×

Bucknell holds off late rally attempt

WORCESTER, Mass. — The Bucknell football team withstood a furious Holy Cross comeback to win its Patriot League opener, 19-16, on Saturday afternoon at Fitton Field.

The Bison (1-4, 1-0 PL) built a 19-7 lead on a 36-yard touchdown rush by Jared Cooper and a 22-yard touchdown throw by Logan Bitikofer to Alan Butler. While the Crusaders (1-4, 0-2 PL) responded with a safety and a touchdown of their own to draw within a field goal at the 6:57 mark of the fourth quarter, Bucknell’s offense drained 6:13 off the clock by marching from its 18-yard line to Holy Cross’s 26 in 13 plays.

Following a missed 43-yard field goal attempt, the Crusaders got the ball back with 36 seconds remaining in regulation. After Geoff Wade had three passes fall incomplete, Holy Cross went for it on 4th and 10. Joe Lauro came up with his second pass breakup of the sequence to seal the victory, leveling Richie DeNicola at midfield and knocking the ball away in the process.

Cooper, who was awarded the Johnny Turco Memorial Trophy as the Most Outstanding Player of Holy Cross’s Homecoming Day Game, led the Bison with 123 yards on 24 carries. All but 19 of his yards came during the Bison’s second-half surge, which saw them post 253 of their season-best 328 yards of total offense.

At halftime, Bucknell trailed by a 7-6 margin. The Bison took their first lead of the game at the third quarter’s 9:25 mark on Cooper’s first career touchdown. The freshman broke two tackles and then outraced two Crusaders to the end zone, giving Bucknell a 12-7 advantage; the Bison attempted a two-point conversion, but Bitikofer’s pass fell incomplete.

A clutch fumble recovery by Roger Mellado at Holy Cross’s 27-yard line set up Butler’s second touchdown of the season. That score, which came with 11:06 remaining in regulation, proved to be the difference as the Crusaders came roaring back.

On the possession after Butler’s diving touchdown, Wade hit DeNicola in stride for a 72-yard gain. DeNicola appeared destined for the end zone, but Lauro and Bryan Marine caught him at the Bison’s 10-yard line, setting up their goal-line stand. After Domenic Cozier picked up nine yards on two carries to bring the Crusaders to the one-yard line, Mellado stopped Wade on 3rd and 1 and Marine and Page teamed to halt Cozier on 4th and 1 to give Bucknell the ball back.

Holy Cross ultimately picked up a safety two plays later to cut its deficit to 19-9. After forcing the Bison to go three and out on their next possession, Wade found DeNicola for a 59-yard touchdown to make it a 19-16 game.

During the first quarter, the Crusaders limited the Bison to 21 yards of total offense and a single first down. They jumped out to the lead at the 4:46 mark, with Cozier muscling his way into the end zone from seven yards out to cap an 11-play, 81-yard drive.

Bucknell regrouped in the second frame, as Ethan Torres kicked two field goals to trim the deficit to 7-6.

The Bison defense was the story of the second quarter. They held Holy Cross to just 11 yards of total offense and four first downs. Grayson Cherubino and Simeon Page led the defensive surge, each recording 1.5 sacks for a combined loss of 27 yards in the frame.

Bitikofer completed 19 of 29 passes for 193 yards while Sanders totaled 97 yards on six catches. Marine registered 75 yards on five punt returns, bolstered by his clutch 67-yard run.

Lauro and Sam Chitty paced Bucknell’s defense with 11 tackles (seven solo) apiece. Cherubino and Page each three tackles for a loss. In total, the Bison registered 12 tackles for a combined loss of 50 yards. Page, who had two sacks, now has 13.5 in his career; he now needs just three more to crack Bucknell’s career top 10 as a sophomore.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

COMMENTS

[vivafbcomment]

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today