Rucker has 3 TD passes, 340 yards to lead Bucknell past VMI 35-28

Updated Sep. 7, 2024 5:24 p.m. ET

Associated Press

LEXINGTON, Va. (AP) — Ralph Rucker IV threw for 340 yards and three touchdowns to lead Bucknell to a 35-28 win over VMI on Saturday.

Rucker's two scoring passes to Josh Gary in the third quarter were the difference as the teams traded touchdowns in the other three quarters until the Keydets added a touchdown in the last minute.

An onside kick attempt didn't cover 10 yards and Bucknell ran out the clock.

Rucker finished 27 of 36 with an interception that Asa Locks returned for the opening score of the game. The Bison got that back when T.J. Cadden returned a punt 40 yards for a touchdown.

The teams traded rushing touchdowns in the second quarter with VMI's Hunter Rice racing 58 yards for his score.

Rucker's 10-yard pass to Gary capped an 81-yard drive to open the second half and gave the Bison a 21-14 lead. The pair hooked up for a 41-yard score on the next drive.

Early in the fourth quarter Rucker found Cadden for 35 yards to make it 35-14.

The Keydets scored on a 2-yard run by Rice but turned the ball over on downs just past midfield on their next possession. They made it close with an 80-yard drive that ended with Chandler Wilson's 17-yard pass to Ryan von Brandt.

Rucker is only the second Bucknell quarterback to have three 300-yard passing games in his career. Eric Weatherly had nine catches for 105 yards for the Bison (1-1).

Rice ran for 166 yards for the Keydets (0-2).

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AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football.