FAIRFIELD, Conn. (AP) — R.J. Nitti threw four touchdown passes and Bucknell beat Sacred Heart 36-20 on Saturday to start a season 3-0 for the first time since 1997.

Nitti’s four touchdown passes, two each to Will Carter and Bobby Kaslander, were the most for a Bison quarterback since 1996.

Leading 14-13 at halftime, Bucknell scored 24 unanswered points with C.J. Williams running for a 1-yard score and Nitti throwing touchdown passes of 55 yards to Carter and 19 to Kaslander. Derek Mauer added a field goal in the scoring spurt. Nitti tied a career high with 271 yards on 18-of-31 passing with an interception.

The Bison held the Pioneers (3-1) to just 96 yards offense in the second half. Clayton Ewell made two interceptions for Bucknell while Lee Marvel had a career-high 12 tackles.

RJ Noel completed 16 of 31 passes for 197 yards and two touchdowns plus two interceptions for Sacred Heart.

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