FRANKFORT, Ky. - Following a historic 2025 season and the program's first-ever NCAA playoff berth, Kentucky State football and fourth-year head coach Felton Huggins Jr. have announced the 2026 schedule.
 
The 2026 schedule will feature four home games in Frankfort, along with meetings against NCAA Division I opponent Southern University and nonconference opponent Saginaw Valley State.
 
During the 2025 season, Huggins led the Thorobreds to a 9-3 overall record, the program's best regular-season finish since 1935. The Thorobreds also set a new school record with seven SIAC wins, completing league play at 7-1.
 
"We are excited about our opportunity to continue to build on the great season we had in 2025," Coach Huggins said. "The excitement and energy we brought to this university was amazing, and our team feels like this is just the beginning. We understand now that we aren't the hunters anymore. We are the hunted."
 
The Thorobreds will look to carry that momentum into the 2026 campaign when they open the season on the road at Central State on Aug. 28. The matchup marks the program's first opportunity to build on last year's success and set the tone for another strong run in conference play.
 
"So this offseason has been about creating 'productive discomfort,' which gets us out of our comfort zone and will push our team to even new heights," Huggins added. "We have goals set for this season, but the work has to be put in this spring, and our guys have been reaching our goals each and every day to be ready to win our conference starting Aug. 28."
 
For the second time in his tenure, Huggins will lead the Thorobreds in his home state of Louisiana as Kentucky State takes on NCAA Division I opponent Southern on Sept. 5 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
 
Kentucky State will return to Frankfort to open its four-game home slate against non-conference opponent Saginaw Valley State on Sept. 19. The Thorobreds have gone 7-2 at home over the last two seasons and will look to continue that success as they host Miles (Oct. 10), Lane (Oct. 17), and Savannah State (Oct. 24).
 
With season tickets going on sale following the renewal period, members of Thorobred Nation can reserve their spot early by submitting a request for 2026 season tickets by clicking here.
 
The complete 2026 schedule can be found below:
 
2026 Kentucky State Football Schedule

Date	Opponent	Location
Aug. 28	vs Central State	Wilberforce, Ohio
Sept. 5	at Southern	Baton Rouge, La.
Sept.12	at Clark Atlanta	Atlanta, Ga.
Sept.19	vs Saginaw Valley	Frankfort, Ky.
Sept. 26	at Albany State	Albany, Ga.
Oct. 3	vs Edward Waters	Jacksonville, Fla.
Oct.10	vs Miles*	Frankfort, Ky.
Oct. 17	vs Lane	Frankfort, Ky.
Oct. 24	vs Savannah State	Frankfort, Ky.
Nov. 7	vs Morehouse	TBA
	* Homecoming
	BOLD Denotes Home Game

 
 
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