Bucknell Football hosted Marist this past Saturday at 6 p.m. in what would be an offensive onslaught from the Bison. A strong first half led the Orange and Blue to their second win of the season.
The Bison got on the board on their first drive of the game led by quarterback Ralph Rucker ’25 and running back Tariq Thomas ’28. Rucker started the drive with a 19-yard completion to wide receiver Eric Weatherly ’26 to move the chains, followed by a 12-yard run by Thomas. Later on, Rucker went deep and found Weatherly for a 36-yard touchdown catch to put the Bison up 7-0 early.
After letting Marist tie the game up at the end of the first quarter, Bucknell turned on the jets in the second.
The Bison found the end zone again in their next offensive appearance. Rucker connected with receiver Sam Milligan ’27 for a 32-yard completion to bring the Orange and Blue into the red zone. Then, running back Danny Meuser ’25 ran twice for six yards and two yards respectively to inch the Bison closer to the goal line. After a defensive pass interference call in the end zone put Bucknell on the one-yard line, Rucker found tight end Charlie Kreinbucher ’26 for another touchdown. The Bison went up 13-7 after a missed extra point.
After forcing a punt on Marist’s next possession, the Bison offense didn’t even need to take the field as TJ Cadden ’27 took the punt 73 yards all the way back to the house.
The Bison would again get in the end zone without needing their offense, as on the next Marist possession, safety Alex Smith, Jr. ’25 brought it back 38 yards to bring the Bucknell lead to 27-7 nearing the end of the half.
The score remained the same until Marist was able to tack on a field goal to make the score 27-10.
Bucknell found the end zone one more time midway through the fourth quarter as a pass from Rucker was completed by Cadden for a 12-yard touchdown connection.
Marist was able to score and earn the two-point conversion with just over a minute to go in the contest, making the final score 34-18 and improving the Orange and Blue’s record to 2-2.
Rucker finished the game 21-for-27 with 272 yards passing, three touchdowns and an interception. Cadden led the team in rushing with five carries for 71 yards, and Weatherly once again led in receiving, going five catches for 71 yards and a touchdown.
The Bucknell defense held Marist to just 6-for-14 on third-down conversions and 102 rushing yards on 30 attempts, good for 3.4 yards per carry.
Two Bison earned Patriot League honors this week as Rucker was named the Patriot League Offensive Player of the Week and Cadden was deemed Patriot League Special Teams Player of the Week.
Next up, Bucknell heads to Bethlehem, Pa. to take on Lehigh this Saturday, Sept. 28 at 12 p.m.
