2024 Bucknell Bison football team

American college football season

2024 Bucknell Bison football

Conference	Patriot League
Record	1–2 (0–0 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 →

2024 Patriot League football standings
v t e
Team	W		L	W		L
Georgetown	0	–	0	2	–	1
No. 19 Lafayette	0	–	0	2	–	1
Lehigh	0	–	0	2	–	1
Bucknell	0	–	0	1	–	2
Holy Cross	0	–	0	1	–	2
Colgate	0	–	0	0	–	3
Fordham	0	–	0	0	–	3

As of September 15, 2024 Rankings from STATS Poll

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.

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+
September 28	12:00 p.m.	at Lehigh	Goodman Stadium Bethlehem, PA	ESPN+
October 12	1:00 p.m.	at Penn*	Franklin Field Philadelphia, PA	TBA
October 19	1:00 p.m.	Cornell*	Christy Mathewson–Memorial Stadium Lewisburg, PA	ESPN+
October 26	2:00 p.m.	at Georgetown	Cooper Field Washington, DC	ESPN+
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 All times are in Eastern time

^[1]^[2]

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)

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)

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

Cornell

Game Seven – Cornell Big Red (0–0) at Bucknell Bison (0–0) – 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

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.

v t e Bucknell Bison football
Venues	Christy Mathewson–Memorial Stadium (1924–present)
Bowls & rivalries	1935 Orange Bowl
Culture & lore	"Ray Bucknell" 2021 Patriot League Football Championship Game
People	Head coaches NFL draftees
Seasons	1881 1882 1883 1884–1886 1887 1888 1889 1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024