LEWISBURG — Bucknell will begin its first four-game home stretch since its Patriot League Championship season of 1996 on Saturday as they face VMI at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium at 3:30 p.m.

Both teams enter the contest with an overall 1-1 record and are coming off of their first wins of the 2025 season.

Bucknell found its victory at Marist with a 34-23 win. Tariq Thomas led the offensive charge as he rushed for 77 yards and two touchdowns. Ralph Rucker IV went 18-of-23 for 236 yards through the air, and TJ Cadden (104 yards) and Sam Milligan (87 yards) both broke their career records in receiving yards.

Freshman Logan Busson recorded his first career interception in the first half, and Terian Williams II and Deuce Geter paced the defense with 13 tackles each.

VMI is coming off of a decisive victory over Ferrum 42-7. The Keydets scored the first 21 points before the Panthers struck and were able to limit Ferrum to zero points in the second half of the game.

The Keydets totaled 400 yards of offense, which included 176 rushing yards and 223 passing yards. Collin Shannon threw for three touchdowns in the game to Owen Sweeney, Malik McNeely and Morgan McPhaul.

The contest between Bucknell and VMI will be sponsored by Belfor Property Restoration and will serve as the Bison’s Military and First Responder Appreciation Game.

Bucknell begins a four-game home-stand on Saturday, Sept. 13 at 3:30 p.m. as they take on VMI at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium.

This is the first time since the Bison’s Patriot League Championship season of 1996, that there will be four home games in a row.

Alongside Ralph Rucker IV (PL Offensive Player of the Year) and Tariq Thomas (PL Rookie of the Year), the Bison are returning two other Patriot League first-team selections in return specialist TJ Cadden and special teams standout Sam Milligan.

Bucknell also returns two Patriot League second-team selections in offensive lineman and 2024 Patriot League Scholar-Athlete of the Year, John Ohnegian and punter Matt Schearer.