LEWISBURG, Pa.. – An experienced Bucknell defense held Lafayette's offense in check on Saturday afternoon, handing the Leopards a 38-13 final at Christy Mathewson Memorial Stadium. The Bison picked off Lafayette four times, three resulting in Bucknell scores, and limited the offense to 284 yards.
Things started well for the offense which scored one minute and 47 seconds into the game. Senior QB
Cole Northrup hit
Julius Young for a 61-yard scoring strike. Young got behind a pair of defenders on the play-action pass which came after
Selwyn Simpson picked up a 3rd-and-2 at the Lafayette 33 with a six-yard run. The PAT was no good and Lafayette led 6-0 following the four-play, 75-yard drive.
On Bucknell's second possession of the game, the Bison took over at midfield. Logan Bitikofer hit Dominic Lyles for a 27-yard touchdown pass as Bucknell took the 7-6 lead mid-way through the first quarter. The scored remained there at the end of the quarter.
On the next Leopard possession, the Leopard defense weathered an interception. Playing without
Damon Washington,
Billy Shaeffer and
Ryan Dickens, the defense held the Bison to 175 yards in the opening half. Bucknell added a 38-yard Ethan Torres field goal just before the end of the first half to lead 10-6.
As the second half opened, Bucknell maintained its momentum, putting together a 7-play, 71-yard scoring drive. Bitikofer hit his favorite target, Brandon Sanders, for an acrobatic 35-yard TD catch with Leopard corner
Caleb Burr defending. Sanders finished the afternoon with 12 catches for 179 yards.
On the Leopards' ensuing possession, Northrup's pass went off the hands of a receiver and was intercepted. The Bison took advantage. Tarrin Earle, one of two QB's that Bucknell used on the afternoon, scrambled out of trouble before finding Alex Twiford for a 35-yard touchdown. Bucknell led 24-6 six minutes into the second half.
The Leopard offense was moving the ball at the end of the third quarter, when Northrup (17-of-29 for 204, 1 TD 3, INT) had a pass attempt batted at the line of scrimmage and it was intercepted by Simeon Page. As the game moved to the fourth quarter, Bucknell put away the game. Earle connected with Sanders who reeled in a 12-yard grab for his second TD of the game and a 31-6 margin.
Bucknell (0-1) added another late score on an interception.
Sean O'Malley's first pass attempt was picked off by Blake Leake who returned it 41 yards for a TD.
O'Malley and the Leopards added a late score when the senior zipped a pass to
Logan Whelan for a nine-yard TD. O'Malley finished the day 6-of-9 for 65 yards with a TD and an INT.
Defensively for the Leopards
Malik Hamm finished with seven tackles and a half sack while Burr added six stops.
Lafayette (1-1) is slated to return home next week, hosting Lehigh at 12:30 p.m. in the 156h Meeting of college football's most-played rivalry.
