BUCKNELL UNIVERSITY 2024 BISON FOOTBALL MEDIA NOTES
Date Aug. 31 Sept. 7 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Oct. 26 Nov. 2 Nov. 9 Nov. 16 Nov. 23
Opponent at Navy at VMI MERRIMACK MARIST at Lehigh* at Penn CORNELL (HC) at Georgetown* LAFAYETTE* FORDHAM* at Holy Cross* COLGATE*
Time/Result 49-21 L 35-28 W 31-21 L 34-18 W (2OT) 38-35 W 31-21 L 34-21 L 21-20 L 21-14 W 28-27 W Noon 1 p.m.
<<<< Game 11: Bucknell Bison at Holy Cross Crusaders >>>> Saturday, Nov. 16 >> 12 p.m. >> Worcester, Mass. >> Fitton Field 5-5...................................................................... Overall...................................................................... 4-6 3-1 Patriot League...........................................Conference...........................................3-1 Patriot League 3-2....................................................................... Home....................................................................... 1-3 2-3........................................................................Away........................................................................ 3-3 W2.......................................................................Streak........................................................................ L1 Dave Cecchini................................................Head Coach.....................................................Dan Curran 18-40 (6th season)..................................... Record at School......................................... 4-6 (1st season) 35-78 (11th season)...................................... Career Record..................................... 57-64 (12th season) Ralph Rucker (2,038 yards)......................... Leading Passer.........................Joe Pesansky (2,121 yards) Tariq Thomas (634 yards)............................ Leading Rusher.................... Jayden Clerveaux (716 yards) Eric Weatherly (562 yards).........................Leading Receiver..........................Justin Shorter (426 yards) Gavin Willis (110 tackles)............................ Leading Tackler.........................Frankie Monte (104 tackles)
* Patriot League game; HC Homecoming Home games in CAPS and played at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium All times Eastern and subject to change
FOLLOW THE BISON Streaming.......................................................... ESPN+ Play-By-Play/Color................... Kevin Gehl/Kevin Shea Internet Audio..................................BucknellBison.com Radio...........................................Bison Sports Network Flagship.............................................1070 AM (WKOK) Play-By-Play.......................................... Doug Birdsong Twitter.................................................... @Bucknell_FB Instagram............................................... @Bucknell_FB Hashtag.........................................#ACT | #rayBucknell
MEDIA INFORMATION MID-WEEK INTERVIEWS: All interview requests for Cecchini and Bison players should be directed to Jon Terry at terry@bucknell.edu or 570-577-3121. POST-GAME INTERVIEWS: After the NCAAmandated 10-minute “cooling off” period, Cecchini and Bison players will be available for interviews. Check with the host SID for interview location. Please submit player requests to Jon Terry no later than five minutes before the end of regulation. CREDENTIAL REQUESTS: Requests for media credentials at Bucknell home games are required and are issued to working members of the press only. Season credentials will be granted to media members who cover Bucknell football on a regular basis. Requests for single-game credentials should arrive no later than three days prior to the game. All singlegame credentials may be picked up in the Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium press box on game day. Please contact Jon Terry to request a credential.
vs
HOLY CROSS
SCHEDULE/RESULTS
BUCKNELL
Media Contact: Jon Terry >> terry@bucknell.edu >> 570-850-9603 (C) >> 570-577-3121 (O)
PROJECTED BUCKNELL STARTERS Pos. No. Name Cl. Ht. QB 10 Ralph Rucker IV Sr. 6-0 RB *OR* 7 Tariq Thomas Fr. 5-11 RB 21 Paul Neel Sr. 5-10 WR 17 Nate Anderson Jr. 6-0 WR 3 Josh Gary Jr. 5-11 WR 2 Eric Weatherly Jr. 5-8 LT 70 Xavier Allen So. 6-5 LG 74 Casey Stephenson 5th 6-2 C 78 John Ohnegian Jr. 6-2 RG 75 Jake Guy Sr. 6-2 RT 77 Nathan Natoli Jr. 6-6 TE 82 Charlie Kreinbucher Jr. 6-5
Wt. 210 185 205 185 210 180 315 300 304 314 195 260
Pos. DE N DE LB LB LB S S S CB CB
No. 52 15 90 33 13 23 45 20 6 5 16
Name Jack Barnes Cade Rooney Aneesh Vyas Brad Jamison Gavin Willis Nick Hoying John Schlendorf Mason Taylor Alex Smith Jr. Roman Pearson Aaron Davis
Cl. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. So. So. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr.
Ht. 6-2 6-3 6-2 6-2 6-0 6-0 5-10 6-2 6-2 6-2 5-11
Wt. 245 295 300 240 230 207 195 195 210 195 190
Pos. PK KO P PR KR
No. 62 96 62 17 2 3 61 91
Name Matt Schearer Juan Garanton Matt Schearer Nate Anderson Eric Weatherly Josh Gary Ryan Jedlicka Matt Karic
Cl. Jr. Fr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr.
Ht. 5-11 5-11 5-11 6-0 5-8 5-11 5-10 5-8
Wt. 187 170 187 185 180 210 230 170
LS H
OFFENSE
Fast Fact Completed 65.1% of passes with 15 TDs, 5 INT 4x PL Rookie of Week; Jerry Rice Award Watch List; 136 yds, 2 TD at Gtown 4.1 YPC, caught 44-yd TD pass last week vs. Fordham 428 yards on 33 receptions this season; 2 TDs vs. Fordham, including GW Career-high 13 catches at Penn; 3 of 44 grabs in 2024 are for TDs 7 TDs in 2023 and 10 TDs in 20 games as a Bison; 4 TDs in 2024 Made 7 starts at left tackle as a freshman and started 9 of 10 games this year 12th multi-year captain in team history, one of two 5th-yr. seniors, 28 starts Captain, 21 consecutive starts, team’s 2023 Most Outstanding Lineman Award 22 starts, missed 2023 with injury, start at VMI was 1st since Nov. 19, 2022 Has started last 2G after missing 2 with injury 24 starts, 12 rec. for 95 yds and 3 TDs last season; receiving TD vs. Marist
DEFENSE
Fast Fact 8 career starts, 79 career tackles, 17 tackles and 3 TFL this season 18 career starts, 2 INTs last season, 26 tackles and 3 TFL this season 25 career starts, 2 passes batted down this season, 5 career blocked kicks Captain, 2nd Tm All-PL, 2023 team tackles leader, 48 tackles & 3 sacks this year National Player of Week this week; leads all NCAA divisions in FRs (5) Team’s No. 2 tackler this season with 81 (5.5 TFL); INT at Navy 32 consecutive starts (leads team), strip-sack at VMI, 73 tackles Missed 9 games with injury in 2023, 19 career starts, 29 tackles this year Captain, 24 starts, 6 career INTs, 50 tackles this year, pick-6 vs. Marist 17 starts, 35 tackles, 9 PBUs, 2 INT this season Led all NCAA divisions with 21 PBUs at Wheeling in 2023; 3 INTs this season
SPECIAL TEAMS
Fast Fact 2x Preseason All-PL; career-long 50yd FG in 2022; 35-36 PAT, 3-10 FG in 2024 Frosh has handled KO duties since Week 3 Averaging 40.4 per punt, No. 4 in PL Took over PR duties last week and returned 1 for 16 yds. 3 KOR for 54 yds. last week vs. Fordham 3 career kickoff returns, returned an 88-yd touchdown vs. Lehigh in 2023 In second season as Bucknell’s primary long snapper In first season as Bucknell’s primary holder
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> THIS IS BUCKNELL FOOTBALL >>>> ATTITUDE >>>> CHARACTER >>>> TOUGHNESS >>>> 1