Football dropped its second straight contest on the road this past Saturday, falling to Cornell 30-20. It was quarterback Chris Dietrich’s ’28 second consecutive start as starter Ralph Rucker IV ’26 remains sidelined with an injury.

It was a slow offensive start for both squads, as the Orange and Blue could only muster two possessions through the first quarter, with one ending in a punt and another a turnover on downs. Cornell would secure a field goal mid-way through the quarter to take a 3-0 lead after the opening 15 minutes.

The Bison didn’t take long to respond after the break, finding the end zone to cap off an eight-play, 85-yard drive highlighted by a 41-yard completion from Dietrich to TJ Cadden ’27. Logan Bush ’28 ran it in from a yard out to put the Orange and Blue up 7-3. 

The Bison’s lead wouldn’t last long, as the Big Red found the goal line once more before half. A missed PAT sent the Orange and Blue into the locker room down 9-7.

The Bison found themselves in a deep hole midway through the third quarter thanks to an offensive surge from Cornell. The Big Red opened the second half with 14 unanswered points, beginning with a touchdown on their opening possession. Two third-quarter turnovers plagued the Orange and Blue from finding any rhythm, including a fumble that came right after Deuce Geter ’27 recovered one of his own to give the ball right back to Cornell.

After the Big Red tacked on another touchdown early in the fourth to take a 30-7 lead, all hope seemed lost for the Bison, but a fourth-quarter rally almost sent the contest in favor of the Orange and Blue. 

The Bison ended its scoring drought with a 10-play, 73-yard drive capped off by a 15-yard touchdown completion from Dietrich to Sam Milligan ’27. On Cornell’s next possession, Nick Hoying ’27 recovered another fumble to shift the momentum completely in the Orange and Blue’s direction. This was followed by a 13-yard connection from Dietrich to Michael Cadden ’28 to put the Bison right back in it. A failed two-point conversion made the tally 30-20. 

The Bison defense was able to hold Cornell on its next possession to leave a sliver of hope left, but a game-sealing interception when the Orange and Blue got the ball back with less than two minutes to go sealed their fate.

Dietrich finished his second start, completing 19-of-32 (59.4%) passes for 220 yards to go along with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Bush led the Bison on the ground with nine carries for 29 yards and a touchdown, while Milligan led the receivers with seven catches for 78 yards and a touchdown of his own.

Following two straight road losses, Bucknell (4-4, 1-2) will look to bounce back next at home against Georgetown on Oct. 25.