Special teams and defensive touchdowns highlight Bucknell’s 34-18 win over Marist

LEWISBURG, Pa. (AP) — TJ Cadden returned a punt for a touchdown, Alex Smith Jr. followed it up with a pick-6 and Bucknell beat Marist 34-18 on Saturday.

Bucknell’s Ralph Rucker IV threw three touchdown passes and was 21 of 27 for 272 yards.

Rucker threw a short touchdown pass that gave the Bison a 13-7 lead early in the second quarter. The score was 27-7 before the offense touched the ball again.

Cadden broke a tackle as he fielded a punt by Marist’s Ethan Yuska, spun and raced 73 yards along the left sideline for a touchdown that made it 20-7.

On the third play of Marist’s next possession, Smith intercepted a pass after it bounced off a Marist receiver. The 38-yard return made it 27-7.

Bucknell (2-2) led 27-17 at halftime, and Rucker’s 12-yard touchdown pass to Cadden made it 34-10 with about six minutes left to play.

Sonny Mannino’s 5-yard pass to Reed Dexter plus a two-point conversion pass ended the scoring.

Mannino and Enzo Arjona combined for 30-of-45 passing for 333 yards for Marist (0-3). Each had a touchdown and an interception.

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