Bucknell University Athletics
Rucker Earns PL Offensive Player of the Week, Named Bison of the Week Following Record-Setting Outing
10/30/2023 2:00:00 PM | Football
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Bucknell quarterback Ralph Rucker received Patriot League Offensive Player of the Week honors on Monday following his record-setting performance in the team's 49-34 victory at Colgate. Rucker was also named Bison of the Week for his efforts.
Rucker passed for a school-record 387 yards in the win, eclipsing Rob Glus' 1994 mark of 383. The yardage came on 33 completions, which were the most by a Bison since 2001. Additionally, the junior transfer from Oklahoma University became the first Bison since 2015 to toss four touchdown passes in a game and is one of only 10 in program history to achieve the feat. He hit three different receivers on touchdown passes, including a 35-yarder and a 49-yarder. He broke the record with just over 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter with a four-yard pass to Eric Weatherly.
Rucker, who is in the midst of one of the best seasons for a Bison quarterback in recent memory, was the first to eclipse the 300-yard mark since R.J. Nitti threw for 338 in 2015. Only eight have thrown for 300 in the history of the program, with Jim Given leading the pack with three games over the mark.
Rucker completed an outstanding 75 percent of his 44 attempts on Saturday and played turnover-free football. For the season, he's thrown 13 touchdown passes to just three interceptions and also added a rushing touchdown in Bucknell's win over Cornell.
With three games to play, Rucker is 76 yards shy of Logan Bitikofer's 2019 season total of 1,686 passing yards, which were the most since Nitti eclipsed 2,000 in 2015. Rucker also needs two more passing touchdowns to tie Given and Glus for fifth all-time in a single season.
Rucker's passing was just one aspect of an all-around outstanding day for the Bison offense. Bucknell accumulated 593 yards of total offense, which is tied for second most in school history. The Bison had over 400 yards by halftime on Saturday. The 49 points were the most the Bison have scored since 2003.
On the receiving end of Rucker's passes were Weatherly and Josh Gary, who combined for three touchdowns and 271 yards. It was the first time since 2014 that two Bucknell receivers went over 100 yards.
Bucknell's run game was also strong against the Raiders, as Rushawn Baker and Coleman Bennett combined for three touchdowns and 198 yards. Bennett was an honorable mention for Patriot League Special Teams Player of the Week after posting 112 yards on four kick returns, including one of 40 yards.
Rucker and the Bison are on the road again this weekend to face Fordham in The Bronx, N.Y.
