Bucknell looks to snap 10-game losing streak to non-conference opponents in football today

Bucknell travels to Sacred Heart today for a 6 p.m. game to begin the 2021 season in Connecticut. The Bison are looking to snap a 10-game losing steak to non-conference opponents that dates back to 2018.

The Bison were chosen to finish fifth in the Patriot League. In the 2021 spring season, Bucknell went 2-2 and 2-0 in the PL South. In 2019, Bucknell finished 3-8 (3-3 PL). Bucknell finished that season tied for third in the Patriot League, the highest placement in a full season since being runners-up in 2014.

The Bison return 35 letterwinners, including 11 seniors, 11 juniors and 13 sophomores. Six seniors are three-time letterwinners in defensive lineman Grayson Cherubino, running back Jared Cooper, cornerback Micah Dennis, quarterback Tarrin Earle, offensive lineman Michael Killiri and wide receiver Dominic Lyles.

Sacred Heart went 3-2 (2-1 NEC) this past spring and advanced to the FCS playoffs where they lost to No. 5 Delaware, 19-10.

Sacred Heart is led by running back Julius Chestnut, who led the FCS in rushing yards (855), all-purpose yards (1,026) and total touchdowns (12) in the spring of 2021. He finished third in Walter Payton Award voting and became a consensus All-American.

The last time these two met, Sacred Heart won, 30-10, in 2019.

Dominic Lyles enters this season with a few milestones within his grasp. He needs 26 receptions to reach 100 for his career, 28 to crack Bucknell's top 10 in career receptions (102) and 68 receiving yards to reach 1,000 in his career.

Bucknell travels to Villanova on September 11 for a Week 2 matchup. The Bison's first home contest is September 18 against Penn at 6 p.m.