Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
1-1 , 0-0
VMI
1-1 , 0-0
Bucknell Football Wins Home Opener Over VMI, 21-13
9/9/2023 7:09:00 PM | Football
LEWISBURG, Pa. – The Bucknell football team defeated VMI 21-13 at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium for its home opener Saturday afternoon. The Bison put up strong numbers offensively, and the defense held the Keydets off the scoreboard through three quarters with an outstanding pass rush.
Bucknell (1-1) held on to a narrow 7-0 lead after scoring late in the first quarter. The touchdown lead would remain until VMI (1-1) tied things up in the fourth. Bucknell added two more touchdowns in the final seven minutes, and the Keydets were unable to overcome the deficit.
Bucknell's defense posted six sacks and eight tackles for loss. It limited the Keydets to 75 rushing yards (1.9 YPC). Brad Jamison supplied a team-high 12 tackles, and Connor Carretta recorded two of the Bison sacks with seven tackles.
The Bison put up 397 yards of offense, which were the most since the spring 2021 season opener. Ralph Rucker threw for 224 on 19-of-30 (63.3%) passing and tossed a pair of touchdowns. He also ran for 43 yards. Damian Harris collected eight receptions for a career-high 101 yards and a touchdown. Rushawn Baker rushed for 105 yards on 22 carries (4.8 YPC) and a touchdown. It was the third 100-yard game of his career.
Bucknell's defense forced five 3-and-outs in the game, including two in the opening quarter. The Bison scored on their second possession of the game, driving 80 yards on nine plays. Rucker hit Harris on a fade route for an 18-yard score and the team's first touchdown of the new season.
Both teams came up empty on the next 16 drives combined. The Bison punted on six consecutive drives, and the Keydets on six consecutive. VMI also missed a long field goal at the end of the first half and another in the third quarter.
Bucknell committed the only turnover of the game, fumbling with 2:53 to play in the third.
After the long stalemate, the final 10 minutes of the game were packed with action. VMI's game-tying touchdown came on a 27-yard flea flicker pass from quarterback Collin Ironside to Aidan Twombly.
Bucknell responded immediately. The Bison drove 79 yards on 11 plays, taking over three minutes off the clock and scoring on a 7-yard pass from Rucker to Charlie Kreinbucher. During that drive, Bucknell faced a 2nd-and-24 from its own 7-yard line before Rucker completed an 18-yard pass to Okeyo Ayungo on second down and a 31-yard pass to Harris on 3rd-and-6 on the following play. Harris had three receptions for 51 yards during the drive.
What a grab by Damian Harris! He has three catches on this drive, and the Bison are marching. #PLTop3
— Bucknell Football (@Bucknell_FB) September 9, 2023
Watch: https://t.co/OgGr6Tm6OD@ESPN | @PatriotLeagueTV pic.twitter.com/Yh2TARrHDy
On VMI's ensuing drive, it was Bucknell's special teams that stepped up. Jack Goheen blocked the Keydets' punt attempt at their own 15-yard line, and Bucknell took over inside the VMI 10. Baker scored three plays later to give the Bison a 21-7 lead.
VMI scored once more on an -play, 39-yard drive, but only 1:30 remained, and the Keydets were unable to recover their onside kick attempt.
Other notable performances for Bucknell included a team-high 117 all-purpose yards for Coleman Bennett, who had 54 receiving, 24 rushing and 39 on returns. Jamison added a sack to his career high in tackles. Leake, Schlendorf and Mike Bright Jr. posted sacks as well. Ruben Anderson averaged 40.4 yards on eight punts, landing two inside the 20.
The win gave Bucknell a 4-3 lead in the all-time series against VMI and its first win over the Keydets since 2015. The Bison have now won back-to-back games at home, including last year's season finale against Marist.
Bucknell is off next weekend before returning to Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 23 to face Penn.
Team Stats
VMI 0, Buc 7
Buc - Harris,Damian 18 yd pass from Rucker,Ralph (Schearer,Matt kick) 9 plays, 80 yards, TOP 03:20
VMI 7, Buc 7
VMI - Twombly,Aidan 27 yd pass from Ironside,Collin (Beck,Caden kick) 7 plays, 58 yards, TOP 02:53
VMI 7, Buc 14
Buc - Kreinbucher,Charlie 7 yd pass from Rucker,Ralph (Schearer,Matt kick) 11 plays, 79 yards, TOP 03:37
VMI 7, Buc 21
Buc - Baker, Rushawn 1 yd run (Schearer,Matt kick), 3 plays, 9 yards, TOP 01:40
VMI 13, Buc 21
VMI - Johnson,VJ 18 yd pass from Ironside,Collin () 8 plays, 39 yards, TOP 01:46
