The 2026 Sam Houston Football Schedule runs 12 regular-season games with six home matchups at Bowers Stadium in Huntsville, Texas. The Bearkats open September 5 at Troy on ESPN+, then return home for two straight against Tulsa and Nicholls before traveling to Texas Tech. Conference USA announced kickoff times and television assignments for the 2026 conference slate on May 27, with Sam Houston landing four ESPN2 midweek games in October.
2026 Sam Houston Bearkats Football Overview
Phil Longo returns as the Sam Houston head coach in 2026, leading the Bearkats in his second season in charge. The Bearkats compete in the Conference USA (CUSA) with a bye on Saturday, October 3 on the slate and the regular season closing on the road at FIU on Saturday, November 28 at 2:00 PM ET on an ESPN network.
2026 Sam Houston Bearkats Football Schedule
| Wk | Date | Opponent | Time (ET) | TV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sat, Sep 5 | @ Troy Trojans | 7:00 PM | ESPN+ |
| 2 | Sat, Sep 12 | vs Tulsa Golden Hurricane | 7:00 PM | ESPN+ |
| 3 | Sat, Sep 19 | vs Nicholls Colonels | 7:00 PM | ESPN+ |
| 4 | Sat, Sep 26 | @ Texas Tech Red Raiders | TBA | TBA |
| BYE | Sat, Oct 3 | Open Date – Bye Week | – | – |
| 6 | Thu, Oct 8 | @ Liberty Flames | 7:00 PM | ESPNU |
| 7 | Wed, Oct 14 | vs Western Kentucky Hilltoppers | 8:00 PM | ESPN2 |
| 8 | Wed, Oct 21 | vs New Mexico State Aggies | 8:00 PM | ESPN2 |
| 9 | Tue, Oct 27 | @ Missouri State Bears | 8:00 PM | ESPN2 |
| 10 | Sat, Nov 7 | @ Jacksonville State Gamecocks | 7:00 PM | CBS Sports Network |
| 11 | Sat, Nov 14 | vs Kennesaw State Owls | 2:00 PM | ESPN network |
| 12 | Sat, Nov 21 | vs Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders | 2:00 PM | ESPN network |
| 13 | Sat, Nov 28 | @ FIU Panthers | 2:00 PM | ESPN network |
All times Eastern. Bold entries are network-confirmed from the May 27, 2026 Conference USA broadcast release. ESPN network games will have specific channel and kickoff confirmed about 12 days before each game.
More 2026 College Football Resources
- 2026 College Football Schedule Hub (printable PDFs by team and conference)
- All Conference USA Team Schedule PDFs
2026 Sam Houston Football FAQ
Who is Sam Houston’s head coach in 2026?
Phil Longo returns as the Sam Houston head coach in 2026, leading the Bearkats in his second season at the helm.
How many home games does Sam Houston have in 2026?
The Sam Houston Bearkats have six home games on the 2026 schedule, all played at Bowers Stadium in Huntsville, Texas.
When is Sam Houston’s bye week in 2026?
Sam Houston has a bye on Saturday, October 3 on the 2026 schedule.
When will Sam Houston’s remaining game times and TV channels be announced?
Most remaining Conference USA game times and TV channels are announced about 12 days before each game. CBS Sports Network, ESPN2, ESPNU, and ESPN+ slots are already locked in from the May 27 broadcast release. The Texas Tech road game is set for a Big 12 time and TV release.
Does Sam Houston play any Power 4 opponents in 2026?
Yes. Sam Houston travels to Texas Tech of the Big 12 on Saturday, September 26 in its only Power 4 game of the 2026 season.
