VMI Keydets
The Keydets play their final non-conference game of the season this weekend when they travel to Davidson. Kick-off is slated for a 1 p.m. start in Davidson, North Carolina. The Keydets are looking to right the ship and get on the win column after a heart-breaking loss to Bucknell. The last time the two teams played back in 2023 VMI won 12-7, Trailing 7-6 with one minute to play, Collin Ironside found VJ Johnson for a 25-yard touchdown as the VMI Keydets topped Davidson in Foster Stadium.
The @VMI_Football travels to @DavidsonFB for a 1pm battle! Make sure to follow https://t.co/1ZlGK5Jreo for all the details on this battle! @GSM_Sports13 @GSM_SoCon @SotgSports @SOTGsmoke @PGLoveSports @Its_Coach_Steve pic.twitter.com/Dcdo0Z1fYn
— Greenville Sports Media (@GreenvilleSM) September 17, 2026
Recap:
Despite shutting down the Bison offense in the opening half of play, the VMI football team fell by a 14-3 score to visiting Bucknell University on an overcast Saturday afternoon at Foster Stadium.
Final:
Bucknell 14
VMI 3#RahVaMil— VMI Football (@VMI_Football) September 12, 2026
Originally scheduled for a 1:30 p.m. start, the game was moved up an hour to avoid a potential conflict with inclement weather expected later in the day.
Both teams moved down the field over the first two quarters but both the Keydets and Bison missed on a pair of fields during the opening 30 minutes of action.
VMI kicker Jack Joyce put the Keydets on the board first with a 26-yard field goal with 1:51 before the half following a 13-play, 72-yard drive that took up 5:55.
Halftime at Foster Stadium:
VMI 3
Bucknell 0#RahVaMil— VMI Football (@VMI_Football) September 12, 2026
The defense for both teams continued to impose their will to start the second half as neither team could put points on the board during the third period.
Bucknell took the lead with just under seven minutes to play in regulation when Jackson Nowinski caught a 27-yard pass for a touchdown from QB Christopher Dietrich for the first touchdown of the game to cap a 6-play, 66-yard drive.
On the ensuing VMI drive, quarterback Ian Reynolds was picked off by England Allen at the VMI 46-yard line to set up a short field with just 4:22 to play. The Bison took five plays to go the 46 yards capped by an eight-yard touchdown rush by Michael Cadden to seal the victory for Bucknell with only 2:19 left.
VMI Head Football Coach Ashley Ingram
“I’m proud of our effort today. Credit to Bucknell for finishing strong. We have to improve in every aspect of our program. I have no doubt our guys will continue to fight.”
Key Stats
* VMI QB Ian Reynolds finished with 11 completions on the day for 155 yards, while Bucknell counterpart Chris Dietrich went 22-30 for 221 yards
* The Bison finished with 221 receiving yards led by Jerry Harrison’s five grabs for 45 yards as he caught all five balls thrown his way. Rushing the ball, Cadden led the Bison with 70 net rushing yards
* Cade Cox led VMI in receiving yards with 49 on three grabs including a long of 36 yards in the first half
* Brandon Biagiarelli led the Bison with 12 tackles on the day while VMI’s Nic Land led the Keydets with eight takedowns. EJ Wilborne was close behind with seven tackles
Credit: vmikeydets.com

