Kent State football to play at South Carolina and Ohio State in 2026

Two Power 4 opponents, a rare conference game on the West Coast and a rivalry game on a Saturday are among the highlights of the Kent State football team’s 2026 schedule.

The Golden Flashes will open the season on Sept. 5 at South Carolina and play at Ohio State on Sept. 19. It will be Kent State’s first game against the Buckeyes since 2014.

The Flashes will play their home opener against Wofford on Sept. 12. Their Mid-American Conference opener is set for Sept. 26 against Ball State.

Kent State will play a road game against MAC newcomer Sacramento State on Friday, Oct. 30. It will be the first of four straight weekday games to end the regular season .

Rivals Kent State and Akron will square off at Dix Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 24. It will be the first Saturday game between the Flashes and Zips since 2022.

2026 Kent State Golden Flashes football schedule

Kickoff times and television assignments will be announced at a later date.

Saturday, Sept. 5, at South Carolina

Saturday, Sept. 12, vs. Wofford

Saturday, Sept. 19, at Ohio State

Saturday, Sept. 26, vs. Ball State

Saturday, Oct. 3, vs. Ohio

Saturday, Oct. 10. at Western Michigan

Saturday, Oct. 17, at South Florida

Saturday, Oct. 24, vs. Akron

Friday, Oct. 30, at Sacramento State

Tuesday, Nov. 10, at Bowling Green

Tuesday, Nov. 17, vs. Miami

Tuesday, Nov. 24, at Eastern Michigan

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This article originally appeared on The Repository: Kent State University football team’s 2026 schedule released