A little over a month after Sacramento State’s move into the Mid-American Conference, the much-anticipated schedule for the 2026 season has finally been released today.
Their first season in the MAC will feature just two opponents they’ve played in the past, Fresno State, who they’ve played five times previously; and fellow FBS newcomers, North Dakota State, who they’ve played just once. The former will be played in Fresno on Sept. 12, while the latter will be a home game on Sept. 19.
The Hornets’ other two non-conference opponents will be the home opener against Mississippi Valley State on Sept. 5 and their season-closing game at Hawaii on Nov. 28.
Their MAC season starts early, as the Hornets fly to Ypsilanti, Michigan, to open their season with a conference game against Eastern Michigan on Aug. 29. That game is followed by their three non-conference games before the conference schedule resumes.
Sac State’s first home conference game will be on Sept. 26 against UMass, which is followed by a bye week, then an away contest against Bowling Green in Ohio.
Ohio then comes to Sacramento before Sac State once again hits the road for their first of three straight midweek games, a Friday road contest against Kent State on Oct. 30.
The Hornets play back-to-back Wednesday games against Toledo at home on Nov. 4 and Central Michigan on the road on Nov. 11 to close out the conference season, their first Wednesday games in program history.
Sac State plays eight of the 12 teams in the MAC in their first season, not including either of the two teams who competed in the MAC Championship Game last season, Miami (Ohio) or Western Michigan.
They have one more bye week before the season finale at Hawaii on Nov. 28.
Should the Hornets finish in first or second place, they’d play in the MAC Championship Game at Ford Field, the home of the Detroit Lions. Barring a change to their eligibility, the Hornets will not be able to compete in bowl games or the College Football Playoff after this season.
“This is a new era, the ‘Zo Era.’ This is Sac State football,” head coach Alonzo “Zo” Carter said. “We want to win every game. We want to win a MAC Championship. I’m here to win football games.”
