BUCKNELL UNIVERSITY 2023 BISON FOOTBALL MEDIA NOTES
Date Sept. 2 Sept. 9 Sept. 23 Sept. 30 Oct. 7 Oct. 14 Oct. 21 Oct. 28 Nov. 4 Nov. 11 Nov. 18
Opponent at James Madison VMI PENN (HC) at Lafayette* #12 HOLY CROSS* at Cornell LEHIGH* at Colgate* at Fordham* GEORGETOWN* at Marist
Time/Result L, 38-3 W, 21-13 L, 37-21 L, 56-22 1 p.m. 1 p.m. 1 p.m. 1 p.m. 1 p.m. 1 p.m. Noon
1-3...................................................................... Overall...................................................................... 3-2 0-1 PL..............................................................Conference..............................................................1-0 PL 1-1....................................................................... Home....................................................................... 2-1 0-2........................................................................Away........................................................................ 1-1 Lost 2...................................................................Streak.................................................................. Lost 1 Dave Cecchini................................................Head Coach..................................................Bob Chesney 10-31 (5th season)..................................... Record at School..................................... 40-19 (6th season) 27-69 (10th season)..................................... Career Record................................... 107-44 (14th season) Ralph Rucker (876 yards)............................ Leading Passer........................Matthew Sluka (1,106 yards) Rushawn Baker (164 yards)........................ Leading Rusher..........................Matthew Sluka (448 yards) Eric Weatherly (224 yards).........................Leading Receiver.............................Jalen Coker (551 yards) Blake Leake (38 tackles)............................. Leading Tackler.............................Jacob Dobbs (75 tackles)
FOLLOW THE BISON
MEDIA INFORMATION MID-WEEK INTERVIEWS: All interview requests for Cecchini and Bison players should be directed to Ben Blumenthal at beb019@bucknell.edu or 570-577-1835. POST-GAME INTERVIEWS: After the NCAA-mandated 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 Ben Blumenthal 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 single-game credentials may be picked up in the Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium press box on game day. Please contact Ben Blumenthal to request a credential.
vs
<<<< Game 5: Bucknell Bison vs. #12 Holy Cross Crusaders >>>> Saturday, Oct. 7 >> 1 p.m. >> Lewisburg, Pa. >> Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium
* Patriot League game; HC Homecoming Home games in CAPS and played at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium All times Eastern and subject to change
Internet Video.................................................... ESPN+ Play-By-Play (Color).............Doug Birdsong (Kevin Herr) Internet Audio..................................BucknellBison.com Radio...........................................Bison Sports Network Flagship................................. 100.9 The Valley (WVLY) Play-By-Play (Color).......Sam Kuperman (Charlie Fisher) Twitter.................................................... @Bucknell_FB Instagram............................................... @Bucknell_FB Hashtag.........................................#ACT | #rayBucknell
HOLY CROSS
SCHEDULE/RESULTS
BUCKNELL
Media Contact: Ben Blumenthal >> beb019@bucknell.edu >> 703-618-5139 (C) >> 570-577-1835 (O)
PROJECTED BUCKNELL STARTERS OFFENSE
Pos. No. Name Cl. QB 10 Ralph Rucker Jr. RB 23 Rushawn Baker Jr. WR 11 Damian Harris Sr. WR 1 Eric Weatherly So. WR 29 Okeyo Ayungo So. LT 70 Xavier Allen Fr. LG 74 Casey Stephenson Sr. C 78 John Ohnegian So. RG 73 Mason Jones Jr. RT 65 Zack Tarburton Sr. TE 82 Charlie Kreinbucher So.
Ht. 6-0 5-11 6-0 5-7 6-1 6-5 6-2 6-2 6-6 6-3 6-5
Wt. 207 225 185 171 185 270 290 285 295 275 230
Fast Fact 245 yards per game over last three games, 6 TDs and 1 INT this season Posted third career 100-yard game vs. VMI, missed Lafayette game Career-high 101 yds on 8 rec. vs. VMI, 5 receptions at Lafayette Career-best 7 rec. for 107 yds at Lafayette, 3 TDs in last two games 6 career starts, 3 receptions this season Made first career start at Lafayette Team captain, 12 career starts on the offensive line Started first 4 games, team’s 2022 Scout Team Player of the Year Started first 4 games of the season 19 career starts 7 career starts, scored first career touchdown in win over VMI
Pos. DE DT DT DE ILB ILB S S S CB CB
No. 2 0 90 44 34 33 45 26 6 14 9
Name Tyler Alston Connor Carretta Aneesh Vyas Mike Bright Jr. Blake Leake Brad Jamison John Schlendorf Deuce Geter Alex Smith Jr. Roman Pearson Ethan Robinson
Cl. Sr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Fr. Jr. So. Jr.
Ht. 6-2 6-2 6-2 6-4 6-1 6-2 5-10 6-1 6-2 6-2 6-0
Wt. 230 280 265 225 215 220 180 205 185 180 175
Fast Fact Preseason All-League, led team in sacks (6) in 2022, 15 tackles this season 24 starts, 23 tackles and 3 QB hurries in 2022, 2 sacks in VMI game PL Special Teams Player of the Week last week, tipped a pass at Lafayette 20 career starts, 1.5 sacks, 2.5 TFLs and 12 tackles this season Captain, 24th in FCS in tackles per game (9.5), 3.5 tackles for loss Second on the team in tackles, 8 tackles, 2 TFLs and 1 sack at Lafayette Has started 15 consecutive games, third on the team in tackles (29) First career start at Lafayette, 9 tackles and 2 PBUs in two games 26 career games played, 3 INTs in 2022, 23 tackles this season Three starts this season, first career pick vs. Penn, 3 PBUs 21 career starts, 2 INTs this season, 19 tackles and 3 PBUs
Pos. PK KO P PR
No. 62 10 98 9 1 3 1 93 98
Name Matt Schearer Ryan Schatzel Ruben Anderson Ethan Robinson Eric Weatherly Coleman Bennett Eric Weatherly Aidan Davenport Ruben Anderson
Cl. So. Sr. Sr. Jr. So. Sr. So. Sr. Sr.
Ht. 5-11 6-0 6-2 6-0 5-7 5-11 5-7 6-3 6-2
Wt. 170 160 215 175 171 185 171 210 215
Fast Fact Preseason All-League, 3 FGs over 40 yds in 2022, 2-3 on FGs this season Averaging 56.6 yards on 13 kickoffs this season 4-year starter, averaging 41.8 on 28 punts this season, 5 inside the 20 First season returning punts, 6.43 average on 7 returns, long of 15 Transfered to Bucknell from Duke, one return for 21 yards vs. Penn ‘21 Preseason All-League return spec., 24.09 avg. in ‘23, 61-yd return last game Transfered to Bucknell from Duke, no returns this season In third season as Bucknell’s primary long snapper Punter assuming holding duties for the third time
KR LS H
DEFENSE
SPECIAL TEAMS
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> THIS IS BUCKNELL FOOTBALL >>>> ATTITUDE >>>> CHARACTER >>>> TOUGHNESS >>>> 1