2024 Bucknell Bison football team

2024 Bucknell Bison football
2024 Bucknell Bison football
Conference	Patriot League
Record	3–5 (1–1 Patriot)
Head coach	Dave Cecchini (6th season);
Offensive coordinator	John Bear (1st season)
Defensive coordinator	Chris Bowers (3rd season)
Home stadium	Christy Mathewson–Memorial Stadium
	Seasons ← 2023 2025 →

The 2024 Bucknell Bison football team will represent Bucknell University as a member of the Patriot League during the 2024 NCAA Division I FCS football season. The Bison will be led by sixth-year head coach Dave Cecchini and play their home games at Christy Mathewson–Memorial Stadium in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania.

2024 Patriot League football standings
v t e
Team	W		L	W		L
Holy Cross	3	–	0	4	–	5
Georgetown	2	–	1	5	–	3
Lehigh	1	–	1	4	–	3
Bucknell	1	–	1	3	–	5
Colgate	1	–	1	2	–	6
Lafayette	1	–	2	4	–	4
Fordham	0	–	3	0	–	8

As of October 31, 2024 Rankings from STATS Poll

Schedule

Date	Time	Opponent	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
August 31	12:00 p.m.	at Navy*	Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium Annapolis, MD	CBSSN	L 21-49	28,763
September 7	1:30 p.m.	at VMI*	Alumni Memorial Field Lexington, VA	ESPN+	W 35–28	6,295
September 14	6:00 p.m.	Merrimack*	Christy Mathewson–Memorial Stadium Lewisburg, PA	ESPN+	L 21–31	1,943
September 21	6:00 p.m.	Marist*	Christy Mathewson–Memorial Stadium Lewisburg, PA	ESPN+	W 34–18	2,474
September 28	12:00 p.m.	at Lehigh	Goodman Stadium Lower Saucon, PA	ESPN+	W 38–35 ^2OT	4,003
October 12	1:00 p.m.	at Penn*	Franklin Field Philadelphia, PA	ESPN+	L 21–31	2,054
October 19	1:00 p.m.	Cornell*	Christy Mathewson–Memorial Stadium Lewisburg, PA	ESPN+	L 21–34	1,245
October 26	2:00 p.m.	at Georgetown	Cooper Field Washington, DC	ESPN+	L 20–21	3,579
November 2	1:00 p.m.	Lafayette	Christy Mathewson–Memorial Stadium Lewisburg, PA	ESPN+
November 9	1:00 p.m.	Fordham	Christy Mathewson–Memorial Stadium Lewisburg, PA	ESPN+
November 16	12:00 p.m.	at Holy Cross	Fitton Field Worcester, MA	ESPN+
November 23	1:00 p.m.	Colgate	Christy Mathewson–Memorial Stadium Lewisburg, PA	ESPN+
*Non-conference game Homecoming All times are in Eastern time

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Game summaries

at Navy (FBS)

Game One – Bucknell Bison (0–0) vs Navy Midshipmen (FBS) (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Bucknell	7	0	7	7	21
Navy (FBS)	6	22	7	14	49

at Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, Annapolis, Maryland

Date: Saturday August 31, 2024
Game time: 12:00 PM
Game weather: Cloudy • Temperature: 78 °F (26 °C) • Wind: SE at 9 miles per hour (14 km/h)
Game attendance: 28,763
Referee: Steven Anderson
TV announcers (CBSSN): Carter Blackburn (play-by-play), Randy Cross (analyst), Sheehan Stanwick-Burch (sideline reporter)

Game information

First quarter

(13:37) BUCK – Nate Anderson 47 yard pass from Ralph Rucker IV, Matt Schearer kick (Drive: 4 plays, 65 yards, 1:23; Bucknell 7–0)
(10:44) NAVY – Daba Fofana 49 yard run, kick failed (Drive: 1 play, 49 yards, 0:09; Bucknell 7–6)

Second quarter

(14:56) NAVY – Alex Tecza 3 yard run, Nathan Kirkwood kick (Drive: 5 plays, 23 yards, 1:36; Navy 13–7)
(5:29) NAVY – Eli Heidenreich 9 yard pass from Blake Horvath, Nathan Kirkwood kick (Drive: 9 plays, 59 yards, 3:29; Navy 20–7)
(0:14) NAVY – Brandon Chatman 42 yard pass from Blake Horvath, 2-point pass (Drive: 1 play, 42 yards, 0:14; Navy 28–7)

Third quarter

(11:12) NAVY – Eli Heidenreich 20 yard pass from Braxton Woodson, Nathan Kirkwood kick (Drive: 9 plays, 49 yards, 3:41; Navy 35–7)
(3:06) BUCK – Paul Neel 3 yard run, Matt Schearer kick (Drive: 9 plays, 40 yards, 2:44; Navy 35–14)

Fourth quarter

(8:33) NAVY – Braxton Woodson 1 yard run, Nathan Kirkwood kick (Drive: 7 plays, 58 yards, 3:07; Navy 42–14)
(2:10) NAVY – Shane Reynolds 5 yard run, Nathan Kirkwood kick (Drive: 7 plays, 31 yards, 4:34; Navy 49–14)
(0:30) BUCK – Michael Cadden 2 yard run, Matt Schearer kick (Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 1:40; Navy 49–21)

Statistics	BUCK	NAVY
First downs	14	20
Total yards	337	437
Rushing yards	131	264
Passing yards	206	173
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	15–29–0	10–19–2
Time of possession	26:59	33:01

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Bucknell	Passing	Ralph Rucker IV	11/24, 122 yards, 1 TD
	Rushing	Paul Neel	12 carries, 60 yards, 1 TD
	Receiving	TJ Cadden	5 receptions, 97 yards
Navy	Passing	Blake Horvath	7/12, 108 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
	Rushing	Daba Fofana	8 carries, 82 yards, 1 TD
	Receiving	Eli Heidenreich	4 receptions, 74 yards, 2 TD

at VMI

Game Two – Bucknell Bison (0–1) vs VMI Keydets (0–1) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Bucknell	7	7	14	7	35
VMI	7	7	0	14	28

at Alumni Memorial Field, Lexington, Virginia

Date: Saturday September 7, 2024
Game time: 1:30 PM
Game weather: Sunny, 73 °F (23 °C)
Game attendance: 6,295
Referee: Brian Hilpisch
TV: ESPN+

Game information

First quarter

(8:04) VMI – Asa Locks 48-yard interception, Caden Beck kick (VMI 7–0)
(2:29) BUC – TJ Cadden 40-yard punt return, Matt Schearer kick (Tied 7–7)

Second quarter

(9:22) BUC – Paul Neel 2-yard run, Matt Schearer kick (Drive: 12 plays, 65 yards, 6:04; Bucknell 14–7)
(4:55) VMI – Hunter Rice 58-yard run, Caden Beck kick (Drive: 4 plays, 69 yards, 1:03; Tied 14–14)

Third quarter

(11:35) BUC – Josh Gary 10-yard pass from Ralph Rucker IV, Matt Schearer kick (Drive: 8 plays, 81 yards, 3:25; Bucknell 21–14)
(6:35) BUC – Josh Gary 41-yard pass from Ralph Rucker IV, Matt Schearer kick (Drive: 5 plays, 61 yards, 2:20; Bucknell 28–14)

Fourth quarter

(12:14) BUC – TJ Cadden 35-yard pass from Ralph Rucker IV, Matt Schearer kick (Drive: 7 plays, 79 yards, 3:23; Bucknell 35–14)
(8:13) VMI – Hunter Rice 2-yard run, Caden Beck kick (Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 4:01; Bucknell 35–21)
(0:29) VMI – Ryan von Brandt 17-yard pass from Chandler Wilson, Caden Beck kick (Drive: 8 plays, 80 yards, 2:25; Bucknell 35–28)

Statistics	BUCK	VMI
First downs	22	20
Total yards	451	378
Rushing yards	111	212
Passing yards	340	166
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	28–37–1	24–37–1
Time of possession	29:14	30:46

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Bucknell	Passing	Ralph Rucker IV	28/37, 340 yards, 3 TD, INT
	Rushing	Paul Neel	8 carries, 37 yards, TD
	Receiving	Eric Weatherly	9 receptions, 105 yards
VMI	Passing	Collin Shannon	21/32, 129 yards, INT
	Rushing	Hunter Rice	18 carries, 166 yards, 2 TD
	Receiving	Ivan Thorpe	6 receptions, 47 yards

Merrimack

Game Three – Merrimack Warriors (0–2) at Bucknell Bison (1–1) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Merrimack	0	0	0	0	0
Bucknell	0	0	0	0	0

at Christy Mathewson–Memorial Stadium • Lewisburg, Pennsylvania

Date: Saturday September 14, 2024
Game time: 6:00 PM
Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)
TV: ESPN+

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	MER	BUCK
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Merrimack	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Bucknell	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Marist

Game Four – Marist Red Foxes (0–2) at Bucknell Bison (1–2) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Marist	0	0	0	0	0
Bucknell	0	0	0	0	0

at Christy Mathewson–Memorial Stadium • Lewisburg, Pennsylvania

Date: Saturday September 21, 2024
Game time: 6:00 PM
Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)
TV: ESPN+

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	MAR	BUCK
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Marist	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Bucknell	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at Lehigh

Game Five – Bucknell Bison (2–2) at Lehigh Mountain Hawks (3–1) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	OT	2OT	Total
Bucknell	0	14	7	7	3	7	38
Lehigh	7	7	7	7	7	0	35

at Goodman Stadium • Lower Saucon Township, Pennsylvania

Date: Saturday September 28, 2024
Game time: 12:00 p.m. EST
Game attendance: 4,003
TV announcers (ESPN+): TBD

Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

Fourth quarter

Statistics	LEH	BUC
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Lehigh	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Bucknell	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at Penn

Game Six – Bucknell Bison (3–2) at Penn Quakers (1–2) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Bucknell	0	0	0	0	0
Penn	0	0	0	0	0

at Franklin Field • Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Date: Saturday October 12, 2024
Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
TV announcers (ESPN+): TBD

Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

Fourth quarter

Statistics	BUC	PENN
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Bucknell	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Penn	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Cornell

Game Seven – Cornell Big Red (1–3) at Bucknell Bison (3–3) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Cornell	0	0	0	0	0
Bucknell	0	0	0	0	0

at Christy Mathewson–Memorial Stadium • Lewisburg, Pennsylvania

Date: Saturday October 19, 2024
Game time: 1:00 PM
Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)
TV: ESPN+

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	COR	BUCK
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Cornell	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Bucknell	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at Georgetown

Game Eight – Bucknell Bison (3–4) at Georgetown Hoyas (4–3) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Bucknell	0	0	0	0	0
Georgetown	0	0	0	0	0

at Cooper Field • Washington, D.C.

Date: Saturday October 26, 2024
Game time: 2:00 p.m. EST
TV announcers (ESPN+): TBD

Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

Fourth quarter

Statistics	BUC	GTWN
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Bucknell	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Georgetown	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Lafayette

Game Nine – Lafayette Leopards (4–4) vs Bucknell Bison (3–5) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Lafayette	0	0	0	0	0
Bucknell	0	0	0	0	0

at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium, Lewisburg, PA

Date: Saturday November 2, 2024
Game time: 1:00 PM
TV announcers (ESPN+): TBD

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	LAF	BUCK
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Lafayette	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Bucknell	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Fordham

Game Ten – Fordham Rams (0–0) vs Bucknell Bison (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Fordham	0	0	0	0	0
Bucknell	0	0	0	0	0

at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium • Lewisburg, PA

Date: Saturday November 9, 2024
Game time: 1:00 p.m.
Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)
TV: ESPN+

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	FORD	BUCK
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Fordham	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Bucknell	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at Holy Cross

Game Eleven – Bucknell Bison (0–0) at Holy Cross Crusaders (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Bucknell	0	0	0	0	0
Holy Cross	0	0	0	0	0

at Fitton Field • Worcester, MA

Date: Saturday November 16, 2024
Game time: 12:00 p.m. EST
TV announcers (ESPN+): TBD

Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

Fourth quarter

Statistics	BUC	HC
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Bucknell	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Holy Cross	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Colgate

Game Twelve – Colgate Raiders (0–0) at Bucknell Bison (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Colgate	0	0	0	0	0
Bucknell	0	0	0	0	0

at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium • Lewisburg, Pennsylvania

Date: Saturday November 23, 2024
Game time: 1:00 PM
Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)
TV: ESPN+

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	COL	BUC
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Colgate	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Bucknell	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

References

^ "2024 Bucknell Football Schedule". fbschedules.com. FBSchedules. Retrieved July 15, 2024.
^ "2024 Football Schedule". bucknellbison.com. Bucknell Bison Athletics. Retrieved July 15, 2024.

[1] "2024 Bucknell Football Schedule". fbschedules.com. FBSchedules. Retrieved July 15, 2024.

[2] "2024 Football Schedule". bucknellbison.com. Bucknell Bison Athletics. Retrieved July 15, 2024.

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