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Bucknell football eager to get on field, compete

By Jon Gerardi 7 min read

Bucknell was sitting with a 5-5 record with two games to play to close out the year. Win both and go 7-5, maybe sneak into the Patriot League playoffs and who knows what could happen from there. But instead, the year ended with two losses for the Bison against Holy Cross (30-27) and to Colgate (38-19).

It continued a string of unfortunate seasons at Bucknell, where the Bison haven't secured a winning season since going 8-3 in 2014. Bucknell had a .500 year in 2024 with a 6-6 record.

It's now a new era of football in Lewisburg for Bucknell as the Bison are coached by Jeff Behrman, who replaces Dave Cecchini after a seven-year run. Behrman comes to Bucknell after a successful three-year run at John Carroll in which he led them to back-to-back NCAA Division III playoff berths.

Behrman came to Bucknell early in the year in January and admitted he didn't know what his team had talent wise until they got on the field during its annual spring game.

"We really didn't know until we got on the field in spring football to get a gauge. Once you start working with them in person, a lot of your schematics will be based around what they're capable of doing," Behrman said. "You try to accentuate their strengths and what they're going to be really, really good at and the special teams phase as well."

"What do I bring to it? It's organization, it's vision, it's leadership to be able to be lined in the same direction each and every day," the coach continued.

Bucknell has some tough holes to fill, notably at quarterback. The Bison graduated Ralph Rucker, the program's all-time passing and touchdown leader. Rucker threw for 1,568 yards last year and 11 touchdowns to just four picks. He wrapped his career with 6,925 yards and 57 touchdowns. Christopher Dietrich is back after he saw time and threw for 875 yards last year with nine touchdowns and four interceptions, as is Nicholas Penuvchev, a freshman last year who went 18 for 34 in his time on the field for 276 yards and three touchdowns with three interceptions.

Behrman was unsure who that opening day starter would be, however, noting a good competition at quarterback so far.

"I haven't met Ralph, but certainly watched the film on him and realized what a talent he was here at Bucknell. I can appreciate having to replace that. You don’t replace him, it’s the next man up. We have five QBs in the room right now and coming out of the spring, Dietrick has established himself as the leader in the room having played some and getting some experience before he was injured," Behrman said. "But it’s only (early) in terms of the practice field. Everyone's competing at this point and we're evaluating each and every day."

In the backfield, Tariq Thomas returns after a great sophomore campaign in which he ran for 645 yards on 131 carries and three touchdowns, leading Bucknell's ground game. Senior Michael Cadden (296 yards, five touchdowns) and junior Logan Bush (237 yards, two touchdowns) are also both back.

Two Bucknell captains -- linebacker/safety Nick Hoying and receiver Sam Milligan -- knew the past few years haven't been easy and the team's struggled, but they know what they have to do to compete in the Patriot League and put up victories.

"Defense is a reactionary sport, you have to react to what the offense gives you. The coach is intentional knowing we know what the offense is doing and not just to react, but understand the why and understand the defense and how we can support each other," Hoying said. "Personally, my goal is I want to have a great season, contribute on the field, but I've been blessed with great leaders and I want to give back to these freshmen and underclassmen to make sure they can make the most of their seasons."

Milligan noted about what Behrman and his staff have brought to the program already.

"I think one of the things this staff has done has highlighted the culture they're looking for. That makes it easy for the upperclassmen to lead by example and traits," Milligan said. "Offensively, one of the things the coaches have both highlighted is intensity and I'd say that is one of biggest differences with how intense our practices are. Walkthroughs, meetings, practices -- all that. That makes it much easier for all of us to exemplify the traits the coaches need."

Milligan was Rucker's favorite target last year, reeling in a team-high 56 receptions for a team-high 975 yards. He also led Bucknell with 10 touchdowns, giving whoever this year's starting QB is a reliable target who can change a game if he gets open. Bucknell graduated TJ Cadden (52 catches, 693 yards, six touchdowns) and Josh Gary (35 catches, 325 yards, one touchdown).

Both Bison standouts talked about the transition to a new coach and a new staff as they enter another season with the Bison.

"On his first day here, he told us he cares more about us than just players. He wants us to succeed, but also the knowledge your coaches care about you on a much deeper level, it's really professional and really personal," Hoying said. "Develop that trust that they have your back."

"I would say, and I know Nick feels the same, the way the intentionality and intensity have been the biggest differences. It's exciting to see the staff pour as much effort and time and thought into our practice plans, our walkthroughs, everything we do in our meetings," Milligan added. "The intensity brings a sense of urgency and intensity that forces us to pick up our game, whether it's in meetings or practices, making sure we're 10% focused and bought in and leaning on people we need to get through practice and get the most out of it."

Hoying ended last year with 27 solo tackles, 26 assisted (53 total) and seven tackles for loss. He also recorded a sack, quarterback hurry, forced fumble and recovered a fumble.

Milligan was a preseason All-Patriot League football selection this year alongside teammate Brandon Biagiarelli (linebacker).

Bucknell finished last in the Patriot League preseason football poll out of 10 teams as Villanova (79 points) and Lehigh (75) were voted at the top to win the league this year. But neither Hoying or Milligan care about those rankings. Last year is last year and the duo are focused on this season and getting back to winning.

"Preseason polls are that: preseason. At the end of day we have to earn it, respect is given," Hoying noted. "You have to earn that respect and this team hasn't done anything and hasn't earned anything yet."

"We really focus on earning it. Again, pay little mind to that. The idea is we have to go out and earn it, as coaches have hammered home. We're not training for one game, just everybody we play. Attack season that every game is expected to win, we're expecting to win that game," Milligan said. "Looking at some poll -- made by people not in our building -- isn't what we reflect on ourselves. Nobody is too concerned with that."

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