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Bison look at QB, OL in spring game

LEWISBURG — Before Friday night’s annual spring game for Bucknell’s football team, Lewisburg grad Drew Newcomb’s dad texted him and joked that he better get an interception during the game for the Bison’s defense.

Newcomb, by his own admission, didn’t do much early on, but he did get a lot of snaps at safety in both the 7 on 7 plays and full 11 on 11.

The former Green Dragon knows that the Bison always base their performance on production and on the final possession for Bucknell’s offense in a two-minute drill situation, Newcomb knew they were trying to score and knew he had to step up.

As senior quarterback Matt Muh looked to pass, he tried to hit a receiver near the goal line, only to see it get picked off by Newcomb.

“I wanted to return it but it was down time, so I had to go down, but definitely felt good,” Newcomb said. “My dad was actually texting me earlier and was like ‘You better get a pick today,’ so I was like all right, I will. So last play, I had to get one.”

That interception by Newcomb helped the Bucknell defense seal a 39-36 win over the offense on Friday night.

While the defense came away with the win, the focal point of the spring game was on both the offensive line and quarterbacks, two huge questions going into the season.

On the line, the Bison lost five seniors including Julie’n Davenport, who may be drafted in the middle rounds of the 2017 NFL Draft next week. Those are big shoes to fill, but it’s something that Bucknell coach Joe Susan sees promising after the spring game.

“The reps that these kids got are so beneficial for them. The starting group will be different than group that was out there today,” Susan said.

That includes senior Chase Watkins, who Susan admitted will likely be Bucknell’s starting left tackle. Susan also said junior Pat Finn and sophomore Erik Lukner will be part of the front five for the Bison.

As for the rest?

“It will be a competition for those other three positions and will come from Noah Steph­enson, Justin Falcone and I imagine one of those freshmen that we’re bringing in will have an opportunity to play and play right away.”

Bucknell brought in four offensive lineman as well, two of which were at the spring game watching.

The Bison had success from both quarterbacks in Muh and sophomore John Chiarolanzio. But if Bucknell had a game today, Susan said he wouldn’t be able to easily pick a starter between the two.

Muh had an excellent series during an 11 on 11 portion, driving Bucknell down field by going 6 for 6 for 68 yards and throwing an excellent pass for a touchdown in the corner of the end zone.

“Quarterback position at end of spring, I have to say it’s still competitive. It’s going to be a competition from rising senior Matt Muh and John Chiarolanzio. Those will be two guys to line up, would be hard to say who would be starter if we’re playing tomorrow,” Susan said. “Obviously I want to watch this film. They both threw interceptions tonight. You can’t throw interceptions.”

Susan was pleased with his other positions and where Bucknell stands after the final spring practice, including the running backs and receivers.

“I think we have two of the best running backs in the league in Chad Freshnock and Joe DeFloria,” Susan said. “We moved Stefone (Moore-Green), I think he can be an asset, we just have to be smart about how we use him. Dripping wet he’s about 150 (pounds), but he’s fast.

“I think the receiving corp will be good. Combination of Jack Horan, Kyle Kinner, Alan Butler and Justin Bethea,” said Susan. “I think we’ll be pretty good at that position.”

The Bucknell defense’s win over the offense also showed the depth the Bison have at the secondary, something that will be beneficial when the season starts to roll near.

Susan said Joe Lauro will likely be Bucknell’s free safety, Jon Fox will be strong safety and Brice Sydnor will line up at weak safety and at cornerback, Bucknell will have all-Patriot League corner Bryan Marine returning and Trey Johnson, who played a lot last year, especially on special teams.

That depth also will include Newcomb, who likely will get into the mix.

“Both our secondary coaches have trust in any one of the guys they put out there. This spring we’ve been kind of short-handed, but whoever steps in is doing a good job and I think there’s just a lot of confidence going forward for next year, especially since the back end of our defense kind of runs things,” Newcomb said. “So we need all talent we have back there, so it’s looking good now.”

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