Saturday, October 7
Lewisburg, Pa.
1 p.m.
Bucknell University
vs
#12 Holy Cross
Photo by: Lianne Garrahan
Bison Football to Host No. 12 Holy Cross at Christy Saturday
10/3/2023 1:29:00 PM | Football
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Bucknell plays host to the four-time reigning Patriot League Champion Holy Cross Crusaders on Saturday, and both teams are looking to get back into the win column after suffering losses last weekend.
The Bison have a chance to improve to 2-1 at home this season and capture their first win over the Crusaders since 2018. A victory would also put the Bison right back in the middle of the pack in Patriot League play at 1-1.
Holy Cross enters the game ranked 12th in the country after climbing as high as No. 5 prior to last week's loss. Holy Cross has not lost a Patriot League game since 2019.
It's Community Day at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium on Saturday, and the Bison will be giving special thanks to local businesses and individuals for their continued support of the Bucknell football program. Bucknell is also celebrating Teacher Appreciation Day. All teachers will receive free admission while family members of teachers will receive a discounted ticket.
Additionally, Bucknell is hosting Canines at Christy. Fans are encouraged to bring their dogs to the stadium to watch the Bison take on the Crusaders.
Media Notes
When: Saturday, Oct. 7 – 1 p.m.
Where: Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium – Lewisburg, Pa.
Tickets: Bucknell Campus Box Office
Internet Video: ESPN+
Radio: 100.9 The Valley (WVLY)
Internet Radio: BucknellBison.com
Live Stats: BucknellBison.com
Follow on Twitter: @Bucknell_FB
Media Notes: Bucknell | Holy Cross
Promotions
• Community Day
• Teacher Appreciation Day
• Canines at Christy (Required Dog Registration)
With a Victory the Bison would…
• move to 2-3 on the season
• move to 2-1 at home
• improve to 14-26 in the all-time series with Holy Cross
• improve to 1-1 in Patriot League play
• defeat the Crusaders for the first time since 2018
• defeat the Crusaders at home for the first time since 2009
Bucknell at a Glance
• Bucknell is 1-3 (0-1 PL) following its loss to Lafayette in the Patriot League opener last weekend. Bucknell's lone win was over VMI at home on Sept. 9. Its other losses were to Penn and James Madison. Teams that have beat the Bison have a combined 11-2 record.
• Bucknell is one of three Patriot League teams sitting at 0-1 in league play.
• Bucknell currently ranks second in the league in passing but last in rushing. The Bison are averaging 233 pass yards per game.
• Coleman Bennett is second in the Patriot League with 24.1 yards per kick return. He posted two over 40 yards last week, including a season-long 61-yarder.
• QB Ralph Rucker is third in the Patriot League in passing yards per game, and WR Eric Weatherly is fifth in receiving yards per game. Weatherly has 202 yards receiving and three touchdowns in the last two games.
• The Bison were picked to finish in a tie for sixth in the Patriot League based on a vote by the league's head coaches and sports information directors ahead of the 2023 season.
• Bucknell went 3-8 (2-4 PL) during the 2022 campaign, finishing in a tie for fourth. The Bison, who were picked to finish last in that season's Patriot League preseason poll, earned league wins over Lehigh (19-17) and Georgetown (24-21, OT) before ending the year with a victory over Marist (24-13).
• Bucknell is in its fifth season under Cecchini, who spent the previous five as head coach at Valparaiso. Cecchini was honored as the Patriot League Dick Biddle Coach of the Year during the four-game spring 2021 campaign.
• Bucknell returned a total of 56 letterwinners in 2023, a group that includes 23 seniors, 20 juniors and 13 sophomores. 12 seniors are three-time letterwinners.
• RB Coleman Bennett, LB Blake Leake, QB Nick Semptimphelter and OL Casey Stephenson are serving as 2023 team captains, as voted on by their teammates.
• Bucknell welcomed a host of new faces to the staff this season, including new offensive coordinator John Bear. Wide receivers coach Braelon Roberts, offensive line coach Sean Pearson, defensive backs coach Pat Clark and safeties coach McNeil Parker are all new assistants on the staff as well.
Inside the Lafayette Box Score
• Lafayette raced to a 28-0 lead 20 minutes into the game before Bucknell got on the board. The Leopards held a 42-12 lead at halftime. There were a combined 40 points scored in the second quarter.
• Lafayette led 545-309 in total offense. Bucknell struggled to -24 net rushing yards and posted 333 through the air. Lafayette racked up 316 yards on the ground and 229 through the air. The Leopards had four plays go for 30 or more yards, including two runs of over 50 yards and a 63-yard touchdown pass.
• Bucknell QB Ralph Rucker eclipsed 200 yards passing for a third straight game, going 28-for-44 for 282 yards and a touchdown. Rucker was sacked seven times. QB Nick Semptimphelter entered the game late in the fourth quarter and went 3-for-5 for 51 yards, including a 36-yard touchdown pass to Derrick Anderson Jr.
• Eric Weatherly hauled in a career-high seven receptions for 107 yards and a touchdown.
• Lafayette QB Dean DeNobile went 16-for-23 for 229 yards and four touchdowns. Four Leopards scored rushing touchdowns, led by Jamar Curtis' 106 yards on 10 attempts.
• Bucknell's kicking game struggled, as K Matt Schearer had a field goal blocked, the snap on an extra point was bobbled, and a punt was blocked. The Bison did excel in kick returns, as Coleman Bennett returned four kickoffs for 137 yards, including a season-long 61-yarder.
Holy Cross at a Glance
• Holy Cross, which has won four consecutive Patriot League titles, is 3-2 (1-0 PL) entering the weekend. Holy Cross was ranked No. 12 in the latest Stats Perform FCS Top 25 Poll and the FCS Coaches Poll. The Crusaders are coming off a 38-28 loss to No. 24 Harvard. Their other loss was to FBS opponent Boston College.
• The Crusaders defeated Colgate in their Patriot League opener and also have wins over Yale and Merrimack.
• Holy Cross ranks seventh in the FCS in total offense (459.2/g), 10th in rushing offense (238.2/g), second in passing efficiency (179.15) and 10th in scoring offense (38.8/g). It also has the 13th-best passing defense in the nation (161.6).
• QB Matthew Sluka, a two-time All-Patriot League selection and 2020-21 PL Rookie of the Year, currently ranks second in FCS in passing touchdowns (14) and passing efficiency. He's 22nd in passing yards and 21st in rushing yards per game. Sluka was named the 2023 Patriot League Preseason Offensive Player of the Year. Third in the Patriot League behind Sluka in rushing yards per game is RB Jordan Fuller.
• Fifth-year linebacker Jacob Dobbs currently leads the nation in total tackles (15/g) and is second in solo tackles (8.2/g). He was named the 2023 Patriot League Preseason Player of the Year.
• Holy Cross was picked to finish first in the 2023 Patriot League Football Preseason Poll, collecting 12 of 14 first-place votes. 11 Holy Cross players in total were named to the Preseason All-Patriot League Team.
• Holy Cross went 12-0 (6-0 PL) in 2022, suffering its only loss in the second round of the FCS playoffs against No. 1 South Dakota State. The Crusaders defeated New Hampshire in the first round.
• Holy Cross is under the direction of head coach Bob Chesney, who is 40-19 in his six seasons with them.
The Bucknell/Holy Cross Series
• Bucknell and Holy Cross have met 39 times since the series began in 1925, and the two teams have met annually since 1986. The Crusaders are 26-13 in those matchups and have won four in a row and seven of the last 10.
• Bucknell's last win over Holy Cross was a 19-16 decision in Worcester in 2018. The Bison built a 19-7 lead during the fourth quarter before the Crusaders responded with a safety and a touchdown to draw within a field goal with under seven minutes to play, but Bucknell's defense held on and Holy Cross missed a late 43-yard field goal attempt that would have tied the game.
• Between 1925 and 1986, Bucknell and Holy Cross met only once: in 1953
• Bucknell is 7-12 at home against the Crusaders, last winning at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium in 2009.
The Last Meeting with the Crusaders
• Bucknell and Holy Cross last met on Oct. 8, 2022 at Polar Park in Worcester, Mass. The Bison were held off the scoreboard, gaining just 169 yards of total offense. The Crusaders put up 57 points while gaining 511 yards of offense. Holy Cross held a 37-0 lead by halftime.
• Matthew Sluka completed 10 of 17 passes for 183 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for 72 yards on 11 attempts and added another touchdown with his legs. Running back Jordan Fuller scored twice on the ground.
• Holy Cross also scored on a blocked punt.
• Nick Semptimphelter made the start at quarterback for the Bison and threw for 60 yards on 7 of 15 passing and an interception. Danny Meuser led the ground game, gaining 73 yards on 14 attempts.
• Bucknell gave away two fumbles and turned it over on downs twice.
• Chris Sims gave Bucknell its only takeaway of the game, intercepting a pass and returning it 17 yards for his first career pick.
Inside the Bucknell Depth Chart
• Bucknell's projected starters on offense have made a combined 98 starts.
• Bucknell's projected starters on defense have made a combined 157 starts.
• On offense, three seniors, three juniors and four sophomores and one freshman (OL Xavier Allen) are expected to start.
• On defense, four seniors, five juniors one sophomore (CB Roman Pearson) and one freshman (S Deuce Geter) are expected to start.
• Four Bison made their first career starts last weekend: OL Xavier Allen, DL Jack Barnes, S Deuce Geter and CB Chris Sims.
• 17 Bison have made at least 10 career starts. Five have started 20 games or more: WR Damian Harris (25), LB Blake Leake (24), DL Connor Carretta (24), OL Ethan Pitzel (23) and DL Tyler Alston (21).
• Four Bison have starting streaks of 10 or more games in a row: Leake (22), Robinson (21) Harris (17), S John Schlendorf (15).
• Five Bison, Harris, Leake, Robinson, Schlendorf and Vyas, started all 11 of Bucknell's games in 2022.
• Only seniors P Ruben Anderson and Alston have played in all 30 of Bucknell's games over their four years. Leake has missed just one appearance during his career.
• Of the junior class, Schlendorf, Robinson and S Alex Smith Jr. have played in all 26 of the team's games over three seasons.
• 10 Bison have made their first career starts this season. In 2022, seven players each made their first career start. Two were juniors, two were sophomores, and three were freshmen.
Milestone Watch
• Tyler Alston needs 2 tackles to reach 100 for his career.
• Blake Leake needs 7 tackles to reach 200 in his career.
• Ralph Rucker needs 124 yards to reach 1,000 on the season.
• Coleman Bennett needs four receiving yards to reach 500 in his career.
Milestones Met Last Week
• Ralph Rucker eclipsed the most single-season passing yards by a Bison since 2019.
• Derrick Anderson Jr. recorded the first touchdown of his career.
Bison Award Winners
• Coleman Bennett was one of 201 college football players to be named a 2023 William V. Campbell Trophy semifinalist.
• DL Aneesh Vyas was named the Patriot League Special Teams Player of the Week on Monday (9/25) for blocking an extra point and a field goal against Penn. He's the first Bison to earn a Patriot League weekly award this season.
• The Bison returned one All-Patriot League player, OL Ethan Pitzel (2nd Team in '22). DL Tyler Alston and K Matt Schearer were both voted to the 2023 Preseason All-Patriot League Team. Coleman Bennett was a 2021 Preseason All-League honoree as a return specialist.
• The Bison graduated three All-Patriot League players following the 2022 season: LB Ben Allen (2nd Team in '22), S Brent Jackson (2nd Team in '22), and CB Gavin Pringle (2nd Team in '22 and '19, 1st Team in 'S21).
• In 2022, Bennett was named an Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar by the publication Diverse: Issues in Higher Education. The award recognizes undergraduate students of color who have excelled in the classroom as well as on the athletic fields.
• Last week, Bennett was named Bucknell's 2023 nominee for the William V. Campbell Trophy, which is awarded by the National Football Foundation to player with the best combination of academics, community service, and on-field performance. Bucknell and Dayton are the only schools that have had a Campbell Trophy semifinalist each of the past 17 years.
• Six Bison were named to the 2022 CSC Academic All-District Team: Ben Allen, Connor Carretta, Brent Jackson, Ethan Pitzel, Jonathan Searcy and Aneesh Vyas.
• Bucknell returned two of its three Academic All-Patriot League honorees from the 2022 season: Bennett and Pitzel.
• In March, 50 Bucknell football players were named to the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll for achieving a 3.2 GPA or higher. The Bison led all Patriot League teams in the category.
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.
• Since arriving at Bucknell, Cecchini's players have combined to earn 20 All-Patriot League First/Second Team awards as well as one First Team All-American.
Inside the 2023 Schedule
• This is the 138th season of football at Bucknell. The Bison played their first-ever game in 1883 and have played continuously since 1887.
• The Bison opened the 2023 slate against FBS opponent James Madison, which tied for first place in the Sun Belt East Division during its inaugural season in the conference with an 8-3 (6-2 SBC) record.
• After hosting VMI for the home opener on Sept. 9, the Bison remain at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium to face Penn, which is coming off its winningest season in more than a decade. It marks the 44th time in the last 45 seasons that Bucknell has had an Ivy League program on the schedule.
• Bucknell's other non-league games include Cornell on Oct. 14 and Marist to close out the regular season on Nov. 18.
• Bucknell opened Patriot League play on the road at Lafayette on Sept. 30. The Bison will play host to reigning league champion Holy Cross, Lehigh and Georgetown.
• Bucknell's 2023 opponents went a combined 58-64 last season. They are off to a combined 28-22 record this season.
Facility Upgrades
• Thanks to the support of the Pascucci family, Bucknell's new artificial turf practice field was broken in last preseason camp. Offering additional training and practice space for several men's and women's teams, the new field provides even greater training opportunities for a variety of programs beyond the ones that call Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium home.
• The stadium's new state-of-the-art video board made its debut in 2021, greatly heightening the fan experience at home events.
• Currently under construction is The Pascucci Team Center which, upon completion, will include a new strength and conditioning center, locker rooms, and a team meeting and event space.
• In recognition of Pascucci's historic commitment to both financial aid and athletics, the area of campus that includes the stadium and the Christy Mathewson Gates was named the Pascucci Family Athletics Complex.
• The picturesque Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium was dedicated in 1924 and was known originally as Memorial Stadium as a tribute to Bucknell's numerous war veterans. The stadium underwent a major renovation in 1989, and at that time it was rededicated to honor the iconic Christy Mathewson, who was a three-sport star and model student-athlete during his playing days at Bucknell.
• Bucknell is 256-184-10 all-time at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium.
How to Follow the Bison
• All of Bucknell's games this season, with the exception of the season finale at Marist, will be broadcast on ESPN+.
• All of the Bison's games will be broadcast on 100.9 The Valley (WVLY). The broadcast will also be available for internet streaming on 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
• Bucknell goes on the road for non-league action at Cornell on Saturday, Oct. 14. The Bison faced Cornell as recently as 2021, winning 21-10 at home.
The Bison have a chance to improve to 2-1 at home this season and capture their first win over the Crusaders since 2018. A victory would also put the Bison right back in the middle of the pack in Patriot League play at 1-1.
Holy Cross enters the game ranked 12th in the country after climbing as high as No. 5 prior to last week's loss. Holy Cross has not lost a Patriot League game since 2019.
It's Community Day at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium on Saturday, and the Bison will be giving special thanks to local businesses and individuals for their continued support of the Bucknell football program. Bucknell is also celebrating Teacher Appreciation Day. All teachers will receive free admission while family members of teachers will receive a discounted ticket.
Additionally, Bucknell is hosting Canines at Christy. Fans are encouraged to bring their dogs to the stadium to watch the Bison take on the Crusaders.
Media Notes
When: Saturday, Oct. 7 – 1 p.m.
Where: Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium – Lewisburg, Pa.
Tickets: Bucknell Campus Box Office
Internet Video: ESPN+
Radio: 100.9 The Valley (WVLY)
Internet Radio: BucknellBison.com
Live Stats: BucknellBison.com
Follow on Twitter: @Bucknell_FB
Media Notes: Bucknell | Holy Cross
Promotions
• Community Day
• Teacher Appreciation Day
• Canines at Christy (Required Dog Registration)
With a Victory the Bison would…
• move to 2-3 on the season
• move to 2-1 at home
• improve to 14-26 in the all-time series with Holy Cross
• improve to 1-1 in Patriot League play
• defeat the Crusaders for the first time since 2018
• defeat the Crusaders at home for the first time since 2009
Bucknell at a Glance
• Bucknell is 1-3 (0-1 PL) following its loss to Lafayette in the Patriot League opener last weekend. Bucknell's lone win was over VMI at home on Sept. 9. Its other losses were to Penn and James Madison. Teams that have beat the Bison have a combined 11-2 record.
• Bucknell is one of three Patriot League teams sitting at 0-1 in league play.
• Bucknell currently ranks second in the league in passing but last in rushing. The Bison are averaging 233 pass yards per game.
• Coleman Bennett is second in the Patriot League with 24.1 yards per kick return. He posted two over 40 yards last week, including a season-long 61-yarder.
• QB Ralph Rucker is third in the Patriot League in passing yards per game, and WR Eric Weatherly is fifth in receiving yards per game. Weatherly has 202 yards receiving and three touchdowns in the last two games.
• The Bison were picked to finish in a tie for sixth in the Patriot League based on a vote by the league's head coaches and sports information directors ahead of the 2023 season.
• Bucknell went 3-8 (2-4 PL) during the 2022 campaign, finishing in a tie for fourth. The Bison, who were picked to finish last in that season's Patriot League preseason poll, earned league wins over Lehigh (19-17) and Georgetown (24-21, OT) before ending the year with a victory over Marist (24-13).
• Bucknell is in its fifth season under Cecchini, who spent the previous five as head coach at Valparaiso. Cecchini was honored as the Patriot League Dick Biddle Coach of the Year during the four-game spring 2021 campaign.
• Bucknell returned a total of 56 letterwinners in 2023, a group that includes 23 seniors, 20 juniors and 13 sophomores. 12 seniors are three-time letterwinners.
• RB Coleman Bennett, LB Blake Leake, QB Nick Semptimphelter and OL Casey Stephenson are serving as 2023 team captains, as voted on by their teammates.
• Bucknell welcomed a host of new faces to the staff this season, including new offensive coordinator John Bear. Wide receivers coach Braelon Roberts, offensive line coach Sean Pearson, defensive backs coach Pat Clark and safeties coach McNeil Parker are all new assistants on the staff as well.
Inside the Lafayette Box Score
• Lafayette raced to a 28-0 lead 20 minutes into the game before Bucknell got on the board. The Leopards held a 42-12 lead at halftime. There were a combined 40 points scored in the second quarter.
• Lafayette led 545-309 in total offense. Bucknell struggled to -24 net rushing yards and posted 333 through the air. Lafayette racked up 316 yards on the ground and 229 through the air. The Leopards had four plays go for 30 or more yards, including two runs of over 50 yards and a 63-yard touchdown pass.
• Bucknell QB Ralph Rucker eclipsed 200 yards passing for a third straight game, going 28-for-44 for 282 yards and a touchdown. Rucker was sacked seven times. QB Nick Semptimphelter entered the game late in the fourth quarter and went 3-for-5 for 51 yards, including a 36-yard touchdown pass to Derrick Anderson Jr.
• Eric Weatherly hauled in a career-high seven receptions for 107 yards and a touchdown.
• Lafayette QB Dean DeNobile went 16-for-23 for 229 yards and four touchdowns. Four Leopards scored rushing touchdowns, led by Jamar Curtis' 106 yards on 10 attempts.
• Bucknell's kicking game struggled, as K Matt Schearer had a field goal blocked, the snap on an extra point was bobbled, and a punt was blocked. The Bison did excel in kick returns, as Coleman Bennett returned four kickoffs for 137 yards, including a season-long 61-yarder.
Holy Cross at a Glance
• Holy Cross, which has won four consecutive Patriot League titles, is 3-2 (1-0 PL) entering the weekend. Holy Cross was ranked No. 12 in the latest Stats Perform FCS Top 25 Poll and the FCS Coaches Poll. The Crusaders are coming off a 38-28 loss to No. 24 Harvard. Their other loss was to FBS opponent Boston College.
• The Crusaders defeated Colgate in their Patriot League opener and also have wins over Yale and Merrimack.
• Holy Cross ranks seventh in the FCS in total offense (459.2/g), 10th in rushing offense (238.2/g), second in passing efficiency (179.15) and 10th in scoring offense (38.8/g). It also has the 13th-best passing defense in the nation (161.6).
• QB Matthew Sluka, a two-time All-Patriot League selection and 2020-21 PL Rookie of the Year, currently ranks second in FCS in passing touchdowns (14) and passing efficiency. He's 22nd in passing yards and 21st in rushing yards per game. Sluka was named the 2023 Patriot League Preseason Offensive Player of the Year. Third in the Patriot League behind Sluka in rushing yards per game is RB Jordan Fuller.
• Fifth-year linebacker Jacob Dobbs currently leads the nation in total tackles (15/g) and is second in solo tackles (8.2/g). He was named the 2023 Patriot League Preseason Player of the Year.
• Holy Cross was picked to finish first in the 2023 Patriot League Football Preseason Poll, collecting 12 of 14 first-place votes. 11 Holy Cross players in total were named to the Preseason All-Patriot League Team.
• Holy Cross went 12-0 (6-0 PL) in 2022, suffering its only loss in the second round of the FCS playoffs against No. 1 South Dakota State. The Crusaders defeated New Hampshire in the first round.
• Holy Cross is under the direction of head coach Bob Chesney, who is 40-19 in his six seasons with them.
The Bucknell/Holy Cross Series
• Bucknell and Holy Cross have met 39 times since the series began in 1925, and the two teams have met annually since 1986. The Crusaders are 26-13 in those matchups and have won four in a row and seven of the last 10.
• Bucknell's last win over Holy Cross was a 19-16 decision in Worcester in 2018. The Bison built a 19-7 lead during the fourth quarter before the Crusaders responded with a safety and a touchdown to draw within a field goal with under seven minutes to play, but Bucknell's defense held on and Holy Cross missed a late 43-yard field goal attempt that would have tied the game.
• Between 1925 and 1986, Bucknell and Holy Cross met only once: in 1953
• Bucknell is 7-12 at home against the Crusaders, last winning at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium in 2009.
The Last Meeting with the Crusaders
• Bucknell and Holy Cross last met on Oct. 8, 2022 at Polar Park in Worcester, Mass. The Bison were held off the scoreboard, gaining just 169 yards of total offense. The Crusaders put up 57 points while gaining 511 yards of offense. Holy Cross held a 37-0 lead by halftime.
• Matthew Sluka completed 10 of 17 passes for 183 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for 72 yards on 11 attempts and added another touchdown with his legs. Running back Jordan Fuller scored twice on the ground.
• Holy Cross also scored on a blocked punt.
• Nick Semptimphelter made the start at quarterback for the Bison and threw for 60 yards on 7 of 15 passing and an interception. Danny Meuser led the ground game, gaining 73 yards on 14 attempts.
• Bucknell gave away two fumbles and turned it over on downs twice.
• Chris Sims gave Bucknell its only takeaway of the game, intercepting a pass and returning it 17 yards for his first career pick.
Inside the Bucknell Depth Chart
• Bucknell's projected starters on offense have made a combined 98 starts.
• Bucknell's projected starters on defense have made a combined 157 starts.
• On offense, three seniors, three juniors and four sophomores and one freshman (OL Xavier Allen) are expected to start.
• On defense, four seniors, five juniors one sophomore (CB Roman Pearson) and one freshman (S Deuce Geter) are expected to start.
• Four Bison made their first career starts last weekend: OL Xavier Allen, DL Jack Barnes, S Deuce Geter and CB Chris Sims.
• 17 Bison have made at least 10 career starts. Five have started 20 games or more: WR Damian Harris (25), LB Blake Leake (24), DL Connor Carretta (24), OL Ethan Pitzel (23) and DL Tyler Alston (21).
• Four Bison have starting streaks of 10 or more games in a row: Leake (22), Robinson (21) Harris (17), S John Schlendorf (15).
• Five Bison, Harris, Leake, Robinson, Schlendorf and Vyas, started all 11 of Bucknell's games in 2022.
• Only seniors P Ruben Anderson and Alston have played in all 30 of Bucknell's games over their four years. Leake has missed just one appearance during his career.
• Of the junior class, Schlendorf, Robinson and S Alex Smith Jr. have played in all 26 of the team's games over three seasons.
• 10 Bison have made their first career starts this season. In 2022, seven players each made their first career start. Two were juniors, two were sophomores, and three were freshmen.
Milestone Watch
• Tyler Alston needs 2 tackles to reach 100 for his career.
• Blake Leake needs 7 tackles to reach 200 in his career.
• Ralph Rucker needs 124 yards to reach 1,000 on the season.
• Coleman Bennett needs four receiving yards to reach 500 in his career.
Milestones Met Last Week
• Ralph Rucker eclipsed the most single-season passing yards by a Bison since 2019.
• Derrick Anderson Jr. recorded the first touchdown of his career.
Bison Award Winners
• Coleman Bennett was one of 201 college football players to be named a 2023 William V. Campbell Trophy semifinalist.
• DL Aneesh Vyas was named the Patriot League Special Teams Player of the Week on Monday (9/25) for blocking an extra point and a field goal against Penn. He's the first Bison to earn a Patriot League weekly award this season.
• The Bison returned one All-Patriot League player, OL Ethan Pitzel (2nd Team in '22). DL Tyler Alston and K Matt Schearer were both voted to the 2023 Preseason All-Patriot League Team. Coleman Bennett was a 2021 Preseason All-League honoree as a return specialist.
• The Bison graduated three All-Patriot League players following the 2022 season: LB Ben Allen (2nd Team in '22), S Brent Jackson (2nd Team in '22), and CB Gavin Pringle (2nd Team in '22 and '19, 1st Team in 'S21).
• In 2022, Bennett was named an Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar by the publication Diverse: Issues in Higher Education. The award recognizes undergraduate students of color who have excelled in the classroom as well as on the athletic fields.
• Last week, Bennett was named Bucknell's 2023 nominee for the William V. Campbell Trophy, which is awarded by the National Football Foundation to player with the best combination of academics, community service, and on-field performance. Bucknell and Dayton are the only schools that have had a Campbell Trophy semifinalist each of the past 17 years.
• Six Bison were named to the 2022 CSC Academic All-District Team: Ben Allen, Connor Carretta, Brent Jackson, Ethan Pitzel, Jonathan Searcy and Aneesh Vyas.
• Bucknell returned two of its three Academic All-Patriot League honorees from the 2022 season: Bennett and Pitzel.
• In March, 50 Bucknell football players were named to the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll for achieving a 3.2 GPA or higher. The Bison led all Patriot League teams in the category.
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.
• Since arriving at Bucknell, Cecchini's players have combined to earn 20 All-Patriot League First/Second Team awards as well as one First Team All-American.
Inside the 2023 Schedule
• This is the 138th season of football at Bucknell. The Bison played their first-ever game in 1883 and have played continuously since 1887.
• The Bison opened the 2023 slate against FBS opponent James Madison, which tied for first place in the Sun Belt East Division during its inaugural season in the conference with an 8-3 (6-2 SBC) record.
• After hosting VMI for the home opener on Sept. 9, the Bison remain at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium to face Penn, which is coming off its winningest season in more than a decade. It marks the 44th time in the last 45 seasons that Bucknell has had an Ivy League program on the schedule.
• Bucknell's other non-league games include Cornell on Oct. 14 and Marist to close out the regular season on Nov. 18.
• Bucknell opened Patriot League play on the road at Lafayette on Sept. 30. The Bison will play host to reigning league champion Holy Cross, Lehigh and Georgetown.
• Bucknell's 2023 opponents went a combined 58-64 last season. They are off to a combined 28-22 record this season.
Facility Upgrades
• Thanks to the support of the Pascucci family, Bucknell's new artificial turf practice field was broken in last preseason camp. Offering additional training and practice space for several men's and women's teams, the new field provides even greater training opportunities for a variety of programs beyond the ones that call Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium home.
• The stadium's new state-of-the-art video board made its debut in 2021, greatly heightening the fan experience at home events.
• Currently under construction is The Pascucci Team Center which, upon completion, will include a new strength and conditioning center, locker rooms, and a team meeting and event space.
• In recognition of Pascucci's historic commitment to both financial aid and athletics, the area of campus that includes the stadium and the Christy Mathewson Gates was named the Pascucci Family Athletics Complex.
• The picturesque Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium was dedicated in 1924 and was known originally as Memorial Stadium as a tribute to Bucknell's numerous war veterans. The stadium underwent a major renovation in 1989, and at that time it was rededicated to honor the iconic Christy Mathewson, who was a three-sport star and model student-athlete during his playing days at Bucknell.
• Bucknell is 256-184-10 all-time at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium.
How to Follow the Bison
• All of Bucknell's games this season, with the exception of the season finale at Marist, will be broadcast on ESPN+.
• All of the Bison's games will be broadcast on 100.9 The Valley (WVLY). The broadcast will also be available for internet streaming on 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
• Bucknell goes on the road for non-league action at Cornell on Saturday, Oct. 14. The Bison faced Cornell as recently as 2021, winning 21-10 at home.
Players Mentioned
OL
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DL
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P/K
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WR
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DL
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RB
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DL
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S
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WR
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S
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LB
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RB
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CB
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OL
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CB/S
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QB
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P/K
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S
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S
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QB
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CB
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S
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OL
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DL
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WR
/ FootballIn The Herd: Lafayette Game Preview And Brandon Biagiarelli Feature
Tuesday, October 07
Mount St. Mary's Men's Water Polo Vs. Mercyhurst (10/11/25)
Tuesday, October 07
(Coaches Camera) Mount St. Mary's Men's Water Polo Vs. Mercyhurst (10/11/25)
Tuesday, October 07
(Coaches Camera) Bucknell Men's Water Polo Vs. Mount St. Mary's (10/11/25)
Tuesday, October 07