Football (Gridiron Club)

"The unwavering backing from the Gridiron Club serves as the lifeblood of our Bison Football program and every contribution propels us forward on our quest to attain championship status within the Patriot League. Whether it's a generous gift on One Herd One Day or a contribution throughout the year, your donations send a powerful message to our student-athletes, conveying the genuine passion of the Bucknell Football family for the trajectory of our program and the future success of each player beyond the football field. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our dedicated alumni, parents and friends for their overwhelming support. Go Bison!" - Head Coach Dave Cecchini

The 2024 Bucknell football season was at the same time gratifying and agonizing. Picked to finish in last place in the Patriot League preseason poll, the Bison proved their doubters wrong by finishing in third place with a 4-2 record. Those two setbacks came by a combined three points, and a gut-wrenching 40-38 loss at Holy Cross proved to be the difference. The Bison were in contention for the championship all the way up to the final day of the season, and they can claim a 38-35 overtime win on the road at Lehigh, which not only captured the Patriot League title but also won a first-round game in the NCAA FCS playoffs. Quarterback Ralph Rucker became the first Bison in 30 years to be selected as the Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year, running back Tariq Thomas was picked as the Rookie of the Year, and center John Ohnegian was named Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Rucker threw for a school-record 457 yards and five touchdowns in a season-ending 48-34 win over Colgate, and he shattered the team records for TD passes in a season (25) and career (46). Scott Auchenbach had held the Bucknell career mark of 42 touchdown passes since 1989. Rucker also broke the Bucknell single-season record for passing yards with 2,826 and his career total of 5,363 in just two seasons ranks second all-time. He was also selected as a finalist for the Walter Payton Award, given to the FCS Offensive Player of the Year. Four Bison earned Academic All-Patriot League honors as the team fashioned a 3.35 team GPA and placed a league-high 68 players on the PL Academic Honor Roll. Considering the team’s performance on and off the field and the opening of the Pascucci Team Center last summer, 2024 was a memorable year for the program.