The 1996 Bucknell Bison football team was an American football team that represented Bucknell University during the 1996 NCAA Division I-AA football season. Bucknell won the Patriot League championship, its first. In their second year under head coach Tom Gadd, the Bison compiled a 6–5 record. George Howanitz, Rich Lemon and Brandon Little were the team captains. The Bison outscored opponents 234 to 223. Their 4–1 conference record topped the six-team Patriot League standings.