Bison Host Penn in Family Weekend Game Presented by Giant Saturday

Saturday, September 19

Lewisburg, Pa.

3 p.m.

Bucknell University

Pennsylvania

Buy Tickets

Photo by: Brett Newcomb

Bison Host Penn in Family Weekend Game Presented by Giant Saturday

9/15/2026 11:55:00 AM | Football

Bucknell Football vs Penn

Football

vs Pennsylvania

Sep 19, 2026 at 3 p.m.

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Hours

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Bucknell football is back at home for its Family Weekend game presented Giant. The Bison are playing host to Penn on Saturday, Sep. 19 at 3 p.m. in Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium.

This will be the 39th time in program history that the Quakers and Bison will face off. Penn currently holds the overall series 33-5 over Bucknell and are 8-2 when playing in Lewisburg. The Quakers are on a 10-game winning streak over the Bison with the most recent contest in 2024 ending in a 31-21 victory for Penn. The last time Bucknell came away with a win against Penn was in 1999, when the Bison won 23-16.

An interesting connection between the Quakers and the Bison is that Bucknell football’s head coaching position is named after Bob Odell, a former head coach for Bucknell and former football player for Penn. Odell served as the head football coach at Bucknell from 1958-64. While playing at Penn in the 1940s, he was an All-America halfback, won the Maxwell Trophy and was runner-up for the Heisman in 1943 for his prowess on the field. After leaving Bucknell, Odell was the head coach for his alma mater Penn from 1965-70.

In addition to it being Family Weekend at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium on Saturday, it is also the vs Cancer game presented by Geisinger and JRBC Day presented by Knoebles.

GAME DAY GUIDE FOR FANS

Tailgating Policy | Clear Bag Policy | Join the Gridiron Club | VS Cancer Donation

NEW Clear Bag Policy

Only small clutch bags (no larger than 4.5” by 6.5”) and bags made of clear plastic (any size) will be allowed inside Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium.
Exceptions will be made for Bucknell employees and vendors whose work requires event-related supplies or equipment. In addition, strollers, diaper bags, and medically-necessary equipment are permitted, but will be subject to search upon request.

NEW Rusty Rail Biergarten

Bucknell Athletics and the local brewery Rusty Rail have announced an exciting new partnership that will bring a beer garden to select Bison football games this fall. The new feature will be located on the west side of the Pascucci Team Center at the north end of Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium. All fans are invited to the area but must be 21 years of age or older to purchase beer. Gates open 90 minutes prior to kickoff.
The Rusty Rail Biergarten at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium will feature a mix of their flagship beers, including Fog Monster Hazy IPA, Hop Glitch Easy IPA, Golden Blonde, and Fool’s Gold Peanut Butter Hefeweizen. They will also have a rotating seasonal beer, which could include the Pumpkin Swirl/Waffle Sauce offering.

Family Weekend presented by Giant

Bucknell University’s Family Weekend is an annual fall tradition when parents and families can visit their students and take advantage of everything the campus has to offer, including Bucknell’s Saturday afternoon game against the Quakers. The weekend provides a firsthand look at the place that has become home to their students from academics to athletics.

JRBC Day presented by Knoebles

The Junior Bison Club is Bucknell Athletics’ official youth fan club for kids under the age of 13. Sponsored by Knoebles Amusement Resort, this promotional day celebrates the club’s young members.
At the game, JRBC members are welcome to a group celebration at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium, beginning at 2 p.m. Under the tent will be some seating, lunch and beverages for all JRBC members to enjoy.

VS Cancer presented by Geisinger

For the eight consecutive season, the Bucknell football program is teaming up with VS. Cancer to bring awareness to pediatric cancer and raise funds to help support the cause.
Prior to kickoff, the Bison will celebrate their 2026 efforts by honoring cancer survivors with an honorary game captain and holding a pregame check presentation. 50 percent of the proceeds will fund family support and child life programs at Geisinger Janet Weis Children’s Hospital, while the other 50 percent will help fund pediatric brain tumor research.
Here is a link you can use to show your support: https://team.curethekids.org/campaign/bucknell-football-vs-cancer/c832953

MEDIA LINKS

Watch: ESPN+ | Radio: 1070 AM (WKOK) | Internet Radio: BucknellBison.com

Live Stats: bucknellbison.com | Media Notes: Bucknell | Follow on X: @Bucknell_FB

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BUCKNELL AT A GLANCE

Bucknell is back at home as it continues its non-conference slate by hosting Penn at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sep. 19 in Christy. The game is Bucknell’s Family Weekend presented by Giant, JRBC Day presented by Knoebels and VS Cancer game presented by Geisinger.
The Bison are coming off of a fourth quarter comeback win over VMI. Bucknell earned its first win of the 2026 season 14-3 over the Keydets with back-to-back touchdown drives and an interception in the fourth quarter.
Langston Blair was named Patriot League Rookie of the Week (9/14) for his defensive performance against VMI.
Sam Milligan (WR) and Brandon Biagiarelli (LB) earned 2026 Preseason All-Patriot League Team honors.
Ahead of the 2026 season, Milligan was named to the Walter Payton Award Preseason Watch List and the 2026 Stats Perform FCS Preseason All-America Second Team.
The Bison were picked to finish 10th in the 2026 Preseason All-Patriot League Poll.
Bucknell returns just one of their four 2025 All-Patriot League players as Sam Milligan, who earned First Team All-Patriot League Special Teams Non-Specialist and Second Team All-Patriot League Wide Receiver returns for his senior season in 2026.
The Bison are in their first season under head coach Jeff Behrman. This new era of Bison football also comes with a mostly new coaching staff under Behrman with the lone returner to the staff being safeties coach McNeil Parker.
Rounding out the coaching staff are new additions to the Bison family; Travis James (OC/OL), Jeffrey Long Jr. (DC), Rex Rover (WR/Recruiting Coordinator), Mac Austin (TE), Joe Collins (QB), Joseph Torok (RB), Anthony Trotta (DL), Jason Nelson (CB), Tyler Hughes (DOFO/Video Operations) and Kendrick O’Mary (strength & conditioning coach).
Bucknell returned a total of 65 players from the 2025 season and lost 32 athletes from the roster. The Bison rounded out the roster with 35 newcomers ahead of the 2026 season.
Patriot League Football, much like Bucknell Football, are entering a new era this season. With the additions of Villanova and William & Mary, the league has announced a new slogan; “The Power of 10”.

PENN AT A GLANCE

Penn’s 2026 football season will open with our contest on Saturday, Sep. 19 at 3 p.m. with the Ivy League’s late start and shorter schedule.
The Quakers ended their 2025 season 6-4 overall and 4-3 in the Patriot League.
Penn football is under the direction of a new coach in 2026, Rick Santos. Santos formerly coached at his alma mater New Hampshire for five seasons and sported a 37-24 record.
Penn lost its 2025 starting quarterback to graduation. The Quakers lone returner at the QB spot is Karson Siqueiros-Lasky who appeared in two games and was 2-for-2 for 14 yards.
The leading returner in rushing from the 2025 season for the Quakers is Donte West. West played in all 10 games and recorded 83 carries for 430 yards and five touchdowns. He was second on the team to graduated senior Liam O’Brien.
The Quakers lost their top-four receivers to graduation. Tight end Jack Donnelly, who was the fifth top receiver in 2025, is the returning leader with five catches for 68 yards.
On the defensive side of the ball, the top tackler also graduated in 2025. The returning leader is Ty Cortes, who played in all 10 games and recorded 72 total tackles including 37 solo, 35 assisted, 2.5 tackles for loss and one sack. Cortes also recorded one interception, six pass breakups and one forced fumble in 2025.
The Quakers lone returning kicker is Mason Walters. As a freshman in 2025, Walters kicked field goals for Penn and went 9-for-12. His career long field goal is 47 yards. The Quakers also have a freshman kicker from New Jersey, Nate Kashey.

BUCKNELL / PENN SERIES HISTORY

This will be the 39th meeting between the two teams since 1895, when they first met.

Penn leads the overall series 33-5 and leads the Bison in Lewisburg 2-8.

The Quakers are currently on a 10-game winning streak, with its most recent win being a 31-21 win in 2024.

ON RECORD WATCH

Sam Milligan is one touchdown catch away from holding sole custody of the career receiving touchdowns record. (Currently tied with Tom Mitchell’65, Lester Erb ‘90 and Will Carter ‘16 with 18.)

MILESTONE WATCH

Nick Hoying is three solo tackles away from 100 career solo tackles
Sam Milligan is one reception away from 100 career receptions
Sam Milligan is three receiving yards away from 1,500 career receiving yards.

INSIDE THE RECORD BOOK

Sam Milligan is tied for first in career receiving touchdowns with 18.
Milligan ranks first in touchdown catches in a single game with four against VMI on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025.
Milligan ranks sixth all-time in receiving yards in a single game with 192 yards in that VMI win for Bucknell.
Milligan is currently tied for third in career touchdown catches with 15 and is tied for second in season touchdown catches with 10 in 2025.
TJ Cadden tied for the longest kickoff return (100 yds) and holds the records for most punt return touchdowns in a season (2) and most total return touchdowns (3; two punt returns and one kickoff return).

2026 BISON AWARD WINNERS

Langston Blair was named Patriot League Rookie of the Week (9/14/26).
Sam Milligan was named to the 2026 Stats Perform FCS Preseason All-America Second Team and the Walter Payton Award Preseason Watch List.
Milligan was named to the 2026 Preseason All-Patriot League Team
Brandon Biagiarelli was named to the 2026 Preseason All-Patriot League Team

INSIDE THE 2026 SCHEDULE

This is the 141st season of football at Bucknell. The Bison played their first-ever game in 1883 and have been playing a consistent schedule since 1887.
Bucknell is scheduled to play 12 games for just the fifth time in program history. With the additions of Villanova and William & Mary to the Patriot League, the Bison have a record-high nine conference games in 2026, with just five home games.
The Bison opened the 2026 season with back-to-back Patriot League night games. First up was Richmond on the road on Saturday, Aug. 29 at 6 p.m. and then Bucknell held its home opener in Christy on Saturday, Sept. 5 at 6 p.m.
Week three featured VMI on the road before heading home to face Penn on Saturday Sept. 19 at 3 p.m. in Christy.
Bucknell then faces an ACC opponent in Pitt for the first time since 1945, the last time these two teams met. They then have a bye week before getting back on the road to face Patriot League opponent Georgetown on Saturday, Oct. 10 at 12:30 p.m.
On Saturday, Oct. 17 Bucknell hosts Lafayette at 3 p.m. in Christy before taking on Holy Cross and Lehigh on the road.
The Bison then host Fordham on November 7, take to the road on November 14 against newly added Patriot League member William & Mary and end the season at home on Saturday, Nov. 21 at 1 p.m. against Colgate.

How to Follow the Bison

All of Bucknell's games this season will be broadcast on ESPN+ with the exception of the Pitt game.
All of the Bison's games will be broadcast on 1070 AM (WKOK). The broadcast will also be available for internet streaming on BucknellBison.com.
Bucknell is active on X (@Bucknell_FB) and Instagram (Bucknell_FB).
Interact with the team using the hashtags #ThunderOn and #rayBucknell.