Lemon makes run at Division I-AA rushing record

Bucknell senior Rich Lemon needs 1,300 yards in his final eight eight games to break mark Once in a while, special players come along. They attack the unapproachable records with a style all their own and leave and indelible mark on the game. Rich Lemon is one of those players. At least he was until two weeks ago. What Lemon, the senior tailback for Bucknell, accomplished in his first three collegiate seasons put him in the company of the finest running backs in the history of Division I-AA football. His first game this season, three weeks ago versus Towson State continued the pattern as Lemon went over 100 yards for the 25th time in his career. But two weeks ago, Lemon began a rapid descent back to Earth. Rather than attack the record books, in both of the last two games, against William & Mary and Harvard, Lemon has netted negative ground yards. Of course, Lemon has not forgotten how to be the premier back in the Patriot League overnight. Lemon's recent failures have been a team effort. The Bison are fielding a young offensive line with only one returning starter. Their growing pains are reflected in Lemon's negative yardage, as well as, seven points in two games. "We're young on the offensive line and we've just been physically pushed off the ball," Bucknell coach Tom Gadd said. This year, which Lemon calls "frustrating," stands in stark contrast to his first three seasons. As a true freshman in 1993, the 5-foot-8, 160-pounder was expected to be the sixth-choice tailback coming into camp. But fate intervened. "Guys just started falling like flies," Lemon said. "Finally, they threw me in the huddle. Once I got that opportunity, I just ran like hell." Apparently, hell is something like 210 yards, the total Lemon racked up in his first game against Division II Bloomsburg. By the middle of the season, he was the unquestioned No. 1. Lemon closed the campaign with 1,151 yards, second in the nation among freshmen. The next year, Lemon was a known quantity. Defenses were geared to stop the star sophomore. Nevertheless, Lemon hit triple figures in rushing yards every game, winning Patriot League co-Most Valuable Player honors. In 1995, Lemon began staking his claim to records. An opening day 136 yards against Southern Connecticut made him Bucknell's all-time rushing leader. His three-year total of 3,944 yards put him within reach of the all-time Division I-AA mark (needing 1,389 yards) entering 1996. "I'm reminded about records every day," Lemon said. "I really don't put a big focus on them." No one -- certainly not recruiters -- would have predicted that the small kid from the no-name high school program in Warren, Ohio, would become a great college back. "I really wasn't receiving any attention from big schools," said Lemon of his senior year at Niles McKinley High School. "Once decision time came around, a lot of places invited me to walk on, but I didn't want to prove myself again." Among the schools that believed the tiny back could succeed were numerous Division III schools, Columbia and Bucknell. Lemon was drawn to the latter mainly on the advice of his high school guidance counselor. "She thought it would be a great place for me, and, once I got here, I saw there was no experience at running back," Lemon said. The rest is a story of good luck and even better skill. In addition to his record-setting burden as feature back, Lemon has been a key receiver. In 1994, he averaged nearly four catches per contest. In fact, only two barriers have proven capable of slowing Lemon down -- the Ivy League and this year's Bison offensive line. Last year, Lemon averaged 65 yards against three Ancient Eight opponents, less than half of his output in other games. "They definitely bring the kids to the table," Lemon said. "I don't know what it is, but Penn definitely plays physical football." Regardless of the Bucknell's difficulties getting the offense on track in 1996, tailbacks with over 4,000 yards rushing don't stay down for long. That Lemon has only 89 yards after three games is a shock to his coach. "I would have thought he'd be at 300, 350," Gadd said. "He's only had a couple of games under 100 in his career. Obviously, it shows his talent and ability level." All is not lost for Bucknell this season, despite a 1-2 start. Six Patriot League games, where Lemon has traditionally excelled, await the Bison. "If we win the league, I can almost guarantee 1,000 yards," said Lemon, who needs only 800 to become the Patriot League's career leader. After his brilliant collegiate career ends, Lemon may not be ready to hand up the spikes. Despite his diminutive stature -- which makes getting drafted unrealistic -- Lemon would love to hook on with a NFL team in training camp. His best hope would be to become a third-down back. If not, he might turn to the coaching end of the game. "It's definitely a possibility," Lemon said. "I'll be certified to teach and love working with kids." But make no mistake, Lemon is looking no further than Saturday's game against Penn. He's proven himself in high school and against the Patriot League. All that remains is earning his stripes against the Ivies.

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