CEDAR CITY, Utah – The wait is nearly over. Southern Utah University Football has announced its full 2026 schedule, marking the program's long-anticipated return to the Big Sky Conference, a league where the Thunderbirds captured two conference championships (2015, 2017) and forged some of their most memorable rivalries.
The 12-game slate features eight Big Sky matchups, five home games at Eccles Coliseum, and a series of regional rivalries that promise to reignite old flames and spark new storylines across the West.
Head Coach DeLane Fitzgerald Said
"The Big Sky is one of the most competitive conferences in the country, and we're proud to be back where Southern Utah football belongs. Our 2026 schedule will test us week in and week out, but we're looking forward to embracing the challenge and representing Cedar City with pride."
Back Where They Belong
Southern Utah's journey back to the Big Sky begins with a bang on Saturday, August 29, when the T-Birds travel to Missoula, Montana, to take on the perennial FCS powerhouse Montana Grizzlies at Washington-Grizzly Stadium.
The Thunderbirds make their home debut the following week on September 5, hosting Weber State in the long-awaited renewal of the Beehive Bowl, a storied in-state rivalry that hasn't been played since 2021. The Wildcats and Thunderbirds have a deep history of hard-hitting battles, and the return of this matchup is expected to draw a packed house in Cedar City.
Nonconference Challenges & Homecoming Celebration
Southern Utah will hit the road for two nonconference tests, visiting Colorado State (Sept. 12) in Fort Collins before heading north to St. Paul, Minnesota, to face St. Thomas (Sept. 19).
The Thunderbirds return home on September 26 for Homecoming, hosting Idaho State in the first Big Sky game at Eccles Coliseum in five years, sure to be a celebratory moment for fans and alums alike.
Rivalries Renewed
October kicks off with another in-state showdown: the Battle for the Ax against Utah Tech in St. George on October 3. Southern Utah currently holds the series advantage 6-1 and will look to keep the Ax in Cedar City for another year.
Following a bye week (Oct. 10), the Thunderbirds open a favorable home stretch, starting with UC Davis (Oct. 17). After a trip to Idaho (Oct. 24), SUU returns home for a rivalry matchup against Northern Arizona (Oct. 31) in the Battle for the Grand Canyon Trophy. The Thunderbirds will welcome back former Head Football Coach Ed Lamb and Northern Colorado on November 7 for the final home game.
The regular season wraps up with two challenging road trips, first to Portland State (Nov. 14) and then to Sacramento State (Nov. 21). Game times will be announced at a later date.
Next Up
This week, the Thunderbirds will be at home in Eccles Coliseum. The T-Birds will host Austin Peay on Saturday, November 1, at 6:30 p.m. MT. The game will be available for streaming on ESPN, and live stats are available on suutbirds.com.
The Thunderbird Coaches Show
Don't forget to check out the Thunderbird Coaches Show at our new time every Tuesday at noon MT. You can watch it on YouTube by clicking here or on WatchSports.com. If you are more of an audio person, you can find it on your favorite podcast platforms, such as Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Tickets
Season tickets and single-game tickets are now available! Get yours today by visiting tbirdtickets.com
Follow Us
For all the latest on Southern Utah football, follow @SUUFB_ on Twitter, @SUUFB on Instagram, and like the Southern Utah Football Facebook page.
Donate
Consider donating today to support Thunderbird athletics. To learn more about how you can help, click here.
