The Bucknell Football team traveled to Poughkeepsie, NY this past Saturday to take on Marist on the road. After beginning the 2025 campaign 0-1, the Bison picked up the first victory of their season, taking down the Red Foxes 34-23.
The Orange and Blue wasted no time finding the end zone, as quarterback Ralph Rucker IV ’26 ran it in from 15 yards out to put Bucknell on the board first. After a 22-yard field goal from Matt Schearer ’26 late in the first quarter, the Bison ended the first 15 minutes with a 10-0 lead.
Marist was able to kick its scoring off in the second quarter to make the score 10-7. Running back Tariq Thomas ’28 notched the first of his two touchdowns on the day to give the Bison a 17-7 lead. After the Red Foxes scored one more touchdown, the Bison entered the locker room with a 17-14 lead.
It was a slow third quarter offensively for both teams, as the Orange and Blue and Marist each tacked on three points to make the score 20-17 entering the final 15 minutes. The Bison found an offensive rhythm in the fourth quarter, outscoring Marist 14-6 to put the contest out of reach.
On the Bison’s last play of the third quarter, Rucker connected with TJ Cadden ’27 for a 46-yard completion, setting the Orange and Blue up on the Marist one-yard line. Thomas then ran in his second score of the day to put Bucknell up 27-17.
After the Bison defense forced a turnover on downs on Marist’s next possession, Bucknell closed the matchup out after Michael Cadden ’28 ran in a score from eight yards out.
Marist would find the end zone one more time, but it was too late to make a difference, and the Bison walked out with a huge 34-23 victory on the road.
Rucker finished the contest with 236 yards in the air to go along with an interception, while completing 18-of-23 (78.2%) passes. Thomas led the backfield with 76 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries.
Cadden became the Bison’s first 100-yard receiver of the campaign, going for 104 yards on seven catches. Logan Busson ’29 tallied the first interception of his career.
After two road games to start the season, the Orange and Blue return home to host VMI on Sept. 13 at 3:30 p.m. EST.
