Coleman Bennett Rushes for 157 Yards in Bucknell Win Over Soccer

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ITHACA, N.Y. — Taking part in within the rain on a moist Schoellkopf subject, it was clear that soccer was going to be in a 60 minute struggle within the trenches. Taking up Bucknell in its closing nonconference sport of the season, the Pink (2-3, 1-1 Ivy), whose floor sport has been a power this season, was out-rushed, 176-82. The Bison (2-4, 0-2 Patriot League) combined in occasional shot performs with a dominant dashing assault, and did sufficient on protection to come back away with the win, 21-13.

“It’s a disappointing loss,” mentioned senior large receiver Nicholas Laboy. “We clearly need to come away with a win right here. However the principle factor is, we’ve simply received to study from this sport.”

The impact of the moist circumstances was evident from the beginning, as each groups struggled to generate offense within the first quarter. Bucknell went three-and-out on the opening drive of the sport.

The Pink began the sport on the bottom, as junior quarterback Jameson Wang transformed a 3rd down with a 20-yard rush. On the next play, trying to move, Wang was hit as he threw. The ball popped up within the air and was caught on the line of scrimmage by a Bucknell defensive lineman, giving the Bison a right away alternative inside Cornell territory.

Confronted with the sudden change of possession, the Pink’s protection stepped up. Cornell pressured the Bison right into a 4th and 6 scenario, and a tipped move from quarterback Ralph Rucker went into the arms of senior security Brody Kidwell. With room to run down the left sideline, Kidwell returned the choose 33 yards to set Cornell up on the Bucknell 41.

Seeking to benefit from the interception, the Pink transformed one first down earlier than stalling simply exterior the pink zone. Senior punter/kicker Jackson Kennedy got here on for a 46-yard subject purpose try and drilled it, giving Cornell an early 3-0 lead.

Penalties turned a significant factor for each groups within the second quarter. On a Bison drive ranging from its personal 11 there have been 4 complete penalties — two on every group. The 2 towards Cornell proved to be extra essential — each private fouls giving Bucknell first downs.

Bolstered by the Pink’s penalties, Bucknell drove 89 yards on 14 performs, consuming up 4:33 of sport clock on a drive that solely featured rush performs. Rucker capped it off himself with a one-yard landing rush, and the Bison took a 7-3 lead early within the second.

On the next drive, the Pink was poised to strike again, as a 22-yard connection from Wang to Laboy put Cornell in Bucknell territory. However, after choosing up simply six yards on the next three performs, the Pink was confronted with a 4th down. Opting to go for it, Wang scrambled out of the pocket however was tackled for a four-yard loss, and Cornell turned it over on downs.

Penalties continued to harm each groups later within the quarter, because the Bison’s closing drive of the half began with 4 consecutive penalties, once more two on every group. The third private foul of the quarter towards the Pink, coupled with a move interference name towards junior security Trey Harris, had Bucknell threatening in Cornell territory.

The Pink’s protection remained stout regardless of the penalties, and two performs after the move interference, senior cornerback Paul Lewis III received a strip sack of Rucker, flying in untouched off the left facet of the road. Junior linebacker Hunter Sloan fell on the free ball, and Cornell was arrange on the Bucknell 44 with three minutes remaining within the half.

Searching for to construct momentum earlier than halftime, the Pink drove 26 yards on six performs earlier than settling for a subject purpose try with two seconds remaining. Kennedy related from 35 yards as time expired, and Cornell went into the locker room trailing, 7-6.

The Pink got here out of the gate sizzling within the second half. On the primary play from scrimmage, Cornell moved the ball into Bucknell territory on a 24-yard, one-handed catch by Laboy.

“Coach goes to be mad at me about that one,” Laboy mentioned. “Most likely ought to have went with two arms, nevertheless it was a late response and I simply reached my hand out and snagged it.”

Two performs later, Wang related with senior tight finish Matt Robbert on one other 24-yard move to get the Pink into the pink zone. Wang completed off the drive himself two performs later with a five-yard landing rush, giving Cornell a 13-7 lead.

The Pink’s protection held up on Bucknell’s opening drive of the half, navigating its fourth private foul of the sport — this time roughing the passer — to drive a punt. The Bison was in a position to pin Cornell deep, and the Pink began the following drive by itself one-yard line.

Backed as much as its personal finish zone, Cornell was capable of finding some respiratory room following a horse collar deal with by Bucknell. On the play after the non-public foul, Wang related with Laboy as soon as once more, this time on a 30-yard shot down the appropriate sideline.

Cornell labored the ball to only exterior the pink zone earlier than settling for its third subject purpose try of the day. Kennedy, who had already hit from 46 and 35, was quick on the try from 44, and the Bison took over.

After nearly solely dashing the ball within the first half, Bucknell took extra pictures within the air within the third quarter. On the Bison’s ensuing drive, Rucker accomplished passes of 11 and 39 yards — the latter organising a goal-to-go alternative.

Three performs later, operating again Coleman Bennett discovered the sting and rushed for a one-yard landing to present the Bison the lead. Regardless of taking the lead, Bucknell had some harm issues with Rucker, who got here out of the sport.

The Pink did not put up factors on its following drive, and Bucknell received the ball again trying to prolong its lead. Now being led by quarterback Nick Semptimphelter, the Bison soar began its drive instantly with a 26-yard rush.

Confronted with a third and 12 from the Cornell 40, Semptimphelter accomplished a 36-yard move down the left sideline to arrange a goal-to-go probability. Two performs later, Semptimphelter related with large receiver Damian Harris within the left nook of the top zone to present the Bison a 21-13 lead.

The Pink continued to wrestle on offense, going three-and-out on its following possession. Needing a cease to maintain the sport alive, Cornell’s protection stepped up, forcing a punt from Bucknell at midfield.

Down eight with slightly below two minutes remaining, the Pink took over by itself 5. Wang began the drive with a 36-yard move to Robbert, however suffered an 11-yard sack on the subsequent play. Taking part in nicely behind the sticks, Cornell was unable to beat the sack, and turned the ball over on downs. Bucknell was in a position to take a knee and run out the clock, successful the sport, 21-13.

“I feel that’s what it in the end got here right down to — Large Pink beating the Large Pink,” Laboy mentioned. “We’re a gifted group, and I feel we will make performs and transfer the ball approach higher than we did.”
This marks the third straight loss for the Pink after beginning the season 2-0. After taking a 13-6 lead early within the second half, Cornell was shut out for the ultimate 28 minutes of the sport.

The Pink now seems forward to the guts of its schedule, beginning with Brown subsequent Saturday, Oct. 21. Kickoff from Schoellkopf Area is about for 1 p.m., and the sport might be broadcast on ESPN+.