LEWISBURG — Bucknell quarterback Ralph Rucker IV accounted for three touchdowns, freshman running back Tariq Thomas set another career high with 141 ground yards, and the Bison defense registered a number of critical plays down the stretch in a 21-14 victory over defending Patriot League champion Lafayette on Saturday at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium.

Bucknell improved to 4-5 overall and 2-1 in the Patriot League, and with three games to play the Bison are very much alive in the league title chase.

Bucknell, looking to avenge a 56-22 loss to the Leopards in Easton last season, trailed 14-7 entering the fourth quarter but flipped the game around on Rucker’s second rushing TD of the game followed by his 9-yard strike to Eric Weatherly in the back of the end zone with 5:38 remaining.

The Bison defense, which limited the Leopards to scores on its first drive of each half, came up big in the final five minutes. Lafayette had a first-and-goal from the 2 before moving back five yards on false start penalty. William Caneer tackled Troy Bruce for no gain, and then on second down Jack Barnes got pressure on quarterback Dean DeNobile, forcing him to flip a pass to offensive tackle Ryder Langsdale. Knowing he was not an eligible receiver Langsdale caught the ball and immediately spiked it to the ground, but that resulted in a live ball fumble, and Gavin Willis recovered for the Bison at the 15-yard line with 1:19 to play.

Bucknell did have to punt the ball away, and Matt Schearer’s 47-yarder was downed at the Lafayette 33 with 58 seconds left. The Leopards advanced to the Bison 35, but Aaron Davis broke up two straight passes, and Alex Smith Jr. batted down a Hail Mary attempt on the final play of the game.

The game had the makings of a shootout early, as both teams scored a touchdown in the first six minutes of the game. The Bison stalled on its first couple of plays before Thomas broke out for a 45-yard rush on a 3rd-and-16. Four plays later, Rucker escaped the pocket and found the end zone for a 19-yard touchdown.

The Leopards (4-5, 1-3 PL) came right back down the field, completing a seven-play, 62-yard drive in just 2:59. DeNobile got a pass out quickly to Chris Carasia, who made a defender miss before taking the pass 38 yards the house for the touchdown.

After the fast start, neither team found another score in the half. The Bison got great field position midway through the second quarter after the defense forced a three-and-out. As the Bison looked to score, Lafayette’s Saiku White made a terrific one-handed interception in the corner of the end zone to get possession back for the Leopards.