Aug. 29, 2015
CENTER VALLEY, Pa. - Bucknell posted its highest win total since 1997 with an 8-3 record last year, and now looks to make the next step and earn the Patriot League title after coming just shy of that goal last season.
The Bison fell in overtime at home against Fordham on November 7 in a contest that ended up deciding the Patriot League title in 2014. Bucknell won its lone Patriot League title in 1996, but may have its best chance in years to end that drought with key players returning from last season’s squad. Quarterback R.J. Nitti, running back C.J. Williams, wide receiver Will Carter and offensive lineman Julie’n Davenport lead a strong junior class, with the latter three earning Preseason All-Patriot League honors. Three first-team All-League players are gone from last year’s defense including Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year Evan Byers at linebacker, but the Bison have developed a strong unit on that side of the ball in Head Coach Joe Susan’s tenure and have aSave pair of Preseason All-Patriot League players in defensive lineman Abdullah Anderson and defensive back Clayton Ewell.
A preview of the 2015 Bucknell Bison season is included below, with a look at the offense, defense, special teams and schedule as well as links to team information. Video interviews with Bucknell Head Coach Joe Susan and student-athletes Julie’n Davenport and Louis Taglianetti are also available on Patriot League Network.
For more on all of the teams, read the 2015 Patriot League Football Preview and follow coverage on the @PatriotLeagueFB Twitter account.
HEAD COACH: Joe Susan, 6th Season at Bucknell (34-31 overall/24-31 at Bucknell, 12-18 Patriot League)
2014 RECORD: 8-3 Overall, 4-2 Patriot League (2nd place)
PATRIOT LEAGUE PRESEASON POLL: 2nd
PRESEASON ALL-PATRIOT LEAGUE: C.J. Williams (Jr., RB); Will Carter (Jr., WR); Julie’n Davenport (Jr., OL); Ramy Kased (Sr., OL); Abdullah Anderson (So., DL); Clayton Ewell (Sr., DB)
OFFENSE: The Bison bring back six starters, including their key players at the skill positions. R.J. Nitti threw for 1,553 yards and 13 touchdowns and C.J. Williams ran for 901 yards and nine scores last season, putting up the numbers despite each having their seasons interrupted with games missed. Will Carter had a breakout season at wide receiver as he caught 53 passes for 959 yards and nine touchdowns and Bobby Kaslander hauled in 27 catches for 362 yards and four scores. The offensive line will once again be led by Julie’n Davenport and Ramy Kased, who earned Preseason All-League honors along with Williams and Carter. The Bison did lose Lonnie Rawles from the line after an All-Patriot League year.
DEFENSE: Bucknell has seven starters back on defense, though the group loses three first-team All-Patriot League honorees in defensive lineman Demetrius Baldwin-Youngblood and linebackers Lee Marvel and Evan Byers, the 2014 Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year. Abdullah Anderson (28 TT) is back on the defensive line and Clayton Ewell (53 TT, 4 INT) returns at defensive back as both earned Preseason All-League honors, while Louis Taglianetti (62 TT, 3 INT) and Colin Jonov (23 TT, 2 INT) are also in the defensive backfield with Doug Whitlock (4 sacks) joining Anderson on the line.
SPECIAL TEAMS: Derek Maurer handled both the placekicking and punting duties last season, so the Bison will have new faces in both areas. A pair of sophomores are slated to step in with John Burdick at kicker and Matt Muh as the punter.
SCHEDULE: After beating Marist, Cornell and VMI last season, the Bison will take on each squad again over the first five weeks. Bucknell opens with home games against Marist (Sept. 5) and Duquesne (Sept. 12), then has road trips to Cornell (Sept. 19) and VMI (Oct. 3) wrapped around a bye. Patriot League play starts at home against Lehigh on Oct. 10, and the Bison then finish the non-League slate at Army West Point on Oct. 17. Bucknell plays League contests over the final five weeks, hosting Georgetown (Oct. 24) and Holy Cross (Nov. 14) and visiting Lafayette (Oct. 31), Fordham (Nov. 7) and Colgate (Nov. 21).