Saturday, September 21
Lewisburg, Pa.
6 p.m.
Bucknell University
2-2 , 0-0
34
vs
18
Marist
0-3 , 0-0
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
F
Marist
7
0
0
11
18
Bucknell
7
20
0
7
34
Photo by: Lianne Garrahan
Bison Football Rides Big First Half to 34-18 Win over Marist
9/21/2024 9:31:00 PM | Football
LEWISBURG, Pa. – The Bucknell football team scored three unanswered touchdowns in just over three minutes of game time to jump out to a commanding 27-7 lead over the visiting Marist Red Foxes by halftime, and the Bison added one more score in the second half on the way to a 34-18 Family Weekend win at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium on Saturday evening. It was Bucknell's 10th consecutive win in the Marist series and evened its season record at 2-2.
Ralph Rucker IV completed 21 of 27 passes for 272 yards and three touchdowns, and TJ Cadden notched his second punt-return touchdown of the season to lead the Bison. Cadden, Eric Weatherly, and Charlie Kreinbucher all caught TD passes as Bucknell moved to 1-1 in home games.
Bucknell's offense rolled to 458 yards of total offense, but it was a strong showing by the Bison in all three phases of the game as they added touchdowns on defense and special teams. Rucker, who completed his first 13 pass attempts of the game, threw his second touchdown pass of the game to Kreinbucher early in the second quarter to break a 7-7 tie. Cadden returned a punt 73 yards for a touchdown just several plays later, and Alex Smith Jr. returned an interception 36 yards on the following drive to make it three Bison scores in 3:22 of game time.
Aaron Davis joined Smith with an interception, while Gavin Willis' nine tackles led a Bucknell defense that held Marist to a single score through three quarters. Brandon Biagiarelli registered two of Bucknell's four sacks. Marist managed to total 435 yards of offense, including 209 passing yards by quarterback Sonny Mannino, but the Red Foxes' opening drive touchdown was its only score until it converted a field goal to open the fourth quarter.
Marist's first-quarter touchdown came in response to Bucknell's opening drive, which saw Rucker lead the offense 79 yards down field and connect with Weatherly on a 36-yard touchdown. It was Weatherly's first score of the season. Rucker's touchdown to Kreinbucher was from just two yards out, and the dagger to Cadden was a 12-yard score with 5:51 to play. Rucker reached eight passing touchdowns on the season and is one shy of 30 in his brief Bucknell career.
Bucknell has now scored in the 30s in two games this season and in five of its last eight dating back to last season.
Cadden, who became the first Bison in a decade return a punt for a touchdown in the win over VMI, now has four total touchdowns on the season. He ranks near the top of all FCS players with 607 all-purpose yards.
"After I catch it I just look for what's open. Everybody makes great blocks. You can watch the film downfield, and there's a lot of guys throwing their bodies in front of defenders and clearing it up for us," Cadden said. "It makes it easy for me. I just have to run."
Michael Cadden, TJ's younger brother, led all Bison with 71 yards on just five carries in the fourth quarter. Paul Neel finished the game with 44 rushing yards on eight carries, and Tariq Thomas ran 12 times for 40 yards.
"Not a lot of people get to play college football with their brother, so just seeing him out there, watching him out there do his thing, it's really cool. It's surreal," said TJ.
Smith is the first Bucknell player to return an interception for a touchdown since Blake Leake in 2021.
"It felt great. That's the first defensive score since I've been at Bucknell, and that's the first defensive pick-six I've had. I'm glad to be able to put some points on the board," Smith said. "Rolling into league play, I think it's a great morale booster. Energy for practice next week should be amazing, so I'm excited to get the guys rolling."
Bucknell visits Lehigh in Bethleham, Pa. for its first Patriot League game of the season next Saturday, Sept. 28. The Bison won 19-17 when it last visited Goodman Stadium, but the Mountain Hawks won the matchup in Lewisburg last season. Kickoff next Saturday is set for noon.
Ralph Rucker IV completed 21 of 27 passes for 272 yards and three touchdowns, and TJ Cadden notched his second punt-return touchdown of the season to lead the Bison. Cadden, Eric Weatherly, and Charlie Kreinbucher all caught TD passes as Bucknell moved to 1-1 in home games.
Bucknell's offense rolled to 458 yards of total offense, but it was a strong showing by the Bison in all three phases of the game as they added touchdowns on defense and special teams. Rucker, who completed his first 13 pass attempts of the game, threw his second touchdown pass of the game to Kreinbucher early in the second quarter to break a 7-7 tie. Cadden returned a punt 73 yards for a touchdown just several plays later, and Alex Smith Jr. returned an interception 36 yards on the following drive to make it three Bison scores in 3:22 of game time.
Offense, defense and special teams all score TDs in 3:22 of game time, and the Bison lead 27-7! @PatriotLeagueHQ @ESPN https://t.co/TUvBCxmAfB pic.twitter.com/yV0xNsM1Vx
— Bucknell Football (@Bucknell_FB) September 21, 2024
Aaron Davis joined Smith with an interception, while Gavin Willis' nine tackles led a Bucknell defense that held Marist to a single score through three quarters. Brandon Biagiarelli registered two of Bucknell's four sacks. Marist managed to total 435 yards of offense, including 209 passing yards by quarterback Sonny Mannino, but the Red Foxes' opening drive touchdown was its only score until it converted a field goal to open the fourth quarter.
Marist's first-quarter touchdown came in response to Bucknell's opening drive, which saw Rucker lead the offense 79 yards down field and connect with Weatherly on a 36-yard touchdown. It was Weatherly's first score of the season. Rucker's touchdown to Kreinbucher was from just two yards out, and the dagger to Cadden was a 12-yard score with 5:51 to play. Rucker reached eight passing touchdowns on the season and is one shy of 30 in his brief Bucknell career.
Bucknell has now scored in the 30s in two games this season and in five of its last eight dating back to last season.
Cadden, who became the first Bison in a decade return a punt for a touchdown in the win over VMI, now has four total touchdowns on the season. He ranks near the top of all FCS players with 607 all-purpose yards.
"After I catch it I just look for what's open. Everybody makes great blocks. You can watch the film downfield, and there's a lot of guys throwing their bodies in front of defenders and clearing it up for us," Cadden said. "It makes it easy for me. I just have to run."
Every time he touches the ball... TJ Cadden to the house! @PatriotLeagueHQ @ESPN https://t.co/TUvBCxmAfB pic.twitter.com/t9H02D2PAQ
— Bucknell Football (@Bucknell_FB) September 21, 2024
Michael Cadden, TJ's younger brother, led all Bison with 71 yards on just five carries in the fourth quarter. Paul Neel finished the game with 44 rushing yards on eight carries, and Tariq Thomas ran 12 times for 40 yards.
"Not a lot of people get to play college football with their brother, so just seeing him out there, watching him out there do his thing, it's really cool. It's surreal," said TJ.
Smith is the first Bucknell player to return an interception for a touchdown since Blake Leake in 2021.
"It felt great. That's the first defensive score since I've been at Bucknell, and that's the first defensive pick-six I've had. I'm glad to be able to put some points on the board," Smith said. "Rolling into league play, I think it's a great morale booster. Energy for practice next week should be amazing, so I'm excited to get the guys rolling."
Bucknell visits Lehigh in Bethleham, Pa. for its first Patriot League game of the season next Saturday, Sept. 28. The Bison won 19-17 when it last visited Goodman Stadium, but the Mountain Hawks won the matchup in Lewisburg last season. Kickoff next Saturday is set for noon.
Team Stats
MAR
BUC
Total Yards
435
458
Pass Yards
333
272
Rushing Yards
102
186
Penalty Yards
54
95
1st Downs
22
22
3rd Downs
6
6
4th Downs
0
0
TOP
32:44
27:16
1st Quarter
MAR 0, BUC 7
BUC - Weatherly,Eric 36 yd pass from Rucker IV,Ralph (Schearer,Matt kick) 7 plays, 79 yards, TOP 02:44
MAR 7, BUC 7
MAR - Downes,Will 28 yd pass from Arjona,Enzo (Mendini,Connor kick) 9 plays, 75 yards, TOP 03:44
2nd Quarter
MAR 7, BUC 13
BUC - Kreinbucher,Charlie 2 yd pass from Rucker IV,Ralph () 8 plays, 67 yards, TOP 03:30
MAR 7, BUC 20
BUC - Cadden,TJ 73 yd punt return (Schearer,Matt kick)
MAR 7, BUC 27
BUC - Smith Jr.,Alex 38 yd interception (Schearer,Matt kick)
4th Quarter
MAR 10, BUC 27
MAR - Mendini,Connor 25 yd field goal 8 plays, 64 yards, TOP 04:03
MAR 10, BUC 34
BUC - Cadden,TJ 12 yd pass from Rucker IV,Ralph (Schearer,Matt kick) 7 plays, 34 yards, TOP 02:18
MAR 18, BUC 34
MAR - Dexter,Reed 5 yd pass from Mannino,Sonny (Cardillo,Lincoln pass) 7 plays, 52 yards, TOP 01:03
Game Leaders
Passing Leaders
CMP
21
TD
3
YDS
272
INT
1
Players Mentioned
LB
/ Football
RB
/ Football
CB
/ Football
TE
/ Football
LB
/ Football
QB
/ Football
S
/ Football
RB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
LB
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