The Bucknell Bison football team represents Bucknell University in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA) level. Bucknell is a member of the Patriot League. Bucknell won the first Orange Bowl, 26âÂÂ0, over the Miami Hurricanes on January 1, 1935.
The Bucknell football team was established in 1883 after a group of students from Lafayette College journeyed west to play a group of students from the University at Lewisburg, as Bucknell University was then called. The Lewisburg students lost the game, 59âÂÂ0, and did not play another game until 1887. In 1918, Bucknell had its first of its three undefeated seasons. On October 10, 1925, Bucknell played George Washington at home on the day that Christy Mathewson was buried in Lewisburg. In his honor, there was no cheering in the first quarter. In 1931, Clarke Hinkle led Bucknell to a 6âÂÂ0âÂÂ3 record. In 1960, the team won its first Lambert Cup. In 1989, the newly renovated Christy MathewsonâÂÂMemorial Stadium was renamed in Mathewson's honor. In 1996, Bucknell won its first conference championship. Bucknell football celebrated its seventh-straight winning season in 2001.
Announced schedules as of January 2, 2026.