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* HOLY CROSS* at Cornell LEHIGH* at Colgate* at Fordham* GEORGETOWN* at Marist
Time/Result L, 38-3 W, 21-13 L, 37-21 3:30 p.m. 1 p.m. 1 p.m. 1 p.m. 1 p.m. 1 p.m. 1 p.m. Noon
1-2...................................................................... Overall...................................................................... 3-1 0-0 PL..............................................................Conference..............................................................0-0 PL 1-1....................................................................... Home....................................................................... 2-0 0-1........................................................................Away........................................................................ 1-1 Lost 1...................................................................Streak..................................................................Won 2 Dave Cecchini................................................Head Coach....................................................John Troxell 10-30 (5th season)..................................... Record at School........................................ 7-8 (2nd season) 27-68 (10th season)..................................... Career Record..................................... 99-75 (17th season) Ralph Rucker (594 yards)............................ Leading Passer..........................Dean DeNobile (375 yards) Rushawn Baker (164 yards)........................ Leading Rusher.............................Jamar Curtis (509 yards) Damian Harris (164 yards).........................Leading Receiver......................... Elijah Steward (126 yards) Blake Leake (28 tackles)............................. Leading Tackler...............................Saiku White (34 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.
AT
<<<< Game 4: Bucknell Bison at Lafayette Leopards >>>> Saturday, Sept. 30 >> 3:30 p.m. >> Easton, Pa. >> Fisher 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)...........Gary Laubach (Mike Joseph) Internet Audio..................................BucknellBison.com Radio...........................................Bison Sports Network Flagship................................. 100.9 The Valley (WVLY) Play-By-Play (Color).............Doug Birdsong (Kevin Herr) Twitter.................................................... @Bucknell_FB Instagram............................................... @Bucknell_FB Hashtag.........................................#ACT | #rayBucknell
LAFAYETTE
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 59 Sean Quarterman Sr. 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 6-3 6-2 6-2 6-6 6-3 6-5
Wt. 207 225 185 171 185 260 290 285 295 275 230
Fast Fact Back-to-back games over 220 yards, 230 yards and 3 TDs vs. Penn Posted third career 100-yard game vs. VMI, eclipsed 1,000 career rush yards Career-high 101 yds on 8 rec. vs. VMI, leads Bucknell in receiving Career-best 6 receptions, 95 yards and 2 TDs vs. Penn, Duke transfer 5 career starts, 3 receptions this season Has made seven starts, including two this season Team captain, 11 career starts on the offensive line Started first 3 games, team’s 2022 Scout Team Player of the Year Started first 3 games of the season 18 career starts 6 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 20 6 14 9
Name Tyler Alston Connor Carretta Aneesh Vyas Mike Bright Jr. Blake Leake Brad Jamison John Schlendorf Mason Taylor Alex Smith Jr. Roman Pearson Ethan Robinson
Cl. Sr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. So. Jr.
Ht. 6-2 6-2 6-2 6-4 6-1 6-2 5-10 6-2 6-2 6-2 6-0
Wt. 230 280 265 225 215 220 180 185 185 180 175
Fast Fact Preseason All-League, led team in sacks (6) in 2022, 8 tackles this season 23 starts, 23 tackles and 3 QB hurries in 2022, 2 sacks in VMI game PL Special Teams Player of the Week this week, 2 blocked kicks vs. Penn 19 career starts, 1.5 sacks, 2.5 TFLs and 11 tackles this season Captain, 28th in FCS in tackles/game, team-high 28 tackls this season First-year starter, 1 sack vs. VMI, 14 tackles, 2 TFL Has started 14 consecutive games, game-high 14 tackles vs. Penn 9 career starts, 9 tackles this season 25 career games played, 3 INTs in 2022,15 tackles this season Made first start at JMU, 3 pass breakups, first career pick vs. Penn 20 career starts, 2 INTs this season
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, 49-yarder made at JMU Averaging 54.3 yards on 8 kickoffs this season 4-year starter, averaging 41.2 on 25 punts this season, 3 punts inside the 20 First season returning punts, 7.25 average on 4 returns, long of 15 Transfered to Bucknell from Duke, one return for 21 yards vs. Penn ‘21 Preseason All-League return spec., 93-yd TD return in ‘22, 18.29 avg. in ‘23 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