Bucknell Football Reveals 2021 Schedule
6/14/2021 4:40:00 PM | Football
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Bucknell head football coach Dave Cecchini revealed his team's 2021 schedule on Monday afternoon.
The Bison will host five games during their 136th season of competition, and Bucknell Athletics will welcome fans back to Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium and other athletics venues for the 2021-22 academic year.
"We are looking forward to welcoming back fans to Christy as well as our other athletics venues this fall while following all CDC, state and campus guidelines," said director of athletics and recreation Jermaine Truax. "The 2020-21 athletic year was not the same without our fans and all that they bring to our events. We are so appreciative of the tremendous support of our donors and fans that allows us to continue to provide our more than 750 student-athletes with opportunities for success both in the classroom and on the playing fields and surfaces."
While more details on a fan attendance policy for the 2021 season will be released at a later date, a full return to the game-day experience at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium will include the Tailgate Village and the Geisinger Kids Zone in the south end zone. Season tickets will go on sale on July 16, followed by single-game sales on July 23. Fans can contact the Bucknell University Campus Box Office for all of their ticketing needs at 570-577-1000.
The football team's challenging slate also includes FBS program Army West Point, two Ivy League teams and defending NEC champion Sacred Heart.
"As enjoyable as our 2021 spring football season was, we are excited to get back to a full fall schedule," Cecchini said. "We are also thrilled to welcome our fans back to Christy. Game days weren't the same without them, and we can't wait to take the field this coming season."
The Bison open their campaign with two-straight road games, facing off against Sacred Heart (Sept. 4) and Villanova (Sept. 11). They then welcome Ivy League foes Penn (Sept. 18, Family Weekend) and Cornell (Oct. 2, Homecoming) to Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium for back-to-back home tilts.
"Sacred Heart will be a challenging first opponent," Cecchini said. "This past spring, they won the NEC championship and made the FCS playoffs. They also return Julius Chestnut, who led the FCS in rushing. Our home opener against Penn will be unique. Not only will we be their first opponent of the season, it will also be their first game since the fall of 2019. Half of their roster will be playing in their first college football game."
Bucknell kicks off Patriot League action at Lafayette (Oct. 9) and then travels to Fordham (Oct. 16) the following Saturday. The Bison's Patriot League home games are against Georgetown (Oct. 23), Lehigh (Nov. 6) and defending champion Holy Cross (Nov. 20); a road game against Colgate (Oct. 30) rounds out their Patriot League slate
On Nov. 13, Bucknell will travel to Army West Point for a noon game that will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network. The Bison and Black Knights are set to square off for the first time since 2015. Army West Point will be Bucknell's second FBS opponent in the past three seasons, as the Bison squared off against Temple in the 2019 opener for both teams.
Bucknell's 2021 schedule is subject to change. Game times will be released at a later date.
During the 2021 spring campaign, the Bison earned a spot in the first-ever Patriot League Championship Game. Bucknell, which was picked to finish last in the Patriot League preseason poll, knocked off Pennsylvania rivals Lafayette (38-13) and Lehigh (6-0) to earn a date with defending champion Holy Cross. The Bison placed 11 on the 2021 Spring All-Patriot League Team, headlined by a school-record seven First Team selections. Of Bucknell's 11 All-Patriot League honorees, four return for the upcoming fall season: Jared Cooper, Eric Holsinger, Dominic Lyles and Gavin Pringle.
2021 Schedule
Sept. 4: at Sacred Heart
Sept. 11: at Villanova
Sept. 18: Penn (Family Weekend)
Oct. 2: Cornell (Homecoming)
Oct. 9: at Lafayette*
Oct. 16: at Fordham*
Oct. 23: Georgetown*
Oct. 30: at Colgate*
Nov. 6: Lehigh*
Nov. 13: at Army West Point
Nov. 20: Holy Cross*
🔶 Presenting our 2021 schedule.🔷
— Bucknell Football (@Bucknell_FB) June 14, 2021
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