PITTSBURG — The two winningest NCAA Division II football programs, by total victories and percentage, will meet one another at Carnie Smith Stadium Saturday (Sept. 13); and now Pittsburg State University and Grand Valley State University officials have announced the teams will meet again during the 2028 season after signing a one-year contract extension.

The Gorillas and Lakers will meet for the second time – the first encounter in regular season play – at 4 p.m. (CDT) Saturday. Grand Valley State enters the game 2-0 and ranked No. 3 in the most recent American Football Coaches Association NCAA Division II Top 25 poll. Pitt State (0-2) is ranked No. 24 (tie) nationally, while the Gorillas are seeking their first win after hard fought road losses to No. 1 Ferris State University (34-17) and No. 19 University of Central Oklahoma (27-24).

In 2028, the two squads will return to Allendale, Mich., to face one other another at Lubbers Stadium in week zero. The Lakers rallied for a 24-21 win over the Gorillas in the first, and only, previous meeting in the second round of the 2023 NCAA-II national playoffs two seasons ago at Lubbers Stadium.

"We are excited to have the opportunity to extend the series against a premier program like Grand Valley State with this game three years from now in the 2028 season," Pitt State Vice President of Athletics Jim Johnson said. "All of our future scheduling efforts are designed to help Coach Anthony and our Pitt State student-athletes compete at the highest level and ultimately challenge for NCAA postseason opportunities."

In August, Pitt State and Ferris State official announced a two-year contract extension for the Gorillas and Bulldogs to face one another in week zero match-up in Pittsburg in 2026 and at Big Rapids, Mich., in 2027.
 
"We are so appreciative of Pittsburg State agreeing to extend the series for a future game in 2028," Grand Valley State Director of Athletics Keri Becker said. "The goal for Grand Valley State football is to play non-conference opponents that compete at the highest level in Division II football and Pittsburg State certainly fits that need. Head coach Scott Wooster and our student-athletes want challenging games that will prepare them for the opportunity to play NCAA postseason games."
 
The Lakers made their 24th all-time NCAA Division II playoff appearance in 2024. GVSU is 40-20 (.667) in 60 all-time NCAA-II playoff appearances with four national championships (2002, 2003, 2005, 2006) and six national championship game appearances (2001-03, '05-06, '09) to their credit. The Lakers are the winningest all-time team among FBS, FCS and Division II programs, by percentage, with a 456-153-3 (.748) record in 53 seasons of intercollegiate play.

The Gorillas made their third straight trip to the NCAA Division II playoffs in 2024, after capturing consecutive MIAA Championships in 2022 and 2023. The all-time winningest program in Division II history with 760 victories, Pitt State has made 20 NCAA postseason appearances highlighted by NCAA-II National Championships in 1991 and 2011 and national runner-up finishes in 1992, 1995 and 2004.