Jonathan Grainger, Ryan Slater Elected Bucknell Football Captains

E-mail

Ryan Slater recorded 165 tackles over the last two seasons.

Rising Seniors Will Be in Third Year as Starters in 2007

May 29, 2007

LEWISBURG, Pa. - Bucknell senior offensive lineman Jonathan Grainger (Pittsburgh, Pa./Carrick) and senior linebacker Ryan Slater (Elysburg, Pa./Southern Columbia) have been elected team captains for the 2007 season, head coach Tim Landis announced. The duo was selected after a vote of their teammates and coaching staff.

A local product from nearby Southern Columbia High School, Slater has earned varsity letters in each of his first three seasons at Bucknell and has been one of the team's top tacklers in each of the last two. A starting inside linebacker since the beginning of his sophomore year, Slater ranked third on the team with 81 tackles last season after posting a team-high 84 in 2005. Slater had nine or more tackles six times last fall, including a season-high 12 stops against Lafayette. He logged a career-high 13 tackles against Cornell in 2005.

Jonathan Grainger will return as a starter on the offensive line in 2007.

Grainger came to Bucknell as a defensive lineman but made a mid-season move to the offensive side of the ball during his sophomore campaign in 2005. The switch proved to be a major success, as Grainger earned a starting nod in each of the final five games that season, then he started all 11 contests at right guard in 2006, when he helped the Bison rank fifth in the nation in rushing offense at 235.2 yards per game.

"Ryan and Jonathan have both played a lot of football for us, and both will make excellent captains," said Landis. "Both guys have been starters for the last two seasons, and I was not surprised at all when they were selected as captains by their peers. They are well-respected as football players and as teammates. Ryan has been at the top of out tackles chart for two years, and Jonathan will again be a key part of our offensive line."

Grainger and Slater are two of 35 lettermen returning from last year's squad that finished 6-5 overall and 3-3 in the Patriot League. Bucknell begins preseason practice on Aug. 5.