Patriot League preseason football report: Bucknell

I listened in on the entire Patriot League teleconference call last week. While I was most interested in the Lafayette segment, I thought perhaps I could do some short preseason camp blogs about the other as well. Since the call went alphabetically, I will, too.

BUCKNELL

Jake Wilson threw two touchdown passes in Bucknell’s 2018 spring football game. John Chiarolanzio, who played in nine games last season for the Bison and finished with the most passing yards in the 2017 stats, was also competing for the starting job for 2018.

But it was Logan Bitikofer, a rising sophomore, who impressed the Bison staff the most, prompting head coach Joe Susan to name him as the starter going into preseason camp.

Speaking on the Patriot League’s teleconference call last week, Susan said Bitikofer “has the quarterback job, but there are a couple of other quarterbacks who think they have the job, too, which is exciting.”

A year ago, the starting job was between Chiarolanzio, younger brother for former Lafayette offensive tackle  Luke Chiarolanzio, and Matt Muh. As a result, “our young guys didn’t get a lot of repetitions” and Bitikofer became a scout team player.

Susan emphasized Bitikofer’s athleticism by saying “he would win our bowling tournament, he’ll win the golf tournament, he’ll win the basketball tournament.” But the 6-3, 200-pounder also showed a strong and accurate arm as well as an ability to pick up the Bucknell offense, how to make decisions at the line of scrimmage and how to react to run and pass situations as second options.

“One of the things that really set him apart was his ability to run the football when he has to,” Susan said. “We don t major in quarterback runs, but in this league with the pressure defenses give you, he can make time by scrambling or moving in the pocket. He has a unique field presence and athletic confidence. So, we’re going to give him a football, but there is still competition. What happens is somewhere along the way in the evolution of the season a second quarterback has to go in at some time. The competition will always be there.”

The Bison won five games last season, but just two in the league. One of those was over Lafayette, and in that one, Bucknell’s only points came on a pair of pass interceptions returned for touchdowns. Susan likes the fact that he returns six offensive linemen who started games a year ago, two talented running backs and two talented receivers.

However, some of the key components of the Bucknell defense last season, including Abdullah Anderson, who is now with the Chicago Bears, have left a big opening in the middle. Susan said the defense made good progress in the spring. The most experience is in the secondary.

Also, Susan said, “We’re fortunate that we return Alex Pechin. I know he’s a pre-season all-American and one of the better punters I’ve ever been around. But, the thing we want to do is limit his punting.”

The Bison opens the season Sept. 1 at home against William & Mary. It has replaced Marist and Cornell (both 2017 victories for the Bison) with Villanova and Penn on the non-conference portion of the schedule,

  

“We’re fortunate that a number of players have been (training) on campus this summer and have done an outstanding job,” Susan said. “I’m glad the NCAA reworked the structure of preseason so that not many of us are coming in the latter part of July. The time frame we have between Aug. 2 in our case. and our first game is a good time frame for us as it relates to when school starts. We are excited about the competition in this league and the leagues we play against. We need every minute between now and then (to get ready).”

PRE-SEASON ALL-LEAGUE PICKS – Punter Alex Pechin, Offensive lineman Pat Finn.

PRESEASON LEAGUE FINISH PREDICTION – T-5.

2018 LAFAYETTE GAME: At Bucknell, Saturday, Oct. 20, noon.

CHATTING WITH THE LSFF GUYS

To -- PardDad71 – “His rant about not getting to play golf …” – FYI, I attended those Green Pond league Media Day programs every year and never once did I play golf. I know better than to try to butcher a beautiful course like Green Pond.  You’ve obviously never seen me play my one-handed game. You considered my comment a rant?   But your comment about the evolution of tight end Jake Taggart as right on. Listed at 215 last year, 240 this season. Leopards lost a beast of sorts in Wadsworth; Taggart is filling that spot nicely. He had only 8 catches for 69 yards last season. Looking for big numbers, and hoping he’ll be an adequate blocker, too.

To – Andy – You are certainly entitled to be as “disappointed with how PR has dealt with the coaching change” as you want to be. But the information you get from me is based largely from what I can get from the head coach. I don’t attend practices regularly and coach Garrett was culture shock for me compared to Coach Tavani. Playing by coach Garrett’s rules also changes other access possibilities that were previously available to media who regularly follow the team. I had nearly 10 years to develop a working relationship with Coach Tavani and his operation. I’ve had one with Coach Garrett and will not get to 10. Can things be better? Absolutely. But only if either I lessen my expectations or coach Garrett somehow revises his thinking, which appears to be that the media needs to know as little as possible. I don’t want to be a purveyor of what has become commonly referred to these days as “fake news.”  I’ not sure how the new coverage arrangement will work. Stay tuned.