NCAAF

Bucknell Bison at Holy Cross Crusaders

· NCAA - Football
5-6, 2-4 Away
Final
38 - 40
5-6, 2-3 Home

Daniel Porto field goal lifts Holy Cross to dramatic 40-38 win over Bucknell

The Crusaders remain alive to win or share the Patriot League championship for the sixth consecutive year. Holy Cross (5-6, 4-1) shares first place with Lehigh, which defeated Colgate 45-17 on Saturday. Holy Cross finishes at Georgetown and Lehigh hosts Lafayette in season finales next week.

Ralph Rucker IV threw three touchdown passes in the first half and Bucknell (5-6, 3-2) led by as much as 21-3. Jayden Clerveaux's short touchdown run for Holy Cross made it 21-10 at halftime and Joe Pesansky's 35-yard pass to Max Mosey on the second play of the third quarter got the Crusaders within 21-17.

A field goal and Rucker's fourth TD pass made it 31-17 in favor of Bucknell before things got hectic.

Ross Dansdill blocked a punt deep in Holy Cross territory and Cam Jones picked up the loose ball and took it the last two yards for a touchdown that got the Crusaders within 31-24 late in the third.

Clerveaux tied it with another short touchdown run, then Holy Cross took its first lead when Curtis Harris-Lopez picked off a Rucker pass and returned it 56 yards for a touchdown.

Rucker then rallied Bucknell with his fifth TD pass of the game, a 5-yarder to Eric Weatherly with eight minutes remaining.

Holy Cross turned it over on downs but forced a Bucknell punt before mounting a 64-yard, 11-play drive to set up a 23-yard field goal by Porto.

Rucker fumbled on the first play of Bucknell's final possession.

Rucker completed 33 of 42 passes for 339 yards. In addition to his five TDs, he was intercepted twice. Weatherly caught 10 for 129 yards and two scores.

How To Watch

How can I watch Bucknell Bison vs. Holy Cross Crusaders?
  • TV Channel: Bison at Crusaders 2021 College Football, week 12, is broadcasted on ESPN+.
  • Online streaming: Sign up for Fubo.

Scoring Summary

BUCK TD 1st Period 9:19 Sam Milligan 23 Yd pass from Ralph Rucker IV (Matt Schearer Kick)
BUCK TD 1st Period 2:36 Sam Milligan 15 Yd pass from Ralph Rucker IV (Matt Schearer Kick)
HC FG 2nd Period 11:59 Daniel Porto 28 Yd Field Goal
BUCK TD 2nd Period 7:30 Eric Weatherly 18 Yd pass from Ralph Rucker IV (Matt Schearer Kick)
HC TD 2nd Period 0:32 Jayden Clerveaux 2 Yd Run (Daniel Porto Kick)
HC TD 3rd Period 14:14 Max Mosey 35 Yd pass from Joe Pesansky (Daniel Porto Kick)
BUCK FG 3rd Period 8:37 Matt Schearer 30 Yd Field Goal
BUCK TD 3rd Period 6:27 Nate Anderson 9 Yd pass from Ralph Rucker IV (Matt Schearer Kick)
HC TD 3rd Period 3:04 Cam Jones 2 Yd Punt Return (Daniel Porto Kick)
HC TD 4th Period 14:19 Jayden Clerveaux 1 Yd Run (Daniel Porto Kick)
HC TD 4th Period 11:49 Curtis Harris-Lopez 56 Yd Interception Return (Daniel Porto PAT failed)
BUCK TD 4th Period 8:13 Eric Weatherly 5 Yd pass from Ralph Rucker IV (Matt Schearer Kick)
HC FG 4th Period 0:59 Daniel Porto 23 Yd Field Goal

Statistics

https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/ncaa/500/2083.png&h=100&scale=crop&w=100&location=originBUCK https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/ncaa/500/107.png&h=100&scale=crop&w=100&location=originHC
27 1st Downs 15
7-15 3rd down efficiency 4-12
0-0 4th down efficiency 0-2
434 Total Yards 336
339 Passing 186
33/42 Comp/Att 8/16
8.1 Yards per pass 11.6
95 Rushing 150
35 Rushing Attempts 41
2.7 Yards per rush 3.7
9-87 Penalties 6-70
3 Turnovers 1
1 Fumbles lost 1
2 Interceptions thrown 0
33:39 Possession 26:21

Game Information

Venue: Fitton Field

Location: Worcester, MA
Attendance: 11,357 · Capacity:
Full Standings

College Football News

Manning voices anticipation to start for Longhorns

Manning voices anticipation to start for Longhorns

As Arch Manning looks forward to being the starting quarterback for Texas, he sits with SEC Network's Marty Smith to break down on how he looks to write is name in the Manning legacy.

Senior Bowl practices for 2025 NFL draft: Best QBs, prospects

Senior Bowl practices for 2025 NFL draft: Best QBs, prospects

Quarterback Jalen Milroe was great on the final day of Senior Bowl practices, while top tight ends continued their week-long rise.

How Arch Manning has embraced his journey with the Texas Longhorns

How Arch Manning has embraced his journey with the Texas Longhorns

Marty Smith sits down with Arch Manning to discuss his career journey as a quarterback for the Texas Longhorns.

SEC Network's Smith describes talk with Texas' Manning

SEC Network's Smith describes talk with Texas' Manning

With Arch Manning looking forward to drive the Longhorns' offense next season, Marty Smith joins The Paul Finebaum Show to explain how impressed he was with the quarterback's mindset.

Georgia lands commitment from 2026 4-star safety Zech Fort

Georgia lands commitment from 2026 4-star safety Zech Fort

Four-star safety Zech Fort, ESPN's No. 39 overall in ESPN Junior 300, committed to Georgia on Thursday, landing as the top-ranked member in the Bulldogs' 2026 recruiting class.