Bucknell To Play Temple In 2019

BucknellBison.com/LEWISBURG, Pa. – After a nearly 50-year hiatus in the series, the Bucknell and Temple football teams have signed a contract to play in 2019 in Philadelphia. The game will kick off the 2019 season and take place on Aug. 31. The in-state rivals and former Middle Atlantic Conference members last played in 1970.

Bucknell and Temple played each other 44 consecutive seasons from 1927 to 1970 with the winner receiving “The Old Shoe.” The bronze statue of a football shoe was awarded to the winning school, which held it until the following year’s game. The Bison – who lead the all-time series 20-16-8 – are the most common opponent in Temple’s history.

On Oct. 10, 1930, Bucknell and Temple met in the first regularly scheduled night football game ever. The Owls prevailed by a slim 7-6 margin. The last win for the Bison against Temple was in 1968.

“We feel fortunate to schedule a school like Temple,” said Bucknell seventh-year head coach Joe Susan. “They are a historic program and one that Bucknell has a long history with. The opportunity to play against an FBS opponent in an FBS venue is a great opportunity for our program and our student-athletes.”

Bucknell, which is a member of the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), has not played many Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) opponents in recent years. In fact, last October’s contest at Army West Point marked the first FBS game for the Bison since a 2001 matchup with Kent State.

Bucknell opens the 2016 season Sept. 3 at Marist. The Bison play their first home game this fall Sept. 17 vs. Cornell. Kickoff time is 6 p.m. at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium.