Bucknell University
1-2 , 0-0
Penn
2-0 , 0-0
Football Downed by Penn at Home, 37-21
9/23/2023 7:51:00 PM | Football
LEWISBURG, pa. – Bucknell's offense came alive in the second half, scoring all 21 of its points and gaining 228 of its 239 yards over the final 30 minutes, but the Penn Quakers triumphed with a 37-21 victory. Penn (2-0) racked up 515 yards of total offense, including 354 through the air, to spoil Homecoming for Bucknell (1-2).
Penn jumped out to a 17-0 lead before the Bison made their way onto the scoreboard with one of Ralph Rucker's three touchdown passes. The Quakers responded to the Bucknell score quickly, however, punching it in twice in four minutes to lead 30-7 heading into the fourth. Bucknell added two more scores in the fourth quarter to arrive at the 37-21 final.
Penn found most of its success through the air, as Aidan Sayin completed 35 of 49 attempts for 354 yards and three touchdowns. Jared Richardson was on the receiving end of most of those passes, finishing with 12 catches for 139 yards and a pair of touchdowns. The Quakers converted 9 of 17 third downs compared to Bucknell's 3 of 12. The Quakers were also dominant with 41:29 in time of possession. Bucknell did win the turnover battle with two interceptions.
Penn also scored twice on the ground, as Jonathan Mulatu rushed for 64 yards and a touchdown, and Liam O'Brien gained 31 yards on six carries and a score.
The Bison managed just eight net rushing yards in the game against an outstanding Penn defensive front that finished second in the nation in rushing defense in 2022.
Eric Weatherly put together a breakout performance for the Bison, hauling in six receptions for 95 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He also flashed with a 21-yard punt return. Coleman Bennett finished with a game-high 160 all-purpose yards, including 58 receiving, 13 rushing and 89 on kick returns. Josh Gary caught Bucknell's other touchdown, scoring for the first time in his career.
The Quakers led 10-0 at halftime with a 249-11 advantage in total yards. Bucknell's defense and special teams units squandered two other potential scoring chances for Penn. With less than a minute remaining in the first quarter, Sayin threw a ball to the end zone from five yards out that was tipped by Blake Leake and intercepted by Roman Pearson. It was Pearson's first career pick. Midway through the second, Penn attempted a 33-yard field goal that was blocked by Aneesh Vyas. Vyas later blocked an extra point, and the junior now has five blocked kicks in his career.
TIP DRILL! Roman Pearson gets his first career interception! @PatriotLeagueTV@ESPN https://t.co/jnA4YLcDBp pic.twitter.com/QLuywnEIBf
— Bucknell Football (@Bucknell_FB) September 23, 2023
With 6:02 remaining in the third quarter and Bucknell trailing by 17, Ethan Robinson intercepted a Sayin pass at the Penn 44-yard line for his second pick of the season. On the very next play, Rucker climbed the pocket and threw deep to Weatherly, who hauled in the 40-yard touchdown. Weatherly's other touchdown came on Bucknell's first possession of the fourth quarter when he came in motion and took a shovel pass from Rucker, then weaved through traffic for 31 yards.
TOUCHDOWN BISON! Rucker to Weatherly for a 40-yard score one play after an Ethan Robinson interception! @PatriotLeagueTV@ESPN https://t.co/jnA4YLcDBp pic.twitter.com/3Pdo03W3N3
— Bucknell Football (@Bucknell_FB) September 23, 2023
The Weatherly touchdown made it a two-score game, but the Bison were unable to slow Penn down in the fourth. Trailing 37-14 with just a minute remaining in the game, Rucker connected with Gary for a 13-yard touchdown. It was the first time a Bison quarterback had thrown three touchdowns in a game since October 2021. Rucker finished with 230 yards through the air. He was sacked four times.
John Schlendorf led the Bucknell defense with 14 tackles and a pass breakup. Leake and Gavin Willis posted 11 tackles each.
Bucknell hits the road next Saturday to take on Lafayette in Easton, Pa. for its Patriot League opener. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m., and the game will be broadcast on ESPN+.
Team Stats
PEN 7, BUC 0
PEN - Haight,Alex 8 yd pass from Sayin,Aidan (Gotlieb,Graham kick) 4 plays, 50 yards, TOP 01:06
PEN 10, BUC 0
PEN - Gotlieb,Graham 18 yd field goal 12 plays, 62 yards, TOP 05:17
PEN 17, BUC 0
PEN - O'Brien,Liam 2 yd run (Gotlieb,Graham kick), 9 plays, 64 yards, TOP 03:57
PEN 17, BUC 7
BUC - Weatherly,Eric 40 yd pass from Rucker,Ralph (Schearer,Matt kick) 1 plays, 40 yards, TOP 00:08
PEN 23, BUC 7
PEN - Richardson,Jared 7 yd pass from Sayin,Aidan () 2 plays, 43 yards, TOP 00:31
PEN 30, BUC 7
PEN - Richardson,Jared 40 yd pass from Sayin,Aidan (Gotlieb,Graham kick) 4 plays, 52 yards, TOP 01:52
PEN 30, BUC 14
BUC - Weatherly,Eric 31 yd pass from Rucker,Ralph (Schearer,Matt kick) 8 plays, 79 yards, TOP 02:38
PEN 37, BUC 14
PEN - Mulatu,Jonathan 1 yd run (Gotlieb,Graham kick), 9 plays, 80 yards, TOP 05:50
PEN 37, BUC 21
BUC - Gary,Josh 13 yd pass from Rucker,Ralph (Schearer,Matt kick) 10 plays, 78 yards, TOP 01:51
