Defending NCAA Division II National Champion Ferris State University, which has captured four of the last five D2 national titles, has unveiled another challenging slate as the 2026 football schedule was announced on Tuesday.

The Bulldogs will again hit the field for 11 games over the course of 12 weeks this coming fall, highlighted by six home outings at Top Taggart Field and three matchups to start the year against returning NCAA Division II Playoff opponents from last fall.

Ferris State's slate features a season-opening week zero road trip to fellow D2 power Pittsburg State (Kan.), the home opener against 2025 playoff qualifier Bentley (Mass.), a cross-country trip to returning playoff foe Central Washington, the annual homecoming contest and a challenging Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) slate that includes a visit to rival Grand Valley State for the Anchor-Bone Classic in Allendale.

"We've prided ourselves on facing some of the nation's top competition each year and this fall will be no different," said FSU head coach Tony Annese. "When you've won four of the last five Division II National Championships, you're going to get everyone's best shot and that means we'll have to be well-prepared and ready to be at our best each week. We're looking forward to the challenge and the opportunity in front of us this coming year."

The Bulldogs, who have reached the NCAA Division II Playoffs a nation-leading 11 consecutive years and won 30 consecutive games to date, will kickoff the campaign on the road Thursday, Aug. 27, against Pittsburg State in Kansas.

Here is the composite 2026 Ferris State Football schedule:

• Aug. 27 - Away at Pittsburg State, Time TBD
• Sept. 4 - Home vs Bentley (Mass.), 6 pm
• Sept. 12 - Away at Central Washington, Time TBD
• Sept. 19 - Bye Week
• Sept. 26 - Home vs Kentucky Christian (Homecoming), 3 pm
• Oct. 3 - Away at Northern Michigan*, Time TBD
• Oct. 10 - Home vs Saginaw Valley State*, 1 pm
• Oct. 17 - Away at Grand Valley State*, Time TBD
• Oct. 24 - Home vs Michigan Tech*, 1 pm
• Oct. 31 - Home vs Davenport*, 1 pm
• Nov. 7 - Away at Wayne State*, Time TBD
• Nov. 14 - Home vs Roosevelt*, 1 pm
• Nov. 21 - NCAA Division II Playoffs** (First Round)
• Nov. 28 - NCAA Division II Playoffs** (Second Round)
• Dec. 5 - NCAA Division II Playoffs** (Quarterfinals)
• Dec. 12 - NCAA Division II Playoffs** (Semifinals)
• Dec. 19 - NCAA Division II Playoffs** (Championship - McKinney, Texas)

^{* indicates GLIAC contest}

^{** indicates NCAA playoff game (requires automatic or at-large bid based following regular season)}

Stay tuned to FerrisStateBulldogs.com for additional information on the 2026 campaign, including start times for all remaining road contests and ticket details coming soon.

_{Release courtesy of Ferris State Athletics.}