PITTSBURG — The Pittsburg State University football team will open its 2023 football season Thursday, Aug.31, against Washburn University at Carnie Smith Stadium.
 
The school released its 2023 schedule today (Apr. 12) with the 7 p.m. (CDT) match-up against the Ichabods in the season debut serving as a key early test for the defending MIAA Champion Gorillas.
 
The Gorillas home slate features a Family Day match-up against the University of Nebraska-Kearney on Sept. 23. Pitt State also will play host to MIAA rival Emporia State University for the Hall of Fame Game on Oct. 7.
 
The Gorillas will host the University of Sioux Falls for Homecoming on Oct. 28 and close out the regular season by hosting the University of Central Oklahoma on Nov. 11.
 
"We are excited to release our 2023 football schedule," PSU Athletics Director Jim Johnson said. "This will be the first time in several years that our Family Day game will be played in the afternoon. Based on feedback from multiple groups, including our coaching staff, we welcome the change to just one night game on our home schedule."
 
"As always, there is a tremendous amount of excitement in Gorilla Nation surrounding the football program," Johnson said. "We are looking forward to a great crowd to turn out Friday evening for the Spring Game."
 
Head coach Brian Wright and his staff welcomed approximately 100 players into spring camp. The Gorillas posted a 12-1 record in 2022, capturing the MIAA Championship and advancing to the second round of the NCAA Division II national playoffs.
 
 
2023 Pitt State Football
Football Schedule
 
Date      Opponent                    Location           Time       
Aug.  31  WASHBURN *                  HOME               7 p.m.
Sept.  7  at Fort Hays State *        Hays, Kan.         7 p.m.
Sept. 16  at Central Missouri *       Warrensburg, Mo.   1 p.m.
Sept. 23  NEBRASKA-KEARNEY *          HOME               2 p.m.
          (Family Day)
Sept. 30  at Northeastern State *     Tahlequah, Okla.   2 p.m.
Oct.   7  EMPORIA STATE *             HOME               2 p.m.
          (Hall of Fame Game)
Oct.  14  at Missouri Southern *      Joplin, Mo.        TBA
Oct.  21  at Northwest Missouri *     Maryville, Mo.     2 p.m.
Oct.  28  SIOUX FALLS (S.D.)          HOME               2 p.m.
          (Homecoming)
Nov.   4  at Missouri Western *       St. Joseph, Mo.    TBA
Nov.  11  CENTRAL OKLAHOMA *          HOME               2 p.m.
NCAA Playoffs
Nov.  18  NCAAs - 1st Round           TBA                TBA
Nov.  25  NCAAs - 2nd Round           TBA                TBA
Dec.   2  NCAAs – Quarterfinals       TBA                TBA
Dec.   9  NCAAs – Semifinals          TBA                TBA
Dec.  16  NCAAs – Nat'l Championship  McKinney, Texas    TBA