Albany, Ga. – Albany State University football has officially announced its 2026 schedule, a slate that blends tradition, competitive non-conference matchups, and key SIAC battles as the Golden Rams continue to build on a championship foundation. Albany State enters the 2026 season with momentum following one of the most successful campaigns in program history.

The 2026 schedule features two classic games, three home contests, and five road trips, offering Ram Nation numerous opportunities to support the Golden Rams both at home and on the road.

The Golden Rams will open the season with a highly anticipated matchup against Florida A&M during Week Zero on August 29. The early-season contest sets the tone for a challenging non-conference schedule and brings immediate national attention to Golden Rams football.

Just one week later, the spotlight remains bright as the SIAC Champions take on the CIAA Champions, Johnson C. Smith University, in the Black College Hall of Fame Classic on September 6 in Canton, Ohio.

Conference play begins with back-to-back road games as Albany State travels to Savannah State on September 12, followed by a trip to Allen University on September 19.
Albany State will host Kentucky State on September 26 for the home opener, which will also serve as Family Weekend.

Homecoming is set for the following week when the Golden Rams host Lane College. The weekend will also include the induction of the 2026 Albany State Athletics Hall of Fame Class.

The latter half of the schedule includes a challenging conference stretch. It begins with a road game at Tuskegee on October 17, followed by a home game against Benedict on October 24. This game will also serve as Senior Day, honoring the graduating student-athletes and concluding the regular-season home slate. The Golden Rams will then travel to the capital city to face Clark Atlanta on October 31.

The regular season concludes on November 7 with the 35th annual Fountain City Classic against Fort Valley State in Columbus, Georgia.

The SIAC Championship Game is scheduled for November 14.

Director of Athletics Dr. Kristene Kelly emphasized the balance and significance of the schedule.
"This schedule reflects our continued commitment to competing at a high level while providing meaningful opportunities for our student-athletes to grow on and off the field," said Dr. Kelly. "We're excited about the direction of our football program and continuing a tradition of success at Albany State."

First-year head coach David Bowser shared his excitement as he prepares for his first season leading the Golden Rams.

"We've scheduled several high-quality opponents early in the season that will generate excitement around Golden Ram football," Bowser said. "Our SIAC schedule is challenging, with key road games that will test us early."

Season ticket information for the 2026 football season will be announced early this summer.
 
 
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ABOUT ALBANY STATE ATHLETICS
Albany State University is a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II-level intercollegiate athletic program. The university currently fields teams in 11 sports: women's volleyball, women's tennis, women's cross country, men's and women's basketball, softball, men's and women's track and field, women's soccer, baseball, and football with all teams compete in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC), except women's soccer, which participates in the Peach Belt Conference.