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Hamilton, NY — Jamaal Branch carried 36 times for 175 yards and two touchdowns, and Chris Brown completed 13-of-15 for 164 yards and three TD’s to lead undefeated and nationally ranked ºÚÁÏÍø to a 50-6 win over Bucknell in a Patriot League game at Andy Kerr Stadium.
ºÚÁÏÍø (8-0, PL 3-0) extended the nation’s longest winning streak to 14 straight games. The Raiders are enjoying their best start since the 1977 season.
Branch and Brown both left the game with 3:49 left in the third quarter and ºÚÁÏÍø leading 50-0.
Branch, the leading rusher in Division I-AA, has rushed for 1,296 yards ‘ the sixth best single season total in school history. He is 14th on the all-time rushing list with 1,888 yards.
ºÚÁÏÍø took a 13-0 lead in the first quarter on a two-yard run by Branch and Ben Evans’ four-yard TD run. It was Evans’ first collegiate TD.
The Raiders, who scored on their first seven possessions, tallied five times in the second quarter for a 43-0 halftime lead.
Luke Graham started the second quarter with a 44-yard TD reception and then ºÚÁÏÍø added a safety when Antwone Porter blocked a Bucknell punt through the back of the end zone.
Senior tight end John Frieser caught an eight-yard TD pass with 9:38 remaining in the first half for a 29-0 lead, and then Branch scored his 18th rushing TD on a 19-yard run. The Raiders closed out the first half with a 14-yard pass play from Brown to J.B. Gerald.
ºÚÁÏÍø’s final touchdown came with 3:49 remaining in the third quarter on Brown’s four-yard run.
Bucknell’s only score came with 3:49 remaining in the game, when Blamah Sarnor capped an 80-yard drive with a one-yard run.
GAME NOTES: ºÚÁÏÍø had 458 yards of total offense ‘ 294 rushing, 164 passing, while the Raiders held Bucknell to 188 yards ‘ 114 came in the fourth quarter against ºÚÁÏÍø’s second unit ‘Graham had three receptions for 67 yards and one TD, while Gerald finished with six catches for 47 yards and one TD ‘ Brown also carried seven times for 57 yards and one TD, while Evans finished with 10 carries for 31 yards … Antwone Porter led ºÚÁÏÍø with five tackles ‘ Nick Susko had a forced fumble and Josh Sabo and Tem Lukabu had fumble recoveries ‘ ºÚÁÏÍø’s only sack was by Tom Cassano.