The wait is over. Week Zero of the highly-anticipated 2026 GLIAC football season kicks off on Thursday (Aug. 27), with four conference squads in action. Two more teams will be on the gridiron on Saturday (Aug. 29).

The NCAA Division II football spotlight will shine brightly on Pittsburgh, Kan., on Thursday, as two-time defending national champion and preseason No. 1 Ferris State travels to No. 4 Pittsburg State for an 8 p.m. ET showdown at Carnie Smith Stadium.
 
A year ago, the Bulldogs sparked another NCAA title run at home with a 34-17 victory over the Gorillas in Big Rapids. FSU has won a remarkable 30-consecutive games and has posted a sterling 93-7 record over the last seven seasons. PSU has qualified for the playoffs in each of the last four years.

No. 9 Grand Valley State will also begin the season on the road, traveling to West Virginia, for a Thursday evening matchup against the University of Charleston. The historic meeting marks the first time the two programs have faced one another and the Lakers’ first-ever game against a Mountain East Conference opponent.

GVSU, who is led by quarterback Andrew Schuster on offensive and linebacker Jimmy Downs on defense, posted a 7-3 record a year ago while the Golden Eagles went 8-3, finishing the 2025 season with four-straight victories.

For the third-straight season Michigan Tech will start the year against Bemidji State when the two teams clash at 7 p.m. ET at the Beavers' Chet Anderson Stadium. The Huskies, led by 2025 GLIAC Coach of the Year Dan Mettlach, dominated BSU in last year's opener, 37-17, in Houghton en route to a 7-4 record. Bemidji State ended the 2025 campaign with a 4-7 mark.

Saginaw Valley State, under the leadership of first-year coach Michael Engle, is the lone GLIAC team to kick off the 2026 season at home, as the Cardinals are set to take on McKendree at Wickes Memorial Stadium in University Center.

Northern Michigan, with new head coach Matt Janus at the helm, visits Minnesota State Moorhead for a 7 p.m. game at SCHEELS Field at Nemzek Stadium. The Wildcats are headlined by star running back Noah Dobert, who totaled 1,656 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns in 2025. Moorhead posted an 8-3 mark last season but All-American quarterback Jack Strand departed to graduation. 

On Saturday, Davenport will host Gannon in the Panthers' season opener. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m. at Farmers Insurance Athletic Complex in Caledonia. DU returns running back Cephus Harris for 2026, who rushed for 1096 yards and 19 touchdowns a year ago. 

Roosevelt will also be in action on Saturday, visiting in-city, Division I opponent Chicago State for a 12 p.m. kickoff at SeatGeek Stadium. The Lakers will help usher in the Cougars’ football program as they take the field for their inaugural game.

Wayne State will begin the Terrence Isaac Sr. coaching era next week when the Warriors host in-state opponent Northwood on Thursday, Sept. 3 at 6 p.m. at Tom Adams Field in Detroit.