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 L, 49-21 W, 35-28 6 p.m. 6 p.m. Noon 1 p.m. 1 p.m. 2 p.m. 1 p.m. 1 p.m. Noon 1 p.m.
<<<< Game 3: Bucknell Bison vs Merrimack Warriors >>>> Saturday, Sept. 14 >> 6 p.m. >> Lewisburg, Pa. >> Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium 1-1...................................................................... Overall...................................................................... 0-2 0-0 Patriot League...........................................Conference...................................................................N/A 0-0....................................................................... Home....................................................................... 0-0 1-1........................................................................Away........................................................................ 0-2 Won 1..................................................................Streak................................Lost 3 (dating back to 2023) Dave Cecchini................................................Head Coach................................................. Mike Gennetti 14-36 (6th season)..................................... Record at School......................................... 0-2 (1st season) 31-74 (11th season)...................................... Career Record........................................... 0-2 (1st season) Ralph Rucker (462 yards)............................ Leading Passer........................Malakai Anthony (120 yards) Paul Neel (97 yards).................................... Leading Rusher......................Jermaine Corbett (162 yards) TJ Cadden (184 yards)...............................Leading Receiver............................Seth Sweitzer (77 yards) Gavin Willis (22 tackles).............................. Leading Tackler........... DJ Frazier, Kendal Sims (10 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).....Doug Birdsong (Charlie Fisher) Internet Audio..................................BucknellBison.com Radio...........................................Bison Sports Network Flagship.............................................1070 AM (WKOK) Play-By-Play (Color).....Luke Smith (Braden Baruchowitz) 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 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
MERRIMACK
SCHEDULE/RESULTS
BUCKNELL
Media Contact: Ben Blumenthal >> beb019@bucknell.edu >> 703-618-5139 (C) >> 570-577-1835 (O)
PROJECTED BUCKNELL STARTERS Pos. No. Name Cl. Ht. QB 10 Ralph Rucker IV Sr. 6-0 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. 210 205 185 210 180 315 300 304 314 295 260
Pos. DE DT N DE MIKE WILL S S S CB CB
No. 52 90 15 99 33 13 45 20 6 5 16
Name Jack Barnes Aneesh Vyas Cade Rooney Justin Fisher Brad Jamison Gavin Willis John Schlendorf Mason Taylor Alex Smith Jr. Roman Pearson Aaron Davis
Cl. Ht. Sr. 6-2 Sr. 6-2 Sr. 6-3 Sr. 6-6 Sr. 6-2 So. 6-0 Sr. 5-10 Sr. 6-2 Sr. 6-2 Jr. 6-2 Jr. 5-11
Wt. 245 300 295 270 240 230 195 195 210 195 190
Pos. PK KO P PR
No. 62 91 62 2 80 3 2 61 91
Name Matt Schearer Matt Karic Matt Schearer Eric Weatherly TJ Cadden Josh Gary Eric Weatherly Ryan Jedlicka Matt Karic
Cl. Ht. Jr. 5-11 Jr. 5-8 Jr. 5-11 Jr. 5-8 So. 6-0 Jr. 5-11 Jr. 5-8 Jr. 5-10 Jr. 5-8
Wt. 187 170 187 180 195 210 180 230 170
KR LS H
OFFENSE
Fast Fact 3rd career 300yd passing game at VMI, 14-15 for 200yds and 3 TDs in 2nd half Rushing TD in each of first 2 games, started at Navy, 97 rush yds on season 47yd TD at Navy, 93 yards on 5 receptions this season 9 starts, 2 TDs on back-to-back drives at VMI, 5 rec. for 69 yds on the season 7 TDs in 2023, 9 rec. for 105yds at VMI, 3rd career 100-yd game at VMI Made 7 starts at left tackle as a freshman and started both games in 2024 12th multi-year captain in team history, one of two 5th-yr. seniors, 21 starts Captain, 13 consecutive starts, team’s 2023 Most Outstanding Lineman Award 16 starts, missed 2023 with injury, start at VMI was 1st since Nov. 19, 2022 5 career starts, including both games this season 18 starts, 12 rec. for 95 yds and 3 TDs last season, 1 rec. for 5yds at VMI
DEFENSE
Fast Fact 3 career starts, 66 career tackles, 2 this season 18 career starts, missed most of 2023 with injury, 5 career blocked kicks 10 career starts, 2 INTs last season, 5 tackles and 1 QB hurry this season Made first career start at Navy, 21 games played, 32 career tackles Captain, 2nd Tm All-PL, 2023 team tackles leader, 11 tackles, 1 sack this year 8 starts, currently leads team with 22 tackles, 12 tackles at VMI 24 consecutive starts (leads team), 1 PBU and 1 sack fumble at VMI Missed 9 games with injury in 2023, 11 career starts, 4 tackles this year Captain, 16 starts, 4 career INTs including 3 in 2022, 10 tackles this year 9 starts, 1 INT and 6 pass breakups in 2023, 8 tackles this season Wheeling transfer, led NCAA with 21 PBUs in 2023, missed VMI game
SPECIAL TEAMS
Fast Fact 2-time Preseason All-PL, 50-yd FG in 2022, 49-yd FG in 2023, 5-5 on PATs at VMI Averaging 54.3yds on 9 kickoffs, first season as team’s kickoff specialist Averaging 45.7yds, 63yd punts in both games, 3 punts inside the 20 2 punt returns of 21 and 23 yds in 2023, 3 returns last week Returned 40yd touchdown at VMI, PL Special Team Player of the Week 3 career kickoff returns, returned an 88-yd touchdown vs. Lehigh in 2023 Averaged 19.3 yds on 6 returns in 2023, long of 31 yds 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