Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Football Holds Successful 2024 Spring Game
4/21/2024 2:35:00 PM | Football
LEWISBURG, Pa. – The Bucknell football team's 2024 Spring Game came down to one final fourth-down attempt to decide the third of three segments after the offense and defense split the first two, and junior safety Alex Smith Jr. made the game-winning tackle behind the line of scrimmage to secure the win for the defense in an exciting performance at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium Sunday afternoon.
With the winner of each segment being awarded one point, the offense won the Move the Ball segment by scoring touchdowns on two of four drives. The defense came out victorious in the Red Zone Scrimmage by stopping the offense on three of four drives that started at the 25-yard line. The final segment, which featured 13 fourth-down tries from varying distances, was tied at 6-6 before Smith's game-winning tackle. Smith was all over the field on Sunday, recording an interception and a big pass breakup earlier in the day.
During the Move the Ball segment, junior quarterback Michael Hardyway led two scoring drives and tossed a pair of touchdowns to wide receivers TJ Cadden and Sam Milligan to give the offense 14 points. Takai Whitmore joined Smith with an interception in the segment to score six points for the defense. Running back Paul Neel also posted a strong showing in the segment, rushing for several first downs.
The defense allowed just one score to the offense in the Red Zone Scrimmage – a 15-yard touchdown pass from Hardyway to Milligan. The offense got within six yards of the end zone on two of the four drives, but it was stopped by a John Schlendorf sack and Smith's pass breakup in the end zone.
Both the offense and the defense saw big moments during the Fourth Down segment, highlighted by a long touchdown pass on 4th-and-7 from Ralph Rucker IV to Milligan and a crucial stop by Jack Barnes on a 4th-and-1. With the two sides even at six stops and six conversions, the offense attempted a pass to Nathan Natoli behind the line of scrimmage on 4th-and-5, but Smith blew up the play to seal the victory for the defense. The defense has won each Spring Game since 2019.
During the Spring Game, head coach Dave Cecchini announced that Smith, offensive lineman Casey Stephenson, linebacker Brad Jamison and offensive lineman John Ohnegian would serve as team captains for the 2024 season, as voted by their teammates. Sunday was the final time the Bison will take the field this spring.
Season tickets for the 2024 campaign go on sale Wednesday, May 1 and will be available for purchase at the Bucknell Campus Box Office.
