Bucknell University
1-2 , 0-0
Merrimack
1-2 , 0-0
Football Falls to Merrimack 31-21 in Home Opener
9/14/2024 9:56:00 PM | Football
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Bucknell and Merrimack traded leads four times in the first half, but the Warriors went on to score 21 unanswered to take control of the game and hand the Bison a 31-21 loss in their home opener at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium Saturday evening.
Merrimack piled up 405 yards of offense compared to Bucknell's 260 and added a defensive score. Bucknell's offense got off to a hot start, scoring on two of its first three drives to go up 14-10 early in the second quarter. Merrimack's defense buckled down from that point on and forced three Bucknell turnovers in the game while holding the Bison off the scoreboard for the entire third quarter and most of the fourth. Bucknell's Michael Hardyway threw a touchdown pass to Sam Milligan in the final minute of the game to cut the Seahawk lead to 10.
The Warriors sacked Ralph Rucker IV seven times. The Bison quarterback ended the game 16 of 27 for 141 yards. Rucker's lone touchdown through the air came in the first quarter when he capped a 10-play, 73-yard drive with a 10-yard pass to Josh Gary in the end zone that put Bucknell in front, 7-3. Merrimack regained the lead on its first possession of the second quarter. The Bison responded immediately with another long drive that ended with an 11-yard touchdown scamper by Rucker.
TOUCHDOWN BISON! Ralph Rucker takes it himself to put Bucknell back in front! @PatriotLeagueHQ #ACT @ESPN https://t.co/aLBZ9ttkbf pic.twitter.com/zRuGE28Ir8
— Bucknell Football (@Bucknell_FB) September 14, 2024
Merrimack running back Jermaine Corbett led the Merrimack offense with 166 yards on 19 carries. His 25-yard touchdown run late in the second quarter gave the Warriors a 17-14 lead heading into halftime and started the 21-0 run.
"The third quarter was really what kind of doomed us," said head coach Dave Cecchini. "We knew we had the football to start the third quarter and we wanted to get a couple extra possessions. We weren't able to do so. Hats off to a Merrimack team that executed and made plays time and time again on both sides of the ball."
Merrimack quarterback Ayden Pereira hit Brendon Wyatt on a 13-yard touchdown early in the third to go up double digits, and the deficit grew to 21 when a sack-fumble was returned by defensive lineman Nicholas Lenon 26 yards for a touchdown. Merrimack finished the game 7 for 13 on third downs.
Bucknell freshman running back Tariq Thomas led the Bison ground game with 51 yards on just seven carries. He also pulled down two catches for 13 yards. Eric Weatherly led all Bucknell receivers with 77 yards on six catches. Nick Hoying registered a team-high 10 tackles on defense. TJ Cadden, the reigning Patriot League Special Teams Player of the Week, made another splash play with a 37-yard punt return in the first quarter.
"We know our players have good character and they're not going to quit," Cecchini said. "The level of expectation, that bar has been set much higher, particularly with how well we played the first two weeks of the season."
Both Bucknell and Merrimack moved to 1-2 on the season following Saturday's result.
Bucknell returns to Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium next Saturday, Sept. 21 to host Marist. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.
Team Stats
MER 3, BUC 0
MER - Davis,Lliam 19 yd field goal 13 plays, 65 yards, TOP 07:02
MER 3, BUC 7
BUC - Gary,Josh 10 yd pass from Rucker IV,Ralph (Schearer,Matt kick) 9 plays, 73 yards, TOP 03:43
MER 10, BUC 7
MER - Anthony,Malakai 2 yd run (Davis,Lliam kick), 9 plays, 80 yards, TOP 05:27
MER 10, BUC 14
BUC - Rucker IV,Ralph 11 yd run (Schearer,Matt kick), 5 plays, 65 yards, TOP 00:48
MER 17, BUC 14
MER - Corbett,Jermaine 25 yd run (Davis,Lliam kick), 7 plays, 73 yards, TOP 03:32
MER 24, BUC 14
MER - Wyatt,Brendon 13 yd pass from Pereira,Ayden (Davis,Lliam kick) 6 plays, 70 yards, TOP 03:11
MER 31, BUC 14
MER - Lenon,Nicholas 52 yd fumble recovery (Davis,Lliam kick)
MER 31, BUC 21
BUC - Milligan,Sam 23 yd pass from Hardyway,Michael (Schearer,Matt kick) 10 plays, 70 yards, TOP 02:18
