Bucknell University Athletics
Photo by: John Rooney
Rucker Named Patriot League Offensive Player of Week after Five-TD Performance at Holy Cross
11/18/2024 12:00:00 PM | Football
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Bucknell senior quarterback Ralph Rucker IV earned his third straight and fourth Patriot League Offensive Player of the Week citation of the season on Monday after a record-setting performance at Holy Cross.
The Bison dropped a 40-38 heartbreaker at Fitton Field on Saturday, but Rucker had a huge day completing 34 of 43 passes for 351 yards and a team record-tying five touchdown passes. Rucker threw two TD each to Sam Milligan and Eric Weatherly and one to Nate Anderson. That wide receiver trio combined for 24 catches for 287 yards.
Rucker's 5-yard hookup with Weatherly with 8:13 to go in the fourth quarter gave the Bison a 38-37 lead, but the Crusaders won it with a field goal in the final minute.
Rucker became just the second quarterback in team history to throw five touchdown passes in a game. Rob Glus also had five against Harvard on Sept. 24, 1994.
Rucker needs one more touchdown pass this week against Colgate to hit Bucknell's single-season and career records. Hall-of-Famer Scott Auchenbach's career mark of 42 touchdown passes has been in the books since 1989, and Rucker now has 41 in just two seasons with the Bison. His 20 TD tosses this season are also one shy of the school record. Rucker threw 21 TD passes last season, and Todd Hatajik also had 21 in 1990.
Rucker has now completed 213 passes this season, breaking his own team record of 211 set in 2023.
In terms of passing yards, Rucker's 351 on Saturday was a season high and the sixth-highest total in team history. He is 148 yards away from his own single-season record of 2,537 yards set last season, and his career total of 4,926 now ranks fourth all-time.
Bucknell is now 3-2 in Patriot League play heading into Saturday's home date with Colgate. The Bison are still alive for a share of the league title, but would need a win and losses from Holy Cross and Lehigh.
The Bucknell-Colgate game is set for 1 p.m., with Senior Day festivities starting just after 12:30 p.m.
The Bison dropped a 40-38 heartbreaker at Fitton Field on Saturday, but Rucker had a huge day completing 34 of 43 passes for 351 yards and a team record-tying five touchdown passes. Rucker threw two TD each to Sam Milligan and Eric Weatherly and one to Nate Anderson. That wide receiver trio combined for 24 catches for 287 yards.
Rucker's 5-yard hookup with Weatherly with 8:13 to go in the fourth quarter gave the Bison a 38-37 lead, but the Crusaders won it with a field goal in the final minute.
Rucker became just the second quarterback in team history to throw five touchdown passes in a game. Rob Glus also had five against Harvard on Sept. 24, 1994.
Rucker needs one more touchdown pass this week against Colgate to hit Bucknell's single-season and career records. Hall-of-Famer Scott Auchenbach's career mark of 42 touchdown passes has been in the books since 1989, and Rucker now has 41 in just two seasons with the Bison. His 20 TD tosses this season are also one shy of the school record. Rucker threw 21 TD passes last season, and Todd Hatajik also had 21 in 1990.
Rucker has now completed 213 passes this season, breaking his own team record of 211 set in 2023.
In terms of passing yards, Rucker's 351 on Saturday was a season high and the sixth-highest total in team history. He is 148 yards away from his own single-season record of 2,537 yards set last season, and his career total of 4,926 now ranks fourth all-time.
Bucknell is now 3-2 in Patriot League play heading into Saturday's home date with Colgate. The Bison are still alive for a share of the league title, but would need a win and losses from Holy Cross and Lehigh.
The Bucknell-Colgate game is set for 1 p.m., with Senior Day festivities starting just after 12:30 p.m.
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