By Regan Hunsaker, Southern Utah University
Southern Utah Athletics has announced kickoff times for all 12 games on the Thunderbirds’ 2026 football schedule as the program returns to the Big Sky Conference.
Head Coach DeLane Fitzgerald said, “When the kickoff times come out, it makes the season feel real. Our players have put in a tremendous amount of work this offseason, and they’re ready for the opportunity to compete every Saturday. We’re excited to get back in front of T-Bird Nation at Eccles Coliseum for six home games, and we know our fans will create a great environment for our team.”
The season opens on the road in a marquee matchup against Montana on Saturday, August 29, with kickoff set for 7 p.m. in Missoula.
The 2026 schedule also marks the return of several of Southern Utah’s most familiar Big Sky Conference rivalries. The Thunderbirds will host in-state rival Weber State in the home opener on September 5 before welcoming Idaho State to Eccles Coliseum for Homecoming on September 26. The rivalry slate continues the following week at Utah Tech before longtime conference foe Northern Arizona returns to Cedar City on October 31. With the return to the Big Sky comes the renewal of some of the conference’s most competitive matchups, giving Thunderbirds fans the opportunity to once again experience the tradition and excitement that have defined these rivalries for years.
Southern Utah’s 2026 home schedule features six games inside Eccles Coliseum, including contests against Weber State, Idaho State, UC Davis, Northern Arizona, Northern Colorado, and Chicago State. Three of the six home games will kick off in the evening, giving Thunderbirds fans multiple opportunities to enjoy Saturday night football in Cedar City.
The regular season concludes at home on Saturday, November 21, as Southern Utah hosts Chicago State at noon in the first-ever meeting between the two programs.
