 00:09
BUC 43, COL 27
COL - Brescia,Michael 38 yd run (Jaworski,Jacob kick), 4 plays, 67 yards, TOP 01:22
BUC 49, COL 27
BUC - Weatherly,Eric 35 yd pass from Rucker,Ralph () 7 plays, 41 yards, TOP 03:35
BUC 49, COL 34
COL - Wamp,Nick 6 yd pass from Stearney,Jake (Jaworski,Jacob kick) 12 plays, 61 yards, TOP 04:19
