FCS-CFB Game Preview: Bucknell Bison (0‑1) vs. Marist Red Foxes (1‑0)

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Venue, Date & Time

Date: Saturday, September 6, 2025

Kickoff: 1:00 p.m. ET

Venue: Tenney Stadium at Leonidoff Field, 3399 North Road, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

Surface: FieldTurf

Broadcast: ESPN+ / Local radio (WVLY 100.9 The Valley)

Weather Forecast (Poughkeepsie, NY – Kickoff)

Conditions: Partly cloudy

Temperature: ~77°F (25°C) at kickoff

Wind: SSW at ~8 mph

Humidity: ~56%

Precipitation: ~12% chance — minimal weather impact expected

Impact: Ideal early‑season conditions; no significant effect on passing or kicking

Injury Report

(As of mid‑week; subject to change)

Bucknell

No reported injuries after Week 1 loss at Air Force.

Marist

No reported injuries after Week 1 win over New Haven.

Bucknell 2024 Recap: 6‑5 overall, 4‑2 Patriot League; strong passing offense (266.2 YPG, 12th in FCS).
Marist 2024 Recap: 4‑7 overall, 4‑4 Pioneer League; struggled defensively (35.6 PPG allowed).

Recent Team Form (Last 5 Games, incl. 2024)

Bucknell

L 49‑13 @ Air Force (2025)

W 48‑34 vs. Colgate (2024)

L 40‑38 @ Holy Cross (2024)

W 28‑27 vs. Fordham (2024)

W 21‑14 vs. Lafayette (2024)

Marist

W 31‑14 vs. New Haven (2025)

L 42‑23 vs. Presbyterian (2024)

W 40‑31 @ Stetson (2024)

L 19‑0 @ Drake (2024)

L 17‑14 vs. Valparaiso (2024)

Key Player Matchups

Quarterbacks

BU – Ralph Rucker IV: 2,826 pass yards, 25 TD, 7 INT in 2024; 126 yards, 1 TD in Week 1 vs. Air Force.

MAR – Sonny Mannino: 1,788 pass yards, 14 TD, 6 INT in 2024; 109 rush yards, 1 TD in Week 1 win.

Running Backs

BU – Tariq Thomas: 783 rush yards in 2024; 80 yards on 18 carries vs. Air Force.

MAR – Tristan Shannon: 382 rush yards in 2024; 104 yards in Week 1.

Receivers

BU – Eric Weatherly: 865 yards, 6 TD in 2024; deep threat in vertical passing game.

MAR – Jackson Conners‑McCarthy: 441 yards in 2024; reliable possession target.

Defensive Leaders

BU – Nick Hoying: 10 tackles in 2024 opener; key in run support.

MAR – Matt Schearer: 63 total tackles in 2024; defensive anchor.

Series History

All‑Time: Bucknell leads 15‑1

Current Streak: Bucknell has won 10 straight vs. Marist

Last Meeting: Sept. 14, 2024 – Bucknell 34, Marist 18 (in Lewisburg, PA)

Trend: Bucknell has scored 30+ points in 4 of the last 5 meetings.

Betting Trends

Bucknell

3‑2 SU in last 5 games.

4‑1 ATS in last 5 vs. Marist.

Over is 3‑2 in last 5 overall.

Marist

2‑3 SU in last 5 games.

3‑2 ATS in last 5 overall.

Over is 3‑2 in last 5 games.

Head‑to‑Head

Bucknell 10‑0 SU in last 10 meetings.

Average margin of victory in last 5: +17.4 points for Bucknell.

Game Odds

Bucknell Bison                  – 7.5

Marist Red Foxes             51.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 5, 2025

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