Soccer
9/5/2024 12:33:00 PM
Sport is a White Out, Educators’ Day
LEXINGTON, Va. – Able to get in entrance of its personal followers, the VMI Soccer Group will host Bucknell Saturday for its 2024 dwelling opener. Kickoff from Alumni Memorial Subject is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.
GAME PROMOTIONS
Saturday’s sport can be a White Out as followers are inspired to put on a white shirt to the sport and the gamers can be within the all-white uniforms. Go to the VMI Bookstore in-person or on-line to buy and assist!
VMI can even honor members of Rockbridge faculties on Saturday as a part of Educators’ Day. Along with discounted tickets, members of Rockbridge Metropolis and County Colleges can be acknowledged at halftime. Previous to the sport, the All-Veteran Group will parachute into the stadium.
A LOOK AT LAST WEEK
The Keydets had a tricky go of it to open the season final week in Williamsburg, falling to William & Mary 41-7. The highly-touted speeding assault lived as much as the billing, because the Tribe mixed for 205 yards and three scores on the bottom. For VMI, Hunter Rice picked up the place he left off, accounting for 126 whole yards and the lone rating of the sport for VMI. After the win, the Tribe moved up from 15th to 13th within the Stats Carry out FCS Prime 25 Ballot.
THE SERIES
Bucknell has change into a well-known non-conference foe for VMI, squaring off six occasions within the final 11 years, together with the final two seasons. The house staff has come out on prime the previous two matchups, with the all-time sequence slanted in favor of Bucknell 4-3. Two years in the past in Lexington, Rice led VMI to victory with 112 yards and a landing because the Keydets have been victorious 24-14 in wet situations. Final season, the Keydets had a punt return for a landing referred to as again on a late flag and Bucknell was in a position to prevail 21-13 in Lewistown.
SCOUTING THE BISON
Bucknell began its 2024 season with its FBS-contest, falling at Navy 49-21. The Bison return their gifted quarterback Ralph Rucker from final season, because the 6-foot, 210-pound Rucker went 19-of-30 with 224 yards and two touchdowns – including 47 yards on the bottom – within the 2023 win over VMI. Final week, Bucknell was in a position to whole 312 yards at Navy, with Rucker discovering Nate Anderson for a 47-yard landing. The protection performed powerful as effectively, creating two interceptions. Within the preseason Patriot ballot, Bucknell was chosen to complete seventh whereas it continues to be guided by Dave Cecchini, who has been on the helm since 2019 and coached the Bison to a 4-7 file final yr.
HOME COOKING
Like many groups, VMI fared higher at dwelling than on the highway final season, going 3-2 at Foster Stadium, together with the upset victory over No. 14 Western Carolina to cap off Head Coach Danny Rocco‘s first season in Lexington. The Keydets averaged 18.6 factors at dwelling and simply 12.3 factors per sport on the highway in 2023. The VMI protection conceded 19.2 factors per sport versus 29.6 factors on the highway.