LEWISBURG — Bucknell will host its final game of its four-game homestand against Patriot League opponent Richmond on Saturday, Oct. 4 at noon at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium. This will be the fourth time that the Bison and the Spiders meet, and the first time in 18 years.

Richmond has defeated Bucknell in each of their three meetings thus far. Bucknell comes into the game 3-2 (0-1 PL) after a tight win over Saint Francis and Richmond comes in 3-2 (0-1 PL) off of a tight 13-12 victory over Howard.

After being down by one with just under eight minutes left in the game, Ralph Rucker IV rushed for 32 yards to set up Tariq Thomas for a 17-yard rush followed by a seven-yard rushing touchdown. Bucknell converted their two-point try to gain a 30-23 lead over Saint Francis with just about five-minutes left in the game. The Bison would ride that momentum to get the 30-23 victory over the Red Flash at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium on senior night.

Saint Francis threatened to score with a big drive in the final two minutes of the ball game. The Red Flash had possession at the 20 with 7.5 seconds remaining, throwing deep to the end zone. Brad Gerken jumped the route and picked the ball with 1.5 seconds remaining, effectively sealing the game.

Thomas rushed for 95 yards on 10 attempts and a touchdown as he surpassed 1,000 career rushing yards in the contest. Rucker went 15 for 26 and a touchdown, and he also rushed for a touchdown for the Bison. TJ Cadden led the Bison in receiving with six catches for 78 yards and a touchdown. Brandon Biagiarelli led the team in tackles with nine total.

Richmond enters the contest 3-2 overall and 0-1 in the Patriot League with its conference loss coming at the hands of Lehigh. In their last time out, the Spiders pulled off a fourth quarter comeback to win their contest against Howard 13-12.

Down by two scores with 12 minutes left, Richmond had back-to-back fourth quarter interceptions that each resulted in quick touchdowns to rally back and take the win 13-12.

Alongside Ralph Rucker IV (Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year) and Tariq Thomas (Patriot League 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.

The Bison are entering their seventh season under coach Dave Cecchini in 2025.

Cecchini was voted the Patriot League Dick Biddle Coach of the Year during the 2021 campaign for leading the Bison to a spot in the first-ever Patriot League Championship game following the abbreviated season, Cecchini’s team is coming off a record setting season where the squad broke 13 individual records, seven team records and scored the most single-season points in program history.