2003 Football Preseason Camp Ends with Saturday's Scrimmage
Aug. 23, 2003
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2003 PRESEASON CAMP ENDS WITH SATURDAY'S INTRASQUAD SCRIMMAGE Offensively, junior QB Daris Wilson (Kenner, La./Archbishop Rummel) led three scoring drives, the first capped by a 50-yard touchdown run by junior RB Raphael Darrington (Mobile, Ala./Williamson). Later, Wilson tossed a 23-yard TD pass to senior WR Albert Marquardt (Girardsville, Pa./North Schuylkill) and scored himself on a 2-yard run to complete a well-executed two-minute drill. Wilson's lone blemish was an underthrow that resulted in an interception by sophomore CB Dante Ross (Groton, Conn./Robert E. Fitch), but the play turned into a defensive highlight when Ross galloped 85 yards for a touchdown on the return. Earlier, the defense picked up a safety when Frank Lazio (Massapequa, N.Y./St. Anthony's) blocked a punt that trickled out of the end zone. Also shining on defense were sophomore DL Sean Conover (Whitman, Mass./Whitman-Hanson) with a pair of sacks, and junior LB Kevin Ransome (Bear, Del./Christiana), who made a truckload of tackles, including several hard hits. During situational play, Wilson and Marquardt connected on a 98-yard touchdown pass as the offense worked on coming out from the shadow of its own goal line. "Overall I am very pleased with the way we finished up camp," said Landis, who presided over his first preseason session as Bucknell's head coach. "Our coaching staff did a terrific job getting our players to ready to play. This was about playing hard and getting better as a team every day, and I think they really bought into that." Landis indicated that overall special teams play and gameday sideline communication are areas that will be points of focus this week as the Bison prepare for next week's home opener against Duquesne. Bucknell will have first-year starters at punter and kicker in 2003, but there were a few lapses in snapping and protection in Saturday's scrimmage. "Special teams is about all 11 guys executing their responsibilities, and it's not all on the kicker's shoulders," said Landis. "There are some little things that we need to improve." Overall, though, Landis is excited with the team's progress as the routine of a game week begins on Monday after a well-deserved off day on Sunday. "I tend to go by feel, and I really feel this team is headed in the right direction," said Landis. "And I'm not just saying that. There is evidence on the field that we are a better team than three weeks ago."
TICKETS AVAILABLE FOR SATURDAY'S SEASON OPENER
Tim Johnson AND Mike Leatherman ANNOUNCED AS 2003 TEAM CAPTAINS One of the most outgoing players on the Bison squad, Johnson has made a successful conversion from wide receiver to slotback as Bucknell moves to the spread option offense this fall. The 2002 winner of the C. Dale Wolfe Award as the team's most inspirational player, Johnson has 18 catches for 204 yards and two touchdowns in his career. "Tim has an outward enthusiasm about him that rubs off on his teammates and coaches," said Landis. "When you meet him, you see that effervescence and enthusiasm right away. He seems to love every day and is able to pick others up. And not to be lost is that he is a very good football player who is going to be a big part of our offense." Leatherman, a starter at free safety lasy year, moves to an outside linebacker position in Bucknell's new 4-4 scheme in 2003. He has never missed a varsity game in his career, playing in 32 straight, and he was named Bucknell's player of the week three times last season - once on defense and twice on special teams. Leatherman has 78 career tackles and one interception entering 2003. "Mike is a different kind of leader than Tim Johnson, but he is equally recognized as a leader by his teammates," said Landis. "Mike exudes toughness. He is quiet, with a stern, intense look about him." Both players are captains for the first time in their careers.
LANDIS ANNOUNCES 2003 BISON LEADERSHIP COUNCIL Comprising the 2003 council will be senior WR Albert Marquardt (Girardsville, Pa./North Schuylkill), junior LB Kevin Ransome (Bear, Del./Christiana), sophomore LB James Lachman (Bryn Mawr, Pa./St. Joseph's Prep) and freshman OL Kris Cooper (Newark, Del./Christiana).
BISON LIVE! AND LEWISBURG TOUCHDOWN CLUB LUNCHEONS BEGIN THIS WEEK |
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