LOUISBURG — Bucknell University quarterback Ralph Rucker IV scored three touchdowns, freshman running back Tariq Thomas set a career-high with 141 ground yards, and the Bison defense beat the defending Patriot League champions. Lafayette made a number of key plays late in a 21-14 victory over 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 remaining, the Bison remain in strong momentum toward winning the league title.
Looking to avenge last season’s 56-22 loss to the Leopards in Easton, Bucknell trailed 14-7 in the fourth quarter, but Rucker’s second rushing TD of the game turned the game around and they continued on. and a 9-yard strike to Eric Weatherly. 5 minutes 38 seconds left, in the back of the end zone.
The Bison defense, which held the Leopards to a score on their first drive of the first half, came back big in the final five minutes. Lafayette had a first-and-goal from two shots, but a false start penalty set them back five yards. William Kania tackled Troy Bruce for no gain, and on second down Jack Barnes pressured quarterback Dean DeNoville, forcing him to flip a pass to offensive tackle Ryder Langsdale. Knowing he wasn’t eligible as a receiver, Langsdale caught the ball and immediately spiked it to the ground, resulting in a raw fumble and a 15-yard run by Gavin Willis with 1:19 left. Recovered for Bison at the line.
Bucknell had to punt to get the ball back, and Matt Shearer’s 47-yarder took him down at the Lafayette 33 with 58 seconds left. The Leopards advanced to the Bison 35, but Aaron Davis broke up two consecutive passes and Alex Smith Jr. broke up a Hail Mary attempt on the final play of the game.
Both teams scored touchdowns in the first six minutes of the game, and it looked like a shootout early on. The Bison stalled on the first few plays, but Thomas rushed for 45 yards on 3rd and 16 yards. Four plays later, Rucker escaped from the pocket and found the end zone for a 19-yard touchdown.
The Leopards (4-5 PL, 1-3 PL) quickly turned the field around, completing a seven-play, 62-yard drive in just 2 minutes, 59 seconds. DeNobile immediately passed to Chris Calascia, who made a mistake by a defender and took the pass 38 yards to the house for a touchdown.
After a quick start, neither team was able to score any additional points in the first half. The Bison had great field position midway through the second quarter after the defense forced a three-and-out. With the Bison looking to score, Lafayette’s Cyke White made a spectacular one-handed interception in the corner of the end zone, giving the Leopards the ball back.
Senior Sydney Seller scored the winning goal for the Lycoming University women’s soccer team four minutes into the game.
The area was filled with talented runners at the PIAA Cross Country Championships in Hershey on Saturday.
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