Lafayette beats Bucknell 56-22 behind DeNobile's four TD passes

EASTON, Pa. (AP) — Dean DeNobile threw four touchdown passes to four different receivers — all in the second quarter — and Lafayette coasted to a 56-22 victory over Bucknell on Saturday in a Patriot League opener.

DeNobile completed 16 of 23 passes for 229 yards for Lafayette (4-1, 1-0). He had scoring strikes covering 30 yards to Carson Persing and 5 yards to Chris Carasia before connecting with Jamar Curtis from 8 yards out to give the Leopards a 35-6 lead. His fourth TD toss was a 63-yard strike to Elijah Steward and Lafayette led 42-12 at halftime.

Bucknell (1-3, 0-1) scored two touchdowns in the second quarter on Coleman Bennett's 3-yard run and Ralph Rucker's 26-yard pass to Eric Weatherly.

Kente Edwards' 2-yard touchdown run with 1:42 left in the third quarter upped the Leopards' advantage to 49-12. Ethan Weber scored Lafayette's final TD on a 9-yard run in the final quarter.

Bucknell backup QB Nick Semptimphelter connected with Derrick Anderson Jr. for a 36-yard touchdown with 65 seconds left.

Jamar Curtis rushed for 106 yards and a score for Lafayette.

Rucker completed 28 of 44 passes for 282 yards with one interception for Bucknell. The Bison finished with minus-24 yards on the ground on 22 attempts.

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