Saturday, September 30
Easton, Pa.
3:30 p.m.
Bucknell University
at
Lafayette
Photo by: John Rooney
Football Travels to Lafayette for Patriot League Opener Saturday
9/26/2023 1:28:00 PM | Football
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Bucknell is looking to spoil Lafayette's Homecoming and open Patriot League play 1-0 when it visits Easton, Pa. on Saturday. It's the fourth consecutive season that the Bison have began league play against the Leopards.
A win on Saturday would even Bucknell's record at 2-2 after it fell to Penn at home on Saturday. After getting off to a slow start in the first half, the Bison offense came alive over the final two quarters and put up 21 points on three Ralph Rucker passing touchdowns. Wide receiver Eric Weatherly put together a breakout performance against the Quakers and was on the receiving end of two of Bucknell's touchdown passes.
Lafayette is seeking a third straight victory after dispatching Columbia 24-3 on Sept. 16 and defeating Monmouth 28-20 last weekend. A 4-1 start would be Lafayette's best since 2009, and second-year head coach John Troxell is looking to capture his 100th career victory at the NCAA level.
Saturday is the 101st edition of the Bucknell-Lafayette matchup. It's Bucknell's oldest rivalry, dating back to the team's first-ever game in 1883. The series is even at 5-5 over the last 10 years, and the Bison are looking to avenge a 24-14 Homecoming loss at Christy last October.
Media Notes
When: Saturday, Sept. 30 – 3:30 p.m.
Where: Fisher Stadium – Easton, Pa.
Internet Video: ESPN+
Radio: 100.9 The Valley (WVLY)
Internet Radio: BucknellBison.com
Live Stats: GoLeopards.com
Follow on Twitter: @Bucknell_FB
Media Notes: Bucknell | Lafayette
With a victory the Bison would…
• move to 2-2 on the season
• move to 1-1 on the road
• improve to 39-56-6 in all-time meetings with Lafayette
• improve to 17-34-5 against Lafayette in Easton
• defeat the Leopards for the first time since the spring 2021 season
• move to 2-3 against Lafayette under Dave Cecchini
Bucknell at a Glance
• Bucknell is 1-2 (0-0 PL) on the season after falling to Penn 37-21 at home last weekend. Bucknell opened the season with a 38-3 loss at James Madison and defeated VMI 21-13 in its home opener on Sept. 9.
• Bucknell opens Patriot League play this weekend and is 1-3 in league openers over the last four years. Bucknell has gone 7-15 in league play under head coach Dave Cecchini.
• 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 Penn Box Score
• Bucknell struggled to the tune of just 11 yards in the first half against the Quakers before the offense came alive over the final 30 minutes. Bucknell managed just eight net rushing yards in the game while throwing for 230.
• Penn racked up 515 yards of offense in the game, gaining 354 through the air and another 161 on the ground. The Quakers built a 17-0 lead before the Bison finally got on the board in the third quarter. Penn added two more quick touchdowns in five minutes in response to Bucknell's score to take a 30-7 lead into the fourth quarter.
• WR Eric Weatherly scored two touchdowns for the Bison, reaching the end zone on a 40-yard reception and a 31-yard reception. QB Ralph Rucker also threw a 13-yard touchdown to WR Josh Gary with under two minutes to play in the fourth quarter. It was the first touchdown of Gary's career.
• Bucknell was unable to get to QB Aidan Sayin, who completed 35 of 49 passes and threw three touchdowns. The Bison did, however, win the turnover battle by intercepting Sayin twice. One of Bucknell's interceptions was in the red zone, and the other came one play before the 40-yard touchdown to Weatherly.
• Bucknell's Aneesh Vyas blocked both an extra point and a 33-yard field goal in the game, earning him Patriot League Special Teams Player of the Week. They were Vyas' fourth and fifth blocked kicks in two seasons.
Lafayette at a Glance
• Lafayette is one of three Patriot League teams with a 3-1 record and is coming off back-to-back home victories over Monmouth (28-20) and Columbia (24-3). The Leopards' one loss was at Duke (42-7) after opening the season with a 19-14 win over Sacred Heart.
• Lafayette currently ranks 10th in the FCS in sacks per game (3.25/g), 18th in rushing offense (199.5/g) and 19th in scoring defense (19.8/g). The Leopards have rushed for over 200 yards in three of their four games.
• Lafayette QB Dean DeNobile was named the Patriot League Offensive Player of the Week on Monday after passing two touchdowns and rushing for two more in the win over Monmouth.
• RB Jamar Curtis leads the Patriot League and is fifth in the FCS with 509 rushing yards. He's eclipsed 140 rushing yards three times this season, including a season-high 181 yards against Sacred Heart.
• Lafayette was picked to finish fourth in the 2023 Patriot League Preseason Poll. TE Mason Gilbert, LB Marco Olivas and DB Saiku White were each named to the 2023 Preseason All-Patriot League Team.
• Lafayette finished the 2022 season 4-7 (3-3 PL) and in third place in the Patriot League. The Leopards posted wins over Sacred Heart, Bucknell, Colgate and Lehigh.
• Lafayette is playing under second-year head coach John Troxell. Before arriving in Easton, Troxell spent 15 seasons as head coach at Franklin & Marshall and is seeking his 100th victory on Saturday with a 99-75 career record.
The Bucknell/Lafayette Series
• Saturday marks the 101st all-time meeting between Bucknell and Lafayette. The Leopards hold a 56-38-6 edge in the series, which dates back to 1883. Lafayette was Bucknell's first-ever opponent.
• The series is even at 5-5 over the last 10 matchups, with Bucknell winning four in a row between 2014 and 2017. Lafayette has won four of the last five, as Bucknell last defeated the Leopards during the spring 2021 campaign.
• Bucknell last defeated Lafayette in Easton in 2017 and is 16-34-5 all-time on the road against the Leopards.
• Bucknell and Lafayette have met every season since 1945, a stretch that will reach 79 consecutive seasons with the 2023 contest. It's also the fourth straight season that Bucknell has opened league play against the Leopards.
The Last Meeting with the Leopards
• Bucknell led 6-3 late in the second quarter during the 2022 meeting, but Lafayette scored 21 unanswered to hold on for the 24-14 win in Lewisburg.
• The Bison held the advantage in total offense (307-259) and first downs (18-14), but it wasn't enough to overcome three thrown interceptions. Two of the three interceptions led to touchdowns, including a pick-six in the fourth quarter.
• Bucknell also turned it over on downs twice, including once at the Lafayette 5-yard line.
• Two of Lafayette's touchdowns were scored on the ground by Montie Rent, who carried the ball nine times for 34 yards.
• Bucknell's Rushawn Baker rushed 15 times for 71 yards and a touchdown, and Coleman Bennett ran for 34 yards on nine carries and a score.
Inside the Bucknell Depth Chart
• Bucknell's projected starters on offense have made a combined 95 starts.
• Bucknell's projected starters on defense have made a combined 157 starts.
• On offense, four seniors, four juniors and three sophomores are expected to start.
• On defense, four seniors, six juniors and one sophomore (CB Roman Pearson) are expected to start.
• Two Bison made their first career starts last weekend: OL Nathan Natoli and LB/S Gavin Willis.
• 17 Bison have made at least 10 career starts. Five have started 20 games or more: WR Damian Harris (24), LB Blake Leake (23), DL Connor Carretta (23), OL Ethan Pitzel (23) and DL Tyler Alston (21).
• Five Bison have starting streaks of 10 or more games in a row: Leake (21), Robinson (20) Harris (16), S John Schlendorf (14), and DL Tyler Alston (13).
• 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 29 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 25 of the team's games over three seasons.
• Six Bison, Nathan Natoli, Gavin Willis, John Ohnegian, Mason Jones, Ralph Rucker and Eric Weatherly, 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 4 tackles to reach 100 for his career.
• Blake Leake needs 17 tackles to reach 200 in his career.
Milestones Met Last Week
• Coleman Bennett reached 1,000 career kick return yards.
Bison Award Winners
• 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 opens 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 23-16 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 is back home at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 7 to host reigning Patriot League Champion Holy Cross.
A win on Saturday would even Bucknell's record at 2-2 after it fell to Penn at home on Saturday. After getting off to a slow start in the first half, the Bison offense came alive over the final two quarters and put up 21 points on three Ralph Rucker passing touchdowns. Wide receiver Eric Weatherly put together a breakout performance against the Quakers and was on the receiving end of two of Bucknell's touchdown passes.
Lafayette is seeking a third straight victory after dispatching Columbia 24-3 on Sept. 16 and defeating Monmouth 28-20 last weekend. A 4-1 start would be Lafayette's best since 2009, and second-year head coach John Troxell is looking to capture his 100th career victory at the NCAA level.
Saturday is the 101st edition of the Bucknell-Lafayette matchup. It's Bucknell's oldest rivalry, dating back to the team's first-ever game in 1883. The series is even at 5-5 over the last 10 years, and the Bison are looking to avenge a 24-14 Homecoming loss at Christy last October.
Media Notes
When: Saturday, Sept. 30 – 3:30 p.m.
Where: Fisher Stadium – Easton, Pa.
Internet Video: ESPN+
Radio: 100.9 The Valley (WVLY)
Internet Radio: BucknellBison.com
Live Stats: GoLeopards.com
Follow on Twitter: @Bucknell_FB
Media Notes: Bucknell | Lafayette
With a victory the Bison would…
• move to 2-2 on the season
• move to 1-1 on the road
• improve to 39-56-6 in all-time meetings with Lafayette
• improve to 17-34-5 against Lafayette in Easton
• defeat the Leopards for the first time since the spring 2021 season
• move to 2-3 against Lafayette under Dave Cecchini
Bucknell at a Glance
• Bucknell is 1-2 (0-0 PL) on the season after falling to Penn 37-21 at home last weekend. Bucknell opened the season with a 38-3 loss at James Madison and defeated VMI 21-13 in its home opener on Sept. 9.
• Bucknell opens Patriot League play this weekend and is 1-3 in league openers over the last four years. Bucknell has gone 7-15 in league play under head coach Dave Cecchini.
• 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 Penn Box Score
• Bucknell struggled to the tune of just 11 yards in the first half against the Quakers before the offense came alive over the final 30 minutes. Bucknell managed just eight net rushing yards in the game while throwing for 230.
• Penn racked up 515 yards of offense in the game, gaining 354 through the air and another 161 on the ground. The Quakers built a 17-0 lead before the Bison finally got on the board in the third quarter. Penn added two more quick touchdowns in five minutes in response to Bucknell's score to take a 30-7 lead into the fourth quarter.
• WR Eric Weatherly scored two touchdowns for the Bison, reaching the end zone on a 40-yard reception and a 31-yard reception. QB Ralph Rucker also threw a 13-yard touchdown to WR Josh Gary with under two minutes to play in the fourth quarter. It was the first touchdown of Gary's career.
• Bucknell was unable to get to QB Aidan Sayin, who completed 35 of 49 passes and threw three touchdowns. The Bison did, however, win the turnover battle by intercepting Sayin twice. One of Bucknell's interceptions was in the red zone, and the other came one play before the 40-yard touchdown to Weatherly.
• Bucknell's Aneesh Vyas blocked both an extra point and a 33-yard field goal in the game, earning him Patriot League Special Teams Player of the Week. They were Vyas' fourth and fifth blocked kicks in two seasons.
Lafayette at a Glance
• Lafayette is one of three Patriot League teams with a 3-1 record and is coming off back-to-back home victories over Monmouth (28-20) and Columbia (24-3). The Leopards' one loss was at Duke (42-7) after opening the season with a 19-14 win over Sacred Heart.
• Lafayette currently ranks 10th in the FCS in sacks per game (3.25/g), 18th in rushing offense (199.5/g) and 19th in scoring defense (19.8/g). The Leopards have rushed for over 200 yards in three of their four games.
• Lafayette QB Dean DeNobile was named the Patriot League Offensive Player of the Week on Monday after passing two touchdowns and rushing for two more in the win over Monmouth.
• RB Jamar Curtis leads the Patriot League and is fifth in the FCS with 509 rushing yards. He's eclipsed 140 rushing yards three times this season, including a season-high 181 yards against Sacred Heart.
• Lafayette was picked to finish fourth in the 2023 Patriot League Preseason Poll. TE Mason Gilbert, LB Marco Olivas and DB Saiku White were each named to the 2023 Preseason All-Patriot League Team.
• Lafayette finished the 2022 season 4-7 (3-3 PL) and in third place in the Patriot League. The Leopards posted wins over Sacred Heart, Bucknell, Colgate and Lehigh.
• Lafayette is playing under second-year head coach John Troxell. Before arriving in Easton, Troxell spent 15 seasons as head coach at Franklin & Marshall and is seeking his 100th victory on Saturday with a 99-75 career record.
The Bucknell/Lafayette Series
• Saturday marks the 101st all-time meeting between Bucknell and Lafayette. The Leopards hold a 56-38-6 edge in the series, which dates back to 1883. Lafayette was Bucknell's first-ever opponent.
• The series is even at 5-5 over the last 10 matchups, with Bucknell winning four in a row between 2014 and 2017. Lafayette has won four of the last five, as Bucknell last defeated the Leopards during the spring 2021 campaign.
• Bucknell last defeated Lafayette in Easton in 2017 and is 16-34-5 all-time on the road against the Leopards.
• Bucknell and Lafayette have met every season since 1945, a stretch that will reach 79 consecutive seasons with the 2023 contest. It's also the fourth straight season that Bucknell has opened league play against the Leopards.
The Last Meeting with the Leopards
• Bucknell led 6-3 late in the second quarter during the 2022 meeting, but Lafayette scored 21 unanswered to hold on for the 24-14 win in Lewisburg.
• The Bison held the advantage in total offense (307-259) and first downs (18-14), but it wasn't enough to overcome three thrown interceptions. Two of the three interceptions led to touchdowns, including a pick-six in the fourth quarter.
• Bucknell also turned it over on downs twice, including once at the Lafayette 5-yard line.
• Two of Lafayette's touchdowns were scored on the ground by Montie Rent, who carried the ball nine times for 34 yards.
• Bucknell's Rushawn Baker rushed 15 times for 71 yards and a touchdown, and Coleman Bennett ran for 34 yards on nine carries and a score.
Inside the Bucknell Depth Chart
• Bucknell's projected starters on offense have made a combined 95 starts.
• Bucknell's projected starters on defense have made a combined 157 starts.
• On offense, four seniors, four juniors and three sophomores are expected to start.
• On defense, four seniors, six juniors and one sophomore (CB Roman Pearson) are expected to start.
• Two Bison made their first career starts last weekend: OL Nathan Natoli and LB/S Gavin Willis.
• 17 Bison have made at least 10 career starts. Five have started 20 games or more: WR Damian Harris (24), LB Blake Leake (23), DL Connor Carretta (23), OL Ethan Pitzel (23) and DL Tyler Alston (21).
• Five Bison have starting streaks of 10 or more games in a row: Leake (21), Robinson (20) Harris (16), S John Schlendorf (14), and DL Tyler Alston (13).
• 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 29 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 25 of the team's games over three seasons.
• Six Bison, Nathan Natoli, Gavin Willis, John Ohnegian, Mason Jones, Ralph Rucker and Eric Weatherly, 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 4 tackles to reach 100 for his career.
• Blake Leake needs 17 tackles to reach 200 in his career.
Milestones Met Last Week
• Coleman Bennett reached 1,000 career kick return yards.
Bison Award Winners
• 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 opens 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 23-16 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 is back home at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 7 to host reigning Patriot League Champion Holy Cross.
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/ FootballAn Update From Coach Wirnsberger - The Passing of Carl Chambers
Thursday, September 18
Bucknell Women's Tennis - Bucknell Invitational Recap
Thursday, September 18
In The Herd: Lehigh Game Preview And Sam Milligan Feature
Wednesday, September 17
In The Herd: Patriot League And Home Opener Preview And Cameron Lloyd Feature
Wednesday, September 17