Bison Head to Ithaca for Non-Conference Game Against Cornell

LEWISBURG, Pa. -- Bucknell will head back on the road this week as it travels to Ithaca, N.Y. to take on the Cornell Big Red in a non-conference match-up. Kickoff is set for Saturday, Oct. 18 at 1 p.m. at Schoellkopf Field. This will be the 61st meeting between the two teams since they first met in 1888. Cornell holds the overall winning record at 44-16 and in Ithaca, the Big Red have stood strong with a record of 34-10. Cornell also won last season's contest over Bucknell 34-21. The Bison enter the game 4-3 (1-2 PL) after a loss to Lafayette in Easton and Cornell comes in 0-4 (0-2 Ivy) after a loss to #22/#25 Harvard.

In the Bison's last time out, Bucknell made a solid third quarter effort to come back from a 48-10 deficit including a Luke Freeman blocked punt that Sam Milligan returned for a touchdown, but it wouldn't be enough as Lafayette would maintain and extend its lead and take a 62-24 victory over the Bison. Quarterback Chris Dietrich saw his first start as a Bison, as Ralph Rucker IV was sidelined due to an injury. Dietrich went 19-of-32 for 224 yards and two touchdowns. TJ Cadden led the Bison in receiving with five catches for 108 yards and two touchdowns. Tariq Thomas led the rushing efforts with nine carries for 47 yards. On defense, Brandon Biagiarelli led the pack with eight total tackles (7 solo, 1 assisted) and one tackle for loss. Matt Schearer had a strong day as he punted eight times for 328 yards with one punt inside the 20-yard line. He also went 1-for-1 in field goals on a 50-yarder, which tied his career-long that came in his freshman season in 2022 at Georgetown. The 50-yarder also tied the Patriot League's season-long field goal record. In the loss, Bucknell struggled to stop Lafayette's rushing efforts as the Bison gave up three touchdowns on one play, 67+ yard rushes by three different Leopards.

In the Big Red's last time out, despite holding nationally ranked Harvard to a season low in yards and points, Cornell fell to the Crimson 34-10. Harvard controlled the game from the beginning, scoring on a fumble return on Cornell's first possession. Freshman Jonathan Roost, who was thrust into kicking duties due to injuries, added a 25- yard field goal early in the fourth quarter to make it 17-10, but that would be as close as Cornell would get. Bass-Sulpizio went 18-of-30 through the air for 127 yards while carrying the ball 16 times for 30 yards and a touchdown, but was sacked three times and committed two turnovers. Junior tight end Ryder Kurtz added four receptions for 25 yards. Defensively, senior Damon Barnes led Cornell with 12 tackles, while senior linebacker Joey Cheshire added 11 stops. Junior Johnny Williamson recorded an interception in the second quarter, which he returned for 27 yards.

Media Notes:

When: Saturday, Oct. 18 at 1 p.m.

Where: Schoellkopf Field — Ithaca, N.Y.

Watch: ESPN+

Radio: 1070 AM WKOK

Internet Radio: BucknellBison.com

Live Stats: cornellbigred.com

Media Notes: Bucknell

Follow on X: @Bucknell_FB

Bucknell at a Glance

Bucknell continues on the road for a non-conference matchup against Cornell. The Bison are heading to Ithaca, N.Y. to take on the Big Red at Schoellkopf Field on Saturday, Oct. 18 at 1 p.m.
The Bison are coming off of a tough 62-24 loss at Lafayette. In the loss, Quarterback Chris Dietrich saw his first start as a Bison, as Ralph Rucker IV was sidelined due to an injury. Bucknell made a solid third quarter effort to come back from a 48-10 deficit including a Luke Freeman blocked punt that Sam Milligan returned for a touchdown, but it wouldn't be enough as Lafayette would maintain and extend its lead.
The Bison have had three Patriot League Players of the Week this season: Zachary Corna (Rookie of the Week,9/15), James Schlendorf (Rookie of the Week, 10/6) and Ralph Rucker IV (Offensive Player of the Week, 10/6).
The Bison were picked to finish fourth in the 2025 Preseason All-Patriot League Poll.
Alongside Ralph Rucker IV (PL OPOTY) and Tariq Thomas (PL ROTY), the Bison are returning two other Patriot League First Team selections in return specialist TJ Cadden and special teams standout Sam Milligan. Bucknell also returns two Patriot League Second Team selections in offensive lineman and 2024 Patriot League Scholar-Athlete of the Year, John Ohnegian and punter Matt Schearer.
The Bison are entering their seventh season under head coach Dave Cecchini in 2025. Cecchini was voted the Patriot League Dick Biddle Coach of the Year during the 2021 campaign for leading the Bison to a spot in the first ever Patriot League Championship game following the abbreviated season, Cecchini's team is coming off a record setting season where the squad broke 13 individual records, seven team records and scored the most single-season points in program history.
Bucknell returned a total of 65 players from the 2024 season and lost 34 athletes from the roster.
The Bison welcomed 40 newcomers this season, including 32 freshmen. The additional eight players came from the transfer portal.
The Bison welcomed a host of new faces to the staff during the offseason; offensive coordinator Drew Folmar, tight ends coach P.J. Barr, defensive line coach Kentwan Balmer, running backs coach Jerome Smith, wide receivers coach Sam Costantino, linebackers and special teams coach Chase Murdock and Strength and Conditioning Coach Tim Warren.
Bucknell's 2025 captains are second-time captain and offensive lineman John Ohnegian, fifth-year quarterback Ralph Rucker IV, senior punter/kicker Matt Schearer and senior cornerback Terian Williams II.

Cornell at a Glance

Cornell enters the contest 0-4 overall with an 0-2 Ivy League start.
The Big Red are coming off of a 34-10 loss to #22/#25 Ivy League foe in Harvard.
In the loss, despite holding nationally ranked Harvard to a season low in yards and points, Cornell fell to the Crimson. Harvard controlled the game from the beginning, scoring on a fumble return on Cornell's first possession. Freshman Jonathan Roost, who was thrust into kicking duties due to injuries, added a 25- yard field goal early in the fourth quarter to make it 17-10, but that would be as close as Cornell would get. Bass-Sulpizio went 18-of-30 through the air for 127 yards while carrying the ball 16 times for 30 yards and a touchdown, but was sacked three times and committed two turnovers. Junior tight end Ryder Kurtz added four receptions for 25 yards. Defensively, senior Damon Barnes led Cornell with 12 tackles, while senior linebacker Joey Cheshire added 11 stops. Junior Johnny Williamson recorded an interception in the second quarter, which he returned for 27 yards.
Garrett Bass-Sulpizio has played in four games and is 49-for-84 overall in passing with three interceptions and one touchdown. He leads the Big Red's quarterback efforts and rushing efforts as he has 39 rushing attempts for 164 yards and two touchdowns.
Devin Page has played in three games at quarterback and is 32- for-65 with seven interceptions and three touchdowns.
The second leading rusher is Robert Tucker III who has 31 carries for 115 yards and one touchdown.
Ryder Kurtz leads the receiving corps with 17 catches for 222 yards and two touchdowns. Doryn Smith is close behind with 21 carries for 208 yards and two touchdowns.
Damon Barnes leads the defensive efforts with 33 total tackles (13 solo, 20 assisted) and one TFL. Joey Cheshire is one behind with 32 total tackles (10 solo, 22 assisted) with 0.5 TFL and two quarterback hurries.

Bucknell / Cornell Series

This will be the 61st meeting between the two teams since 1888, when they first met.
Cornell leads the series 44-16
Cornell is on a one-game winning streak after a 34-21 victory in Lewisburg last season.
The last time in Ithaca (10/14/23), Bucknell took the victory 21-23.
On the road against Cornell, the Bison are 10-34.

Inside the Record Book

QB Ralph Rucker IV re-invented the record books. Rucker is now Bucknell's single-season leader in touchdown passes (25), passing yards (2,826), completion percentage (.672), passing completions (244) and total offense (2,922) Rucker also leads Bucknell in single game passing yards (437) and single game touchdown passes (5 TD passes 3X). With this being his final season, Rucker holds career records in passing touchdowns (56), passing yards (6,873), total offense (7,254) and completion percentage (.650).
Sam Milligan ranks first in touchdown catches in a single game with four against VMI on Saturday, Sept. 13. He also ranks sixth all-time in receiving yards in a single game with 192 yards in that VMI win for Bucknell.
TJ Cadden tied for the longest kickoff return (100 yds) and holds the records for most punt return touchdowns in a season (2) and most total return touchdowns (3; two punt returns and one kickoff return).
Matt Schearer holds the record for season PAT's with 45.
As a 2024 team, Bucknell broke even more records. The 2024 team holds the records for; single season completions (277), single season passing yards (3,220), single season average passing yards per game (268.33), single season total yards (4,651), single season total plays (836), single season total points (346), single season first downs (252), single game total offense (428) and single season touchdown passes (28).

On Record Watch

Ralph Rucker is 118 passing attempts away from the career record for passing attempts.
Ralph Rucker is 5 pass completions away from the career record.
Matt Schearer is 7 field goals away from the career record.

Milestone Watch

Charlie Kreinbucher is 66 yards away from a career 500 receiving yards.
TJ Cadden is 107 yards away from 1,000 career receiving yards.

Bison Award Winners

James Schlendorf was named Patriot League Rookie of the Week (10/6) and was named a Stats Perform FCS Freshman Player of the Week Honorable Mention athlete (10/6).
Ralph Rucker IV was named Patriot League Offensive Player of the Week (10/6).
Zachary Corna was named the Patriot League Rookie of the Week (9/15) and was named a Stats Perform FCS Freshman Player of the Week Honorable Mention athlete (9/15).
Sam Milligan was named a Stats Perform FCS National Offensive Player of the Week Honorable Mention athlete (9/15/)
Terian Williams II was named a Stats Perform FCS National Defensive Player of the Week Honorable Mention athlete (9/8/).
The Bison returned six 2024 All-Patriot League Selections; Ralph Rucker IV, Tariq Thomas, TJ Cadden, Sam Milligan, John Ohnegian and Matt Schearer.
Rucker was the 2024 PL Offensive Player of the Year and Thomas was the 2024 PL Rookie of the Year.
Rucker was named the 2025 Patriot League Preseason Offensive Player of the Year and 2025 Stats Perform FCS Preseason All-America Third Team.
Five Bison were named to the Preseason All-Patriot League Team; Rucker, Ohnegian, Aaron Davis, TJ Cadden and Milligan.

Head Coach Dave Cecchini

Dave Cecchini, one of the all-time great wide receivers in Patriot League history who has since gone on to achieve tremendous success in the coaching ranks, was named the 27th Bob Odell Head Football Coach at Bucknell University on February 6, 2019.
Cecchini was voted as the 2021 Spring Patriot League Dick Biddle Coach of the Year for guiding the team to a spot in the Patriot League Championship Game. In addition, he was selected as a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Award, presented by STATS to the FCS Coach of the Year, for the second time in his career.
In his first season at the helm, Cecchini led the Bison to a third-place finish in the Patriot League, their highest placement since they were the 2014 runners-up. Their Patriot League victories came over defending champion Colgate (32-14), rival Lehigh (20-10) and Georgetown (20-17); two of their three league losses came by a touchdown or less.
In 2017 while at Valparaiso, Cecchini was a finalist for the American Football Coaches Association's FCS National Coach of the Year and the STATS FCS Coach of the Year awards; he was also voted as the Pioneer Football League Coach of the Year and the AFCA FCS Region 4 Coach of the Year.
Since arriving at Bucknell, Cecchini's players have combined to earn 34 All-Patriot League First/Second Team awards as well as one First Team All-American.

Inside the 2025 Schedule

This is the 140th season of football at Bucknell. The Bison played their first-ever game in 1883 and have been playing a consistent schedule since 1887.
Bucknell is scheduled to play 12 games for just the fourth time in program history. The Bison will host six games and have six games on the road.
Bucknell opened the 2025 season with back-to-back away games at Air Force and Marist before going on a four-game home stand.
This is the first time since the Bison's Patriot League Championship season of 1996, that there will be four home games in a row.
Senior Night took place on Sept. 27 against Saint Francis at 6 p.m. and Homecoming was the final game of the homestand on Oct. 4 against Richmond at 12 p.m.
Bucknell's home opener was on Sept. 13 against VMI. The Bison then started Patriot League play against Lehigh on Sept. 20 at home, which was Bucknell's Family Weekend game.
After its home stand, Bucknell will head on the road for two games against Lafayette and Cornell.
The final four games of the season will all be against conference opponents. Bucknell will host Georgetown on Oct. 25, travel to Fordham on Nov. 8, take on Holy Cross at home on Nov. 15 and then end the season at Colgate on Nov. 22.

How to Follow the Bison

All of Bucknell's games this season will be broadcast on ESPN+ with the exception of the season opener at Air Force, which will be shown on CBS Sports Network.
All of the Bison's games will be broadcast on 1070 AM (WKOK). The broadcast will also be available for internet streaming on BucknellBison.com.
Bucknell is active on X (@Bucknell_FB) and Instagram (Bucknell_FB).
Interact with the team using the hashtags #ACT and #rayBucknell.

Up Next

Bucknell will host Georgetown in a Patriot League matchup at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is set for Saturday, Oct. 25 at noon.

Bison Head to Ithaca for Non-Conference Game Against Cornell

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Brandon Biagiarelli

TJ Cadden

Aaron Davis

Luke Freeman

Charlie Kreinbucher

Sam Milligan

John Ohnegian

Ralph Rucker IV

Matt Schearer

Tariq Thomas

Terian Williams II

Bison Head to Ithaca for Non-Conference Game Against Cornell

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Brandon Biagiarelli

TJ Cadden

Aaron Davis

Luke Freeman

Charlie Kreinbucher

Sam Milligan

John Ohnegian

Ralph Rucker IV

Matt Schearer

Tariq Thomas

Terian Williams II

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