Bucknell Bison football

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, 26–0, over the Miami Hurricanes on January 1, 1935.

For all Bucknell University sports, see Bucknell Bison.

Bucknell Bison football
2024 Bucknell Bison football team
First season	1883; 142 years ago
Head coach	Dave Cecchini 6th season, 19–41 (.317)
Stadium	Christy Mathewson–Memorial Stadium (capacity: 13,100)
Location	Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, U.S.
NCAA division	Division I FCS
Conference	Patriot League
All-time record	566–532–5 (.515)
Bowl record	1–0 (1.000)
Conference titles	1
Current uniform
Colors	Blue and orange[1]
Website	BucknellBison.com

History

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, 59–0, 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 6–0–3 record.^[2] In 1960, the team won its first Lambert Cup. In 1989, the newly renovated Christy Mathewson–Memorial 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.

Classifications

• 1937: NCAA College Division
• 1938–1947: NCAA University Division
• 1948–1972: NCAA College Division
• 1973–1977: NCAA Division II
• 1978–present: NCAA Division I–AA/FCS

Conference memberships

• 1881–1957: Independent
• 1958–1969: Middle Atlantic States Collegiate Athletic Corporation
• 1970–1972: Independent
• 1973–1977: Division II Independent
• 1978–1985: Division I–AA Independent
• 1986–present: Patriot League

Bowl games

Year	Coach	Bowl	Opponent	Results
1934	Edward Mylin	Orange Bowl	Miami	W 26–0

Individual award winners

College Football Hall of Fame

Player	Position	Career	Year inducted
Clarke Hinkle	FB	1929–1931	1971

Pro Football Hall of Fame

Player	Position	Bucknell career	NFL team(s)	NFL career	Year inducted
Clarke Hinkle	FB	1929–1931	Green Bay Packers	1932–1941	1964

Future non-conference opponents

Announced schedules as of March 28, 2025.^[3]

2025	2026	2027	2029
at Air Force	at VMI	VMI	at Delaware
at Marist
VMI
Saint Francis U
at Cornell