Bucknell Football suffered its second straight loss and fourth of the season at home on Oct. 19 after the Bison fell to Cornell 34-21.
Turnovers proved to hurt the Bison in this one, especially in the first half. After Cornell scored on the opening drive of the game, the Bison drove back down the field and were in position to tie it up before a fumble on the one-yard line sent the possession the other way.
The Bison defense held on the next Cornell possession after the Big Red drove 95 yards all the way to Bucknell’s four-yard line. Cornell elected to pass, and cornerback Aaron Davis ’26 was able to get inside position on it and pick the ball off, saving the touchdown and keeping the score at 7-0.
The momentum was quickly switched back in favor of the Big Red, however, as on the third play of the next Bison offensive drive, Michael Hardyway ’25, who was in at quarterback for the injured Ralph Rucker IV ’25, threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown, bringing the score to 14-0.
After forcing an Orange and Blue punt, Cornell would get in the end zone again to make the score 21-0, and the turnover woes did not stop for the Bison.
With the Bison’s next offensive possession, the Orange and Blue defense was able to hold the Big Red to a punt, giving the Bison an opportunity to cut into the deficit before halftime. But, Hardyway fumbled on the first play of the drive, sending the ball back to Cornell.
The Big Red then tacked on another field goal to make the tally 24-0, but Bucknell was able to find some offensive rhythm.
On its next possession with just under ten minutes to go in the half, Hardyway was able to connect with Josh Gary ’26 for a twenty-yard completion and the Bison kept driving. The possession ended with a three-yard touchdown run by Logan Bush ’28 to bring the score to 24-7.
After Cornell kicked another through the uprights to add three more, Bucknell again found some rhythm in the passing game and was able to move the chains. An unnecessary roughness penalty by Cornell gave the Bison good field position, and Hardyway was able to connect with TJ Cadden ’27 for a twelve-yard score.
Bucknell went into the half down 27-14 which felt like a win after their 0-point first quarter.
The Bison defense led the way in the second half, limiting Cornell to just seven points through its entirety. But, the Bucknell offense wasn’t able to put enough points on the board to catch up.
Bucknell’s first six offensive possessions of the second half resulted in four punts, a turnover on downs and a fumble for the squad’s fourth turnover of the game. In the meantime, Cornell got in the endzone again to give itself a comfortable 34-14 lead.
The Bison had hope with just over twelve minutes to go in the fourth quarter after Sam Milligan ’27 reeled in a 28-yard touchdown catch from Hardyway to make the score 34-21.
From there, the Bison couldn’t get any more points on the board and time ran out for a comeback to occur.
“The offense is definitely maturing as the year goes on and it’s exciting.” Hardyway said. “We would like more big plays and better ball protection but I think we are right where we need to be. We have exactly who needs to be in the rooms to do what we want and that is to win a Patriot League Championship.”
Hardyway finished the game 21-for-39 passing for 214 yards and two touchdowns. Tariq Thomas ’28 led the backfield with nine carries for 94 yards and Cadden led in receiving with seven grabs for 84 yards.
Bucknell is up next at Georgetown on Oct. 26.
