UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. – The Saginaw Valley State University football team announced the schedule for the 2026 season on Monday afternoon.
The 51st season of Cardinal football will feature 11 games, including five home games, two non-conference games, and three GLIAC contests. SVSU will meet two new opponents in non-conference matchups: McKendree at the season opener and Kentucky State in the final game before GLIAC play begins.
"We're excited to see the schedule come together," said SVSU head football coach Michael Engle. "Our players and coaches are looking forward to the opportunity to compete each week and continue to work hard to be in the best position to win in the Fall. We know every game on the schedule will be a challenge and will require our best. For now, we are focused on the Spring, preparing the right way and getting better every day. But we are looking forward to sharing another exciting Cards football season with fans and can't wait to see everyone in the stands."
The Cardinals begin the first two games of the season at home with the Annual Red Feather Game on Thursday, August 27, against McKendree at 7:00 p.m. (ET). This will be the first meeting between SVSU and the Bearcats in football. McKendree finished 2025 with an overall record of 4-7 with a 4-4 mark in the GLVC.
SVSU will host Texas A&M-Kingsville in game two on Saturday, September 5, with a 6:00 p.m. (ET) kickoff. The Cardinals won the two previous meetings, with the most recent coming at home during the 2021 season. The Javelinas finished 2025 with a 5-6 overall record with a 4-5 mark in the Lone Star Conference.
The Axe Bowl takes place on week three at Northwood on Saturday, September 12. The Timberwolves have won the last two meetings in the series, but the Cardinals lead the all-time series 29-17-1 and have won five of the last seven games against Northwood. The Timberwolves went 9-3 last season with a 7-2 record in the GMAC. Northwood made the playoffs in 2025, falling to Ferris State in the opening round.
The final non-conference opponent is Kentucky State, with kickoff on Saturday, September 19, at 2:00 p.m. (ET). The Thorobreds were 9-3 and finished tied for second in the SIAC standings at 7-1 in league play.
The Cardinals get a bye week after the trip to Kentucky before beginning GLIAC play with the 2026 Homecoming Game against Davenport on Saturday, October 3, at 2:00 p.m. (ET). SVSU will look to avenge the 31-17 loss to the Panthers in week nine of 2025. The Cardinals trail the all-time series 3-4, with the teams trading wins the past three seasons, with the home team winning each of those meetings.
Back-to-back road games follow Homecoming weekend, with the first happening in Big Rapids against Ferris State on October 10 at 1:00 p.m. The Cardinals and Bulldogs have had close battles in recent meetings, with three of the last four games finishing with one-score margins. The 2025 matchup in University Center was one of those tight fights, as SVSU and FSU battled into two overtimes, with the Bulldogs pulling out a 51-45 victory.
Week six will be in Detroit with a game against Wayne State on October 17 at 6:00 p.m. (ET). The Cardinals own the series lead of 33-11-1 and have a six-game winning streak over the Warriors.
The Battle of the Valleys returns to Harvey Randle Wickes Memorial Stadium on October 24. SVSU will look to win its second-straight game against the Lakers after defeating GVSU in Allendale in 2025. Kick off is slated for 2:00 p.m. (ET).
Michigan Tech comes to town on Halloween for a 2:00 p.m. (ET) start. It is the home finale for the Cardinals in the 2026 regular season. SVSU holds a 24-13 advantage in the all-time series and has taken four of the last five matchups.
The final two games of the season are longer road trips, with the first to Chicago to face Roosevelt on November 7 at 2:00 p.m. (ET). The season finale will be in Marquette, Michigan, against Northern Michigan on November 14. The Cardinals have won the first two meetings against the Lakers, holding a 2-0 all-time series record. The series with the Wildcats is close, with SVSU holding a slim 22-20 advantage. The Cardinals will look to extend their eight-game winning streak to nine to close out the regular season.
Ticket information on the 2026 football season schedule will be announced later on svsucardinals.com and SVSU Football social media pages.