PITTSBURG — The Pittsburg State University football team will open its 2026 football season Thursday, Aug. 27, against two-time defending national champion Ferris State University at Carnie Smith Stadium.
 
Pitt State also will play host to MIAA rival Emporia State University for Family Day the next week on Saturday, Sept. 5. Both of those contests will feature 7 p.m. start times.
 
The Gorillas action also features a marquee non-conference match-up against the University of West Alabama on Sept. 12 at Livingston, Ala. A member of the Gulf South Conference, UWA has been a perennial NCAA-II playoff team.
 
The Gorillas also will host Missouri Western State University for Homecoming on Oct. 17; the University of Central Oklahoma on Oct. 24; and the University of Central Missouri for the Salute to Service Game and Senior Day on Nov. 7. Pitt State's final three home games all will feature 2 p.m. kickoff times.
 
The Gorillas and Northwest Missouri State University will once again meet in the regular season finale at Children's Mercy Park, home to Sporting KC of Major League Soccer, in Kansas City, Kan., at 1:30 p.m. on Nov. 14.
 
Pitt State posted a 10-3 record under second-year head coach Tom Anthony in 2025. The Gorillas captured their third MIAA title in four seasons (2022-23, '25) and made their fourth straight appearance in the NCAA Division II national playoffs last fall.
 
 
Pitt State Football
2026 Schedule
 
Date      Opponent                 Location              Time  
Aug.  27  FERRIS STATE             HOME                  7 p.m.
 
Sept.  5  EMPORIA STATE *          HOME                  7 p.m.
           Family Day Game
Sept. 12  at West Alabama          Livingston, Ala.      TBA
Sept. 19  at Fort Hays State *     Hays, Kan.            7 p.m.
Sept. 26  OPEN DATE
 
Oct.   3  at Nebraska-Kearney *    Kearney, Neb.         2 p.m.
Oct.  10  at Washburn *            Topeka                TBA
Oct.  17  MISSOURI WESTERN *       HOME                  2 p.m.          
           Homecoming
Oct.  24  CENTRAL OKLAHOMA *       HOME                  2 p.m.
      31  at Missouri Southern *   Joplin, Mo.           TBA

Nov.   7  CENTRAL MISSOURI *       HOME                  2 p.m.
           Salute to Service/Senior Day
Nov.  15  vs Northwest Missouri *  Kansas City, Kan.     1:30 p.m.
 
NCAA Playoffs
Nov.  21  NCAAs, 1st Rnd           TBA                   TBA
Nov.  28  NCAAs, 2nd Rnd           TBA                   TBA
Dec.   5  NCAAs, Quarterfinals     TBA                   TBA
Dec.  12  NCAAs, Semifinals        TBA                   TBA
Dec.  19  NCAA Nat'l Championship  McKinney, Texas       TBA
 
 
* MIAA Game