Bucknell football traveled to Colorado Springs to take on Air Force in the team’s first game of the 2025 season. After staying in contention early on, Air Force would eventually pile it on offensively over the final three quarters, taking the victory 49-13. 

After both teams punted on their respective opening series, Air Force was able to find the end zone early with an 80-yard touchdown drive on its second series. The Falcons would find the pylon once more in the first quarter to take a 14-0 lead heading into the second quarter. 

The Bison then got on the board early in the second after an 11-play, 75-yard drive resulted in a 12-yard touchdown pass from Ralph Rucker ’26 to Sam Milligan ’27 to make it a 14-7 ball game.

However, this would be the last time the Bison found the end zone. Air Force tacked on two more scores in the second quarter to enter the locker room with a 28-7 lead. 

A fumble on the Bison’s opening drive of the second half resulted in another Air Force touchdown, the score was quickly 35-7 to begin the second half. The Falcons got across the end line two more times throughout the remainder of the contest.

Matt Schearer ’26 booted two field goals throughout the second half, one from 37 yards out and the other from 39. 

Rucker finished the matchup completing 10 of his 18 pass attempts for 126 yards to go along with a touchdown and an interception. Tariq Thomas ’28 led the work on the ground for the Bison with 80 rushing yards on 18 carries. Milligan led the receiver room with two catches for 41 yards and a touchdown. 

The Bison stay on the road this weekend as they will face Marist on Saturday, Sept. 6.