Bucknell Football's Defense Strong in 21-3 Loss at Penn - BUCKNELL UNIVERSITY OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE

Bucknell Football's Defense Strong in 21-3 Loss at Penn

Bison Record Three Interceptions, Hold Quakers to 264 Yards of Total Offense

C.J. Hopson completed 13 of 34 passes vs. Penn.

Oct. 10, 2009

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LEWISBURG, Pa. - The Bucknell defense recorded three interceptions, held Penn to one touchdown over the first 52 minutes of play and limited the Quakers to 264 yards of total offense, but the Bison football squad lost to Penn 21-3 Saturday afternoon at historic Franklin Field. With the loss, Bucknell fell to 3-3 heading into its bye week. Penn is now 2-2.

Penn's John Hurley made his first career start at quarterback and completed 14 of 27 passes for 148 yards. He was one of three Quakers to complete a pass in the game. Nine different receivers caught passes for Penn.

The Bison defense was strong throughout, forcing three turnovers and holding its second consecutive opponent under 300 total yards. Ahkiel White, Bryce Robertson and Rob Gerlach recorded interceptions. It was the second straight week with a pick for White, while Gerlach took over the team lead with his third interception of the season.

The game was close until Penn tacked on two touchdowns in the final half of the fourth quarter. The Quakers capitalized on a Bison fumble inside the 10-yard line to extend their lead to 14-3 with 7:35 left in the final quarter. They then scored another touchdown inside the final two minutes after the Bison turned the ball over on downs.

Penn took the lead midway through the first quarter, capitalizing on stellar field position. The Quakers took over at the Bucknell 40 and covered the 40 yards in nine plays, culminating with a five-yard TD pass from Matt Hamscher to Luke Deluca. The Bison defense then forced five punts, a missed field goal and a turnover on downs over the next seven Quaker possessions.

Bucknell's only points came in the third quarter when Drew Orth connected on a 32-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter. The Bison capitalized on Robertson's first career interception, when they took control of the ball at the Penn 27-yard line.

Bucknell's offense, which generated 196 total yards, the third time in six games it has been held under 200 yards, could not capitalize on the chances the defense gave it. It went three-and-out following White's interception and a missed Penn field goal. A fumble by Tyler Smith occured two plays after Gerlach's interception, while the Bison went four-and-out, recording one first down, after taking possession on downs in the second half. The only time Bucknell took advantage of a turnover was after Robertson's interception.

C.J. Hopson went the whole way at quarterback for Bucknell, completing 13 of 34 passes for 92 yards. Ryan Smith led the way on the ground with 51 yards.

On the defensive side of the field, Greg Jones posted a game high-tying 11 tackles foe the Bison, giving him a team-best 54 on the year. Tyler Anderson added eight stops, while Casey Williams had six and a key pass breakup on a fourth down pass late in the third quarter.

Playing his second game of the year, Bison wide receiver Shaun Pasternak caught his first pass of the season, a 12-yarder for a first down in the third quarter.

Bucknell also struggled on third downs, going 4 of 17, leading to six punts for Andrew Bell. The Bison were also 1 of 3 on fourth down.

The Bison have now lost to Penn five straight times and are 5-28 all-time against the Quakers.

Bucknell will be idle next week, but will return home to host Lehigh on Oct. 24. That game will be held on Homecoming Weekend. The Bison will play their final five games against Patriot League foes.