Coleman Bennett's Dominant Performance Leads Bucknell to Victory Over Cornell

In a fierce showdown on a rain-soaked Schoellkopf field, the Cornell football team clashed with Bucknell in its final nonconference game of the season. Despite Cornell's strong ground game throughout the season, it was outperformed on the rushing front, with Bucknell gaining 176 yards to Cornell's 82. Bucknell, known for its effective mix of shot plays and a dominant rushing attack, managed to do enough on the defensive end to secure a hard-fought 21-13 victory.

Challenging Weather Conditions:

From the outset, it was clear that the wet conditions would play a significant role in the game. Both teams found it difficult to generate offense in the first quarter. Cornell started the game relying on their ground game, with junior quarterback Jameson Wang contributing a critical 20-yard rush on a third down. However, the game took an unexpected turn as Wang was hit while attempting a pass. The ball popped up in the air and was caught by a Bucknell defensive lineman at the line of scrimmage, granting the Bison a scoring opportunity deep inside Cornell territory.

Despite this setback, the Red's defense stepped up, forcing a turnover on downs. Senior safety Brody Kidwell made a crucial interception, returning it 33 yards and positioning Cornell on the Bucknell 41.

Nevertheless, the Red could only muster a field goal, with senior punter/kicker Jackson Kennedy nailing a 46-yarder to put Cornell ahead 3-0.

Penalties and Momentum Shifts:

The second quarter witnessed penalties becoming a significant factor for both teams. On a Bison drive starting from their own 11, multiple penalties, including two personal fouls from Cornell, proved to be game-changing. These infractions paved the way for Bucknell to embark on an 89-yard, 14-play drive, culminating in a 7-3 lead after quarterback Ralph Rucker's one-yard touchdown rush.

The Red had an opportunity to counter but faltered, with Wang being tackled for a loss on fourth down. Penalties continued to disrupt the flow of the game, impacting both teams, particularly Cornell.

Turning Point:

The turning point materialized when senior cornerback Paul Lewis III executed a strip sack on Bucknell's quarterback, resulting in a fumble recovered by junior linebacker Hunter Sloan. This turnover provided Cornell with excellent field position at the Bucknell 44, setting the stage for a field goal by Jackson Kennedy as time expired in the second quarter.

Coleman Bennett Shines:

In the second half, the Red made a resurgence. On the first play of the half, Wang connected with senior wide receiver Nicholas Laboy, who made a spectacular one-handed catch for a 24-yard gain, propelling the ball into Bucknell territory. Wang later capped off the drive with a five-yard touchdown rush, granting Cornell a 13-7 lead.

Bucknell's Response:

With Bucknell quarterback Nick Semptimphelter taking the helm due to Rucker's injury, the Bison launched a comeback. A 26-yard rush and a 36-yard pass set up a goal-to-go opportunity, which running back Coleman Bennett seized by scoring a one-yard touchdown.

Bucknell extended its lead to 21-13, leaving Cornell with a tough road ahead. Despite a late rally featuring a 36-yard pass, the Red couldn't overcome a crucial sack and subsequently turned the ball over on downs.

Conclusion:

Despite their valiant effort, the Cornell football team faced its third consecutive loss, following an impressive 2-0 start to the season. Looking forward, Cornell now focuses on upcoming games, commencing with a matchup against Brown next Saturday. As they aim to regain their momentum in the heart of the season, they'll remember the dominant performance of Bucknell's Coleman Bennett, which played a pivotal role in his team's victory.

Image source: "Bucknell Bison University Athletics" Coleman Bennett running through the gap.